Did YOU SPEND too MUCH or too LITTLE on your Hi-Fi??
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2024
- Can money buy happiness for audiophiles? + Steve's favorite CDs and LPs! + Audiophiliac Viewer System of the Day!
Recommended Systems:
Speaker prices are for PAIRS of speakers
THE $1,000 SYSTEM
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6 $374
NAD C316BEE $399 OR Cambridge AXA35 $399
U-Turn Orbit Basic Gen 2 $249 OR Fluance RT81 $249
OR Schiit Modius DAC $249
THE $3,000 SYSTEM
Zu DWX, $1,399 OR Zu DW6, $1,599 OR Wharfedale Linton $1,499
Rotel A11 MkII $700 OR Yamaha A-S801 $899
Denafrips ARES II $849 OR Rega RP1 $725
THE $5,000 SYSTEM
Magnepan .7, $1,995 OR Klipsch RP8000F II $1,498
Schiit Kara preamp $699/Schiit Vidar 2 amp, $799
Technics SL1200 Mk 7, $1,099 OR Denafrips Ares II, $849
THE $25,000 SYSTEM
Klipsch LaScala, $13,000 OR Pure Audio Project Trio15, $7,990 OR Vandersteen Treo CT, $9,995
Ayre EX8 Integrated Amp, $8,000
Holo May DAC $5,598 OR Technics SL1200G, $4,400, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, $2,200
Parasound JC3 + Phono pre, $2,999
Nelson Pass playlist • Nelson Pass Interviews
John Atkinson playlist • John Atkinson Interviews
Herb! playlist • Herb!
Thanks for watching, this channel can be supported through Patreon: / audiophiliac
Twitter: @AudiophiliacMan
Instagram: / steve.guttenberg
#hifi #audiophiles - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
I tried very hard to assemble a system that would knock my socks off for about $10,000. I failed, the final total is a little over $25,000 but my socks are still off. LOL
@@thelonewolf666 Listen you don't need to spend that much on a funeral either. You know Steve is getting older and older and one of these days ... Herb might take over. Yep he's there just in case.
@@keplermission what's wrong with you?
Same, things are expensive. About $30k for me.
I agree. I think a "good" system can be had for $10K, but the socks won't come off for something higher, minimum $25K and more like $50K, really, on average. For me $150K - $200K is where a lot of the magic happens.
$25K is where the performance should begin to be extraordinary.
You know Steve is rich. Got is Pass Lab preamplifier teetering on a speaker in the background as if it's nothing... 😂😂😂😂
Great observation. Also Highway 61 revisited behind that, my dad bought all his early Bob Dylan albums in New York in the 60’s, we still have them. When CD’s came in my friends thought I was weird because I preferred the sound and musicality of records even when scratched.
I have been upgrading every year or two for 50 years. Not that anything requires change. I just like changing things up!
Also wife?😂
Is that necessary, Are you getting pricier hifi or replacing it with just another brand out of boredom. It would be nice to know the reasoning behind your quick turnover of hifi. Maybe just because you can & what sort of quality is the brand do you buy.
@@ENGLISHISBESTexpensive price tag doesn't always equate to good sound , there is vintage equipment that sells high but doesn't sound as good as newer less expensive options . But it's also a personal thing .
I think you're an audiophile
Make your own mistakes. Don't let someone else make them for you.
Getting advice before spending a lot of money is not a bad idea, assuming you can find someone who knows what they are talking about.
BINGO, let the TH-cam reviewers say their peace and I will learn from my mistakes. Can catchy, Um.
I don't think it's about the money, it's more about reaching a point where you finally don't want to change anything and feel that you got there for a reasonable price. Value for dollars spent varies greatly from ear to ear. The satisfaction calling a system done is priceless. Getting there for what you feel is a bargain is the cherry on top regardless of how long it took or dollars spent.
Absolutely
This is from a 64 year old Black man O.G music lover and audiophile. It was a endgame for me once I got tube midrange and treble with transistors on bass and panels mated too subwoofers.I feel I have all bases covered and been satisfied for almost two decades with my current system.I did recently upgrade to a pre-owned Sota Sapphire and a Grado Opus3 cartridge. However some components of my system are still being produced and present versions of them would cost me a combined extra of $6,500 to 8,000 today!
