I spent a little over two years building my system. All separates. Made some mistakes…learned what I like and man do I love what I have. I ripped apart the tube section of my pre-amp and replaced all the caps and resistors and that made my connection real personal with the gear and the sound. I have about $25K into it and have been just lovin' it and searching for music. No plans to buy anything…lovin' life. 😀
Wel, when I used to be a semi-professional Photographer the gear started to fill many bags en emptied my accounts. Especially lenses…walking the cities with 20 kg on my back, one day I decided to get out the 35mm and the 50 mm and started to get back to basics. And I loved taking pictures again and I liked my photographes a lot more. I really understand and support, what you are telling. Dieter Burmester always said, most audiophiles are listening to their gear. Not the music.
I would also say part of the reason why you're not leaning towards gear is because you've experienced it. So you already have that info within. The rabbit holes can be part of the game, until you're not into rabbits anymore...
My quest for the best has ended. My direction now is simple and minimalist. The new system costs 20% of the old system and I am actually happier and more engaged with the music.
At last, common sense has kicked in. My amp, speakers and DAC cost about £1000, my speaker wires with banana plugs, less than £10 and when I play 'Keith don't go' 'Cortez the killer' 'Comfortably numb' they all sound amazing. I'd go as far to say that my HIFI is the best sounding setup in the world, my world.
My newest system in exactly this! I love how it sounds, it’s not super expensive and I can totally see it being my forever (or as long as it lasts) system! Cambridge Audio CXA81, 1978 Klipsch Heresy’s with crites upgrades, audio technical TT, Cambridge Audio Solo phono preamp, WiiM Pro and an SVS micro 3000. I’m all in for a little over $3k and it’s all I need. Now I just need to tell myself I dont need the latest thing. Hehe
I’ve done something similar - I think it’s useful to reach the pinnacle though, because then you have a mental reference for what you like and can work back from there
One would hope, that after sooooo many years of listening to so many different pieces of hifi gear, you should be able to figure out what sonic presentation speaks to you.
It’s supposed to be about the music. But for a lot of us, we can get caught up in it. A 500 dollar system can move you just as much as a 50,000 dollar system. I’m getting ready to buy new speakers in the 3 grand range to replace my 12 year old klipsch-rf82 towers. I am currently using them with a parasound halo amp and a Cambridge audio CXN-V2 streamer. People lose sight of what audio is supposed to be about and that’s the music. I’f it touches your soul and heart then the system has done its job.
When you've listened to a song or album you love, hundreds of times, on a quality system you can't go back to a £500 system and be happy. It's too distracting noticing all the shortcomings. If I'd never heard better I'd have been fine.
I am in somewhat similar boat. All my gear is packed up into storage and i listen to music on my JBL pulse 4 and i enjoy every song Its all in the mindset
I can not agree more with you, I am 71 and as you have many hifi items, preamps, amps, speakers but last two years decide to stop buying and focus as you say in find the combination with all this equipment that make enjoy music the most I i have been very surprise to find with what I already have alot of joy and so happen with my photo gear. Rgds Alfredo Mexico
So agree! I'm 60 and am on my second system. I bought the first one in the mid 80s. I now have a Node 2i streamer, my 20yo Benchmark DAC1, Redgum RG120i integrated amp, and Dynaudio Contour S1.4s with quality interconnects and speaker cable. The streamer is about 3 yrs old but I've had the rest of the system since 2003-2007 range. Keep it simple. And be selective about any upgrade; I'm currently contemplating amps. The search is fun and I'm enjoying it, but it's not essential and there's plenty of time - current front runner is the Heaven 11 Billie Mk2. We'll see what happens.
I have no idea how you pay your bills, photography, youtube, something entirely different...I do believe you're doing your best to help us decide what make on our next purchase.
I trying to listen you talk, make my English better. Thank you 😊 I listening music in my car and small speaker on my computer when I work on photoshop.
Music is KING. I can and have happily listened to a beloved song on a table top radio. Music I don't like does not sound better on an expensive set-up.
Sounds very introspective and sincere…just like listening to an addict at the weekly meetings…..It will be interesting to see if you really continue on the path to cheaper sonic Nirvana or fall back into the techno trap.
After a year, you will also be done with those Evas, as soul touching and musical it may be. Some other system will be touching your soul and make you cry in a few months time. Its never ending, you are still in the rabbit hole even if you are 'music' orientated now.
I've been thinking a lot about this lately and I seem to want to think that Naim is the amplifier- and front end company for people who want to stop gear-chasing. It's surely a controversial thing to say, but ask yourself when the last time was that someone said that a piece of Naim kit had made a bad pairing with a particular pair of speakers. Not everyone thinks they're the very best choice with each individual speaker -- Hegel seems to do better with some speakers in some applications -- but you'll never hear anyone say that the pairing just flat-out didn't work.
