Acquiring an awesome system, but how?


At this point I am making some changes to my system that may raise eyebrows as have in the past. But it's my money and my ears so here goes.
If one was to count all the makers of high end stuff and multiply by how many pieces will be included to create a system one would get the statistics of possibilities of combinations. I bet it's as high as our deficit, did I have to bring that up?
Well it mind as well be infinite because no one can even approach a fraction of all the possibilities.
I still haven't picked up an atma-sphere mp-1 preamp, so every now and then I look at the forum and see some suggestions for preamps to see if something comes up with raving reviews.
Well most of us know it's mostly synergy that makes a system excellent.
I thought the experienced goners can shed some light and offer suggestions as to what will make lasting purchases.
On my end I was amazed at how good the atma-sphere m60 sounded while it was running, now it is on hold till some things get resolved and so now I am back to the sim w-5 and it still satisfies. But I would like to do some more comparative listening, because the atmas sounded so good. I have no intentions of letting go of the atma's by the way.
I am still after the mbl sound and will be experimenting with some non-mainstream designs. I have some good ideas that will take time to bring to fruition.
But as for the reason for the thread, please share with us what systems made the biggest impressions and how one achieved them without breaking the bank?
Please include what systems sounded the best to you.
pedrillo
Atmasphere, I would love to hear these speakers. Maybe someone in NYC has them.
I bet they work well with your amps which to me is a big plus.
If you have trouble finding them let me know, they are just now getting their marketing off the ground.
Over the years i've owned many different systems(Carver, Hafler, Onkyo etc.) Last year picked-up my first Mcintosh pieces a C-28 and a 2105 amp for $1,300, wow was I blown away by the sound of this equipment. Since then i've purchaced 10 pieces of Mcintosh equipment and am amazed at the build quality and sound this stuff has not to mention they look nice. Just purchaced a C-22 tube pre-amp and to gether with a ss amp they sound amazing together, best of both worlds. Hope you find what your looking for.
Well, since the question is put so bluntly, I am forced to reply rather bluntly too.

Get an all Zanden system. It is simply awesome and beyond.

I do appreciate an all MBL system also, if set up right, but Zanden is just an order of magnitude higher performing, coming awfully close to live performance. The CD front end often exceeds in realism compared to a well set up analog system. And their amps (The 9600 monoblocks) ? Simply astounding. Seem to deliver way more than rated 60-90 watts per channel. Be sure to match right speakers with these though (I use my old and trusty Dunlavy V with 2 ohm tap) When used with other make components (like I did for a while with my MBL 6010d preamp and 9008a amps, and later with MBL 9008 amps only, zanden, or is it the system as a whole?, may deliver what might be called colored sound, but make no mistake, when used with neutral cabling and all zanden components the results are zen like. Nothing I have heard comes close to it. Not yet. And I highly doubt any system ever would- a very bold statement, I know. I recommend auditioning one at home.
Only other system that came close was the 2005 or 2006 LA show, with Metronome digital,-Lamm pre and amps- Wilson watt puppy 8 speakers room.

All the best with your search.
pedrillo, until you have described the attributes of the stereo system you may wish to acquire, it is impossible to make meaningful recommendations.

i assume you are seeking help to achieve this elusive goal. you are seeking component suggestions. please guide us as to your ideal of sonic euphoria, and then appropriate component suggestions can follow.