Started my system in the about 1980 buying a Threshold 500 amp with my first loan. To power Acoustate 2+2... but unable to afford the speakers. Upgraded and learned audio over five decades to current system. I have love seat in listening position so one of my dogs can listen with me. She loves classical and jazz.
My current system reflects my values in sound. Specifically being warm, natural and musical. After spending about 20 years Listening to acoustical instruments when possible and attending hundreds of symphony concerts I finally figured out the difference between many systems that artificially accentuate detail and create excessive slam that compromise the integrity of the music. My system does not overly highlight the venue and mastering techniques but communicates the music and draws you in, as opposed to shouting at you.
You should also try the Wyred for sound 10th anniversary dac, one of the reviewers said it was as analog sounding as his Vpi turntable with a $5,000 Japanese cartridge on it and another reviewer said it beat dacs from Chord, Berkeley, Bricasti, I have it and I agree it's the most analog sounding dac that I've had in my system, and I'll tell you what my system is, Sim audio p8 preamp, Sim audio w8 amp, esoteric P10 transport, monarchy audio up sampler, monitor audio platinum 200 Gen 2, interconnects are harmonic technology magic gen 3, digital cable is magic gen 3, the speaker wire is harmonic technology pro 9 SE gen 3, and the power cords are all harmonic technology pro 11, all the cables are OCC single crystal wire but I will be trying silversmith fidelium because Greg Weaver has OCC single Crystal speaker wire and he said this was better. my system is worth $60,000 Canadian.
The only thing you should change is the speaker cable those boxes screw up everything try the silversmith fidelium cables, Greg Weaver who's been a reviewer for over 40 years has a $600,000 system in this house and he said that this is the cable of the decade he put it up against his $18,000 speaker cable and he said this was better and he also has speaker cable from 6,000 to 11, 000 in his cable stable and he said it beat everything and he gave it his cable of the decade award he said he hasn't heard anything better out there and it's only $1,195 for 8 ft pair. and the company gives a 30-day trial period, check them out. Silversmith fidelium, go read the reviews.
Thank you for your comment. I’ll have a look. Harmonix… now that is a name I have not heard in a while. I have quite a pile of their interconnects in my storage room!
@ghdprentice, in regards to power cords; I urge you to look into HIJIRI “Takumi” Maestro power cord by Combak (aka Harmonix). They along with IC’s and speaker cables were the end game upgrade for me. PM me if you’re interested in no-obligation trial. Cheers!
Thank you both. The cartridge is a Koetsu Rosewood Signature.
Thank you Lalika. It has been a very long journey, most of the time not looking good, but sounding good in different ways, converging on this. It is particularly pleasing to have been able to make the last jump after retiring. I am now down to fiddling with power cords.
I am really happy that in this iteration streaming is as fulfilling and at the audiophile level, opening up virtually all music to explore. Although I still like playing an album every day or so.
What a well thought out audio system and if I may say so, a perfect marriage of analog and digital components. I am contemplating my next upgrade over N20, can’t seem to decide between W20SE or Taiko SGM Extreme. BTW, I enjoy reading your posts!
@bdp24 Yes... there are two minis. Photo 4 Lexie my audio dog and photo 9 Keira. These are our second pair. They are wonderful. Of each pair I have had one really smart and devoted one that loves listening to music with me and one each not so smart and really happy.
Nice, you and your dog have excellent taste! Looks like you moved the equipment to the sidewall at some point, did that make a difference in the SQ? Will be curious to hear what you think of BADAC.
The Aurender is streamer only... the ARC Ref 9se is DAC with a CD player. Best sounding DAC I have ever heard, although my audio guy is going to bring over a Berkeley Alpha 3 for me to try. The ARC is very complimentary with the other ARC equipment.
Thank you. I am very fortunate. The system sounds a lot better than it looks. The listening area is accidentally incredible. Accidental design, I accidentally bought the house. Just lucked out.
Awesome setup and gorgeous speakers! I always like the pet pics too. I’m surprised at just how many beautiful setups are out there (and here on audiogon) and yours is right there with the best 👍
