What I wish I knew before starting my audiophile journey

It’s been 46 years since I bought my first stereo receiver and a pair of 2 way speakers.  Since then I have maintained a two channel system and owned just 5 different pairs of speakers, 6 amps, 5 preamps, 6 turntables, and 5 CD and or DAC/Transport combos.  I’ve been through many more cable brands than anything through the years.  It takes me months to really settle into a new component and determine how I like it.  I’m not judging.  Back in the day I would visit stereo shops on weekends and business trips to hear different systems and components.  I also had some work buddies in the hobby which allowed all of us to hear various set ups.  These days all of that is hard to do.  So perhaps buying/selling is a pragmatic way to audition a component these days.  

Another way to build a system is through planning.  Stereo gear performance can be broken down into tiers.  Those tiers roughly correlate to price.  I know, everyone has their giant killer bargain sound component or tweaks that help get the most out of a component.  I was big into that in the late 80s to the early 2000s.  It can be very rewarding and while raising a family, pretty much the only option- in my case at least.  Anyway, I found that stretching a bit for a higher tier component when possible, if you know that’s what you want paves the way to upgrades in other areas at a later time.  It requires some planning and sometimes things don’t work out.  I had one preamp, for example for less than a year.  I also had an amp once for less than 2 years.  

When I retired recently I indulged myself and revamped my entire system.  Living the dream.  The best part was since I didn’t have to go to work I could spend nearly every day listening and planning out my system.  I visited a couple of stereo stores which were several hours away.  I also went to Axpona.  Good times.  In the end I sort of did things backwards.  I bought my new speakers last.  I knew what speakers I wanted so I planned everything around them.  They were my single biggest purchase so it took me some time to work up the nerve to spend the money.  It worked out ok.  I did end up changing out my speaker cables and all of my power cords to get the sound just right.  I haven’t thought of this until now but here is a breakdown in percentage of my components to total system cost.  I will leave out room treatments and dedicated outlet costs.  Btw- I started using dedicated outlets in 1988.  It was such an improvement that I have added them to every house that I have owned since.  Don’t hesitate to do it.

Speakers 28%

Amps 11%

Preamps (both line and phono) 18%

DAC, Transport 11%

Music Server/streamer (ROON) 2%

TT/Tonearm/Phono cartridge 9%

Tweaks such as footers, linear power supplies, etc 2%

Cables 15%

Power conditioner 5%

Audio: It is the best of hobbies and it is the worst of hobbies. It starts with a love for music but that quickly leads to obsession. In olden times life was simpler. One went all out with either a reel to reel tape deck or settled for a turntable. FM Tuners used to be a favorite for hobbyists, but not for the hi end crowd. Next the hi end crowd could choose from a handful of tube amps and preamps and either some electrostatic Quads or a suitable box speaker if they liked to play their music loud.

Today we have a bewildering choice of sources- digital, analog, streaming, wifi, bluetooth and on and on. And then there is the listening room and the power coming into the listening room, grounding and on and on. What? Has no one done a study yet on optimum hair length for listening? Or, how about ear shape. Any audiophile oriented plastic surgeons out there to take our hearing to the next level? Incredible. But I have some either good news or bad news depending on how you want to look at it. The news is that this hobby is a rabbit hole with no apparent bottom. It is up to you as a hobbyist to decide when enough is enough. Maybe you get to a point that you can no longer hear a difference, but that doesn’t mean someone else cannot still hear a difference, or maybe you get to a point that you don’t care if there is a difference. Peace to you and now your heart is full of gladness because you can get back to the music. Or maybe you simply run out of money and can no longer fund your voracious appetite for more and better upgrades. A very sad ending for many of us. But take comfort in knowing that the next piece of better stereo gear is either out there waiting for us or will soon be invented. I myself am waiting eagerly for my new, very expensive network switch to arrive. Just a few years ago I had no idea a network switch would be my bridge to stereo nirvana. Perhaps it won’t but I’ll never know until I try.

Stereo gear is designed and built in tiers. I say these tiers, in simplistic terms are low fi, mid fi, hifi and ultra hifi. Each has a place in our lives and can provide us pleasure and entertainment. The cost or price range of each of these categories surprisingly overlap as also does performance. That is to say that a piece of mid fi gear can sound surprisingly good for the money and leave one to mistakenly conclude that hifi is a rip off. An example for me is a $500 phono cartridge. I can mount one (and I have before when my Benz died) on my tonearm and find it quite pleasing. I can find it shockingly good. But after a while I begin to notice things are not well. I begin to notice detail is missing. Tracking wasn’t so great on some records, and so forth. I go back to a hi end cartridge and now the music is right again. Word of warning: Don’t step into the high end pool unless you are ready to pay. It’s like getting an upgrade to first class on an overseas flight. The ride home in coach is really horrible after that. Life is not fair but that is how things are. So it can get confusing when we hear a piece of lower price gear sound really good. Be careful not to make a conclusion based on a sample of one. The thing that experienced audio hobbyists can discern is pseudo hifi. That’s because we have all gotten burned at some time or another. Experience is the best teacher but guaranteed its going to hurt at times.

