Anyone here loving their system?

KT · « **on:** 24 Aug 2005, 11:22 pm »

Anyone here love the sound of their system enough to let well enough alone and just listen to music?

I have so many amps and sources that are supposed to be great or giant-killers or whatever, but I just realized that I must spend 80% to 90% of my time listening to my latest creation or modification burn in. That means most of the time the sound isn't that great - it's getting there, mind you, but not quite there yet.

Then, when it's getting close, I read about something else that I have to try. Whether it's a new technology amp kit that's cheap and supposedly blows away multi-$K amps, a new dac that's supposed to be inexpensive and really musical, a new cap that's suppose to lift the performance standard even higher, or a rediscovery of some old-school tech gizmo, like TVCs or vintage step-up transformers for MCs - and I want to try it all! That means I'm constantly burning in gear or parts or groping around for synergy between what I have in my system, which is alway in flux. Woe is me!

Well, I've resolved to put together a system that sounds amazing (not just really good or great - but AMAZING) and just leave it at that.

Do you think a tweaker can do that?

The last system I really enjoyed was based on a tweaked Cary SLP-94 pre driving a 47 Labs Gaincard into a humble pair of tweaked Optimus LX-4 pros. That sounded really good until I tweaked the magic out of the preamp by changing the good coupling caps (VTV Ultratones) to "better ones." I also really enjoyed my Audio Note Kit One driving a pair of smartly tweaked Klipsch Heresies a lot. I really loved those two systems.

Now I want to find something that's practical and just as fulfilling. Wish me luck!

Do you guys listen to music mostly, or to your gear burning in?

KT

Sonny · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Aug 2005, 11:35 pm »

KT,

I know many people like you in a group that I belong to in the Bay Area. I was once like that, always hoping and looking for the next best thing to give me a peace of mind that they system is best as it can be; however, I just end up exchange one amp for another or one pre for another, not to mention cables.

But now, I am extremely happy with the sound of my system, Odyssey Extreme Monos, Extreme Tempest, Marantz sa8260, VPI Scout, and Meadowlark Audio Herons. I must say, I love the sound, yet it can still be improved upon. Having said that, the thing I am trying these days are room treatment, speaker placement, etc...no more hardware swamping.

I've been stale for about a year now, and it feels good!!!

TT

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 12:53 am »

KT,

I look still, but love what I'm hearing nowadays. I'm very pleased with both the recreation of the event here, and what I've paid to reproduce it.

I'm not done waiting for 'burn-in', but I'm quite satisfied. First time in 20 years of searching

Hope you find peace brother....audio hell is a lousy place to be for long.

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 01:01 am »

I am loving my system, but continue to add things (like the Red Wine Audio modified SB2) at a much slower pace than in the past.

In fact, with how the system has sounded since I switched to the Salk Sound Veracity HT3's, I find it much harder to introduce new gear into the equation. I still have things hanging around that I want to try in the system, but I just never get to it because I am grooving to the tunes.

George

Rocket · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 01:32 am »

Hi,

Simply put no

I am addicted to improving my system even if it means i get myself into debt.

I have given my cc to my wife and therefore can't purchase anything unless i have the cash to do so.

I think part of the problem is i find it difficult to find music i like that is well recorded and then decide to upgrade a component in my system.

Currently i am using the following gear:

marantz cd4000 (stock)
perpetual technologies p1a/p3a modwright level 2
n.e.w. p3
ps audio hca - 2 (highly modified)
war audio speakers

I have recently had the hca - 2 modified which sounds very good but i am distracted by the gain mismatch between the amp and my preamp. Interestingly, the oem manufacturer is cary audio design and apparently it is one of their designs.

I have recently purchased a zalytron speaker kit called the phenomenal which i'm hopeful will significantly improve the sound quality of my system. It uses the raven 2 (i can't figure out why more manufacturers don't use this tweeter, perhaps its the cost?) and 2 x 1230 phl mid/bass drivers in a floorstander tmm configuration.

This hobby certainly can be addicted if your not careful.

Regards

Rod

claud · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 01:38 am »

I am very happy with my amp, pre, phono and speakers. I would like to upgrade my TT/cart without breaking the bank. Its next year's upgrade. What I have now sounds very fine, so no hurry.My CDP makes me happy, which for a vinyl/ tube guy is damn good. System is listed.