Friends seemed surprised at what I paid for my system so I would remind them of their boat, ATV, snowmobile, etc, which was always more costly than my hobby. Ah, perspective.
There are definitely diminishing returns when buying systems. But more important than money is getting components that play well together. I’ve seen $30k + systems that were terrible due to mismatches, and $2k systems that were really pleasant.
Rega P6, Cyrus cd player, Primaluna Evo 300 integrated amp and Harbeth P3esr speakers. Russ Andrews mains conditioner and cables. Sometimes I think I've spent far too much on my system maybe should have spent money on other things. But as soon as I switch on and start to play music it sounds so good I don't regret it at all. Money well spent.
Got a p6 with exact 2 recently and it is a quality unit.
Love CYRUS. I have the CD i with the PSX-R2 as well. I love it. ❤
I have spent ten of thousands over the years, more like 6 figures... And where did I end up? It all started with a used pair of Zu Omen DW speakers, found locally for $1000... They sounded meh with my current system, so seeing folks on YT state the Zu's play extremely well with vintage gear, mainly Sansui gear, I found a cleaned up 1969 Sansui 2000 receiver locally, for $200 and my world was turned upside down. I pretty much sold all of the modern gear in the house. All the Denafrips, the Parasound, kept a PS Audio unit, and added a Mofi TT... Pennies in the big scheme of things. These old Sansui units just do something to me that none of the modern gear could ever do.
The point about difference, and how we so frequently confuse it for 'better', is certainly something that is learned with experience--and it applies to more than hi-fi too. There is also something to be said for cultivating satisfaction with what one has. Maybe we can afford that new DAC or amp or whatever, but maybe we'd be happier if, like Bach, we learned to simply say 'es ist genug'. (I write this having bought three pairs of headphones in the last week: another life lesson, we are all hypocrites, to a lesser or greater extent.)
That stood out to me also. Different is fun, but not necessarily better than what I had.
I’ve had good results buying used and saving 50% or more from new. I also enjoy having three systems which allow choices to better match the given music and size of room.
Indeed I just bought a factory refurbished unit for 50% off. Love it.
Just like used cars, I should have bought used audio equipment. 😢
Great vintage finds in thrift stores if u r lucky. Dealer demos w warranty also great value. Canuck Audio Mart sellers and products have never disappointed me.
@rogercoates2492 I agree! And funny, that just last night I had a friend over and we were both listening to tunes but, did so with my "B" system because it's in the room with the pool table. My good system's in the listening room. I told my buddy, 'I really didn't need to upgrade' (from the B system). But I have no buyers remorse because I can now listen to the same music on either system and the B system has qualities/differences about its sound reproduction that make my/our music enjoyable regardless of each respective kit's strengths/weaknesses.
Me too. Audio components can last 50 years... sound is nothing but, the displacement of air molecules.
Had a budget of max $2000 per component which made me buy a used pair of 2008 Harbeth C7ES-3 with stands for $1700, a pair of Van Damme blue speaker cables for $50, a brand new Quad Artera set of Pre and Stereo power for $2400, a CEC CD5 cd player from 2018 for $1400, a brand new demo Teac TN-5BB top model turntable with no plastic and an auto-lift SAEC arm for $1650, a new pick-up and headshell from Audio Technica AT VM740ML and ATLH13 for $450 (total $2100), a Denon AHD7200 headphone bought used for $500. The rest is an older Yamaha K-560 tape deck and its GE-5 equalizer and streaming goes through an Onkyo NS-6130 that I got for $250. All cables are bought brand new from swedish Supra cables. Not gonna change anything ever! Might just add a Sonos Port to access their convenient app (that can play BBC radio stations and Apple Music)
Youngbloods Ride the Wind! I have a Reissue, 180-gram vinyl! It's one of my reference records! Incredible recording session translates in the analog to lathe pressing perfectly! But I've been a Jesse Colin Young fan since the '70's! In fact I just [PRE-ORDER] Song for Juli (50th Anniversary) SIGNED! 180g reissue. Shipping later next month! My Maggies are waiting!
While we were both hippies in the '60's, my partner was not familiar with the Youngbloods! It was only after she met me and I got that reissue a few years ago! Now it's one of her top picks!