As I said the tiers overlap both in price and in performance. Many systems likely have a mix of some low end hifi or high end mid fi even if we want to believe it’s all hifi. And then there is the ultra hifi. If you think you have hit the ceiling and your stereo sounds as good as any stereo can sound, seek out an audition in a room with ultra hifi. One of three things happen- a) you cannot hear a difference, b) you hear a difference and want to throw all of your gear into a bonfire, c) You are filled with joy knowing your hobby has a new, higher ceiling and the quest can continue. If you fall into category C- please seek help.

What is hifi, low fi and mid fi? These are the definitions by Tony. Take them with a grain of salt. I am an old crotchety retired engineer full of outdated opinions. (I don’t think they are outdated but I get a lot of feedback to the contrary).

lo fi- iPods, car radios, bose radios, etc. Casual listening suitable for driving and singing along, or while working in the yard, cleaning house, etc. Also great for rides in elevators.

mid fi- The first vestiges of a music system. Sometimes recognizable as a 2 channel stereo. Can be a receiver based system or integrated amp based. Mass produced gear with components ranging from industrial grade to audio grade in the better quality gear. Mid fi gear can sound pleasant to good and even great with ample bass and rhythm. Generally mid fi lacks focused imaging and a three dimensional soundstage. The soundstage will breakdown and the sound become harsh or congested when the music gets loud or busy. But for college dorms this is how we rock! Yeah!

hifi- Generally this level of gear is boutique level. It is handmade or hand assembled using high level quality components that have been sorted or produced with minimal variation. High level designs with maximum performance in mind. Each component is typically auditoned by the manufacturer before shipping. Hifi can range widely from producing exquisite mid range with vocals to die for to full range systems that can reproduce organ notes like being there. Hifi is known to have a soundstage with a level of realism to almost being there. Three dimensional soundstage with sharply focused images. Very low noise that adds to the realism and striking dynamic range and response. Hifi can invoke intense emotional responses to the music. Once encountering hifi one to two responses are possible- a) You become smitten and spend the rest of your life pursuing that feeling, that moment when you first encountered hifi. (That’s me). b) You think, "sounds great" so what’s the big deai? In this case, peace to you and may your heart be filled with gladness. Go spend your money on a boat.

Ultra hifi- This is reserved for the handful (27) of billionaires in the entire world that a) have the disposable income for a $1 million record player, b) care enough to set apart a dedicated room that costs more than most homes, and c) have the time to dedicate to this hobby when not jet setting to World Economic Forums. Ultra hifi is an unforgettable experience. The musicians are in the room with you. Close your eyes and you can feel them moving about the room It is eerie and uncanny. Noise levels are absolute zero and dynamic range is beyond real life. Recordings feel like live concerts. Every sound, rhythm and pulse is delicious. The best high end hifi systems get very close to this.

Keep in mind that it is true, money cannot buy everything. These tiers overlap which can cause much confusion. Expertise in applying the gear, designing the listening room and knowing how synergy between components is working are key to getting the best sound for your dollar.

Here’s the best part: Spend $15k, $150k or $300k and still someone will comment that it could be better. Have enough family or friends over and someone will comment about a deficiency in the sound somehow. Think not? Just go to Axpona and listen to all the great gear in each of the rooms. Then listen to the comments of people when they leave those rooms. This is the hobby that tries men’s souls. (Ok, ok that tries people’s souls.)

A couple of additional comments that I’d like to add about ultra hifi and mid fi. Ultra hifi is music reproduction on a grand scale. It creates life size 1:1 imagery as well as clarity and realism almost beyond real life. I once heard an ultra hifi system set up in a ball room. Four large panels, maybe six all powered by separate large ARC ref amps. The orchestra was laid out before me on a life size scale in 3 dimensions. I could pick out each and every instrument in the orchestra- better almost than if I had been standing in front of a real orchestra. That was in 1989. Very impressionable on a young engineer like myself.

Mid fi is not a derogatory term. At least it should not be. It describes very musical and enjoyable systems that can be assembled on a much more reasonable budget. My HT system is mid fi and I think it sounds great. It is perfect for me for watching TV. I’m not interested in going hifi with my HT although some people are. I will even listen to music in 2 channel mode on my HT system at times. For sure my HT has benefitted from trickle down from my stereo system and I appreciate the improvement in sound. I keep my obsession focused on my 2 channel system.

I recently got an OLED TV for my HT.  I have to say, that is the TV I have been waiting for all my life.  But that is for a different thread…

A lot of cable bashing here lately.  I know cables aren’t appealing like a shiny new DAC, amp or speakers; but they are just as important. Good cables and clean power are needed to realize the full potential of your system. 
I understand how difficult it is to lay down serious cash for something that will be nearly hidden in the back. You kind of want to pull people to the back of your system and show them your cables.  “See how great they look?”  “Dude, it’s a power cord”. It won’t go well.  If you are devoted to great Hifi you will take the hit on upgraded cables and power cords.  Otherwise it’s all show and no go.  
Just like a hot rod, no one will see nor appreciate the work and care you put into the engine build.  They will see only the resulting performance.  Or the athlete who trains alone at high altitude for a few months in order to excel in the games. 

