It is a struggle getting to work and i'm looking forward to getting off work and be back in my room pronto. No more bars, tv, and other lousy things in life....And i did it all for 4k!!! 25 years ago, i had to spend 25k (ugh) to have the same experience. I recouped 18k when i sold it all though. I'm done!!! I'll never buy anything again!!!
Your system is good when you forget about getting anything better. And any problem is immediately assumed to be your ears aging and their struggle to hear well above 8khz. Good mid, good tweeter, good lower bass woofer, and good sub = you're fine. Especially if they are phase and time aligned with DSP and you're crossovers are fully active, meaning: rip the passive crossovers out! Coils of wire, resistors, and caps don't belong before the amplified signal reaches the driver. Tweeter protection is ok. You can then EQ according to your ears. I'm not talking room correction for frequencies above 300hz. I'm talking about setting a frequency curve to your liking. For me, I like it mellow with air. I boost all below 100 hz by 3db. I then keep it flat until 2 to 4 k. This is the resonant frequency of ear canal and causes listening fatigue. 3khz is 3 db down. From 4 khz to 8khz is mostly flat. I then boost starting at roughly 8khz and reach a 3db boost at 16khz and keep it there for anything hire. And all these tone adjustments can be kept phase coherent due to DSP. Tone controls are back, baby! Problems are introduced when we insist on finding passive speakers which match well to an amp. It can't really be done. And the HiFi passive market knows you'll be unhappy and constantly in search of "upgrades." And the active market is currently a joke. Speaker boxes shouldn't contain class D amplifiers either. A speaker is a box or an enclosure containing one type of driver(s) fed an amplified signal intended soley for that driver(s). Enough of these unique drivers in close proximity to the other drivers creates a full speaker system able to produce the entire range without phase, time, or most distortion issues. The master race has to still build it themselves because the HiFi market knows this setup would kill their industry.
@@HareDeLune part of it was my view on how one knows if their system is good. The other part, not directed at you, was a rant intended to inform why too many people keep chasing "upgrades" which really aren't upgrades at all. Most all the products offered are intentionally flawed because they know it will cause consumers to keep purchasing more gear. What I proposed is a fully customizable setup which can be adjusted as your age and preferences change without breaking the audiophile taboos of adjusting an EQ on a passive system which creates smear and phase problems. And nearly all active speakers have subpar class D plate amps in the speaker box. It's beyond stupid if quality and function is the main goal. Speakers should not contain passive crossovers or amps. Sadly, that's 99.9999% of the products sold today.
Steve has been around for a long time, and I just gotta say I appreciate him so much. He's not here talking at you, he comes here to sit down, drop the needle, and enjoy a conversation with you. Kudos Steve. This is why I come here. No BS, no hub bub about I have a million dollar system. If you have a 100 dollar system, and you can listen...… then you to … have arrived.
I live in an apartment building and love to listen to great organs! The end of this performance ends mightly loud: th-cam.com/video/NdcJPfu3uJM/w-d-xo.html Thankfully no one has complained. The only complaint I've got has been about my parrot whistling for attention. A neighbor yelled out the window "shut the f*ck up." I also listen to opera, "controlled screaming," as Pavarotti once said.
Maybe Im being pedantic, but a potential objective way to tell is to use an audio spectrum analyzer with the microphone placed about where you would normally listen. Assuming your microphones response is reasonably flat, you can run a 20-20 kHz sine frequency ramp at a constant volume and see what the amplitude response is over the frequency band from the speaker(s) under test. Ideally it should be reasonably flat, with the amplitude falling off at the lowermost and uppermost frequencies of the speakers response range. Provides a relatively easy way to assess the response of the hi-fi setup and also objectively make any needed tweaks to the EQ, or see if there are undesirable resonance peaks, dips, etc. Obviously it wont assess issues like impulse response, odd resonance modes, or phase/frequency linearity issues, but at least you'll have hard numbers to back up the "I think it sounds good."
It happened to me when I caught myself choosing what I was going to listen to based on how good it sounded and not what I wanted to hear. That was almost 30 years ago and it caused a big change in both me and my system. Most of my system now is homemade, or at least handmade, vintage except for my DAC, low powered, single ended and tubed, including my DAC. The first thing to go in the great purge was my turntable, it's replacement, now long out of production from a company that no longer exists, will be inherited by my children, as will most everything else currently in the system. The system, while not cheap, was also not particularly expensive. I typically listen in the evening, and have to use the clock to determine when to stop so I can still get adequate sleep.
Hey John,this is exactly what I am going through right now.I'm 58yrs.old and old school Rock and Roll guy but when it comes to listening I default to my higher quality Jazz recordings,man I need to break this cycle and just listen 😎
@@jeffhunter4395 I was unable to break that cycle without an equipment change. I was using a SOTA turntable with an E.T.II arm. I don't remember which cartridge I was using at the time. I sold the table and went on a nationwide (I am a pilot, I travel constantly) great turntable search. I listened to a lot of them, some very expensive, they pretty much all left me cold. Then I visited a little shop in Kalamazoo Michigan. They played for me a Pink Triangle Anniversary table with a Wilson Benesh arm, again I forget the cartridge, this was 30 years ago. I knew at that moment that this was the one. I didn't want to stop listening. I will have mine as long as I can keep it going. I have a Linn EKOS with a Miyajima Shilabe cartridge, but when I first tried a Linn arm it was with my favorite cartridge ever--a Koetsu Rosewood Pro-IV. Linn arms are greatly underappreciated, inexpensive used, and the best arm for a Koetsu I have used. Shortly after the turntable, I discovered the joys of single ended triodes, and that was all she wrote. My advice is: Don't use equipment that is revealing or "accurate" or trendy. Zero negative feedback single ended triodes are some of the poorest measuring amps out there, but they sound devine. Listen to equipment that sounds pretty and screw all that hi-fi snobbery nonsense about how your system is "euphonic". Don't buy new and don't spend too much, the time I was the least happy was when my system was the most expensive. Consider do it yourself kit building, you can indeed make outstanding equipment on your kitchen table. Most rock records will never pass for audiophile, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy listening to them.
Absolutely agree. I find myself not even wanting to turn on the tv. I recently made some upgrades over the holidays, thanks to some gifts from my wife (which included a new TT cartridge) and she mentioned yesterday that she's gotten used to Jazz playing every evening and she loves it. Said she loves the vibe the house has lately. A couple years ago it was a toss-up as to whether the TV, stereo, or my laptop was the main source of attention, but in the last year or so, the stereo trumps all else.
Good advice. I have a rule with myself, that I can't upgrade something until I can explain exactly what is bothering me about the old one. Just buying something else in the hope it will be better is not good enough. Using my old system as a reference I then loan components and try to fix the "issue" without upsetting the things that were OK before. When I get it right, I usually have a really late night as I can't help but listen and keep pulling out tracks just to hear what they now sound like.
At almost a year old, this video is describing my issues...I need to just listen and stop thinking. So much good advice here, I find myself doing the things suggested on my own, somewhat comforting, thanks Steve!
I went through some nasty withdrawal symptoms when I spent a summer with my grandparents. Back then it was large Advents and a JVC receiver and Garrard turntable with Sonus cartridge. My grandparents only had a Radio Shack Stereo.
I agree. I may not have near as much into mine as some of your other followers, around a grand into mine. Just a simple cheaper tube amp, nice set of speaker, $300 turn table, 15band rack mount eq and a cheap turntable preamp. But like you said. I got to the point where I'd come home from work and just go thru record after record after record, next thing I know ill be 5 or 6 hours into listening. Then listening more before work... day after day. Im at the point I can't stand to listen to music unless its on my little system anymore. Now my record collection isn't large by any means. I started collecting from my favorite artists back in 2003, however recently I started expanding once I built my system. I'm happy with what it is. I get alot of comments from friends and family that listen to it. Even had one of my friends ask where the best place to set. I suggested a place and he said actually its good no matter where you set LOL. He grew up in the 70s Era. Where I grew up in the 90s Era so I have yet to even scratch the surface on the 70s music... which I feel is the best time for music.
Excellent point. I upgraded my amp 2 months ago from a Yamaha avantage 5.1 setup to a Marantz PM8006 2.0 all other things being equal and I now find myself staying up an extra 90 minutes an evening to fit some more listening time in. I was getting ear fatigue from the Yamaha but with the Marantz the sound is so pure with low to no distortion that I just can’t get enough.