WTF are you talking about? Lol. Naim is probably one of the worst choices you can make if you want to keep things reasonable price-wise. Way, way overpriced imho.
@@mpi5850 I don't agree (The Nait 5si is price-competitive with the Hegel H95 and several other amps of similar pedigree) but much more to the point, who said anything about price? My comment was about chasing music instead of gear, and my argument was that if you bought Naim equipment you'd probably continue to be happy with it because its performance is robust to change-outs at other points in the chain. Never said a peep about it being bargain-priced, tough guy.
No doubt the law of diminishing returns applies in audio. It’s very possible to assemble a musical system that will sound great without spending a fortune. When you discover how close in musicality you can come to the high end gear and you can avoid the gear thinking you will be a lot happier.
"not much at all" ............................was there ever a more relative statement than that? lived with a $100,000 system for 15 months........."i don't make much at all"
direct sound i only have it on a early 60´s, 70 watts tube amplifier, from my grandfather hooked on some looking like a closet tall and large pair of speakers (worked wood with a cloth behind, front covers , i think they are kenwood and the amp. a dynaco , it gives a very clean and loud sound and maybe because of the two speakers it gives the feeling of the sound coming from nowhere ,even looking at the speakers one feels like the sound is in the air, the turntable is a pioneer from late 60´s ,already stereo but converted to mono, from my grandmother i receive a late 60´s complete dual system ,with nice sounding 4 ohms speakers and a shure cartridge to substitute the ceramic one that came with it but when reading a old dual catalog it explained how to change to it ,still with the old shure symbol on the cartridge
@@andru2625 What he ment was that gear needs music input, whereas if you erased all the gear on the planet, you could still enjoy a performer playing on a guitar, completely without any audio gear. Instruments is all you need, and someone who can play.
Listening to..man with the red face through ATC 40 passive, using name electronics 🙂 wonderful sound 👍🏼. My question is, I don't think you have reviewed anything from Naim?..
I know what you are talking about when you are young it is all about chase of the girl when you are old it is all about the time with the girl and time has more meaning than it use too back in the 70s all my stereo equipment would have taken a small uhaul to move now it is a whole lot simpler
The system is also a phallic symbol of power. I think i read that somewhere. Men and audio systems. Women are just not built that way but will indulge their partner's pent up repression. Ha ha
I understand almost all of it except one MAJOR thing.. NO REMOTE!!! how can you live without a remote??? Design some servo belt device that wraps around the volume knob.
I WAS thinking about buying a completely new set: - Heaven11 Billie (or a decent Vincent hybrid amp) - Wharfedale Elysian 2 speakers - 2X SVS SB1000 Pro subs - Denafrips Pontus or Audio Note 0.1x DAC Buuuuuuuut I think I will just go for some Buchardt A10's instead.
The problem you have is that you are too convincing. People take your comments to heart. I believe true music lovers always are always on the hunt for new great music and not hung up on chasing the next best piece.
All journeys into addictive behaviour especially hifi I’ve been there. We start off curiously then it leads to compulsion then addiction I’m glad I gave it up. Peace out on your pursuit of finding the perfect system. I’m 53 and had over 300 systems now I have none. It’s all about the music. Fundamentally.
You'll be back. Once you have driven a Lexus for a while, it's impossible to be happy with a Toyota, even if you like the new Toyota initially. It's human nature.
My Daniel hertz system is staying. As a system I’ve never heard finer so there’s nothing else I want to go to. Nada. I have zero desire for any new gear since this system landed. It’s simple, light, yet sounds better than any system I’ve owned. So there’s nothing to go back to as this bests the Lexus for a fraction of the cost. A win/win.
I spent a little over two years building my system. All separates. Made some mistakes…learned what I like and man do I love what I have. I ripped apart the tube section of my pre-amp and replaced all the caps and resistors and that made my connection real personal with the gear and the sound. I have about $25K into it and have been just lovin' it and searching for music. No plans to buy anything…lovin' life. 😀
Wel, when I used to be a semi-professional Photographer the gear started to fill many bags en emptied my accounts. Especially lenses…walking the cities with 20 kg on my back, one day I decided to get out the 35mm and the 50 mm and started to get back to basics. And I loved taking pictures again and I liked my photographes a lot more. I really understand and support, what you are telling. Dieter Burmester always said, most audiophiles are listening to their gear. Not the music.