Steve… I spent 25,000 in 1999 … Dynaudio c5.. California audio labs.. audible illusions… Magnan wires.. Spectron class D amp… it was light years better than Krell and Wilson combo to me..
Back about 1998 I listened to the Dynaudio Evidence for a couple of hours. Incredible. The C5 probably sounds almost as good in a smaller room.
I think in the journey of sound / music it is about learning what Flavour your sound is .
I just watched someone go through his collection of new components - perhaps well over $100k and behaving as if this 'quality' will last a lifetime and become heritage pieces. All is temporary and fails - so spend on what pleases your ears, and give even more as it pleases your heart!
Be happy to spend how much or how little you like BUT it must end soon so as to enjoy the music. My ceiling is around $35-40k. No matter how much money i have.
I think the Entire system, including wires should be Under $3k.
You can get some amazing sound for that price.
Listen at 110 db! Husband to Wife: Ay, what did you say? I can't hear you!
I got my pioneer rx-3600 for 75, a fluance rt82 for 300, Polk tsi 300 for Christmas gift like 10 years ago, a old Sony super acoustic woofer the family has had since the mid 90s and 45 bucks for my stereo cabnet, and 60 for my 5 disc Yamaha cd player. Love my system for my small ish room. I finally got my system setup for imaging and spaciousness. I love my system even though it’s entry lvl but way better than my all in one Panasonic bookshelf hifi system from the early 200s
Basically just get what ya can afford and want and with proper setup and patience you can get good sound
Being an Acid Head from the 60's and 70's I listened to Jethro Tull, Janis Jopin, Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Edgar and Johnny Winter, Emerson Lake, and Palmer and the list goes on. I wasnt a hippy like you Steve or my sister. I liked CCR and Neil Young but when I got older I turned to Jazz. Good Video.😂
Steve’s a “Ramblin’ Man” today. Now I can’t get that tune out of my head. 😂
Too funny, I was actually playing along with the the “brothers and sisters” album yesterday on my bass and thinking about Berry and Lamar and the good all days.😉
Thanks so much for the recommendations! Looking forward to digging in.
As always interesting experience as well as thoughts. Well done Steve.
Great video, minor point: Tommy didn't just come up as a skateboarder, he is a full on LEGEND of street skating.
Get into diy, changing capacitors, op-amps, rectifiers, diodes, Fuses & wiring, once you start, you will never go back, great video as usual steve👍
BUT Building Speakers has a BIG CAVEAT: PROTECT YOUR EARS FROM THE SAW NOISE!😮
My system would disappoint most people that would consider themselves audiophiles. But I tell you what, I thoroughly enjoy it! If my system can sound better, I guess I don’t care to find out! I really enjoy what I have!
Pioneer plx1000, art DJ pre II, orotphon 2m blue, kali audio lp6, Klipsch 12” subwoofer, Behringer mixer, Sennheiser HD599
I listen to all genres except country and rap
Great video once again! Actually better with all the suggestions and explanations. Took me a while to realize some gear can be a sideways step and not an actual improvement. Unless one heard many systems it can be a hard choice. Many options and many flavors. Thanks again!
Hi Steve this is a really excellent video in terms of advice etc. Very well done.
Thank you for these advices, Steve. They are very valuable to me. I like your reviews and videos and learned a lot from them. That helps me a lot, sir, I am grateful for that. Keep on doing your good work. Thanks again and greetings from Germany. 😊👌
Thanks for the music recommendations. I always make note of the works your mention in your equipment reviews. I get a kick when you mention an album you bought decades ago because decades again I bought the same album.
Steve, thanks. Love your work. Herb too!
A great topic to cover in this video, Steve. And thank you. I've been into audio equipment for the best part of 30 years and have made too many impulse purchases thinking they would make my main system sound better - I had no idea how to blend and match systems for a very long time. If I was honest I think I have probably spent in the region of 20k over this time - a lot of it I do regret for the sheer losses I have suffered :-( I now own 5 systems that range from the 70's/80's/90's/2000's rather than focusing on one system that does it all (as you advise this can cost tens of thousands to achieve). I find there is something in the equipment of the decade that maybe suits the music of the time and can add something different to music of today. It is a real hassle to switch systems around in the limited space I have, but I find it keeps this hobby interesting and nostalgic for me.