I've found most home theater recievers to be most annoying for listening to music. They have too many synthesized sound altering modes, they also split the wattage down too much.
Best advice I have heard in 2020 so far for audio heads...I heard some heads explode when you mentioned “Cables” I have experienced the difference in sound of making cable changes in my system, good and bad.
I just put together a new system and can’t stop listening to music all the time. There was the usual extensive tinkering and excessive neurotic need to perfect the sound and definitely lost the feel for the music but stepping back brought it back and now I enjoy so much. I feel like this video was made just for me!
Great advice. WRT cables. Try making your own to see if it clears up some issues and open a new window to the sound. Interconnects with 24 gauge magnet wire in packing tape makes a very revealing cable. Just run 2 parallel wires 1/2 inch apart and dirt cheap RCA connectors. If you find that great (as I did) and want more? Then build a new set with 99.9% silver wire as the conductor. Then upgrade to KLEI RCA connectors. With each of these changes you will open a window deeper into the music. Costs next to nothing if you have a soldering iron. If not, time to get one. But watch out. This is how I started down the road to DIY all my gear. It's wonderful. You can then make small incremental upgrades and seldom have to outright replace your gear.
Best advice I’ve ever heard. Since I got my B&W 606s my gaming and TV watching have probably been cut down to 1/4 of what they used to, because all I ever want to do when in front of my TV is play music. I consider that a very good sign that I made the right choice.
Phew. I guess mine must be great, even though it is a budget, dare I say, 'audiophile' system. I listen everyday to a few or lots more albums. I spent a lifetime building a music collection of rock, jazz, blues, world, and classical. But never gave much thought to the sound I was getting, just being a happy idiot instead. As a single divorced guy in my 50's, things are often pretty quiet around here, and I really do enjoy having my audio system and music collection fill my world with great sound and all the good it does me. Currently listening thru a 2.2 system and movies in 5.2. It may not be everyone's cup o' tea, but it's luxury I can afford. Oddly enough, I went thru a period of listening fatigue when I bought some new gear and started to take sound more seriously. Then I learned about reflection and room acoustics and all Steve's great advice and am now enjoying my music again. Thanks, Steve!
Spot on Steve. Just upgraded to a new McIntosh integrated. I have sometimes slinked up from my listening room at 2 or 3 in the morning because the music sounds good enough to me that I don't want it to stop. Cheers.
I had heard that if your system still sounds full and satisfying at low volume then that’s a good indication. I would tend to agree as I find that’s the case with my system!
I wanted to say what you just said. I live in a apartment and I listen to the Tannoy Ardens with two rel 812 subs at 4am everyday when I get home from work. Not one complaint in 2 1/2 years yet ( fingers crossed). I tell that to people and they always say your neighbors must hate you.. lol. I try explain to them that i don't feel the need to turn up the volume. I can already hear everything clearly and with bass. I admit when they are not home I do turn it up a little though.
My epiphany was when I went from the audio mindset of massive loud, clear, rock concert sound to detailed imaging, sound stage and full frequency at low to moderate volumes. Going from 3 pairs of A7-500 Altec Lansing Voice of the Theaters, powered by Crown DC series power amps, to a single pair of Celestion Model A compacts, powered by an Edelweiss 3 (6wpc) in a near field configuration was the most unexpected improvement in my appreciation of the music. In the 2 years since this happened I have built, with spare components from around the house, a hybrid system capable of 117db (measured) spl, but capable of delicate nuances and the deepest bass (17hz, measured) even at 70 db. I purchased a MiniDsp product but have yet to use it as I am still working with mechanical setup parameters, crossover points and various balance levels between the various speakers themselves. When I have exhausted all the testing and experimenting I will turn finally to EQ and DSP assuming I still have any unresolved issues. But swapping out wiring, moving speakers, seating positions, adding and subtracting room accouterments, adjusting crossover points and levels, and let's not forget just angling speakers both in and out of toe, but also up and down as well as the height of your seating position, will take a lot of time and dedication. You have to spend listening time with each change to get an honest evaluation, even the bad stuff teaches lessons. And having achieved a level of sound that keeps you up late hours not wanting to ever turn the system off again is the just and delightful reward of these design methods. Even yet, I have to try the Tekton 2 10 Perfect Set speakers because I dreamed up virtually that exact array of mid/high drivers and these are already worked out. I'm still 2 months out for delivery but I am so ready. It's the first new speakers I have bought since the first pair of Altec A7-500 kits in 1971. All others were preowned or built by me. Thanks for all your presentations.
I loved the wharfedale sound for years, so in my retirement years, I chose the 10.4 floorstanders because they are small enough for my bedroom and just loud enough 125W ea. then I decided on a Cayin LA34 tube integrated amp (32W/channel) and a Marrantz cd 6004. Bought all these brand new under $2000. After playing around with the tubes, finally found the right sound with 4X El34 Mullards, 2X 12AU7 PSVane, gold pin and 1 piece JJ ECC 803S gold pin. The music is sublime & smooth and filled the room with wonderful music, Vangelis, O'hearn, Fourplay Rippingtons, Classic Jazz and Classical music. I even brought the whole system to the living room which has 20 foot slanted ceiling and the stereo system filled that room with great music. One does not need tons of money to buy a great stereo system, one needs great patience to be prudent and buy what you really need and enjoy.
I finally turned my biggest bedroom into a dedicated (2 channel only) listening room a week ago. I'm definitely not through 'tuning' the room, but the difference is huge. I find myself listening for hours, loving the sound of my system in this new room! The depth of soundstage is staggering!
Love this one Steve. I spend more time at my computer(work and play) than in my listening room. Although I spend less time at it, I love the way it sounds but I love to tinker too so that keeps me coming back to re-listen my whole library all over again.
We all get caught up with new gear and wanting new gear. It's easy to forget what it's all about - enjoying the music. Moving speakers around really helped me find a much improved sound. I can't believe what a difference it can make. Like a totally new setup. Thanks Steve.
Truer wors where never said. Speakers, Speakers, Speakers ! ABout 6 yrs. ago, I started rebuilding a vintage stereo system. (I grew up on vintage stuff, before converting to digital, then moved back to vintage 2 channel stuff) After amassing several turntables, and learning to align cartridges, stylus and all that stuff, I turned my attention to the speakers. A set of AR's, I bought back in the 80's, while stationed in Germany. Rebuilt the surrounds, and began the process of speaker placement. After researching several experts, (can't remember who) , I spent the next 6 mos. , moving those 50 lb. speakers in-out and all around, till one day, my test recording, popped into place. Yes, it all came together. Beautiful sound from my records and CD's. All that has changed, was to add more music to my library. I have 2 TT's in daily use and swap out cartridges, that's it. Those old AR's, never sounded so good. If the pressing is good, I enjoy a lovely sound stage, can pick out the individual instruments, in a dark room. KB
If you have a good home-theater set-up, I recommend the Blu-ray disc of Rudolf Buchbinder and the Staatskappelle playing Mozart's piano concertos nos. 20, 21, and 27. The sound formats are PCM 2.0 and DTS-HD 5.0. (Unitel/Classica, C Major brand, made in Austria)
Steve, this is your best video yet! And this is one of the reasons why I like tube amps, because just swapping in different tubes can give me a new sound!
Dear Steve, There is so much truth in this video. The truth contained in this video is why I now rarely view your videos. It is because I have built up my system slowly through watching your much valued opinions and those from other audiophile lovers too. Because of this?, I now have a system that I love to listen to sooooo much!. As you say?, I cannot stop listening to it and enjoy it. That applies, as you have also said?, to listening to Movies or TV. My system has become a natural extension to my ears of appreciation of any sound. The many comments given by you and some others on you tube are so invaluable this way. Your natural way of expressing such enthusiasm in the many ways that you do?, is indeed infectious. Keep up the good work, then many more like me will not need to continue watching you comment. That might sound odd, but indeed?, is the best thing I could say as one of your disciples to the love of sounds.
At 71 years old I've finally got the small vintage system I cannot stop listening to. I run ADS L400's and Infinity Infintesimals with a 10 in. Sony sub. 600 watts total in a small room sounds like you're wearing a giant pair of headphones. Too cool.
Amazing to me how you and a few others keep talking about stuff I'm thinking of. - I hadn't started watching when IO wrote that, I wrote it because 30 minutes ago I was musing to myself that if nobody ever comes over to check out my setup I'll never know... started watching and your first statement... about if you listen to it a lot... It's so good these days I actually have slept in the room because I didn't want to stop listening, and that was after hours and hours of listening already.
