Whats in your second system?


Just curious as to the people who like myself have many thousands "invested" in their main system with all the latest tweaks, cables etc and also have a second or even third system.

Did you assemble that with the same love and care and dedication and costly tweaks?

Or did you throw something together from bargain bins or indeed your old leftovers and then sat back and thought...Wow this sounds really good!

And if so did that get you thinking on the main system...lol.

My second system cost way less than the speaker cables on my main system but I am constantly shocked at just how nice it sounds for such a no frills setup.

Linn Classic all in one
Tannoy 2 ellipse small floorstanders
20 year old (at least) Jensen 50w 8 inch sub.
Monster Cable 12/2 speaker cable bare wire ends.
Home brewed power cord just cos I had it laying around.

The Linn just sits on top of a chest of drawers with the Tannoys flanking the chest either side and the lil sub sitting behind the chest.

And it sounds darn good tbh!
128x128uberwaltz
Deleted my last post as it did not pan out.

But now I have pieced together a 4th system and I am just totally in shock at how good it sounds. It has me questioning why on earth I am spending thousands upon thousands on other gear?

Very simple rig.

Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers, $125 shipped.
Sansui A-2100 integrated from late 70,s , $75 shipped.
Google Chromecast Audio streamer, $40 shipped.
Hooked up with el cheapo 3.5mm to twin RCA ic and QED bare wire end speaker cables all lying around in my goody box.

The SQ is simply mind bending for the cost and simplicity. The bass is felt through the floor and gut, hard to believe from those tiny boxes! Mids and treble are clear and distinct. About the only area it is not superior at is soundstage but what can one expect for $240 all in?

Is it synergy or were some of these Japanese integrated amps from the golden era simply that good!

Maybe this revelation calls for a new thread.....
>> Maybe this revelation calls for a new thread....<<

My second system in the basement "man-cave" is a Bluesound Powernode 2, Elac B5 speakers, and leftover 1990s-era XLO speaker cables.  Similarly, I am constantly amazed at how good it sounds.  Sure, there is nowhere near the detail and air of my main system, but still pretty damn good for a fraction of the cost.  It is making me re-think how I will approach future audio purchases and upgrades.
In my Den,

It started out as an $20.00 yard sale Kenwood complete component/rack system with a linear track turntable. The speakers were my NHT VT-1.2’s, Bose 501 Series IV and my Carver True Sub 8’’.

I have since traded out some of the components.
  • Replaced the speakers with Martin Logan’s ESL 8s’’
  • Still have the Carver True Sub
  • Replaced the turntable with an JVC QL-Y55F
  • Replaced the control amp with the Kenwood C2 preamp