I just discovered the vintage gear, even though I am older than the two Sansui receivers I own, a 1969 Sansui 2000 and their 1970 4000 stereo receiver units. I picked up both in working condition, for $200 ea. I bought them to try with a pair of used Zu Omen Dirty Weekends I picked up locally for $1000 and found audio Nirvana for roughly $1300... Oh the money I have pissed away over the years on this hobby to only end up here. Can't make this stuff up, and I could not agree with you more! Spot on sir.
More music recs!! Love seeing what you love spinning
Wonderful topics Steve.Especially enjoy the music suggestions that you’re including within the content. ✌️
Nice one Steve……love all your articulation , your amazing about getting your point across and understood …. Your a star ⭐️🤩
Great advice Steve, thank you.
Great job on your subject matter “insight” for Part 1 Steve👍.
Spot on!
Perhaps along with the system of the day there could also be an Album of the day…
My return to listening to music after many years has been delightful. Sources are PC and a firestick (tv) attached to the monitor. $200 topping amp, $130Jamo S803's $130 Isoacoustic stands, throw in some cables and you have about $500. Too little? Probably, but it might just be the best start for "new sensations". I had a nice little Luxman/Snell combo in the early 90's and I have to say what you get for the money these days is just incredible.
i think your point is commonly ignored, and that's weird, because it's undeniable:
the 'entry level' is a higher-quality proposition than at any point before now
The other human who can brilliantly go back and forth between the acoustic and electric world: Richard Thompson. In my opinion, no one has ever done it as well.
Yes please ... more vids like this one!
Steve, I really enjoyed you talking about the records that shaped your life please keep that coming!
I love your opinion pieces more than anything else you do. More please.
I have a pair of Klipsch RP 600Ms, Sprout100 and a Denon DVD-1920 CD/SACD player. The total adds up to about 2K and I couldn't be happier.
Hi Steve! I love your taste in music n' think you should do more music/album recommendations. Greatings from Mexico!
Another great episode...Thanks!
Thanks for recommending The Youngbloods album, I’d never heard of them before. Sounds lovely!
Excellent episode. Thank you for the music recommendations. 👍
Same here in playing far more Stones than Beatles and my albums collection reflects that by far.
This is a new great segment, keep it up!
I've been happy with my music system for over 25 years, especially my Maggie 3.6 R's. No need to change them even though I've changed my preamp(s) and added a DAC/Streamer and Power Regenerator, upgraded interconnects, speaker cables, power cords, about five Synergistic Research fuses, Audioquest Vodka ethernet cables and a whole bunch of other tweaks. My speakers, Sub, amp and turntable/arm/cartridge still remain after between 15-40 years.
Nicely done Steve. I appreciate you sharing your vast and valuable knowledge of home audio. As this is a crazy stupid subjective hobby so being into stereo all is vastly more emotionally charged than buying a set of tires, thus all the controversy. Steve , you are the master of helping us listen to “ reason” when considering new or different gear! Keep doing your great works of keeping my focus to continue the “chase” REASONABLY. Great video! Thank you very much!
LOL I like your analogy, although I know many folks who care about both their stereo system and their cars (hence tires).
I enjoyed the video Steve!!!!! It is great!!!
Great, informative video Steve. Also thanks for taking a risk and temporarily placing the HPA-1 in shaky position for our visual pleasure. 😅
More great content. Learnt so much from you. 🙏
Dear Steve, really like your way of a humble approach talking about audio, philosophical might be the right word some times? Anyhow, hope you and Herb do some more shows to really inspire the audiophiles in the making :)
Thanks for everything I really enjoyed this video.
Tommy Guerro was a pro skater who skated for the legendary Bones Brigade and had skate decks by Powell Peralta. Wasn’t aware of his music though, but will definitely check it out. Thanks, Steve.
Tommy Guerrero is a legend, one of the founding fathers of street skating, killer musician, owns Real skateboards and spitfire wheels and stuff..,guy couldn’t be any cooler… was even in police academy 3 😂
Great video, especially for new audiophiles. It took me awhile to discover I’m more interested in tonal quality and musicality over transparency and accuracy. You can have definition and detail with warmth, but not complete accuracy. Knowing this and what range pleases you the most will save frustration, time, and money.