Zero · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 01:46 am »

KT,

I am not a tweaker, or very technically included. In many respects, I am thankful for this as it is one less aspect I have to concern myself over in this hobby.

I’ve been into this hobby for 3-4 years, going through massive amounts of equipment that even well off, and fairly active audiophiles go through in a matter of 10 years. Earlier this year I thought I would have reached that satisfaction point, and it just didn’t happen. I am now exhausted and ready to leave the hobby and now have very little to show for the massive amounts of investment and time spent.

I love high fidelity sound, the equipment, and the music. Sometimes, the best times through reproduced sound is listening to some handheld boombox with a group of friends, having a good time.

RoadTripper · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 01:59 am »

The short answer is, yes.

Ever since I heard a $65,000 system at a local audio salon and realized that both of my systems beat the expensive rig without question I have no audio wanderlust.

My only problem is dealing with the dynamics of a small listening room. The big room is made for audio. (I bought this house with audio primarily in mind).

But my better system is in a bedroom.

There will be changes in the future, no doubt. But I use the music that my imperfect system provides as my drug to ease the pain of some of the things that have crossed my path in life.

audioguy · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 02:54 am »

I've gotten to a point where I don't have much choice. I have been building this system for about 30 years and it is incredibly good (and expensive). so any upgrade that would offer substantive improvement would cost mega dollars. My most recent upgrade was a complete redesign of the room according to the direction of Rives Audio.

(Now if I can just stay away from some high end dealer who has some spectacular system, I will be fine !!

)

konut · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 02:59 am »

A mystery within a conundrum encased in a paradox. For some the journey is the thing, for others, the destination. For me, and most I suppose, its a combination of the two.
KT, your mention of the modded Optimus LX-4s brought a smile to my face as those are my 'go to' speakers for retrenchment. I'm expecting a set of Omega B200s in less than a week and find the older I get the fewer and farther between my purchases get to satisfy my gear lust. I've found that when it comes to sources and amplifiers that vaster sums are required for only incrimental gains, and I'm just not willing to make that kind of an investment in gear that, in a few years, will probably be surpasssed by more moddest expeditures. At some point, theres a point where 'good enough' is good enough, at least for a period, and the enjoyment of the music is all that is required. I can't deny, though, I've had a ball for the past two years researching the net for the next 'big purchase'.
For those of you who dont have the context of 30 years of the audio hobby, this is truly a golden age where more info and variety, as well as quality, is avaliable at a cheaper price than ever before. If your not enjoying it, maybe you should put it on the shelf for a period and pick it up again when you can bring a fresh perspective.

warnerwh · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 03:14 am »

This is actually a mental attitude. I've bought and sold alot of equipment over the years. Usually I keep the same pair of speakers for several years but may change ancillaries. My system sounds what I know is outstanding. To think I'm going to gain enjoyment from changing anything now is futile. There are still a couple things I'd like to try like DSP but my well treated room does very well already.

One thing to keep in mind is that at least you're not hurting anybody assuming you're not spending your kids lunch money. I believe in buying with cash saved only. Trying different components can be fun but if you're looking for perfection you can give up now. You can though improve your sound quite a bit over time. I used to tend to sell one piece and then spend more on the next piece to make it to the next level of refinement. At this point the returns are too small to worry about. Dsp is the only thing left to make enough of a difference to make it worth considering.

One thing I notice that many people don't realize is that the first thing to do before buying anything else is to make sure their room acoustics are good. This is major and can make or break any system no matter what the cost. Changing amps and wires isn't anywhere close to what good room acoustics can do and this is what I see many people do. No doubt the people with Tact and Deqx devices know well.

Now I must admit that this hobby is addicting. I need to listen to music almost every nite. It's like a drug for me. The bottom line though is that this is a fun hobby that is safe and has the side benefit of making music more enjoyable. If you lose the enjoyment of music you need to readjust your mental perspective. At least this is what I've had to do more than once.