I would also say part of the reason why you're not leaning towards gear is because you've experienced it. So you already have that info within. The rabbit holes can be part of the game, until you're not into rabbits anymore...
My quest for the best has ended. My direction now is simple and minimalist. The new system costs 20% of the old system and I am actually happier and more engaged with the music.
I had less drama raising my 2 daughters.
At last, common sense has kicked in. My amp, speakers and DAC cost about £1000, my speaker wires with banana plugs, less than £10 and when I play 'Keith don't go' 'Cortez the killer' 'Comfortably numb' they all sound amazing. I'd go as far to say that my HIFI is the best sounding setup in the world, my world.
My newest system in exactly this! I love how it sounds, it’s not super expensive and I can totally see it being my forever (or as long as it lasts) system! Cambridge Audio CXA81, 1978 Klipsch Heresy’s with crites upgrades, audio technical TT, Cambridge Audio Solo phono preamp, WiiM Pro and an SVS micro 3000. I’m all in for a little over $3k and it’s all I need. Now I just need to tell myself I dont need the latest thing. Hehe
I’ve done something similar - I think it’s useful to reach the pinnacle though, because then you have a mental reference for what you like and can work back from there
This hobby is all about experiencing as much gear and music one can in a lifetime.
I hope that you are very happy now.
Just listen on now and may you have great joy and peace.
Love the music!
One would hope, that after sooooo many years of listening to so many different pieces of hifi gear, you should be able to figure out what sonic presentation speaks to you.
It’s supposed to be about the music. But for a lot of us, we can get caught up in it. A 500 dollar system can move you just as much as a 50,000 dollar system. I’m getting ready to buy new speakers in the 3 grand range to replace my 12 year old klipsch-rf82 towers. I am currently using them with a parasound halo amp and a Cambridge audio CXN-V2 streamer. People lose sight of what audio is supposed to be about and that’s the music. I’f it touches your soul and heart then the system has done its job.
When you've listened to a song or album you love, hundreds of times, on a quality system you can't go back to a £500 system and be happy. It's too distracting noticing all the shortcomings. If I'd never heard better I'd have been fine.
I am in somewhat similar boat. All my gear is packed up into storage and i listen to music on my JBL pulse 4 and i enjoy every song
Its all in the mindset
That is such a waste
That's the irony of being an "audiophile," so many are gear chasers. They are into sound, not music.
I can not agree more with you, I am 71 and as you have many hifi items, preamps, amps, speakers but last two years decide to stop buying and focus as you say in find the combination with all this equipment that make enjoy music the most I i have been very surprise to find with what I already have alot of joy and so happen with my photo gear.
Rgds Alfredo
Mexico
thank you for this surprisingly personal sharing
it definitely gives different perspective to things and values
“Bass was a little lacking” in the Deville, but i thought they were “seismic”?
So agree! I'm 60 and am on my second system. I bought the first one in the mid 80s. I now have a Node 2i streamer, my 20yo Benchmark DAC1, Redgum RG120i integrated amp, and Dynaudio Contour S1.4s with quality interconnects and speaker cable. The streamer is about 3 yrs old but I've had the rest of the system since 2003-2007 range. Keep it simple. And be selective about any upgrade; I'm currently contemplating amps. The search is fun and I'm enjoying it, but it's not essential and there's plenty of time - current front runner is the Heaven 11 Billie Mk2. We'll see what happens.
Just started watching, thanks for taking time to create and share!!!
I have no idea how you pay your bills, photography, youtube, something entirely different...I do believe you're doing your best to help us decide what make on our next purchase.
That came out consumerist but that's us
I trying to listen you talk, make my English better. Thank you 😊 I listening music in my car and small speaker on my computer when I work on photoshop.
Music is KING. I can and have happily listened to a beloved song on a table top radio. Music I don't like does not sound better on an expensive set-up.
What about my/our Dynaudio Heritage Specials?
I wish we were neighbors. I'd bring a nice cabernet, listen to the Daniel Hertz system. Excellent viewpoint on your journey.
Sounds very introspective and sincere…just like listening to an addict at the weekly meetings…..It will be interesting to see if you really continue on the path to cheaper sonic Nirvana or fall back into the techno trap.
Curiosity is a wonderful propulsion ❤️
Listening to Questyle M15 and Arya Organic headphones. Sounds so enjoyable.
Great overall presentation
Do you keept the Buchardt A10?
After a year, you will also be done with those Evas, as soul touching and musical it may be. Some other system will be touching your soul and make you cry in a few months time. Its never ending, you are still in the rabbit hole even if you are 'music' orientated now.