It really depends on the quality of recordings one listens to. Older or poorly recorded music isn't going to sound very good on a highly accurate system.
Thank you so much. Firstly I enjoy your show both for the reviews and the music you profile. I love Creedence Clearwater Revival and overlooked their Concert album until your review, now I have a copy. In addition you introduced me to “Fascinoma” on the Lily Water Acoustics label so seeking that out as I have a # of other recordings from that label and was not aware of this one.
Interesting system recommendations, starting from the speakers, of course. 🙂
Steve, my journey started on simple systems. Slowly upgrading over time, now completely happy. I’ve spent what I thought would be ok for me, and it worked. My journey started reading you cnet column many many years ago, so I see my decisions as ver well educated. Thanks!
I’m happy with:
Rega P10 with Apheta 3
Audio Alchemy PPA1 phono stage with PS5 power supply
Leben CS600X
Volti Razz
Great vid!
I cannot BELIEVE how closely your $5000 system is in line with my current $5000 system! AND how much your $25k system overlaps with what I want to step up to!!! It is truly uncanny!
Thanks for all you do and don't tell my wife about the possible upgrades! :)
Nice!
I've found my systems's journey very enjoyable.
When you have a base of equipment that you love the audio tweaks really add up in the expense chain.
The question you should ask, is how much do you want to spend on individual components. The Rotel1572 Integrated Amp and the Axiom Audio M80s are going to be my next purchase about 6500. I have a regular home theatre surround sound set up for my gaming PC. and a ton of other stuff, but I want more. I preferred JBL or the old infinity sound from the 70s but sadly those speakers have been gone for many years. Cant go back in time so today I prefer to buy new stuff.😂
I know I'm late to this party, but I just want to share that I've put together a system I'm pretty happy with; it's like 85% to perfect. It might be 8K to 9K usd total value cost, or maybe a little bit more, which is a more affordable hifi system in my estimation. I haven't added anything new in about 18 months, and I think I'm almost satisfied with it. I'd really like to get a Marantz model 7 preamp and fill it with E80CCs, but I'm gonna need a bonus or some kind of injection of surprise-money in order to swing one of those any time soon. I'm a school teacher, music lover, and modest-tinkerer. I love this channel.
German Baker here, now here is a challenge: I have resolving systems but i also listen to tons of tango recordings. What should i do to optimally enjoy these old recordings where the musicians sat together in front of one microphone to record their music onto a record. I don't need analytics, the recording is bad according to current standards, but still..their energym enthousiasm, interacting..
Great advice Steve. There are too many that think, and strongly advise, others to stop listening to the music they love and start enjoying only the highest level dsd and limited and rare vinyl pressings - of course upgrading every single piece regularly for the rest of your life. Even if the artists are either ho-hum, or ones that repulse your very being.
Many people don’t have the insight and the wisdom about what Audio is really all about, like people like Steve do. One can only hope that they learn from videos like this. Unfortunately, too many don’t have the experience to know that Steve’s right about what he generalizes about different cost systems, types of music, room sizes, SPL levels, setups, etc. But a lot of the people (the ones I call “the idiots”) run around online insisting on their bs when they don’t know even what they’re talking about, many times not even savvy enough to know better, which is really is a travesty of sorts.
Edit was typos.
All you need is a master or ones series for professional sound reproduction and control of glm software in your own home, and a little investment in acoustics, and you're already at the top of the highest level in sound reproduction.
The high end market is an eternal quagmire for ravens. Many people follow the same tracks to endless unhappiness.
Life is about choices and many disappointments for very, very many people in this hi-fi industry.
@@oliivioljy9700 That’s a fairly grim viewpoint.
I’ve been in “the music” hobby for years, as a multi-instrumentalist and a general hi-fi enthusiast.
