Greetings!

woodnaudio · « **on:** 15 Jan 2020, 01:49 am »

While I self-identify as an audiophile, it's been a long time since I've been on the hunt for new equipment. Yes, that's right, I've had more or less the same system for the last 19 years: Linn Ninkas, driven by a Majik-I (the old-style one). When I got that system from Overture Audio in Michigan, it was the biggest purchase I'd ever made.

Actually, scratch that, the first system I put together was a few years earlier... a Rotel RCD-971 CD player, a Creek OBH-11 headphone amp, and a set of Sennheiser HD-545. It wasn't until a few years later that I got the Linn system. I continued using the Rotel CD player for another 10 years until I replaced it with a Logitech Transporter and started ripping my CD collection to FLAC.

Now I've got an opportunity to put together a second system for a semi-dedicated listening room, so here I am to learn what's been happening.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Jan 2020, 05:42 am »

Welcome Woodn

ntjetsmoke · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Jan 2020, 06:18 am »

Welcome to the AC!

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Jan 2020, 07:28 am »

Welcome to Audio Circle!

Phil A · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Jan 2020, 02:16 pm »

Welcome to AC!

JLM · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Jan 2020, 02:52 pm »

Welcome!

And thanks so much for sharing your story. I've shopped at Overture as well (bought Hafler pre/power amp kits there in 1980) and last visited them a year ago (they've moved).

The biggest changes in audio relates to digital technology. Class D amps (highly efficient, small) have matured. Digital formats have expanded to several high-resolution (hi-res) varieties, but Redbook (CD quality) still reigns. Streaming is everywhere: free internet radio; purchased downloads; and CD quality subscription services like Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon HD have ~50 million albums to chose from. And digital analog converters (DAC) continue to improve. There is little reason to heavily invest in a DAC.

Another trend that is picking up steam is the realization of the importance of the listening space, of getting the right size (bigger is better), shape (non-cubic), proper setup/treatment, and the use of digital signal processing to make room corrections. Speakers continue to get tighter bass and more detailed. Active design (as studio professionals have been using for years) has seen an uptick as has controlled directivity which reduces room interactions.

All the while prices for really good sounding gear has been dropping. With a quality DAC/preamp and active monitors in a medium sized room you can put together a very good and satisfying system for under $1000 USD.