I totally agree Steve! Fantastic statement. When you listen a lot and also hope to have more time to keep listening, yes sir you have a good system. It's very important not to deviate from the root of all, and that is the music itself. Happy listening!!!
What a great hobby! It will be 50 years next year that my dad took a 14 year old me to Melton's in Atlanta and said "son, are you sure that you want to spend that much money on a stereo?" That $1200 bought a Marantz 2220, Studio Craft speakers, and a dual turntable with a Shure cartridge. Non-fatiguing is my measure of my system. That is if I start listening and keep listening. Now, I have temporary speakers that are fatiguing because they are cheap Best Buy Insignia speakers filling a now two month gap. I may just turn it off for a while until the new speakers arrive.
I have 2 sets of entry level speaker (wharfedale 225 and bnw 607). I love them both and different sound signatures. I agree that you dont need to get news speakers. Just move them around and have a good time with it.
Covid has given me lots of time to really sit and enjoy the music, I've also discovered how really good my system sounds. That's really the point is enjoying the music for music's sake. Another good video Steve
Great vid. My guide to tell if a system is sounding really great, is my both feet. If it starts tapping on the rhytm of the music, i can tell for sure i'm enjoying the music. If you are listening to analysing the audio components, somethings wrong. If the music " grabs" your attention, the specs and looks of the equipment is not important anymore!🤔
I had become very neurotic around record cleaning, to the point where any sort of click or pop would kill my ability to enjoy the music. This video really helped me to take a step back and reassess what I was trying to accomplish with my music reproduction system. That said, the approach Mr. Guttenberg presents to root out problem source(s) leaves something to be desired. In my view, the first step is to identify and eliminate noise. With each audio source, is there noise and of what type (hum, buzz, or other junk)? Each has its own cause and cure. Whatever the system, start with component outputting the smallest signal and work backward/inward. If there is a turntable and CD player in the mix, play the same recording on both. If the CD sounds better, the weakest link can be found somewhere in the turntable, interconnect, or phono pre-amp. Once everything else is in good shape is the time to start looking at the power amp (assuming it is relatively modern and in good condition) and speakers. I would put swapping out speaker cables at the bottom of the list (if at all). The type of connector, though, is very important. In my experience/research, the compression type (e.g. screw down using a 5-way binding post) is best; "banana" style is the worst and should be avoided.
It's a great point, applies to many more hobbies, photography in particular fails to appreciate the sheer joy of taking pictures, as opposed to pixel peeping and such like. My very humble audio system passes the test, which began with "has to sound at least as good as my headphones".
I’ve never enjoyed movies and music as much as I do now. I’ve pieces together the best sounding system I’ve ever heard by being very patient and waiting for insanely good deals on OfferUp and craigslist. It’s become quite an addiction buying new pieces of brands like kef, Miller & kreisel, bowers & Wilkins. Every new piece makes such a huge difference in the sound quality and the enjoyment of listening. Purchasing a power conditioner made a huge noticeable difference for me and am currently searching for amps to replace my marantz receiver. Good channel keep it up!
Hi Steve basically you called out all the stuff I have been working on for the past few months thanks for the great advice now I'm buying dirt cheap cds in the local charity shop and my enthusiasm for discovering new music has been revived.
For my 11th birthday I got a GE stereo AM/FM 8-track player. It had a phono selection but I never got one. I left it for my brother when I moved out at 19. It had two 5 1/4” full range drivers in each a big box. I played them every day! My Aerosmith, Led Zep, Black Sabbath and more, all sounded good.
Wisdom wrought by experience. I know the experience well. As hard as I try to attend to the audiophile stuff, I just can't resist being pulled away from that and being drawn into the music. There's no audiophile stuff to listen for anymore, the system is just doin' it. The opposite of that is where you keep getting abruptly awaken from the musical trance, or even being able to be entranced in the first place, by things that keep diverting attention. I'm in a good place with headphone headphone journey these days. I'm enjoying it very much. I look for, and forward to, more moments to listen, and am happy to listen to the same music again and again because it sounds so good, I'm encouraged to search out new because I want to enjoy it on my kit, or finding that music I've enjoyed more casually to have the experience of it on a better playback system.
The idea of changing the place of loudspeakers is a good one. Changing the angle can bring a different stereo imaging. I made this experience a few weeks ago with electrostatic loudspeakers after a period of doubt ! And since I've recovered a peaceful mind !
I spent almost two years in trying to build up a system as perfect as possible for my means. When I was thinking I had reached my goal, something still was missing. It took some time to understand that my system needed a long warming: that means at least 3 hours and half! At the beginnig the sound is stereo, then it becomes 3D and at the end I fully dive into the music! At that moment, as Steve says, it is almost impossible to stop listening.
My stuff is all second hand bought over years and nothing audio buffs would be impressed with but I listen every day and love it and my wife puts up with my two subwoofers shaking the house. I often wonder what I might be missing by not having or ever even hearing the expensive gear you guys have. There was a high end store in my area once that I loved going into and hearing good sound but other than that I'm content with what sounds good to me. I have changed my room around multiple times seeking the best setup for what I have and having tried every way possible it seems, I have settled for how it is now pretty much. Love your channel though!
I am very pleased with my Fluance rt81 and Edifier 1280t speakers. Sound quality is smooth as silk and I mostly enjoy Progressive rock from the 70's and 80's music. Play my system every day and love the vinyl ritual and turntable interaction.
Last year I made some modifications to my system, resulting in significant improvements. None of them were in electronics. The first was simply the position of the couch - zero cost. The second and most significant was the feet of the front speakers - which I changed to IsoAcoustics Gaia. And finally, I replaced the rack with a real wood one.
Ok,now regarding cables; I believe they are absolutely an effective TWEAK. You just have to be realistic, if you have a moderate or entry level system expensive cables aren't going to suddenly reveal information that isn't there.
It makes me feel better that I can still be an audiophile (have a system that sounds good to me) without spending my last dollar on high end equipment. Earlier this year I replaced an old Technics SL-5 turntable with a cheap cartridge (none of the buttons would work anymore) with my first "real" table, a Rega P2 with an upgraded cart, the AT-VM540ML. I hooked it it into the phono jack of my AVR, but always had to crank up the volume to get much sound. I found out that the S/N ration of the phone jack was 74dB while the CD input was 102. I bought a Rega Fono MM Mk5 last week, plugged it in to the CD jack, and my records haven't sounded better :)
Well I enjoy my system to the point that when I am enjoying certain songs that I really enjoy it actually brings a smile and astonishment to how well it works. In my younger years I played drums in rock bands so I like music with great drumming and of course good sounding bass guitar. The sound has to be dynamic to the point we're you can feel it not just hear it. My system is around $1100. But man does it bring a smile to my face.
I do mine. It gives me the fun even when I watch cable TV and TH-cam with it. It makes me look for a reason to listen to it. I think at 13k usd, it outperforms the old big Utopia most of the time.
Great advice! The other night I plugged my favorite headphones directly in to my phone and BAM I was there just listening to the music for two hours. It was great and I don't get to do it that often with the constant dull roar of the family around 😉. I am looking forward to my next session mostly because I wasn't even thinking about the simple gear I was using 😁
I never completely agree with you, Steve. Except for this time!! I'm an old geezer with serious hi-fi experience dating back to the '60's. I wasn't able to gain anything approximating deep satisfaction until the 2010's. I listen to everything via my main system now. Even when I am background-listening to dreck from sources like my computer or crappy DVD's, or streaming services, I use my main system. In doing so I am occasionally "awakened" by a particular chord or vocalization or instrumental moment that causes me to stop what I am doing and focus my attention on that particular sonic instant. I see that as a good thing. I know that you abhor "multitasking" when listening to music, but if I didn't do so for most hours of the day, I wouldn't accomplish most day-to-day tasks. I might be viewing your or some other site on YT. Suddenly, you (or the other site) might sound out something of particular interest. I'll flick a switch, throwing my computer's output onto the TV centered between my speakers, swivel my chair, and better enjoy whatever it is that you or others are presenting. You sound the same, but now I'm giving you full attention. At other times, if I want to take a break and really listen to music, I access a better source, aim my chair correctly, and immerse myself in that sound for a while. This didn't and couldn't happen with gear and physical layouts I had in the past. I own my house, and have no neighbors within 200 feet, so I can go "full music mode" anytime of the day or night.
