What Makes your System Special?

One of the things I haven’t seen mentioned (unless I’ve missed it) is the sentimental value.
When I look at my almost 40-year-old Klipsch Cornwalls, which I found on Craigslist, I remember the three-hour, one-way trip the kids and I made to Kansas City in the rain (both ways!) to pick them up and eat at a Waffle House (note to Waffle House: add more franchises further north). It was probably the best rainy day I ever spent.

When I look at the McIntosh MX110Z preamp, I remember all the years longing for a McIntosh tube preamp and wondering how I could ever afford something so expensive. Then after my grandmother left me a few thousand dollars of inheritance, after paying off a few bills, I finally had enough to see what all the raving was about. So each time I look at it, I remember the longing and I remember my beloved grandmother.
I hope to some day upgrade my power amp and maybe my turntable, but I’m taking those Corwalls and MX110Z to my grave.

I'm with Hilde on this one, I lived in a house with tall ceilings 24 ft tall or so at the living room area, the living area was 25 ft wide at the speakers wall and 18 from speakers to listening spot, I could move my speakers off from the wall and the tall ceiling made a big difference. The living area opened into kitchen and dining on the sides for reflections to escape. In addition to this less than a mile away there is a hospital and just half mile away or less there was an electrical substation with electrical feed just coming straight to the houses nearby including mine. Sound was magical in that room, no close neighbors,
no buzz coming from my system.I moved to a town home with weird geometry, electric feed passes through 29 other townhouses before reaching mine I have a buzz with 30 dbm peaks at 120, 180, 240 and 300 hz. As good as my system sounds now the old house was much much more forgiving on system quality.
The bright side? I know now how important that is and just looking forward to move to a select place.

All your opinions are valid, in my case, my room and place made it very special.

Nice post mapman

I think my 30 year-old speakers are kinda special.   They still sing, and their looks still set my heart aflutter.

More time to "enjoy the music"! :-)

My room