Carlman · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 03:15 am »

I had an interesting thing happen... I made a deal with my wife not to change anything in my sound room for a year, or until I paid off all my credit card debt. This taught me to live with things for a while and I've enjoyed the lesson... Keeping yourself from hopping on various bandwagons is really good.... you learn to appreciate what you have, get more out of it, and tweak for free.

Now the debt is getting lower and I've found 2 things that I KNOW will fix my issues... room correction and room treatment. I've played with both with excellent results and now it's time to get serious.

I'm investing in burlap, rigid fiberglass, a pair of doors, etc... that I hope will make my sound room less irritating.

I've also found that 3 or 4 different amps would be completely suitable to me as long as I was using digital room correction. The amp just didn't matter as much when the room was corrected. Each amp had its own little flavor but overall, it didn't matter as long as I had the room correction. Nothing has given me that 'oh wow' factor like that in a long time. I got chills, wanted to listen to every cd I own, etc... that's just a rare reaction for me.

So, while I'm not happy with my non-corrected gear in my room that needs more treatment, I know that I will be... and fairly soon.

-C

SET Man · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 03:36 am »

Hi,

Yes, I love the sound of my system. And I always on a tight budget I don't change my stuffs often like some people out there. Hey! my system cost less than most systems I see in the gallery here!

As a DIYer. My hands get all itchy wanting to thinker with it, upgrading parts, build things!

But so far the system sound great!

But the good news is that my tweaking/building stuff is slowing down now. I'm now really just enjoying my system.

Well, is is an enless quests... this is a human nature to seek out new and better (not all way... MP3 is a good example)

And how do you know when you are in love with your system? Well, when you get goosebump while listen to your favorite song! That's what I get with my

Take care,
Buddy

PS
KT, aren't you in NYC area? You are welcome to listen to my sytem. Just PM me if you are interested.

ScottMayo · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 03:42 am »

Quote from: KT

Anyone here love the sound of their system enough to let well enough alone and just listen to music?

I'm there. Oh, sure, someday I'd like to replace my sub, but these days I go into my listening room with big plans, and end up just ... listening. And smiling. I've stopped looking at ads for gear, and that says it all.

In fairness, though, I spent a chunk of my interitance getting here, mostly on a world class listening room and two gorgeously accurate speakers. I couldn't have gotten here a tweak here and an upgrade there and I'm very glad I didn't spend years trying.

muralman1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 04:10 am »

Love my system dearly. It covers all types of music, Gorillaz to Kathleen Battle with shocking truthfulness from 20khZ to beyond all hearing.
I live in Sacramento. I invite any audio lover to my place where I will treat you to Chicago style pizza, fine wine, and great music.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 04:24 am »

Quote from: muralman1

Love my system dearly. It covers all types of music, Gorillaz to Kathleen Battle with shocking truthfulness from 20khZ to beyond all hearing.
I live in Sacramento. I invite any audio lover to my place where I will treat you to Chicago style pizza, fine wine, and great music.

muralman1,

John Ashman · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 04:30 am »

Not me. I have that nagging, irrational feeling that somehow, someway, it could be better. My shrink says I'm nuts, but I say he's over analytical.

JLM · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 11:36 am »

My current system is wonderful, but could be better. So future changes will go slow, as mentioned above, on a cash in hand basis.

The listening environment is the second most important component. Not just the room, or EQ, or treatments, but enjoyment (comfort, etc.) factors.

Tweakers, audiogeeks, tech heads, swappers, whatever label you pick are missing the essence of audio, that is enjoying the music for the sake of the music and the connection it makes to the right side of your brain.

flintstone · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 12:58 pm »

Well, my system has been better than the software I play for a long time...I know this because super high quality recordings always take the sound to a new level.

I blame very little on the system...That said, as audiophiles I think none of us can sit still forever and sometimes we change, just for change...at least I do!

Dave

Digi-G · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 05:13 pm »

I'm pretty happy with mine. Sure, eventually I'll upgrade my sub and my center channel, but I'm in no hurry to do that.

I don't think my system is world-class, by any means. But like Fred said the quality of the recording seems to be a limiting factor on my system, and most things I listen to aren't really 'audiophile' quality. With a good recording I think I'm.... 97% to as good as it gets (within my financial reason) so I'm happy.