Hi @tomthiel,
The core of my system remain the Thiel CS 3.5's being fed by two Audio Research D240 MKII solid-state amps (in bridged-mono configuration), with Audio Research tube preamps (LS7 line-stage and PH3 phono). The source I was streaming Tidal from is my Bluesound Vault 2, which has a MQA-capable DAC built-in...most of the files I've been listening to lately are MQA-encoded tracks. As before, my listening area is on the smaller side, probably 14'x10', but thanks to your help, I think I finally was able to nail down my listening height issue...my ears are now about 30"-32" from the floor, depending on how far I lean my chair back.
I came to the feeling of satisfaction from two different vantage points...one practical, the other emotional. On the practical side, I finally got the feeling that, if I could never try another/different/new component in my system, I would be okay with it. That I finally had a system that satisfied me with not only how it sounds and how it performs, but also gave me great joy in owning it, great pride in the time and effort it took to acquire the right pieces and put it all together.
From an emotional standpoint, it was the realization that I was no longer listening to music...I was experiencing it. When one listens to the greats...be it Miles Davis or Dexter Gordon, Van Cliburn or Horowitz, Clapton or Page, Pet Sounds or Sgt. Pepper's...you should feel wonder and amazement, of feelings that go beyond simply listening and to the emotions that these great artists, and others like them, have when they perform. That's what I had...that's what I finally understood...that for me, Hi-Fi meant feeling the music on an emotional scale more than anything else. And, the only way I got there, was because of this beautiful, seemingly perfect combination of metal, wood, wire and current that moved air in such a way that it stirred emotion. I was satisfied, because I had come to understand what this wonderful hobby meant to me.
Could it be better? Sure...I would never delude myself with thinking that it couldn't. But, the more important question I asked myself was, "Did I need it to be better?" And, without hesitation, I am happy with knowing that right now, no...I'm pretty happy with where I'm at!
So, Thank You Tom and everyone else for your help, guidance and knowledge. And I hope that this finds you and yours well and safe...
Arvin
The core of my system remain the Thiel CS 3.5's being fed by two Audio Research D240 MKII solid-state amps (in bridged-mono configuration), with Audio Research tube preamps (LS7 line-stage and PH3 phono). The source I was streaming Tidal from is my Bluesound Vault 2, which has a MQA-capable DAC built-in...most of the files I've been listening to lately are MQA-encoded tracks. As before, my listening area is on the smaller side, probably 14'x10', but thanks to your help, I think I finally was able to nail down my listening height issue...my ears are now about 30"-32" from the floor, depending on how far I lean my chair back.
I came to the feeling of satisfaction from two different vantage points...one practical, the other emotional. On the practical side, I finally got the feeling that, if I could never try another/different/new component in my system, I would be okay with it. That I finally had a system that satisfied me with not only how it sounds and how it performs, but also gave me great joy in owning it, great pride in the time and effort it took to acquire the right pieces and put it all together.
From an emotional standpoint, it was the realization that I was no longer listening to music...I was experiencing it. When one listens to the greats...be it Miles Davis or Dexter Gordon, Van Cliburn or Horowitz, Clapton or Page, Pet Sounds or Sgt. Pepper's...you should feel wonder and amazement, of feelings that go beyond simply listening and to the emotions that these great artists, and others like them, have when they perform. That's what I had...that's what I finally understood...that for me, Hi-Fi meant feeling the music on an emotional scale more than anything else. And, the only way I got there, was because of this beautiful, seemingly perfect combination of metal, wood, wire and current that moved air in such a way that it stirred emotion. I was satisfied, because I had come to understand what this wonderful hobby meant to me.
Could it be better? Sure...I would never delude myself with thinking that it couldn't. But, the more important question I asked myself was, "Did I need it to be better?" And, without hesitation, I am happy with knowing that right now, no...I'm pretty happy with where I'm at!
So, Thank You Tom and everyone else for your help, guidance and knowledge. And I hope that this finds you and yours well and safe...
Arvin