If listening to audio and having a working understanding of various equipment is truly a “hobby,” there was tremendous opportunity to learn and experience all that “sound” had to offer even before the availability of “digital” equipment and techniques, and an “analog” sense is a fundamental precursor to understanding all of it. An “interested” listener can go a long way to educate themselves, as “hobbies” usually go. I realize that this “hobby” can be extremely technical, even reaching into the bowels of psychoacoustics, but that doesn’t absolve interested parties from the responsibility of learning, to at least garner a fundamental knowledge of the various disciplines involved. In other words, without going deep into the woods of it all, and just generalizing, a
more well-rounded understanding of most, if not all subjects, should invariably lead one to greater overall satisfaction.
after two and a half years of sincerely enjoying it, i understand that i spent too little on my electronics front-end.
my speakers are amazing, my subs are amazing. my separates are _good enough for now._
i've got a very ambitious plan for the next couple years.
i guess i'll give my original parts to friends of mine
This is the most sensible thing I ever heard in the HIFI world.
Lots of good sense there!😊
My system: maggie .7, schiit freya s, schiit vidar, onkyo cd7030 silver into schhit modi multibit, h/k st7 with adc xlm cart. About $650 worth of ac and interconnects and power bar. Listen almost every day and love it. Small room with no room attenuation. Thanks Steve.
Was quite pleased about your estimate of ~$5000. Put together an office system by 1st getting vintage speakers and a subwoofer kit, then an appropriate integrated amp w/ CD transport, and finally a quality turntable and RIAA pre-amp. The breakdown was 15%, 30%, and 55% for a total of $5250. Spending half on the analog source was worth it :)
Nice! I'm curious about your turntable and cartridge choice. In my 'mid-fi' system I spent 52% on my speakers, 32% on my amplifier - but, my amp included a notedly good quality phono stage! Then 13% on TT and Ortofon Blue, lastly, 8% ($430) on my CD player. Cheap guy that I am, I dropped $200 on speaker cable and one interconnect upgrade.
For the most part I'm in the Linn camp. Source first.
Great video - thanks!
Steve, based on being an audio equipment/ music lover for 50 + years, I feel you are 100% correct in your assessment of what equipment/ speakers & approximate price are needed for room size and musical taste. IMO, we truly live in a great time for equipment/ speakers that "can/ will" truly satisfy anyone's budget (from $1K to $25K+++++)!!!!!!!!!!!
Good video and “sound” advice. My room is 24x27’ and I play loud and all types of music. My system is $30,000 for two channel based around JBL 4367 with subs and I am happy with it.
The new $11K Borresen Acoustics X3 Speakers are the cheapest best sounding speakers on the world market and the the best kept secret too
Thank you!
My second system right now is a pair of audio quest night owls and a questyle dongle. It scratches a different set of priorities then my Klipsch heritage and Denafrips electronics system. But the main thing is about having the second thing is that the headphones taught me things to look for and I've been able to tweak speaker and furniture placement in my main system and it sounds so much better now.
Hi Steve. I enjoyed your ramble. I do think there is a pretty satisfying $10k solution for folks like me who want it all but are still value buyers. I am the guy who loves those premier grand crus but find great pleasure in the $10 range at Costco. I play straight from my laptop (so no extra cost) thought Cambridge Audio Magic ($100) into BlackIce F-35 ($3k) into Volti Audio Razz ($6k$) Zu Undertone ($2.5k) and voila. Okay $12kI! I love Keith Jarrett, Brahms and EDM. I am sure there are some other great systems at this price I am listening to mine with that $10 Kirkland brand!
Thanks to you I' ve learn that maxim 1500 USD u can have an Hi FI audio system
My system of cast offs is around five grand. The main system 15 to 20. The main system reminds me of why I keep upgrading
It just sounds so much better. Maybe it's the 702 Bowers in the main system. Love those speakers
Not sure, but I think overall I spend little but still achieved a sound that I am very happy with.
I bought beside speakers all other parts secondhand and own now 3 systems I couldn't be more satisfied with.
Yes, there are better systems, no doubt, but I love what I hear from what I have 😊
4:00 I feel like this one is very important for some of us who don't have the luxury of trying many different speakers. If you find something you like and play all types of music, big win.
Thanks Greg! Free advertising.
Well how about that? A reply from Good Ol' Deputy Dawg himself (aka the Audiophiliac).
A hi fi system is a true audiophiles world, we love upgrading & showing off our systems to our friends & family, for me I'm always looking for improvements, I never stop, great video as usual steve👍
Hi Steve, this video hits the nail on the head for me. Thanks! Just built my electronics (C-22+MC275+LP12) and sometimes I feel like I'm listening to weak AM. I blame it on my Vandees 1B and don't know how to work this out.