I did this. I watced the movie No Time To Die at a movie theater, paying attention to the theme song. Billy Irish played on a theater system with theater acoustics is a treat. Then at home I streamed the same song on my system. I was blown away at how enjoyable and full my system performed relative to the theater experience. That's how I know.
listening is so much more complex than just hearing... mood and all that contribute to the sensations felt while listening to music so much more than the sound system. sometimes i plug in an old radio that i just fixed or tuned or simply dusted off and i listen to it the entire evening and night just because it feels like i have a special connection with the device. some days i play music on old b&w and some days i'd have a bunch of klipsch on from early morning till late at night... i prefer proper sound quality just as much as the next guy, but if the mood, company, weather, whatever is fine, i can listen to music on an alexa speaker and still enjoy it.. cheers everyone!
When I'm away from home for like a week or two, I really truly miss my system. So I think I'm good at this point. Sometimes I upgrade some basic gear I have.
The moment you hear tremendous level of detail to the point that you rediscover your favourite songs means that your system is now capable to be reproduce music properly. System also includes room acoustics/dac/amp/speakers....
Yeah totally my sound system is in my van and I live in an apartment and every chance I get I will carry my record player down to my van and put some vinyl on and play it front to back I did spend a lot of time thinking of what I wanted for a sound system and built it in the van so I can listen to my music everywhere and create some more audio files at car shows listening to my sound system it's not a huge expensive sound system but with everything entailed it is expensive. But rain snow and the heat still won't stop me from listening to my music
Brillant video. One thing I missed was powercables. I've been playing with interconnects since mid 70'es but never thought of powercables as an important factor. Just simple powerline, right. Then 4 years ago a guy handled me a small selection of different brands of hifi oriented power cables and a well made powerstrip and said: Shut up and try these. I was shocked by the impact and spend the next couple of years experimenting. To day I will happily claim, that my 15 year old system sound twice as good as before updating 'power-snakes'. To me the most important cable in the system is now the one from the wall to the powerstrip. Never be prejudiced🤓
My listening baseline for my system is: If I walked into a country bar and it sounded like this would I be impressed with the sound. The answer is a resounding HELL YES!! Listened to an entire Dwight Yoakam compilation I have imported on Qobuz, and it was phenomenal from start to finish. Have a Vern Gosden day planned for tomorrow, and I'm totally excited about it.
The audiophile aspects, such as imaging and soudstaging, although somewhat important, pale in comparison to whether your system connects you to the music. A dealer I patronized a few years back used to say "No one comes back from a concert and says 'great imaging at that concert.'" Thanks also for not promoting upgraditis.
Concerts sound like crap, most of the time. I feel like Hi-Fi is a lie. It doesn't accurately reproduce the music. For one, soundstage and stereo separation is all made-up. The instruments on a recording all sound like they were recorded separately and combined in the mix. It's kinda like how photos have sharper and more saturated colors than in reality.
Concerts sound like hot garbage in my opinion. I got really sensitive ears and almost every concert I visit has screeching highs that ruin any experience for me.
Always enjoy watching thanks. One comment, I come to realize after a lifetime of listening that upgrading the amp is more important than upgrading the speakers.in most cases. Certainly you can make a case either way but todays budget speakers are pretty good and can come alive and impress you big time with a good amp up near the thousand dollar range.
This afternoon, I was listening to Paul Simon’s, Graceland. As I finished the album, it hit me: every time I listen to my system, I have this feeling as if I’d just been to a concert performance. I’ve listened to hundreds of other systems, and never get that feeling anywhere else.
My priority: - Speaker Placement and acoustic treatment of the room - Equipment (Prio 1: Speakers, Prio 2: Source, Prio 3: Amplifier) - Stable and filtered power
When I was a young boy it was the songs/music which grabbed my attention, I did not care how the sound reached me, I cared about the tune. When I heard Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones, it was a stunning joy even if it came out of a small transistor radio. So a system where you want to listen to all your music collection non stop is an additional pleasure even if it already is one step away from the above given experience...
Just move the speakers.....this is very good advice. Better than a new cable or an isolation device. I do think cables are important but only after you have experimented with speaker placement. Also, selling my well respected SS amp and replacing it with the 2 watt Decware amp was truly a revolution.
Sage advice Steve.I like the way you include everyone in your audiophile world not just the rich high end brigade.I have a fairly modest set up and I listen to it constantly.Still using the same amp since 1999 and won't replace it till it dies as I like and know its sound even though I know I could better it (can't we always) If you are satisfied,leave as is.
I use my system daily for streaming music, watching TV, DVDs and Internet browsing. Often flicking from one source to another. Funnily I stillI haven't even got hi-res deezer or tidal yet, but it still sounds really amazing! We are truly lucky to be living in this age and time where there is so much great (new and used) hi-fi gear available - to suit ears curiosity and budgets. For a thousand pounds UK. I got a secondhand peachtree Nova, a dual mono gainclone power amp, qacoustic 3050 floor standers and two Anthony Gallo's tr2 subs. On homemade stands, DIY connectors and van damn shotgun cables which impresses, captivates and surprises me and my friends. Hi-fi should not intimidate as its a great adventure...just follow your ears
Only 100 subs away to 100K now, Steve! Will we get the special guest tomorrow? The next day? This is suspenseful, but if there’s a reviewer who deserves it and who I trust, it’s you for being honest, down to earth, and just plain fun to watch. Thanks for everything, Steve! 🎶🔊🙂
Long time listener and this hits the nail on its head. Best advice yet in the TH-cam world of the latest and greatest gear pushers. Speaking of gear I’ve been very pleasantly surprised what difference a mobile dac has made to my listening pleasure. Thanks in no part to Apple removing the headphone jack from the phone...
Really great systems 'disappear'. You are no longer listening to equipment. Then you are free to absorb the art. It's not a recreation of live music.....that is impossible, but it can be something transcendent. I first experienced this back in the early 80's. Guy had a rig w/ a Linn LP-12 (don't know cartridge) modded Dyna pre and ST-70 and Chartwell BBC monitors. It was a revelation. The sound was pristine tonally, but the new thing was the sound just floated in space. I didn't hear speakers. I just heard Miles Davis in the room, and then Yes and Pink Floyd...etc. Good rigs also make you want to turn it up.....so you gotta be careful there w/ sound levels. ;-)
"Yer system is really good if ya can't stop listening to it!"
I think that's the best advice I've ever heard. Ever!
Genius in it's simplicity.
Unless you're just listening to it because you're a spastic?
It is a struggle getting to work and i'm looking forward to getting off work and be back in my room pronto. No more bars, tv, and other lousy things in life....And i did it all for 4k!!! 25 years ago, i had to spend 25k (ugh) to have the same experience. I recouped 18k when i sold it all though. I'm done!!! I'll never buy anything again!!!
Your system is good when you forget about getting anything better.
And any problem is immediately assumed to be your ears aging and their struggle to hear well above 8khz.
Good mid, good tweeter, good lower bass woofer, and good sub = you're fine. Especially if they are phase and time aligned with DSP and you're crossovers are fully active, meaning: rip the passive crossovers out! Coils of wire, resistors, and caps don't belong before the amplified signal reaches the driver. Tweeter protection is ok. You can then EQ according to your ears. I'm not talking room correction for frequencies above 300hz. I'm talking about setting a frequency curve to your liking. For me, I like it mellow with air. I boost all below 100 hz by 3db. I then keep it flat until 2 to 4 k. This is the resonant frequency of ear canal and causes listening fatigue. 3khz is 3 db down. From 4 khz to 8khz is mostly flat. I then boost starting at roughly 8khz and reach a 3db boost at 16khz and keep it there for anything hire. And all these tone adjustments can be kept phase coherent due to DSP. Tone controls are back, baby!
Problems are introduced when we insist on finding passive speakers which match well to an amp.
It can't really be done. And the HiFi passive market knows you'll be unhappy and constantly in search of "upgrades." And the active market is currently a joke. Speaker boxes shouldn't contain class D amplifiers either.
A speaker is a box or an enclosure containing one type of driver(s) fed an amplified signal intended soley for that driver(s). Enough of these unique drivers in close proximity to the other drivers creates a full speaker system able to produce the entire range without phase, time, or most distortion issues.
The master race has to still build it themselves because the HiFi market knows this setup would kill their industry.