I've been thinking a lot about this lately and I seem to want to think that Naim is the amplifier- and front end company for people who want to stop gear-chasing. It's surely a controversial thing to say, but ask yourself when the last time was that someone said that a piece of Naim kit had made a bad pairing with a particular pair of speakers. Not everyone thinks they're the very best choice with each individual speaker -- Hegel seems to do better with some speakers in some applications -- but you'll never hear anyone say that the pairing just flat-out didn't work.
WTF are you talking about? Lol. Naim is probably one of the worst choices you can make if you want to keep things reasonable price-wise. Way, way overpriced imho.
@@mpi5850 I don't agree (The Nait 5si is price-competitive with the Hegel H95 and several other amps of similar pedigree) but much more to the point, who said anything about price? My comment was about chasing music instead of gear, and my argument was that if you bought Naim equipment you'd probably continue to be happy with it because its performance is robust to change-outs at other points in the chain. Never said a peep about it being bargain-priced, tough guy.
This would be more interesting if he actually had a point- and got to it quickly.
Could you let us know, about music that you hear?
The closest an audiophile can get to the perfect system, is the perfect group of systems.
No doubt the law of diminishing returns applies in audio. It’s very possible to assemble a musical system that will sound great without spending a fortune. When you discover how close in musicality you can come to the high end gear and you can avoid the gear thinking you will be a lot happier.
I agree that the price tag is not always proportional to the quality of sound. They’re a lot of giant killers out there.
"not much at all" ............................was there ever a more relative statement than that? lived with a $100,000 system for 15 months........."i don't make much at all"
Anything in audio requires compromise. Everything is lacking something.
A speaker's worst enemy, is all the rooms its been forced into.
Would love to see you review odyssey audio equipment. Klaus does complete systems fore a really reasonable price.
is that room seperate from the main house if I may ask? Seems more a sanctuary, well, for music. Nice
Who's buying used 5-figure hifi gear for only a few hundred dollars less than new?
demand and availability, production runs
You d be happy to recoup 40-50% of the MSRP
Right?
I think it could be about gear collecting and the experience of living with that gear. That could be total bliss!
direct sound i only have it on a early 60´s, 70 watts tube amplifier, from my grandfather hooked on some looking like a closet tall and large pair of speakers (worked wood with a cloth behind, front covers , i think they are kenwood and the amp. a dynaco , it gives a very clean and loud sound and maybe because of the two speakers it gives the feeling of the sound coming from nowhere ,even looking at the speakers one feels like the sound is in the air, the turntable is a pioneer from late 60´s ,already stereo but converted to mono, from my grandmother i receive a late 60´s complete dual system ,with nice sounding 4 ohms speakers and a shure cartridge to substitute the ceramic one that came with it but when reading a old dual catalog it explained how to change to it ,still with the old shure symbol on the cartridge
yes mention of the Focals?
what about your Dynaudio Heritage Special?
Still got the JBL L82’s in the other room?
What does you complete system look like now? Turntable, phono amp, cables, etc.
You're just in that phase because you're starting to realize the impermanence of life, you'll get over that phase.
I agree with you because, at the end, music can live without the gear, but not the opposite
Music can live, but can not be fully enjoyed without the gear.
@@andru2625 What he ment was that gear needs music input, whereas if you erased all the gear on the planet, you could still enjoy a performer playing on a guitar, completely without any audio gear. Instruments is all you need, and someone who can play.
Besides photography and hifi, i notice tht u r also into crystal n meditation as i notice that u wearing a nice modalvite and also turquoise
Did you ever hook up a sub or two to go with the DeVilles?
Why use the Node X over other less expensive streamer transports?
Without the music… there’s no gear.
The music itself is not produced on all these nonsense snakeoil products.
Hope you can someday review an LFD integrated amp.
I m still using an LFD LE 3 since 2008 & still going strong. Inherently musical without the usual bells & whistles.
@@ganck1147 I have a 1998 Int Zero LE here.. still a quality piece, an heirloom item, all these years later.
@@Wharariki wow. They have this unique illuminated from within sound that is unheard of from modern solid state amps.
@ganck1147 I once heard an LFD paired with Harbeth p3s and a mid-leavel Naim CD player. I haven't heard anything quite like it since.
Glad I am in the position of not having to settle on my passion for my hobby. I wish t you the best .
Listening to..man with the red face through ATC 40 passive, using name electronics 🙂 wonderful sound 👍🏼. My question is, I don't think you have reviewed anything from Naim?..
This tshirt is priceless
If this is more clearly, I fear asking how muddy it used to be.
Thanks
Thank you!!!🥰
At 60, I have calculated the percentage of outliving any new gear and they are low. Hence, I will stick with what I have.
