Best Home HIFi you’ve listened to

I do not currently have audiophile friends. Albert Porter was nice enough to have me at his home while I was still in college. He had Soundlabs at the time, but I was most struck by the sound of his Walker turntable over SACD, which was the thing then. The sound was enormous, extending beyond the walls one some recordings, and crystal clear with a touch of body and warmth. Very well balanced. 

I have heard Soundlabs since. While they are amongst the best, they have obvious limitations. All systems do. To that end I think nirvana can be obtained by most who put in the effort as beauty is in the eye of the beholder type thing. 

I am pretty humble, but I do think my system sounds pretty good.   Best I've ever heard?  No , but in my space it sounds great.   My brother and his brother in law were over and my brother said, "show Will your system"    I had him sit down and played a few tracks that he liked and a few that are great demos and he was blown away....he said it was the best he has heard in anyone's home.    I'll take that compliment any day thank you

Link to my system: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3600

Mine. Although I have never heard anyone else’s system. Sure would like to tho. 

It is good to hear some folks think their system the best they have heard. It takes a lifelong commitment to do this. While, you could do it with infinite funds… but without going through the process (one which alters your perception of what a great system sounds like) it is unlikely to be that meaningful. I think this is something akin to the greatest rewards are those that are hardest to achieve / requiring the most effort.

Personally I am finding my system in retirement one of the most rewarding lifetime pursuits I have since I now have time to really enjoy and appreciate it. It’s value is many times the couple hundred grand I could have in the bank. I could not just go out and buy my system… without the thousands of hours of effort it took me to learn and invest… I would not be this satisfied.

I remember my first 115 mile bike ride to Oregon Pipe Cactus Monument for an overnight trip with the local Tucson bike club. That night, I looked around at all the other camp sites and felt so sorry for them… they drove there… but I sweated, and rode, and rode… and rode… and did it with my own two legs. I was high as a kite. Next morning… we got back on our bikes and headed back…. I held back riding really fast. I was worried about burning out. But at 35 miles from home, I said, “screw it,” and let loose… pedaling back home at a really fast pace… passing many more seasoned riders. This was my first ride with the club… before many more challenging rides… including with the founder of the Race Across American… and riding across America. Stuff you really work at is the most rewarding.