@@thunderpooch
Don't know why you felt like laying that rant on me over my simple comment, but, whatever floats yer boat!
@@HareDeLune part of it was my view on how one knows if their system is good.
The other part, not directed at you, was a rant intended to inform why too many people keep chasing "upgrades" which really aren't upgrades at all.
Most all the products offered are intentionally flawed because they know it will cause consumers to keep purchasing more gear.
What I proposed is a fully customizable setup which can be adjusted as your age and preferences change without breaking the audiophile taboos of adjusting an EQ on a passive system which creates smear and phase problems.
And nearly all active speakers have subpar class D plate amps in the speaker box. It's beyond stupid if quality and function is the main goal.
Speakers should not contain passive crossovers or amps. Sadly, that's 99.9999% of the products sold today.
One of your very best video's Steve! The message, the tone, the delivery...so down to earth and real. "It's all about the music." Period!
Steve has been around for a long time, and I just gotta say I appreciate him so much. He's not here talking at you, he comes here to sit down, drop the needle, and enjoy a conversation with you. Kudos Steve. This is why I come here. No BS, no hub bub about I have a million dollar system. If you have a 100 dollar system, and you can listen...… then you to … have arrived.
Hey man! Don’t ever underestimate exciter speakers. They’re $10 a piece and all you need is a giant board of polystyrene or cardboard.
In individual terms: the system is good if you enjoy it.
Hey Dragan!
Haven't seen you here for a while. Happy New Year!
@@HareDeLune Happy New Year to You and to all good (audiophile) souls!
@@draganantonijevic2441
Thanks!
I don't like listening to my girl's nagging, is that mean I'm not an audiophile?
@@colmercer3315 Is that mean you need english classes? xD
My problem is that I love my system but my neighbours hate it
I live in an apartment building and love to listen to great organs! The end of this performance ends mightly loud: th-cam.com/video/NdcJPfu3uJM/w-d-xo.html Thankfully no one has complained. The only complaint I've got has been about my parrot whistling for attention. A neighbor yelled out the window "shut the f*ck up." I also listen to opera, "controlled screaming," as Pavarotti once said.
have same problem, welcome to the club
Turn it down!!😂
I got the same problem 😂😂 theyre use to it now tho its been 6 years, i turn it down after 9
It's like Klipsch's advertisements.
Maybe Im being pedantic, but a potential objective way to tell is to use an audio spectrum analyzer with the microphone placed about where you would normally listen. Assuming your microphones response is reasonably flat, you can run a 20-20 kHz sine frequency ramp at a constant volume and see what the amplitude response is over the frequency band from the speaker(s) under test. Ideally it should be reasonably flat, with the amplitude falling off at the lowermost and uppermost frequencies of the speakers response range. Provides a relatively easy way to assess the response of the hi-fi setup and also objectively make any needed tweaks to the EQ, or see if there are undesirable resonance peaks, dips, etc. Obviously it wont assess issues like impulse response, odd resonance modes, or phase/frequency linearity issues, but at least you'll have hard numbers to back up the "I think it sounds good."
It happened to me when I caught myself choosing what I was going to listen to based on how good it sounded and not what I wanted to hear. That was almost 30 years ago and it caused a big change in both me and my system. Most of my system now is homemade, or at least handmade, vintage except for my DAC, low powered, single ended and tubed, including my DAC. The first thing to go in the great purge was my turntable, it's replacement, now long out of production from a company that no longer exists, will be inherited by my children, as will most everything else currently in the system. The system, while not cheap, was also not particularly expensive. I typically listen in the evening, and have to use the clock to determine when to stop so I can still get adequate sleep.
Hey John,this is exactly what I am going through right now.I'm 58yrs.old and old school Rock and Roll guy but when it comes to listening I default to my higher quality Jazz recordings,man I need to break this cycle and just listen 😎
@@jeffhunter4395 I was unable to break that cycle without an equipment change. I was using a SOTA turntable with an E.T.II arm. I don't remember which cartridge I was using at the time. I sold the table and went on a nationwide (I am a pilot, I travel constantly) great turntable search. I listened to a lot of them, some very expensive, they pretty much all left me cold. Then I visited a little shop in Kalamazoo Michigan. They played for me a Pink Triangle Anniversary table with a Wilson Benesh arm, again I forget the cartridge, this was 30 years ago. I knew at that moment that this was the one. I didn't want to stop listening. I will have mine as long as I can keep it going. I have a Linn EKOS with a Miyajima Shilabe cartridge, but when I first tried a Linn arm it was with my favorite cartridge ever--a Koetsu Rosewood Pro-IV. Linn arms are greatly underappreciated, inexpensive used, and the best arm for a Koetsu I have used. Shortly after the turntable, I discovered the joys of single ended triodes, and that was all she wrote. My advice is: Don't use equipment that is revealing or "accurate" or trendy. Zero negative feedback single ended triodes are some of the poorest measuring amps out there, but they sound devine. Listen to equipment that sounds pretty and screw all that hi-fi snobbery nonsense about how your system is "euphonic". Don't buy new and don't spend too much, the time I was the least happy was when my system was the most expensive. Consider do it yourself kit building, you can indeed make outstanding equipment on your kitchen table.
Most rock records will never pass for audiophile, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy listening to them.
This
Absolutely agree. I find myself not even wanting to turn on the tv. I recently made some upgrades over the holidays, thanks to some gifts from my wife (which included a new TT cartridge) and she mentioned yesterday that she's gotten used to Jazz playing every evening and she loves it. Said she loves the vibe the house has lately. A couple years ago it was a toss-up as to whether the TV, stereo, or my laptop was the main source of attention, but in the last year or so, the stereo trumps all else.
Good advice. I have a rule with myself, that I can't upgrade something until I can explain exactly what is bothering me about the old one. Just buying something else in the hope it will be better is not good enough. Using my old system as a reference I then loan components and try to fix the "issue" without upsetting the things that were OK before. When I get it right, I usually have a really late night as I can't help but listen and keep pulling out tracks just to hear what they now sound like.
Possibly the wisest TH-cam segment I have ever heard. Cuts through the mist and nails it!
At almost a year old, this video is describing my issues...I need to just listen and stop thinking. So much good advice here, I find myself doing the things suggested on my own, somewhat comforting, thanks Steve!
When I travel for an extended period I always think about how I’m going to miss my system.
I thought I was the only one! Haha!
@Club Soda they will always hug you back in a big warm feild of sound 😂
I went through some nasty withdrawal symptoms when I spent a summer with my grandparents. Back then it was large Advents and a JVC receiver and Garrard turntable with Sonus cartridge. My grandparents only had a Radio Shack Stereo.
I miss my system too when I am away.
For me, it doesn't have to be an extended period. If hear a song I like when I'm out and about, I wonder how good it would sound on my system.
I agree. I may not have near as much into mine as some of your other followers, around a grand into mine. Just a simple cheaper tube amp, nice set of speaker, $300 turn table, 15band rack mount eq and a cheap turntable preamp. But like you said. I got to the point where I'd come home from work and just go thru record after record after record, next thing I know ill be 5 or 6 hours into listening. Then listening more before work... day after day. Im at the point I can't stand to listen to music unless its on my little system anymore. Now my record collection isn't large by any means. I started collecting from my favorite artists back in 2003, however recently I started expanding once I built my system. I'm happy with what it is. I get alot of comments from friends and family that listen to it. Even had one of my friends ask where the best place to set. I suggested a place and he said actually its good no matter where you set LOL. He grew up in the 70s Era. Where I grew up in the 90s Era so I have yet to even scratch the surface on the 70s music... which I feel is the best time for music.
Excellent point. I upgraded my amp 2 months ago from a Yamaha avantage 5.1 setup to a Marantz PM8006 2.0 all other things being equal and I now find myself staying up an extra 90 minutes an evening to fit some more listening time in. I was getting ear fatigue from the Yamaha but with the Marantz the sound is so pure with low to no distortion that I just can’t get enough.
I've found most home theater recievers to be most annoying for listening to music.
They have too many synthesized sound altering modes, they also split the wattage down too much.
A breath of much needed sensible advice. Way to go!!!
Best advice I have heard in 2020 so far for audio heads...I heard some heads explode when you mentioned “Cables” I have experienced the difference in sound of making cable changes in my system, good and bad.
I just put together a new system and can’t stop listening to music all the time. There was the usual extensive tinkering and excessive neurotic need to perfect the sound and definitely lost the feel for the music but stepping back brought it back and now I enjoy so much. I feel like this video was made just for me!
