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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.

chayro
jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 

Supratek Syrah preamp this was back when all the hype started and it just never sounded good in my system and also hummed like crazy.

hifihandyman's avatar
hifihandyman
83 posts
 

I bought a Benchmark preamp because it had nearly perfect specs and when I put it in my system it was just dull and lifeless.  I ran it for a month constantly and it just never seemed to sound good at all.  There was a time in my life where I bought a lot of preamps and at times had no preamp.  My Classe is as close to perfect as I could find.  Very easy to listen to for hours and hours.

rgottschalk
10 posts
 

+1 on Magico speakers

yyzsantabarbara
4,810 posts
 

Bryston amps.

deadhead1000's avatar
deadhead1000
714 posts
 

I always wanted McIntosh stuff from when I way back in college (the 1970's), finally had the house and the money to get an amp and pre (sometime in the early 2000's) and never liked them. I thgough it was me or my other equipment, but nothing made it sound good. This is just my expereience and opinion. Loved the looks though.

Now the last time I said something against McIntosh stuff, even though I said clearly it was just my opinion,  I was insulted to the point that I made a  complaint to the moderator. She took the thread down. I am hoping that doesn't happen again, but wanted to add to this thread, which I find interesting. 

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