Works for me.  Now if only I could find someone who would be impressed…

I have had dedicated power to my stereo system since 1989.  Every house I have bought since I have taken the trouble to run a dedicated line to my stereo but I didn’t add a dedicated line to my current house until I retired a couple of years ago since it was the most difficult to do of all of my houses.  It is worth the trouble.  First of all, a dedicated breaker and power line reduces voltage sag- ie, drops in voltage as the line is loaded down.  I consider a stable voltage source a big deal for good sound.  Second, it reduces but does not eliminate electrical noise from other sources inside the house.  There is no single silver bullet that fixes all electrical noise for a stereo system.  Each step taken removes a small amount of noise and grunge that affects S/N as in background noise, improves clarity and makes the highs sound sweeter.  It nearly killed me to spend what I did on a power conditioner but it works.  It adds to the improved clarity and sweeter highs.  And then power cords do even more to reduce background noise and improve on the highs as well as bring out more detail.  I have said it before, buying expensive power cords takes a lot of grit and determination.  They aren’t sexy.  They are nothing to look at but if you want the best sound out of your components that you can get then they are necessary.  And much to my disappointment, good power cords matter after the power conditioner.

I have what I consider a hifi set up just because I have all the right names.  And well, it does sound killer…. 

From the time I bought my first receiver in 1977 until now I have been driven to improve upon my stereo sound system but it wasn't a constant or consistent endeavor.  I might go a few years between upgrades because I was either satisfied with the sound or caught up in work, cars, or by the mid 80s home theater.   Not every change turned out for the better.  I tried melding home theater with hifi.  That lasted about two years around 1990.  I built a dedicated listening room in late 1994 including acoustic sound absorbing panels.  I applied my NVH knowledge from working in the auto industry.  The sound was killer.  That was probably my peak in sound quality until just the last few years- and a whole lot less money in gear.  I bought my first Sota turntable in late 1992.  The sound blew me away.  That drove me to build the room but not spend more on gear.  Interesting looking back how I went that route.  It was out of necessity with a 2nd baby on the way.  Unfortunately, I got to enjoy that room for only about 2 years until I relocated.

My stereo was my stress relief at the end of the day.  The music lets me relax and just focus on the sound, the words and the instruments.  But once I heard a distortion, or an edge in the highs, anything  like that would start to annoy me and the problem would grow in my head until I had to do something about it.  So instead of stress relief it would become a stress point.  I would either stop listening for a while or start hunting for a new piece of gear.

Once I had the perfect system.  I enjoyed it thoroughly and immensely.  That lasted several years.  Even a hifi buddy advised me not to change a thing.  But no matter, I got the bug in me to change things up.  New speakers lead to a new amp.  New amp lead to new cables.  New cables lead to a new preamp.  New preamp lead to a new amp.  New amp lead to new speakers.  Thousands of dollars and a couple of years later I felt like I was back to the sound I had with my system before I started making changes.  It was a bitter lesson, but like a typical man, even knowing I made a wrong turn I refuse to turn back.  (I have literally turned back while driving just two or three times in my life.  One of them was in Prague.  No street signs, confusing roads.  Never did find my hotel.  Found my way to the airport, turned in the rental car and took a taxi to the hotel.  Man oh man, once the taxi got me there I realized that I had never even gotten close.)

So a few years ago as I was about to retire I made revamping my stereo system one of my projects.  The other projects, of course were updates and upgrades to the house as hopefully this will be my final home.  I relocated a lot over my career.  So I visited some good ole stereo shops, Axpona and read and read online.   My stereo project replaced my career basically these past couple of years.  That includes building some of my own tweaks and racks in my shop.  After putting in all of the effort and spending a fortune, I can say that I have exceeded my peak sound that I achieved in 1994.  And yes, I have done much work to my listening room here including GIK panels, a new floor and other acoustic treatments.  Not to mention- two dedicated circuits with hifi outlets and lots of spring based isolation.

My conclusion is that the room is the single most critical component.  The stereo system can make up for room deficiencies but it can get costly.  A stiff floor is critical as well as absorbing the bass reflections in the corners.  Next are stiff walls and ceiling to eliminate what I might call ghosting.  I'm thinking about secondary reflections from the walls, floor and ceiling as they vibrate from the sound.  Too much absorption kills the sound.  I learned that in 1994.  So don't overdo it with the sound absorbing panels.

I am reminded of a story:  In the early 1990s I got to visit the echoic chamber inside the Chrysler Tech Center.  It was a very large room with all walls and ceiling a few degrees off square.  The center of the room had a chassis rolls and at that moment a Chrysler minivan was under test in the room.  This room had hard surfaces.  Even a whisper echoed around the room for several seconds.  One had to be very careful in this room if not wearing ear protection.  Even a handclap could become thunderously painful.  My point is:  be mindful of making a room off square.  (I'm not talking about a vaulted ceiling as that can be a benefit.)  The sound in the room needs an exit.  The exit can be as simple as an open door.