Great advice. WRT cables. Try making your own to see if it clears up some issues and open a new window to the sound.
Interconnects with 24 gauge magnet wire in packing tape makes a very revealing cable. Just run 2 parallel wires 1/2 inch apart and dirt cheap RCA connectors. If you find that great (as I did) and want more? Then build a new set with 99.9% silver wire as the conductor. Then upgrade to KLEI RCA connectors. With each of these changes you will open a window deeper into the music. Costs next to nothing if you have a soldering iron. If not, time to get one.
But watch out. This is how I started down the road to DIY all my gear. It's wonderful. You can then make small incremental upgrades and seldom have to outright replace your gear.
Best advice I’ve ever heard. Since I got my B&W 606s my gaming and TV watching have probably been cut down to 1/4 of what they used to, because all I ever want to do when in front of my TV is play music. I consider that a very good sign that I made the right choice.
Phew. I guess mine must be great, even though it is a budget, dare I say, 'audiophile' system. I listen everyday to a few or lots more albums. I spent a lifetime building a music collection of rock, jazz, blues, world, and classical. But never gave much thought to the sound I was getting, just being a happy idiot instead. As a single divorced guy in my 50's, things are often pretty quiet around here, and I really do enjoy having my audio system and music collection fill my world with great sound and all the good it does me. Currently listening thru a 2.2 system and movies in 5.2. It may not be everyone's cup o' tea, but it's luxury I can afford. Oddly enough, I went thru a period of listening fatigue when I bought some new gear and started to take sound more seriously. Then I learned about reflection and room acoustics and all Steve's great advice and am now enjoying my music again. Thanks, Steve!
I agree about changing cables. Some people say it doesn't matter but I can hear the difference.
Trimming the hair inside your ears also helps. I can hear the difference, much more so than cables.
Spot on Steve. Just upgraded to a new McIntosh integrated. I have sometimes slinked up from my listening room at 2 or 3 in the morning because the music sounds good enough to me that I don't want it to stop. Cheers.
I had heard that if your system still sounds full and satisfying at low volume then that’s a good indication. I would tend to agree as I find that’s the case with my system!
I wanted to say what you just said. I live in a apartment and I listen to the Tannoy Ardens with two rel 812 subs at 4am everyday when I get home from work. Not one complaint in 2 1/2 years yet ( fingers crossed). I tell that to people and they always say your neighbors must hate you.. lol. I try explain to them that i don't feel the need to turn up the volume. I can already hear everything clearly and with bass. I admit when they are not home I do turn it up a little though.
Love the way you touched on cables, Steve. Well done, no matter how you feel about it.
My epiphany was when I went from the audio mindset of massive loud, clear, rock concert sound to detailed imaging, sound stage and full frequency at low to moderate volumes. Going from 3 pairs of A7-500 Altec Lansing Voice of the Theaters, powered by Crown DC series power amps, to a single pair of Celestion Model A compacts, powered by an Edelweiss 3 (6wpc) in a near field configuration was the most unexpected improvement in my appreciation of the music. In the 2 years since this happened I have built, with spare components from around the house, a hybrid system capable of 117db (measured) spl, but capable of delicate nuances and the deepest bass (17hz, measured) even at 70 db. I purchased a MiniDsp product but have yet to use it as I am still working with mechanical setup parameters, crossover points and various balance levels between the various speakers themselves. When I have exhausted all the testing and experimenting I will turn finally to EQ and DSP assuming I still have any unresolved issues. But swapping out wiring, moving speakers, seating positions, adding and subtracting room accouterments, adjusting crossover points and levels, and let's not forget just angling speakers both in and out of toe, but also up and down as well as the height of your seating position, will take a lot of time and dedication. You have to spend listening time with each change to get an honest evaluation, even the bad stuff teaches lessons. And having achieved a level of sound that keeps you up late hours not wanting to ever turn the system off again is the just and delightful reward of these design methods. Even yet, I have to try the Tekton 2 10 Perfect Set speakers because I dreamed up virtually that exact array of mid/high drivers and these are already worked out. I'm still 2 months out for delivery but I am so ready. It's the first new speakers I have bought since the first pair of Altec A7-500 kits in 1971. All others were preowned or built by me. Thanks for all your presentations.
I loved the wharfedale sound for years, so in my retirement years, I chose the 10.4 floorstanders because they are small enough for my bedroom and just loud enough 125W ea. then I decided on a Cayin LA34 tube integrated amp (32W/channel) and a Marrantz cd 6004. Bought all these brand new under $2000. After playing around with the tubes, finally found the right sound with 4X El34 Mullards, 2X 12AU7 PSVane, gold pin and 1 piece JJ ECC 803S gold pin. The music is sublime & smooth and filled the room with wonderful music, Vangelis, O'hearn, Fourplay Rippingtons, Classic Jazz and Classical music. I even brought the whole system to the living room which has 20 foot slanted ceiling and the stereo system filled that room with great music. One does not need tons of money to buy a great stereo system, one needs great patience to be prudent and buy what you really need and enjoy.
You understand the audiophile condition very well and offer great advice, experience shows!
Im right with ya Steve! The more revieling the system, the more cables making a difference, ime.
I finally turned my biggest bedroom into a dedicated (2 channel only) listening room a week ago. I'm definitely not through 'tuning' the room, but the difference is huge. I find myself listening for hours, loving the sound of my system in this new room! The depth of soundstage is staggering!
Breath of fresh air! You are always hitting the nail on the head Steve!
Love this one Steve. I spend more time at my computer(work and play) than in my listening room. Although I spend less time at it, I love the way it sounds but I love to tinker too so that keeps me coming back to re-listen my whole library all over again.
We all get caught up with new gear and wanting new gear. It's easy to forget what it's all about - enjoying the music. Moving speakers around really helped me find a much improved sound. I can't believe what a difference it can make. Like a totally new setup. Thanks Steve.
Truer wors where never said. Speakers, Speakers, Speakers ! ABout 6 yrs. ago, I started rebuilding a vintage stereo system. (I grew up on vintage stuff, before converting to digital, then moved back to vintage 2 channel stuff) After amassing several turntables, and learning to align cartridges, stylus and all that stuff, I turned my attention to the speakers. A set of AR's, I bought back in the 80's, while stationed in Germany. Rebuilt the surrounds, and began the process of speaker placement. After researching several experts, (can't remember who) , I spent the next 6 mos. , moving those 50 lb. speakers in-out and all around, till one day, my test recording, popped into place. Yes, it all came together. Beautiful sound from my records and CD's. All that has changed, was to add more music to my library. I have 2 TT's in daily use and swap out cartridges, that's it. Those old AR's, never sounded so good. If the pressing is good, I enjoy a lovely sound stage, can pick out the individual instruments, in a dark room. KB
If you have a good home-theater set-up, I recommend the Blu-ray disc of Rudolf Buchbinder and the Staatskappelle playing Mozart's piano concertos nos. 20, 21, and 27. The sound formats are PCM 2.0 and DTS-HD 5.0. (Unitel/Classica, C Major brand, made in Austria)
Your answer suprised me (in a good way).
I'm always listening to my system, can't get enough of it. This affliction has been going on for decades! ❤😂
You never get tired listening to it, and most of music genres sound great!
Steve, this is your best video yet!
And this is one of the reasons why I like tube amps, because just swapping in different tubes can give me a new sound!
Dear Steve,
There is so much truth in this video.
The truth contained in this video is why I now rarely view your videos.
It is because I have built up my system slowly through watching your much valued opinions and those from other audiophile lovers too.
Because of this?, I now have a system that I love to listen to sooooo much!.
As you say?, I cannot stop listening to it and enjoy it.
That applies, as you have also said?, to listening to Movies or TV.
My system has become a natural extension to my ears of appreciation of any sound.
The many comments given by you and some others on you tube are so invaluable this way.
Your natural way of expressing such enthusiasm in the many ways that you do?, is indeed infectious.
Keep up the good work, then many more like me will not need to continue watching you comment.
That might sound odd, but indeed?, is the best thing I could say as one of your disciples to the love of sounds.
At 71 years old I've finally got the small vintage system I cannot stop listening to. I run ADS L400's and Infinity Infintesimals with a 10 in. Sony sub. 600 watts total in a small room sounds like you're wearing a giant pair of headphones. Too cool.
