First Watt amps. Most S.S. preamps. Horns. Harbeth speakers, Sanders electrostats, big omni MBLs, most KEFs I have heard recently,and on. Unfortunately as my personal systems improve and as I become a better listener, the list of also rans grows every year. So much equipment these days misses the true color and texture of the music or colors these beyond recognition.
Stuff You Tried To Love
I know we talk a lot about confirmation bias- we buy something and then convince ourselves we like it. Or something like that. But did you ever buy something you wanted to love and just couldn’t make it work? For me, Esoteric X-05 SACD/CD player. Bought from a local who was upgrading to the X-03. Big, beautiful piece of gear, but I couldn’t get used to the sound after 6 months of trying. Sold it to another local- I insisted he listen before he bought and I believe he sold it soon after as well. Totem Forest and Hawk. I loved the whole concept. Slim, easy to live with. Couldn’t get them to work in my room. The Model Ones were much better. I had a couple of other pieces, but this is long enough. BTW, these were bought used without audition.