Is it me? Will I ever be satisfied?


As we have become empty nesters, we put together or are putting together a nice dedicated two channel system consisting of B&W 804 D3, Levinson No. 333 ( this is an older amp 20+ years old), McIntosh C22 (just purchased) in which I have already upgraded the tubes, Linn Lp12 TT, Blue Sound for streaming.  I am using Transparent balanced cables and Transparent speaker cables - not sure of the exact model, but all Transparent cables are close to 20 years old as well.

My questions, while I think the system sounds good - even really good.  I don't think it sounds great.  I recently purchased the C22 to be used with the No. 333 which I replaced a McIntosh MA252, which i really like and use in another system, it didn't have enough power.  My room is our garage which we converted to a playroom years ago.  It is approximately 25' and 20' wide.  We sit about 12' from the speakers which are at one end of the room .. While I realize that this hobby or lifestyle can be never ending....  I am considering upgrading the cables next and last but not least, add a new Amp, McIntosh MC462 or MC312.

Wanted to get some feedback, thoughts, in site, advice what you experience, am I missing anything?  Thanks

goducks44

In the end, it depends on who you are.
 

And I certainly agree with the advice about treating the room before buying anything else. It's your biggest component. I find most fatigue is caused by the room.

It's possible to stop chasing what is uncatchable and the first step is to stop or greatly reduce reading audio forums or message boards, at least that was part of what worked for me. I also got tired of the know-it-alls like the people who say component x doesn't mesh with speaker x or these wires aren't sufficient for system x, etc. If you want to continue to spend money on new (or new to you) gear and lose money on the stuff you sell (if you don't keep it), go for it.

It sounds to me like you need time with your system. This hobby is a lot more subtle than we expect, a new system must go ‘crash, bang wallop’ for it to impress, but that isn’t what a capable system does. It took me a few months to fully appreciate what my system did, it delivers music so smoothly that it makes me sit and listen for hours. Now I understand it, I know exactly how I want to improve it; for rock and such I want more slam, so I’m looking into a subwoofer. I own a Gallo Acoustics TR3, the original, and it doesn’t quite deliver what I want hence why I’m looking at a new one. It was easy for me to hear what I want, because I was so familiar with the system. Similarly I know after that a new dac has to deliver on maximum clarity, I have a well damped room so I can afford to chase detail without worrying about bright fatigue. 
It’s easy to get a new system, expect the Earth to move because we are so attuned to bass heavy Bluetooth speakers and car stereos that we completely miss what the system is doing. Give it some time, patience will massively pay off in the end. I know you’re listening for a week, but honestly it took me at least two months to truly fall in love with what my system was giving me. Your ears will hear more and more of it as time goes and that will give you what you need to make wise additions/changes. Otherwise I guarantee you’ll buy something that perhaps you haven’t auditioned at home and be right where you are now. And if you just go for ‘loud’, you may be impressed at the start but in time you may find the system exhausting to listen to and realise that isn’t necessarily what you wanted. 

Post removed 

Ok the Bluesound is a decent digital transport as long as you use an external DAC. I recommend an “analog” sounding Lampizator Baltic 3 for that. You should also look into the Auralic Ares G1 or G2.1 streamer.

Those old transparent cables are sucking the life out of the system a bit. Try Shunyata delta or alpha level power cables (do not get the noise reduction connectors for the tube gear get the XC not NR…NR is for solid state and does weird things with tube gear I tried them with) and then for something accurate for speaker and interconnects an American company called Kubala Sosna you will find has more resolution but won’t emphasize treble or sound weird like other brands and I recommend Temptation level in the middle to start. That’s what I use in my YG Accoustics Carmel 2’s. Your B&W speaker has a more forward sound with the diamond tweeter and you need a cable that is accurate and won’t turn them into double treble murder canons. GTT Audio can help you with the cables and maybe upgrading the streamer to the next level with an Auralic Ares. Fred can help you over at Lampizator North America since they sell direct. Sources are all neglected it’s not just the amps. That old Linn is cool but a better turntable is a Kronos Sparta 1.0 that has a counter rotating plater underneath the main plater to counteract all vibration but turntable last.

Amps to look into are Belles Audio….Think Pass Labs and McIntosh with more resolution but better value. Audio Connection in NJ can help with them and they will  go perfect with your new preamp. You just need a Belles virtuoso stereo amp. 
If you can swing it try Mola Mola Kalugas they are class D and pair great with tubes and the treble is sweet and slightly rolled off to curtail the diamonds. I am 40 so I tried a lot of new tech most people refuse to try. The Mola Mola needs to be plugged in a whole day before they are ready to do critical listening.