2. pc-audio
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Mid life audio crisis

Hi,

As the title says I seem to be going through a mid-life audio crisis and I would like some advice.

Here goes: In recent years I have upgraded, changed and tweaked my system until I have arrived at the following:

* Audio Aero Capitole CDP;
* Joule Electra LA 150MkII preamp;
* Dave Berning ZH-270 amp;
* Merlin VSM speakers;
* Cardas Gold Ref speaker cable & interconnects.

As you will see I have spent quite a few $$$$s on this system and I've been considering changing my ZH-270 for a pair of valve mono blocks over the last few months to help me get some more bottom end slam from my speakers.

Recently I bought a Steve Nugent modified Benchmark DAC1 and started to play digital music from my Mac. I was amazed at the sound quality from this combination and I considered selling my CDP. I have not sold my CDP yet but I suspect it will be only matter of time, as I think the modified DAC1 is better than my CDP and I have burned all my CDs to hard disk and use this more than my CDP.

I have never really got on that well with my Merlin speakers. Now please don't shoot me for saying this, all you Merlin fans, but they don't quite have the 'grunt' and energy that I like, perhaps they are true audiophile and too refined. I love transparency and sounstage, which they do well, but I also love bottom end slam that they don't do that well in my view.

The performance of the DAC1 has started me thinking and looking at 'pro' audio/studio gear and a week ago I got to listen to a tiny pear of active PMC AML1 speakers, that are powered by Byrston amps. This was fed by a Larvy DAC/Mac and nothing else but XLR cables - a real simple system that sounded amazing, but just lacked some bottom end slam, but had lots of transparency!

PMC recommend a sub with their AML1 speakers and I have worked out I could have my DAC1 > Bryston crossover to sort out the sub and active monitors. A really simple system that will probably halt me upgrading.

So what do I do? Keep my current system or go the active monitor + sub and DAC fed by a Mac.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Monty
montywoo
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Okay - close your eyes all you hard core audiophiles... I have finally done what I set out to do and that is to simplify my hi-fi and use a Mac/DAC1 as a source.

Gone are the Merlins, Joule, Berning, Audio Aero and Cardas and now my system consists of a Mac/DAC1/Drobo/PMC AML1/Zaolla cables and some room treatments.

A couple of things I have learned on this journey - a Steve Nugent modified DAC1 can sound truly amazing, small active speakers can convey emotion, presence and stature, and room treatments make such a large difference. Oh and the probably the most contentious is that I have found I only need to spend a fraction of the money on cables to get great results.

Equally as important is the pro audio forum communities welcome us and offer great advice - don't be afraid to ask dumb ass questions, but be prepared to learn almost a whole new language :-) and be prepared to walk into a pro audio store and be dazed and confused by the array of all the kit.

For any out there who are hesitating in making this type of change, as I was, have a go you won't be disappointed.

All the best,

Monty
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Congrats Monty! Good to hear that you survived the crisis and are doing fine!
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Hey Shadorne - thanks for the message. I've never been happier with my system!

I'm taking time to listen to music, just sitting back and enjoying the tunes, without worrying about tweaking etc...

And with the cash I've made I'm buying more and more music.

All the best,

Monty
jamesw20
270 posts
 
Glad you are happy with the new system. Sorry you had to spend so much and then sale it to get there.
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Yeah - my only regret is that I have lost a little cash - but hey life is tooooo short to get stressed over that!

Monty
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