My Cheap and Cheerful system is almost done and it is already blowing my ears away. I realize having not heard many correctly set-up systems and not one Audiophile system in over 20 years probably has most to do with it, but ignorance is bliss right? What I am amazed about is how cheap this system is, yet how detailed the sound is becoming, imaging, tone, speed of bass attack, subtle nuances Ive never noticed before in records/CDs I know very, very well. The music just sounds so real now. I am in a rock band and we practice in my basement so I think I know a bit of what a live sounding drums, electric guitar, etc. sounds like.
Sources: Macbook pro, cheap Sony DVD player (used as CD transport), Denon DP 62L TT With Ortofon OM2 Red.
Amplifiers: Cambridge 540p phono pre, Sure Electronics TDA 7294 2x50 wpc amplifier (12v wall wart), Trang Optocoupler pre-amp (12v SLA).
Converters, etc: Grant Tube Buffer between amp and amp, Cambridge DACMagic for CD and Macbook.
Speakers: Paradigm Titans (old) and Boston Acoustic A70 bookshelves (Lost shine with new foam surrounds, took them out for now). TEKTON LORES COMING NEXT WEEK.
I have some bass traps and other coverings (acoustic sheets) on the walls which have helped as well. Another thing coming up is I will use a 24v power supply on the Sure amp which will boost power significantly. Trying to decide on two 12v SLAs or a switching power supply from Parts Express. Prefer the idea of batteries though. These Tri-amps like battery power I have noticed.
One example from last night was listening to Diana Krall and I could hear and place a musician snapping his fingers in front and then to side of body back and forth! It was that real. Again amazing to me I can have this much awesomeness on my budget. The Lores and DacMagic are my only high ticket items and they aren't even that high (ok a Macbook Pro is $1400).