I bought the Emotiva BasX-A3 and Denon X3700H based on good review but they were terrible for music. They were OK for movies. --- source=Apple Music lossless quality
I love your question about, given the instant opportunity, would you jump off the gear merry-go-round? It reminds of a scene in Jean Paul Sartre's one-act play No Exit in which three people who presumably have died are now trapped in a room with no windows and one door, all of them driving each other crazy (leading to the conclusion that hell is other people). At one point one of the characters starts screaming and pounding on the door to be let out when the door suddenly opens revealing a black void. The man grows quiet, peers into the void, and cannot bring himself to take the step to escape. Sarte had no idea he was writing the metaphor to describe the incurable hifi gear junkie. Love your vids, Mikey. Always miss 'em when you take a few days off.
Mikey, all of these Questions truly show the Depth of your Passion for HQ Audio! I really Appreciate your Knowledge Base! Thanks Man!✌ PS: I am too Old to Chase Tail, I just let it Wag Me once in a while!
This was a very interesting flip on the questions … In the end we’ve all gone around the audio equipment chase merry go round..only to wind up pretty close to where we started ..and realize that you need decent gear (not necessarily extremely expensive) but you’ve probably accrued a decent selection of “new to you “ music be it playlists, cd ,vinyl,tape…and you’re sitting there and BOOM 💥..your toes are tapping,heads bouncing..or you’re up and dancing 🕺…that’s when technology has become the background and it’s now the sound working that part of your brain that was dormant during the equipment chance and now it’s time for that tiny piece of your brain to fire up…so are you an audiophile or music lover or that something in between 😊
Very happy with our set-up, Audiomat electronics with Duevel speakers. So musical, refine, dynamic, can play all kind of music. When inviting none audiophile friends they are amaze how musical it sounds, they can listen to it for long hours. Just bougjt a RV to do other things with my wife. We have an older OCD distributor in Canada. I love your videos...
Liked the interesting list pal. Certainly a more real, honest and thought provoking set of questions from any other list I have ever seen as of yet. This list provides a shot of truth serum and a reality check on ones own self. It will be interesting how forthcoming some folks are in responding to this. Certainly makes me think. Well done Amigo. While I am not new to sound or music as it has been my career for over 30 years. I am fairly new to the Hi-Fi world so cant answer all of these questions quite yet. But I am sure in no time flat I too will be able to. But hopefully I get the advantage of learning from others mistakes as well as successes due to them sharing their stories. Have an awesome day.
Mikey got me away from the big brands, when he recommended Maggies with subs actively crossed over. I haven’t looked back since. I still dont know how to build a system so I listen to mikey.
With respect to question number 2 I definitely fell for the hype of the PrimaLuna Evo 100 phono preamp. That thing just would not sound good no matter what I did. I am flabbergasted by the nonstop rave reviews. Sold it and never looked back. BTW “Phase Knob” is my new go to for a dipshit. We are all phase knobs once in a while. Fun videos.
I bought the Emotiva BasX-A3 and Denon X3700H based on good review but they were terrible for music. They were OK for movies. Speaker Kef LS50 meta were terrible as they were beaming and had no bass and heavy with plastic binding nuts. Instead, I upgraded to these which sound way better: Arcam AVR5 (for movies), for music (NAD C298, Parasound 2100, Parasound 2125v2, Parasound Zonemaster 2), DAC and DDC (Denafrips Pontus II 12th-1, Denafrips Iris 12th), streamer (Eversolo DMP-A6 with LPS by Beatechnik), cables (Cardas Parsec, Cardas Clear, Ifi Supanova power cable, GearIT 10 gauge speaker cable), speaker GoldenEar BRX with AMT tweeters. --- source=Apple Music lossless quality
I bought a second hand Yamaha Rxa3010 receiver, Oppo bdp-93 bluray player, Jensen Qx-40 3way towers with surround speakers, two Jensen qx-85 subwoofers and a Reloop red turntable with a vincent 300 phono preamp using pure direct on receiver and for digital playback using bass management with subs in reverse polarity and to me the sound is wonderfully musical though does have that slight anxiety induction. I saved thousands buying it all second hand and the quality is great. But I can't claim to have reached audio nirvana. I sure miss the ribbon tweeters on my old sony ss-636 box speakers. Ribbons are incredible.