Amazing to me how you and a few others keep talking about stuff I'm thinking of. - I hadn't started watching when IO wrote that, I wrote it because 30 minutes ago I was musing to myself that if nobody ever comes over to check out my setup I'll never know... started watching and your first statement... about if you listen to it a lot... It's so good these days I actually have slept in the room because I didn't want to stop listening, and that was after hours and hours of listening already.
Wonderful advice.
I totally agree Steve! Fantastic statement. When you listen a lot and also hope to have more time to keep listening, yes sir you have a good system. It's very important not to deviate from the root of all, and that is the music itself. Happy listening!!!
What a great hobby! It will be 50 years next year that my dad took a 14 year old me to Melton's in Atlanta and said "son, are you sure that you want to spend that much money on a stereo?" That $1200 bought a Marantz 2220, Studio Craft speakers, and a dual turntable with a Shure cartridge.
Non-fatiguing is my measure of my system. That is if I start listening and keep listening. Now, I have temporary speakers that are fatiguing because they are cheap Best Buy Insignia speakers filling a now two month gap. I may just turn it off for a while until the new speakers arrive.
I have 2 sets of entry level speaker (wharfedale 225 and bnw 607). I love them both and different sound signatures. I agree that you dont need to get news speakers. Just move them around and have a good time with it.
Covid has given me lots of time to really sit and enjoy the music, I've also discovered how really good my system sounds. That's really the point is enjoying the music for music's sake. Another good video Steve
Steve is 100% right: try different cables... in a blind ABX test. It's a fun experiment/experience you can share with a friend.
Great vid. My guide to tell if a system is sounding really great, is my both feet. If it starts tapping on the rhytm of the music, i can tell for sure i'm enjoying the music. If you are listening to analysing the audio components, somethings wrong. If the music " grabs" your attention, the specs and looks of the equipment is not important anymore!🤔
I had become very neurotic around record cleaning, to the point where any sort of click or pop would kill my ability to enjoy the music. This video really helped me to take a step back and reassess what I was trying to accomplish with my music reproduction system. That said, the approach Mr. Guttenberg presents to root out problem source(s) leaves something to be desired. In my view, the first step is to identify and eliminate noise. With each audio source, is there noise and of what type (hum, buzz, or other junk)? Each has its own cause and cure. Whatever the system, start with component outputting the smallest signal and work backward/inward. If there is a turntable and CD player in the mix, play the same recording on both. If the CD sounds better, the weakest link can be found somewhere in the turntable, interconnect, or phono pre-amp. Once everything else is in good shape is the time to start looking at the power amp (assuming it is relatively modern and in good condition) and speakers. I would put swapping out speaker cables at the bottom of the list (if at all). The type of connector, though, is very important. In my experience/research, the compression type (e.g. screw down using a 5-way binding post) is best; "banana" style is the worst and should be avoided.
It's a great point, applies to many more hobbies, photography in particular fails to appreciate the sheer joy of taking pictures, as opposed to pixel peeping and such like. My very humble audio system passes the test, which began with "has to sound at least as good as my headphones".
I’ve never enjoyed movies and music as much as I do now. I’ve pieces together the best sounding system I’ve ever heard by being very patient and waiting for insanely good deals on OfferUp and craigslist. It’s become quite an addiction buying new pieces of brands like kef, Miller & kreisel, bowers & Wilkins. Every new piece makes such a huge difference in the sound quality and the enjoyment of listening. Purchasing a power conditioner made a huge noticeable difference for me and am currently searching for amps to replace my marantz receiver. Good channel keep it up!
Hi Steve basically you called out all the stuff I have been working on for the past few months thanks for the great advice now I'm buying dirt cheap cds in the local charity shop and my enthusiasm for discovering new music has been revived.
Greatest and wisest response to a commonly asked question.
Steve, I can never stop watching your videos. It must be because you are an exceptional man.
Steve, that's a wonderful definition of what a good audio system is when you can't stop listening
Been watching you for two years and was yet to subscribe. So there you go! Keep doing what you’re doing.
For my 11th birthday I got a GE stereo AM/FM 8-track player. It had a phono selection but I never got one. I left it for my brother when I moved out at 19. It had two 5 1/4” full range drivers in each a big box. I played them every day! My Aerosmith, Led Zep, Black Sabbath and more, all sounded good.
Wisdom wrought by experience. I know the experience well. As hard as I try to attend to the audiophile stuff, I just can't resist being pulled away from that and being drawn into the music. There's no audiophile stuff to listen for anymore, the system is just doin' it. The opposite of that is where you keep getting abruptly awaken from the musical trance, or even being able to be entranced in the first place, by things that keep diverting attention.
I'm in a good place with headphone headphone journey these days. I'm enjoying it very much. I look for, and forward to, more moments to listen, and am happy to listen to the same music again and again because it sounds so good, I'm encouraged to search out new because I want to enjoy it on my kit, or finding that music I've enjoyed more casually to have the experience of it on a better playback system.
Totally agree! I only have a few nights in the week to play a few records, but when i start.....it's almost impossible to stop.
Steve you've topped yourself with this presentation. Your advice is spot on. This video is worth the price of admission. 😉
The idea of changing the place of loudspeakers is a good one. Changing the angle can bring a different stereo imaging. I made this experience a few weeks ago with electrostatic loudspeakers after a period of doubt ! And since I've recovered a peaceful mind !
I spent almost two years in trying to build up a system as perfect as possible for my means. When I was thinking I had reached my goal, something still was missing.
It took some time to understand that my system needed a long warming: that means at least 3 hours and half!
At the beginnig the sound is stereo, then it becomes 3D and at the end I fully dive into the music!
At that moment, as Steve says, it is almost impossible to stop listening.
Absolutely perfect definition of a nice sound system. You start listening to just the music and enjoying it! Thanks Steve.
My stuff is all second hand bought over years and nothing audio buffs would be impressed with but I listen every day and love it and my wife puts up with my two subwoofers shaking the house. I often wonder what I might be missing by not having or ever even hearing the expensive gear you guys have. There was a high end store in my area once that I loved going into and hearing good sound but other than that I'm content with what sounds good to me. I have changed my room around multiple times seeking the best setup for what I have and having tried every way possible it seems, I have settled for how it is now pretty much. Love your channel though!
"If you can't stop listening to it"...simple yet elegant view.
I am very pleased with my Fluance rt81 and Edifier 1280t speakers. Sound quality is smooth as silk and I mostly enjoy Progressive rock from the 70's and 80's music. Play my system every day and love the vinyl ritual and turntable interaction.
Last year I made some modifications to my system, resulting in significant improvements. None of them were in electronics. The first was simply the position of the couch - zero cost. The second and most significant was the feet of the front speakers - which I changed to IsoAcoustics Gaia. And finally, I replaced the rack with a real wood one.
Ok,now regarding cables; I believe they are absolutely an effective TWEAK. You just have to be realistic, if you have a moderate or entry level system expensive cables aren't going to suddenly reveal information that isn't there.
Cables make no difference.... Scientific fact
@@edwardbalboa5528 I thought so true until I got some real high end speakers.
Absolutely true ! I've recently upgraded my audio system and haven't listened to this much music in years.
It makes me feel better that I can still be an audiophile (have a system that sounds good to me) without spending my last dollar on high end equipment. Earlier this year I replaced an old Technics SL-5 turntable with a cheap cartridge (none of the buttons would work anymore) with my first "real" table, a Rega P2 with an upgraded cart, the AT-VM540ML. I hooked it it into the phono jack of my AVR, but always had to crank up the volume to get much sound. I found out that the S/N ration of the phone jack was 74dB while the CD input was 102. I bought a Rega Fono MM Mk5 last week, plugged it in to the CD jack, and my records haven't sounded better :)
Well I enjoy my system to the point that when I am enjoying certain songs that I really enjoy it actually brings a smile and astonishment to how well it works.
In my younger years I played drums in rock bands so I like music with great drumming and of course good sounding bass guitar.
The sound has to be dynamic to the point we're you can feel it not just hear it. My system is around $1100. But man does it bring a smile to my face.
I do mine. It gives me the fun even when I watch cable TV and TH-cam with it. It makes me look for a reason to listen to it.
I think at 13k usd, it outperforms the old big Utopia most of the time.
Thanks so much for your wise words, Steve.
Great advice! The other night I plugged my favorite headphones directly in to my phone and BAM I was there just listening to the music for two hours. It was great and I don't get to do it that often with the constant dull roar of the family around 😉. I am looking forward to my next session mostly because I wasn't even thinking about the simple gear I was using 😁
Congratulations on your first 100k subscribers!! Your channel is a jewel.
