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new member, some questions, need help please

Hi, my name is Jaime.  I've been lurking this site more intensely over the past few months as i'm at the end of my career and would like to assemble a very nice, better than mediocre equipment and listening environment.  I was heavily into audio and considered myself an novice audiophile for a few year back in circa 1988.  Got into med school, married, children, mortgage, fast cars, fine wines and, well, you know how it goes thereafter.  fast forward onto the current epoch, a few lbs heavier, tinnitus in one ear and still have the bug and still covet some equipment that I could not afford back then.  Well, don't hear too much of Mark Levinson, Wilson Audio is still around, cassette player are out (remember Nakamichi :-) ), now there's so much digital this and digital that, servers, streamers.... I've got much to learn.  But, for now, I just have one question regarding one piece of the audio chain...... speakers

I've alway wanted to own Wilson Watt puppy ever since I first heard them in 1990 paired with Jadis amp and preamp.  Wow, still remember back then the music was palpable and haunting (remember i was and still am a novice).  I"d like to return to Watt puppy and a great amp, but here's my question:  Specifically regarding Watt puppy series 8..... are they too old to be meaningful in 2024? Do speakers lose their magic to an extent that renders them less capable to a significant extent after 15-18 years (assuming proper physical condition condition for their age) or do they still have enduring quality sound after all these years?  I know that my ears and temporal lobes of my brain ultimately have to please me, but I do have to start somewhere with some knowledge moving forward, hence my ask for help.. thank you very much in advance.

Jaime

jaimeromero

Showing 1 response by psnyder149

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psnyder149
161 posts
 

@jaimeromero ,

Welcome back to the hobby.  A mixed bag of advice on this forum.  I have been into audio for a similar amount of time.  Some has stayed the same, a lot has changed and most confusingly, some brands that were great are less so today.  

If you have time and patience, I would recommend coming to Axpona in Chicago, mid-April. Quintessence Audio (which was mentioned earlier) is a fantastic dealer and carries Wilson here in Chicago area.  As you will find out Wilson speakers now range new from $20K to $1M and are really excellent as are some of the others mentioned on the thread; i.e. Magico, Sonus Faber and others.  Yes, digital is a completely different realm than in the 80’s (separate DAC’s, streamers, etc.) and can be quite good but analogue is still also doing great.   Quintessence has both.  Other stores I’m familiar with that are in southern CA are Scott Walker Audio and Alma Audio (a new Wilson dealer).  My strongest recommendation is to find a store that you feel you can trust and will patiently work with you as you explore what is now available and start to define your wants/needs and most importantly—budget!

 I have friends that have assembled really musical systems for <$20K and friends that have systems that are $1M+. Mine is somewhere in the middle.  Nice if you can network into a group of friends that are knowledgeable without being “know it alls”.  

If you do come to a big audio show, one thing you will quickly realize is that most of the crappy stuff is gone.  The general level of equipment has improved.  There are many good-great options.  But within that reality, the best costs the most… or at least a lot.  

The final point I would make is that the cost of your primary components: source, pre-amp (if you’re using), amp (or integrated amp and speakers) is not the end of the story.  Cables, racks, power supplies/conditioners, isolation devices, room treatments, etc. can easily cost more than the basic equipment.  Make sure when you start to build your system, that you factor in the auxiliaries.  

Good luck in your journey and have fun!

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