6:31 * A person one day buys a pair of speakers> Listens to a favorite track through them. months later its realized that the speaker could be revised to improve the sound perception> anoth4er spekaer is purchased V19.3> listens to a favorite track, that has been months since with the previous speakers>evntually decides that the V19.3 speakers need improvemnt> purchases new speakers and a new dac> listen to the same track months later with the new dac> upgrades is decided and a new peice is installed into the system> listening to one track every few months to test for quality> is not enjoying the music> its analyzing the audio only> to which leads to new versions of installed equipment. in Hifi music should not be improved, but ...
Only question I can remember is #11 and the answer is yes; I’m chasing good enough, not perfection and I’m pretty darn close given my budget. Fun list. Trying to justify trip to CapFest as a DC trip with an audio show on the side.
You know me! I never fake a response. I couldn't care less about anybody's opinion or how much they paid for their gear. In 1974 my first audiophile gear was a quad 33 preamp & a quad 405 amp with a JVC ql7 turntable...All about 3 years old. In 1982 I bought a new Perreaux SM2 preamp. My final setup was to replace the turntable😮😮 with a Lynn, service the SM2 AND pick up a 1983 Perreaux PMF 1850 power amp to replace the Quad. That's it. My next audio investment will be with you... If I live long enough!
Yes, JC-2 preamp, Auguset 1982, 20 years... and counting! No.20 years 1% (NYC Audioshow 1985). Linaeus Model 9( ... unbelievealble showstopper.).Don't coverup.. Mggies 1,6 after audio nirvana: apogee Divas No, I want nirvana back ,
Update................. There's now competing manufacturers offering USB 3+ (A and/or C) to fiber optic converters. So cool, but now our DACs need I2S and Fiber optic inputs of course. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
1 Yes, because my friends don’t understand my disease. 2, PS Audio Direct Stream. 3, after i bought the PS Audio. 4, 30 years and counting. 5, yes, when i bought my Focals. But I sold them for more than i paid so there is that.
#2. Denafrips Pontus 2... was a horrible experience & a horrible product. It was completely not put together correctly and took forever to get it fixed. Then i sold it.
My answers: 1 I’ve never lied about any of my audio gear purchase prices. 2 Dynaco ST-70 stereo amp. Not as musical sounding as the rags said it was. 3. I realized the distinction between paid journalist and audiophiles was in the mid-1970’s. 4 Too many years, because the audio rags don’t teach the importance of system building. 5 Never. The gear SQ is far more important than any discount I ever received. 6 I’ve spent too many years on the buying/selling treadmill and still haven’t reach audio nirvana. 7 At the 2024 Axpona show, none of the rooms offered systems was worth their asking price. Just my view. 8 What’s the question?? (You skipped it!). 9 I’ve always tell folks I’m an audiophile who loves recreating music in my home. I also tell them I attend shows when I have the time. But that’s a separate conversation. 10 I’ve never bought anything at 50% retail price, so doesn’t apply to me. 11 Definitely. I’m on the road to therapy for my audio neuroses by trusting in Mikey!
I am more in to music than hifi but I'm an audiophile. Audiophiles are not all the same. You are for example a lot different than Jay's audiolab. You know what I mean. Greetings from Iceland.
6, 30 years but i feel i have arrived. Still looking though:). 7, 10%. All the low priced gear sounded great for the money. 8, ?9, Yes. 10, Focal Maestro Evo. 11, too late for that.
I look at the Stereophile class A component rankings, especially the full- range loudspeaker category with increased skepticism. If all the components in class A represent "the best attainable sound for a component of its kind, with the least musical compromise", then why would I consider a $350,000 class A speaker if similar musical performance is available for $20,000? I may be oversimplifying things, and there are vast differences in component quality, brand recognition, resale value, etc., but the listening experience and musical performance rules, right? Maybe that class A rating is more subjective rather than an objective and universal standard of quality?
