Looking for $20k system for Mahler No 6

Pubul57

I wouldn't mind either new or used, and I am not a big believer of cable/tweak, so $20K will mostly be distributed to source/amp/speakers. Probably I will invest 1:2:3, so $10K on speaker, $7K amps and $3k source. Thus I posted this question in speakers forum. I personally believe that speakers will matter most especially on large scale music like Mahler 6.

But anyway, as I said, any opinions are welcome and appreciated.

DH

Doug

I know the theory behind cable and I know there are people who tell the difference that cables will bring, but I am blessed I cannot tell the difference. I did blind-test with well-known local audiophiles a few years ago, most of us picked cheapest electric power cable as the best speaker cable, since then I stopped investing on cables.

Yes cables matter, but not to me. So I don't need to spend money on them.

Hi Tweak1

I know what you said and I feel for you. Let me tell you my story a little bit if that makes you happier.

I have been in this hobby for about 25 years and about 5-7 years ago when I got a decent new job, I started spending buckets of money on audios. After using all-Krell all-Mark all-blahblah-$$$ systems, I wasn't still happy.

One day, while my audios were singing I went to the bathroom with door open (yes I was the only resident in my place), alas the music sounded like music, no more a spectrum of sound. I heard music.

What I realized was that there will be no end to this audiophile hobby as long as I remain anal and seek for best sound. There simply is no answer - I realized.

After that, I now even enjoy music from Bose wave system. I finally became a music lover.

But I sometimes want to try different types of speakers (I do not care much about electronics any more), so I have planar, bookshelf, single-driver, etc.

I gave up large-scale music like Mahler 6th, and enjoyed those with headphones. Soundstaging and body trembling air pressure are missing, but headphones do very good at large scale musci since there are simply no standing waves and intereference of sounds.

Now I purchased new home, with bunch of place I can use as listening space (yes I am still the only resident in my place), I will set different types of speakers for different types of music and will enjoy the differences.

The only thing I want to achieve is though to play Mahler 6th. I will set up some room tunes and acoustic treatment for that.

Hope I can accomplish this, but even I fail, I now enjoy life out of audios, so it's fine. I still have music.

DH

Pauly

Your observation was very sharp. You are probably right, I can tell the difference, maybe I just liked cheapest one among specific number of cables we used at that moment.
But, my reasoning was that it seemed like random. If I do blind-test again, I don't know which one I will pick.

So let me restate my story like this:
I agree that cables make big difference to the sound, and I understand the importance of the cable as a component. And probably my ears are sensitive enough to pick up the subtle difference cables are bringing.
However, my experience tells me that to me it is not always that "the more expensive the cable is, the better".

So, please anyone willing to help me out finding a set of audios for Mahler 6th, rule out the cables for now, I will invest on them later.

But again, suggestion for cables is also very welcome. I got nothing to lose for listening to fellow audiophiles opinions. The final decision will always be mine.

Thanks

DH

Paul,

Yes I tried horn loaded ones, not many of them but some, mostly back-loaded single-driver structure. The drivers were Lowther, Diatone, etc.
I heard also about nice dynamics from horn-loaded speakers when implemented correctly, but I don't know why I didn't get good result. Maybe they were too small? Biggest back-loaded horn I used was about 40" high, 12" wide, 20" deep.

I sure will look into horn approach.

Thank you again.

DH