Years and years of swapping gear, finding out what works with what and why. More important, what doesn't and why not? Getting older and am at the point I just can't swap gear in and out and don't really want to anymore. Heck, my smallest tube amp must weigh 60 lbs or more! I found myself at the point in life where I just want one set up that, A: sounds good, B: I can actually assemble without fear of throwing my back out! Getting older is hell.
I've learned never to say "last system" but no longer going to work and no longer able to pull huge tube amps and super heavy speakers around anymore, I realized it was time to assemble something that would sound good, not break bones setting up and wouldn't wipe out my 401K.
Here's where I ended up:
AMP: Creek Evolution 5350
TURNTABLE / CART: Rega RP6 with Dynavector 20
PHONO PRE: Jolida JD9II
TUNER: Rotel RT980
CD / SACD : Marantz 6000 {not sure the model # is correct but it's a sweetheart}
SPEAKERS: Dali Icon 6 MKII
CABLES: Audioquest Gabrator / Audioquest King Cobra
All of these are items or updated items of things I've owned over the years, just never together. It sounds great, I can actually move it if need be and as far as good stereo's go, it wasn't stupid expensive. Now the hard part, let's see how long I live with it!