Those ratings are paid for through advertising, dinners, and, in some cases, blowjobs. I still have not seen 20K beat 350K. But I can beat things at twice the cost, quite commonly. But your thinking outside the box and we should all do that.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Thank you for the tough and candid response. You remind me to always investigate and verify claims, and to keep the "Big Boy" pants on and securely fastened.
Same class doen't mean equally good. Everything in Class A isn't a. perfect TIE. There is borderline Class A and at the other end endof it, stuff that comes trailing clouds of glory. There could be some controversy about some of the things that made it in; including the original $1,600 KEF LS 50 speakers. Which some like and some think are mediocre. A questioning mind is good to have though, especially in this hobby.
4 questions in and none of the above so far for me. So are you going to answer any of the Original 11 questions the other audio TH-camr put out to you guys ?……Well we’re waiting ?
Correct me if I'm wrong ? Those questions ask were put out by Skylab Audio and few who sales used vintage equipment. Not exactly a pillar of the high-end equipment that you dislike. Its was just meant to be Fun.
I have a challenge for you. I've got into "HiFi" 2 years ago. I have 3 systems in my house now. I bet any one of my systems will beat yours at a price point... You know what, I'll Give you FIVE times the amount that I spent Thats right you get 5X the amount of money and I bet I'll win. We can do my garage system... my living room set up... or my bedroom hifi setup. Your call
Mikey has never stopped making unique hifi content, and I found this video quite informative, real, AND entertaining, in fact. Even if your comment made sense, it sure doesn't sound like you know how to respectfully make a request.
Please SUBSCRIBE 🙏!
Maggie four year dance 🕺
Everything matters, live & learn
I bought the Emotiva BasX-A3 and Denon X3700H based on good review but they were terrible for music. They were OK for movies.
---
source=Apple Music lossless quality
I had the same system for 4 years now.
Audiovector speakers and Gryphon amp. Love it.
I will upgrade my speakers when upgrade is available.
I love your question about, given the instant opportunity, would you jump off the gear merry-go-round? It reminds of a scene in Jean Paul Sartre's one-act play No Exit in which three people who presumably have died are now trapped in a room with no windows and one door, all of them driving each other crazy (leading to the conclusion that hell is other people). At one point one of the characters starts screaming and pounding on the door to be let out when the door suddenly opens revealing a black void. The man grows quiet, peers into the void, and cannot bring himself to take the step to escape. Sarte had no idea he was writing the metaphor to describe the incurable hifi gear junkie. Love your vids, Mikey. Always miss 'em when you take a few days off.
Great story !! Love it !! I'm LIVE every Wed and SAT
@@OCDHIFiGuy Unfortunately, I'm usually working, but I pretty much always watch them after the fact.
Perfect Mikey! 😂🤣 Nailed it, brother. Hahaha!
Mikey, all of these Questions truly show the Depth of your Passion for HQ Audio! I really Appreciate your Knowledge Base! Thanks Man!✌ PS: I am too Old to Chase Tail, I just let it Wag Me once in a while!
More to come!
Music in not a hobby, it’s a passion ❤
@@DavidGilden 4 sure
NR9😂-Gear is the real passion, give us perfect reproduksjon of the real thing???
@@Error2username gear is the TOOL
I think you mean disease
@@gprojectnoob4779 that too
This was a very interesting flip on the questions …
In the end we’ve all gone around the audio equipment chase merry go round..only to wind up pretty close to where we started ..and realize that you need decent gear (not necessarily extremely expensive) but you’ve probably accrued a decent selection of “new to you “ music be it playlists, cd ,vinyl,tape…and you’re sitting there and BOOM 💥..your toes are tapping,heads bouncing..or you’re up and dancing 🕺…that’s when technology has become the background and it’s now the sound working that part of your brain that was dormant during the equipment chance and now it’s time for that tiny piece of your brain to fire up…so are you an audiophile or music lover or that something in between 😊
Very happy with our set-up, Audiomat electronics with Duevel speakers. So musical, refine, dynamic, can play all kind of music. When inviting none audiophile friends they are amaze how musical it sounds, they can listen to it for long hours. Just bougjt a RV to do other things with my wife. We have an older OCD distributor in Canada. I love your videos...
