Origins, Placement, Background: Most of this system, with the exception of the Plinius 8200 mk1 integrated and the Sansui 717 tuner, was bought here on Audiogon. This system has survived many apartments and while the current placement isn't exactly the best, it will have to do for another two years or so. My wife and I will be making our first home purchase in around that timeframe. As such, any future purchases will be hard to justify unless purchased here on Audiogon. With respect to music, I listen to all types of blues, jazz, rock, classical and alternative. I also enjoy playing around with electric and acoustic guitar.

The Current Setup: I would classify the sound as better than mid-fi with room for alot of improvement. The strengths of this system are that the music plays against a silent background and I can hear great separation of instruments. One weakness is that piano does not sound natural to me. In addition, the high end frequency needs some work. I'd like the cymbals to sound more natural. I'd also like a bit more air to the system and to open up the soundstage from front to back and left to right. Lastly, depending upon the recording, CD's can sound a bit harsh and "digital"; something that wasn't so when a Rega Planet 2000 was in the system. I think that the current culprits regarding high frequency, air and soundstage may be the Soliloquy 6.2 speakers or the Plinius 8200 Mk1 integrated or a combination of both. I also realize that speaker placement isn't ideal. With respect to certain CD's, that's just the nature of the beast I suppose.

Remedies and Future Purchases: I'm contemplating taking this system in one of two directions. First, I'm thinking of replacing the Soliloquy speakers with Von Schweikert VR4JR's. I would then add a Plinius 8200 mk2 amplifier and bi-amp the speakers with a separate run of AZ Satori. The mk1 integrated going to mids/lows and the mk2 amp going to the highs. The second alternative would be to try a tube integrated with the Soliloquys. I'm contemplating the older Audio Research CA-50, older VTL IT-85 or Rogue Tempest. If I wasn't happy I would then swap the Soliloquys for the Von Schweikerts and see where I was at. Having said this, I think I'm leaning towards the first option, since maybe over time I could then swap out the integrated and insert a tube preamp, something I've always wanted to try. I have also always wanted to try the Resolution Audio Opus 21 CD player in place of my Cary. The Rega Planet 2000 is in the closet for now.

Your Comments: Your comments and insight are greatly appreciated. I highly value Audiogon and the wisdom its community imparts. Please feel free to provide any input with regard to the direction you think I should take this system or any comments at all for that matter. I take constructive criticism very well. Thank you for taking the time to review my system.