Great for you congratulations on your journey
Are you keeping the buchardt's?
Only if he's allowed to keep them by Buchardt.
Music should always be the master and the gear the servants.
Do you still have the inspire 300b
Well done very nice to hear. It is all about the music
I want to upgrade to some fancy stuff, but I hear my type of music sounds like crap on the audiophile gear. What to do?
Listen to it in the shop.
Make a note of that.
So now it's time for either:
1) Holo Red + Holo May/MM Tambaqui + Holo Bliss + ZMF Caldera
2) Holo Red + Holo May/MM Tambaqui + Feliks Envy + Focal Utopia
You liked the pink-prose offical web page marketing blurbs and you bought them? Should you perhaps pick another subject for your videos?
Music to my ears….
Whenever people say “the best I’ve ever heard” my first question is: what have they heard 🤷🏽♂️
So no more reviews now,, You're happy with what you've got, And aren't chasing better equipment
You didn't pay attention
@@bill72pa Yes I did i'm just wondering what he's going to do now
I know what you are talking about when you are young it is all about chase of the girl when you are old it is all about the time with the girl and time has more meaning than it use too back in the 70s all my stereo equipment would have taken a small uhaul to move now it is a whole lot simpler
The system is also a phallic symbol of power. I think i read that somewhere. Men and audio systems. Women are just not built that way but will indulge their partner's pent up repression. Ha ha
Because you lost your audiophile mind …thats why !
I understand almost all of it except one MAJOR thing.. NO REMOTE!!! how can you live without a remote??? Design some servo belt device that wraps around the volume knob.
At 59 I know what you mean
Awesome! I have done the same.
I WAS thinking about buying a completely new set:
- Heaven11 Billie (or a decent Vincent hybrid amp)
- Wharfedale Elysian 2 speakers
- 2X SVS SB1000 Pro subs
- Denafrips Pontus or Audio Note 0.1x DAC
Buuuuuuuut I think I will just go for some Buchardt A10's instead.
It is called downsize.
I’m a midrange guy. Says. EVERY audiophile.
how can i give you 2x👍🏼?
The problem you have is that you are too convincing. People take your comments to heart. I believe true music lovers always are always on the hunt for new great music and not hung up on chasing the next best piece.
Man you can talk and talk and talk and talk..😳🙄
80% of your talking is repeat.
I enjoy listening. He has great insight.
We are in the end of days so there’s that:)
I think he is strongly belief nuclear war is coming soon..so he is recouping his savings as much as possible and asap
Most of us envy you. I'm certain I couldn't do your enterprise anywhere near as well as you.
ghostboxes work but a lot better when your psychic.
I’d just assumed you were rich. Interesting journey.
Thanks for the honest words!
Same boat, different captain.
Nice guy, but is this just repositioning to market conditions?
All journeys into addictive behaviour especially hifi I’ve been there. We start off curiously then it leads to compulsion then addiction I’m glad I gave it up. Peace out on your pursuit of finding the perfect system. I’m 53 and had over 300 systems now I have none. It’s all about the music. Fundamentally.
None... Now that's extreme.
None? Sincere question. Why do you watch this?
@@particularlynothingI had the same question 😂
@@particularlynothing why not. Maybe just needs some confirmation for his decision
Hedonic adaptation.
You see the dollar failing and the direction our economy is going. Very intelligent
Doom and gloom on the horizon for sure
Called it. Months ago. 😂
I think you are confused. You are not sure. That is the reason for your extensive repetition.
No dac just the X ?
His amp has a dac, maybe try to listen…
This was priceless 😂
Redondant philosopher 💥
If you're a millionaire you can play with new toys every day. Hello
You'll be back. Once you have driven a Lexus for a while, it's impossible to be happy with a Toyota, even if you like the new Toyota initially. It's human nature.
My Daniel hertz system is staying. As a system I’ve never heard finer so there’s nothing else I want to go to. Nada. I have zero desire for any new gear since this system landed. It’s simple, light, yet sounds better than any system I’ve owned. So there’s nothing to go back to as this bests the Lexus for a fraction of the cost. A win/win.
To @Id4974 : A Lexus is nothing more than a luxurious Toyota.
@@williamcampbell3868 You act like driving a RELIABLE luxury vehicle is a bad thing. LOL.
@@ld4974 I left a response. Please excuse my broken paragraph. I accidentally hit arrow before I was finished!
Like the mclovin tee shirt!
Who is that and why is he wearing a t-shirt of him?
Tim! You need to educate yourself on a touchtone of American cinema greatness: "Superbad"!! It's super great :)@@timhollis3390