How much have you played around with speaker placement? Can really make a huge difference.
Well i have several systems... now its time to filter whats goona stay and sell off the rest to have someone else happy. And be able to enjoy music. Ill add that your 100% right... personal taste and exactly what they want.
I’ll be honest. I’ve spent over the years nearly 30K building a headphone rig/setup. It is what it is. I have no regrets.
McIntosh MA5300 at 100 wpc, built in DAC and Phono - $6,000 (Accuphase E-280 is $8,000. for same features)
Technics 1200g Turntable - $4,200.
Harbeth C7ES3-XD - $4,800.
Total $15,000. or $17,000. with Accuphase.
Right now I have a set of old B & O Penta mark 3, from the 1990, they are active and the sound of them is very solid ad least for my ears haha, mostly Jazz, Blues, acoustic and classical music I listen too. Got them for free so cant complain. But yea saving up right now for a pair of Larsen 4.3 speakers for my new fresh start.
I spent $300 on an Integra DTC 9.8 plus 9k on a McIntosh MC462 and 5k on KEP Reference 207/2. Total 15K
I upgraded from $85.00 1989 Onkyo IntegraTX 890 with $600.00 Klipsch RP 600M. Total 700.00
The new system is spectacular, but the one I put togeth under $700 bucks was no slouch..SO you are correct, it can be done relativity inexpensive.
I'm not saying you're right or wrong, but I know from experience that many audiophiles don't factor the preamp in as being as important as the amp and speakers. As long as you didn't mess up and get an amp that doesn't match well with your speakers, the preamp can easily make a bigger difference than the amp. I haven't heard your speakers with your amp, but I would be very surprised if they sounded anything less than great. And probably a lot better. Very smart choice.
Am I telling you to buy a new preamp? Absolutely not. Just borrow one from a friend, or if you can't do something like that, call Cable Company and have them send you one for demo. (Cable Company specializes in keeping demo units of everything they sell, and lending them out to potential customers, so you don't mess up and make a costly bad decision.). Anyway, its just a suggestion. Always try before you buy, but my gut tells me you would be verry happy with the upgrade.
Nice viewer system
Loving your recommendations as I was born at the end of the 60's and missed a lot of the music you mention. Yes I'm British, No I don't like the Beatles!
Your list goes from $5000 to $25,000 , that's a huge jump. I think for $8000 you could have a system that does everything. Totally agree with you about the Stones. Twenty year run of excellence, like nobody else. They have a new album that should come out in October!!!
It might be a lot to ask of a speaker system to make every genre of music sound good, but that's exactly what my ADS 1230s have been doing for the last 40 years. That's why I haven't gotten rid of them for something "better." Different? Different to me would be the JBL classic L100. Or the Klipsch Cornwall.
Watched this when it first came out and decided to comment after seeing it a few more times. I have a system I absolutely love and it is made of things I came across used and new that I am in love with. Bought Zu Omen Def Supreme speakers used, an RME ADI-2 PRO FS R BE ad/da converter I use as a preamplifier and dac, a Crown XLI 3500 amplifier, two RSL 12S subwoofers that I set up and disappear the fed by an Onkyo DX-C390 6 disc player since I load it and go about my day and come back when done and either restart or load different cd's. I do have a few Sony ES series cd players I use as transports as well. I listen in a large area and am setting up another system for another real large area of mine. I do have Klipsch RP600M and RP600M ii speakers for some smaller rooms when I get them set up as well. Never thought I would like a pro amplifier yet in this set up I love it!
Great rant. My philosophy is to find quality components which individually can play all genres at all volume levels in my small room. And secondly the same applies to cables, power conditioner, isolation. And I achieved all that for $US10,000 with a system based around Marantz PM11S2, Teac NT-503, Audiolab 9000CD, Dynaudio Evoke 10, Puritan 156 conditioner and power cables, Tellurium Q Black cables, Ikea chopping board + Atacama isolation gel equipment platforms.
Thank you for tell us what music you like. I am a fan of Supertramp and America, just to share with you.
Recommendation for you that may be well outside of your comfort zone...but man thats a great place to be! Tool's entire live Salival dvd! Pushit is the shining star from this album hands down!!! The cover of No Quarter as well as You Lie are no slouches imo.