Great !
Liked the interesting list pal. Certainly a more real, honest and thought provoking set of questions from any other list I have ever seen as of yet. This list provides a shot of truth serum and a reality check on ones own self. It will be interesting how forthcoming some folks are in responding to this. Certainly makes me think. Well done Amigo. While I am not new to sound or music as it has been my career for over 30 years. I am fairly new to the Hi-Fi world so cant answer all of these questions quite yet. But I am sure in no time flat I too will be able to. But hopefully I get the advantage of learning from others mistakes as well as successes due to them sharing their stories. Have an awesome day.
These are better and more interesting than the original 11 questions
Thanks 😉
I feel I'm at Nirvana. I have one major step left , which is my last pair of speakers.
I can help you with that.. if you're serious, that is... ;-) 😉
Mikey got me away from the big brands, when he recommended Maggies with subs actively crossed over. I haven’t looked back since. I still dont know how to build a system so I listen to mikey.
@@dajikbatarang1 I can help !!
With respect to question number 2 I definitely fell for the hype of the PrimaLuna Evo 100 phono preamp. That thing just would not sound good no matter what I did. I am flabbergasted by the nonstop rave reviews. Sold it and never looked back. BTW “Phase Knob” is my new go to for a dipshit. We are all phase knobs once in a while. Fun videos.
Lol. Total Phase Knob... love it !!
" they are trying to sell you a shitte sandwich " - OCD MICKEY
I bought the Emotiva BasX-A3 and Denon X3700H based on good review but they were terrible for music. They were OK for movies.
Speaker Kef LS50 meta were terrible as they were beaming and had no bass and heavy with plastic binding nuts.
Instead, I upgraded to these which sound way better: Arcam AVR5 (for movies), for music (NAD C298, Parasound 2100, Parasound 2125v2, Parasound Zonemaster 2), DAC and DDC (Denafrips Pontus II 12th-1, Denafrips Iris 12th), streamer (Eversolo DMP-A6 with LPS by Beatechnik), cables (Cardas Parsec, Cardas Clear, Ifi Supanova power cable, GearIT 10 gauge speaker cable), speaker GoldenEar BRX with AMT tweeters.
---
source=Apple Music lossless quality
Ok 👍 👌 if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
I bought a second hand Yamaha Rxa3010 receiver, Oppo bdp-93 bluray player, Jensen Qx-40 3way towers with surround speakers, two Jensen qx-85 subwoofers and a Reloop red turntable with a vincent 300 phono preamp using pure direct on receiver and for digital playback using bass management with subs in reverse polarity and to me the sound is wonderfully musical though does have that slight anxiety induction. I saved thousands buying it all second hand and the quality is great. But I can't claim to have reached audio nirvana. I sure miss the ribbon tweeters on my old sony ss-636 box speakers. Ribbons are incredible.
@@puglife6291 there you go. How old are you ?
@@OCDHIFiGuy I'm 38, have not yet invested in proper equipment. Been too impatient.
6:31 * A person one day buys a pair of speakers> Listens to a favorite track through them. months later its realized that the speaker could be revised to improve the sound perception> anoth4er spekaer is purchased V19.3> listens to a favorite track, that has been months since with the previous speakers>evntually decides that the V19.3 speakers need improvemnt> purchases new speakers and a new dac> listen to the same track months later with the new dac> upgrades is decided and a new peice is installed into the system> listening to one track every few months to test for quality> is not enjoying the music> its analyzing the audio only> to which leads to new versions of installed equipment. in Hifi music should not be improved, but ...
* The only person who listens to music and analyzes the audio is a Mastering Engineer.
You hit the hotspot Mickey!🎉. I made some misstakes indeed also😅
We all have, but why not just let someone else that does this as a profession help you ?
Only question I can remember is #11 and the answer is yes; I’m chasing good enough, not perfection and I’m pretty darn close given my budget. Fun list. Trying to justify trip to CapFest as a DC trip with an audio show on the side.