I've had a basic system since 1995, this year I upgraded all my stuff and I listen to it every single day now.
I never completely agree with you, Steve. Except for this time!! I'm an old geezer with serious hi-fi experience dating back to the '60's. I wasn't able to gain anything approximating deep satisfaction until the 2010's. I listen to everything via my main system now. Even when I am background-listening to dreck from sources like my computer or crappy DVD's, or streaming services, I use my main system. In doing so I am occasionally "awakened" by a particular chord or vocalization or instrumental moment that causes me to stop what I am doing and focus my attention on that particular sonic instant. I see that as a good thing.
I know that you abhor "multitasking" when listening to music, but if I didn't do so for most hours of the day, I wouldn't accomplish most day-to-day tasks. I might be viewing your or some other site on YT. Suddenly, you (or the other site) might sound out something of particular interest. I'll flick a switch, throwing my computer's output onto the TV centered between my speakers, swivel my chair, and better enjoy whatever it is that you or others are presenting. You sound the same, but now I'm giving you full attention. At other times, if I want to take a break and really listen to music, I access a better source, aim my chair correctly, and immerse myself in that sound for a while. This didn't and couldn't happen with gear and physical layouts I had in the past. I own my house, and have no neighbors within 200 feet, so I can go "full music mode" anytime of the day or night.
I did this. I watced the movie No Time To Die at a movie theater, paying attention to the theme song. Billy Irish played on a theater system with theater acoustics is a treat. Then at home I streamed the same song on my system. I was blown away at how enjoyable and full my system performed relative to the theater experience. That's how I know.
listening is so much more complex than just hearing... mood and all that contribute to the sensations felt while listening to music so much more than the sound system.
sometimes i plug in an old radio that i just fixed or tuned or simply dusted off and i listen to it the entire evening and night just because it feels like i have a special connection with the device. some days i play music on old b&w and some days i'd have a bunch of klipsch on from early morning till late at night... i prefer proper sound quality just as much as the next guy, but if the mood, company, weather, whatever is fine, i can listen to music on an alexa speaker and still enjoy it..
cheers everyone!
When I'm away from home for like a week or two, I really truly miss my system. So I think I'm good at this point. Sometimes I upgrade some basic gear I have.
The moment you hear tremendous level of detail to the point that you rediscover your favourite songs means that your system is now capable to be reproduce music properly. System also includes room acoustics/dac/amp/speakers....
Soundstage is absolutely vital isn't it? I couldn't be happy without that.
Yeah totally my sound system is in my van and I live in an apartment and every chance I get I will carry my record player down to my van and put some vinyl on and play it front to back I did spend a lot of time thinking of what I wanted for a sound system and built it in the van so I can listen to my music everywhere and create some more audio files at car shows listening to my sound system it's not a huge expensive sound system but with everything entailed it is expensive. But rain snow and the heat still won't stop me from listening to my music
Brillant video. One thing I missed was powercables. I've been playing with interconnects since mid 70'es but never thought of powercables as an important factor. Just simple powerline, right. Then 4 years ago a guy handled me a small selection of different brands of hifi oriented power cables and a well made powerstrip and said: Shut up and try these. I was shocked by the impact and spend the next couple of years experimenting. To day I will happily claim, that my 15 year old system sound twice as good as before updating 'power-snakes'. To me the most important cable in the system is now the one from the wall to the powerstrip. Never be prejudiced🤓
My listening baseline for my system is: If I walked into a country bar and it sounded like this would I be impressed with the sound. The answer is a resounding HELL YES!! Listened to an entire Dwight Yoakam compilation I have imported on Qobuz, and it was phenomenal from start to finish. Have a Vern Gosden day planned for tomorrow, and I'm totally excited about it.
The audiophile aspects, such as imaging and soudstaging, although somewhat important, pale in comparison to whether your system connects you to the music. A dealer I patronized a few years back used to say "No one comes back from a concert and says 'great imaging at that concert.'" Thanks also for not promoting upgraditis.
Concerts sound like crap, most of the time. I feel like Hi-Fi is a lie. It doesn't accurately reproduce the music. For one, soundstage and stereo separation is all made-up. The instruments on a recording all sound like they were recorded separately and combined in the mix. It's kinda like how photos have sharper and more saturated colors than in reality.
Concerts sound like hot garbage in my opinion. I got really sensitive ears and almost every concert I visit has screeching highs that ruin any experience for me.
Lenn Minkhorst i figured earplug is the way to go abou a year ago and everything is better lol
@@lm6036 I guess you're not into classical music.
Say you go to concert hall and you listen symphonic orchestra but every instrument sound comes from single point.
Would you enjoy that?
I tell ya. This guy has a way of speaking. Really like these vids
Always enjoy watching thanks. One comment, I come to realize after a lifetime of listening that upgrading the amp is more important than upgrading the speakers.in most cases. Certainly you can make a case either way but todays budget speakers are pretty good and can come alive and impress you big time with a good amp up near the thousand dollar range.
This is great! Be a music lover first.
This afternoon, I was listening to Paul Simon’s, Graceland. As I finished the album, it hit me: every time I listen to my system, I have this feeling as if I’d just been to a concert performance. I’ve listened to hundreds of other systems, and never get that feeling anywhere else.
Is your system one of those really expensive ones?
My priority:
- Speaker Placement and acoustic treatment of the room
- Equipment (Prio 1: Speakers, Prio 2: Source, Prio 3: Amplifier)
- Stable and filtered power
"is my soundsystem good?"
Does it sound good?
"yes"
Then it`s good..
When I was a young boy it was the songs/music which grabbed my attention, I did not care how the sound reached me, I cared about the tune. When I heard Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones, it was a stunning joy even if it came out of a small transistor radio. So a system where you want to listen to all your music collection non stop is an additional pleasure even if it already is one step away from the above given experience...
Just move the speakers.....this is very good advice. Better than a new cable or an isolation device. I do think cables are important but only after you have experimented with speaker placement. Also, selling my well respected SS amp and replacing it with the 2 watt Decware amp was truly a revolution.
CONGRATS on 100,000 subs! Well deserved. And horn speakers really are special.
Sage advice Steve.I like the way you include everyone in your audiophile world not just the rich high end brigade.I have a fairly modest set up and I listen to it constantly.Still using the same amp since 1999 and won't replace it till it dies as I like and know its sound even though I know I could better it (can't we always)
If you are satisfied,leave as is.
I use my system daily for streaming music, watching TV, DVDs and Internet browsing. Often flicking from one source to another.
Funnily I stillI haven't even got hi-res deezer or tidal yet, but it still sounds really amazing!
We are truly lucky to be living in this age and time where there is so much great (new and used) hi-fi gear available - to suit ears curiosity and budgets.
For a thousand pounds UK. I got a secondhand peachtree Nova, a dual mono gainclone power amp, qacoustic 3050 floor standers and two Anthony Gallo's tr2 subs. On homemade stands, DIY connectors and van damn shotgun cables which impresses, captivates and surprises me and my friends.
Hi-fi should not intimidate as its a great adventure...just follow your ears
Only 100 subs away to 100K now, Steve! Will we get the special guest tomorrow? The next day? This is suspenseful, but if there’s a reviewer who deserves it and who I trust, it’s you for being honest, down to earth, and just plain fun to watch.
Thanks for everything, Steve! 🎶🔊🙂
Yes, thanks. I have a very special guest for 100,000 day.
Long time listener and this hits the nail on its head. Best advice yet in the TH-cam world of the latest and greatest gear pushers. Speaking of gear I’ve been very pleasantly surprised what difference a mobile dac has made to my listening pleasure. Thanks in no part to Apple removing the headphone jack from the phone...
Really great systems 'disappear'. You are no longer listening to equipment. Then you are free to absorb the art. It's not a recreation of live music.....that is impossible, but it can be something transcendent. I first experienced this back in the early 80's. Guy had a rig w/ a Linn LP-12 (don't know cartridge) modded Dyna pre and ST-70 and Chartwell BBC monitors. It was a revelation. The sound was pristine tonally, but the new thing was the sound just floated in space. I didn't hear speakers. I just heard Miles Davis in the room, and then Yes and Pink Floyd...etc.
Good rigs also make you want to turn it up.....so you gotta be careful there w/ sound levels. ;-)