I can’t wait until audiophiles learn about pre-emphasis and de-emphasis as it pertains to CD’s. If you thought MOFi was bad…🍿
Most Audiophiles don't use CDs however..
You know me! I never fake a response. I couldn't care less about anybody's opinion or how much they paid for their gear. In 1974 my first audiophile gear was a quad 33 preamp & a quad 405 amp with a JVC ql7 turntable...All about 3 years old. In 1982 I bought a new Perreaux SM2 preamp. My final setup was to replace the turntable😮😮 with a Lynn, service the SM2 AND pick up a 1983 Perreaux PMF 1850 power amp to replace the Quad. That's it. My next audio investment will be with you... If I live long enough!
@@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw For me the quad system allowed me to develop into an audiophile. I love the 57s as well.
@@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw also the Perreaux gear is fantastic.
Yes, JC-2 preamp, Auguset 1982, 20 years... and counting! No.20 years 1% (NYC Audioshow 1985). Linaeus Model 9( ... unbelievealble showstopper.).Don't coverup..
Mggies 1,6 after audio nirvana: apogee Divas No, I want nirvana back
,
Q6:
J…’s Audio Lab 😆
Nicely done my man!
@tomclark7551 just having fun !
Mikey is high on life tonight it would seem😂🎧👌
@@shanestephenson8423 having fun !
@@OCDHIFiGuy awesome brother
Update.................
There's now competing manufacturers offering USB 3+ (A and/or C) to fiber optic converters. So cool, but now our DACs need I2S and Fiber optic inputs of course.
Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
Lemme guess, CHYNA ???
@@OCDHIFiGuy . It ain't Bell Labs
where is the Maria 800? I am looking forward to your honest review on this product.
1 Yes, because my friends don’t understand my disease. 2, PS Audio Direct Stream. 3, after i bought the PS Audio. 4, 30 years and counting. 5, yes, when i bought my Focals. But I sold them for more than i paid so there is that.
@@daverolson thx for the feedback !
Sorry Mikey, you’re “bringing the pain”, has no effect on me, because I’m enjoying my audio ether🤪😂🔊🎶😎.
Hi Mikey, so you will be attending the Pacific Audio show next week. I will be there as well. Greetings from The Netherlands
Marcella, I can not !!! I have a wedding to attend... will you be traveling in USA at all or just to the show and back ??
@@OCDHIFiGuy combination visiting Microsoft and attending the show.
@@marcellavankraaij ahhhhh. Gotcha... darn ! We'll it may have to be Munich 2025.... we will come to NL for sure.
Im gonna have to go see you at Capitol Audio dude, it's gonna be fun.
#2. Denafrips Pontus 2... was a horrible experience & a horrible product. It was completely not put together correctly and took forever to get it fixed. Then i sold it.
@@gleamtarrest6310 ChiFi in a nutshell...
Hilarious Mikey! 11stereo/Take It Further
@@TheCharlesAtoz for sure..
Had to laugh at the "phase knob" comment re: subs...guilty as charged
@@tomclark7551 Right ? I was as well for the longest time ...
You got Egglestonworks in?
@michaela.5363 yes.... ;-)
You are so funny 😂 have you touch the phase knob 🤣
Am I right ??? 😆
My answers:
1 I’ve never lied about any of my audio gear purchase prices.
2 Dynaco ST-70 stereo amp. Not as musical sounding as the rags said it was.
3. I realized the distinction between paid journalist and audiophiles was in the mid-1970’s.
4 Too many years, because the audio rags don’t teach the importance of system building.
5 Never. The gear SQ is far more important than any discount I ever received.
6 I’ve spent too many years on the buying/selling treadmill and still haven’t reach audio nirvana.
7 At the 2024 Axpona show, none of the rooms offered systems was worth their asking price. Just my view.
8 What’s the question?? (You skipped it!).
9 I’ve always tell folks I’m an audiophile who loves recreating music in my home. I also tell them I attend shows when I have the time. But that’s a separate conversation.
10 I’ve never bought anything at 50% retail price, so doesn’t apply to me.
11 Definitely. I’m on the road to therapy for my audio neuroses by trusting in Mikey!
Thanks for being honest.
Cheers Dan !
OCD Rant = Pricele$s.. 😂🍿🍿🍿😂
@@202One thx !!
I am more in to music than hifi but I'm an audiophile. Audiophiles are not all the same. You are for example a lot different than Jay's audiolab. You know what I mean. Greetings from Iceland.
Of course. This video is for fun and entertainment
0% again ZERO PERCENT of the rooms were worth the money but I have heard some killer rooms!
Ouch !
If we are talking about AXPONA: 1-2 rooms max every year. What percentage is that? 0.5%-1%🤦
6, 30 years but i feel i have arrived. Still looking though:). 7, 10%. All the low priced gear sounded great for the money. 8, ?9, Yes. 10, Focal Maestro Evo. 11, too late for that.
@daverolson you ARE there, Dave. We consulted, and you were not afraid to go the distance... !!
Never bought anything based on reviews
Never talked about what I paid. That's for me only
I look at the Stereophile class A component rankings, especially the full- range loudspeaker category with increased skepticism. If all the components in class A represent "the best attainable sound for a component of its kind, with the least musical compromise", then why would I consider a $350,000 class A speaker if similar musical performance is available for $20,000? I may be oversimplifying things, and there are vast differences in component quality, brand recognition, resale value, etc., but the listening experience and musical performance rules, right? Maybe that class A rating is more subjective rather than an objective and universal standard of quality?
Those ratings are paid for through advertising, dinners, and, in some cases, blowjobs. I still have not seen 20K beat 350K. But I can beat things at twice the cost, quite commonly. But your thinking outside the box and we should all do that.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Thank you for the tough and candid response. You remind me to always investigate and verify claims, and to keep the "Big Boy" pants on and securely fastened.
Same class doen't mean equally good. Everything in Class A isn't a. perfect TIE. There is borderline Class A and at the other end endof it, stuff that comes trailing clouds of glory. There could be some controversy about some of the things that made it in; including the original $1,600 KEF LS 50 speakers. Which some like and some think are mediocre. A questioning mind is good to have though, especially in this hobby.
4 questions in and none of the above so far for me. So are you going to answer any of the Original 11 questions the other audio TH-camr put out to you guys ?……Well we’re waiting ?
You'll be waiting a while. In case it's not clear Robert, I don't play the game that the rest of the industry does.
Correct me if I'm wrong ? Those questions ask were put out by Skylab Audio and few who sales used vintage equipment. Not exactly a pillar of the high-end equipment that you dislike. Its was just meant to be Fun.
These are all the same question haha.
Yes. Q= Are you ready to stop the neurotic buying and selling and get exactly what makes you happy ? Then I can help...
I think you missed the point. I believe the original questions were designed for us to get to know you.
EXACTLY... my questions let you know who I am...
I have a challenge for you. I've got into "HiFi" 2 years ago. I have 3 systems in my house now. I bet any one of my systems will beat yours at a price point... You know what, I'll Give you FIVE times the amount that I spent Thats right you get 5X the amount of money and I bet I'll win. We can do my garage system... my living room set up... or my bedroom hifi setup. Your call
Wow big mouth little boy...
@@OCDHIFiGuy Come on man, thats got to make for a good interwebs video.
Mikey now I am going to unsubscribe🤪
Just joking..
I'm the favorite channel for closet fans.. ;-)
@@OCDHIFiGuy we should be proud on who we really are. 🙏
No way this dude sells HiFi gear for a living...
Lol. Yeah, I actually make more than you do..
@@OCDHIFiGuy lol Who knows? At least my bridge picks up the free wifi from Starbucks across the street.
Mike.....Love your videos. you're awesome. Keep it up.
@@dy392781 thx !
Someone that can spell! 🤩
Boring sales stuff. Get back to the hifi content you used to do.
Mikey has never stopped making unique hifi content, and I found this video quite informative, real, AND entertaining, in fact.
Even if your comment made sense, it sure doesn't sound like you know how to respectfully make a request.
@dylancoleman4576 Guess what my goal is, Dylan ? Lol. Guess who is smashing the shit out of that goal ???