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In Reply to: RE: What has motivated me for decades posted by Bold Eagle on September 02, 2016 at 19:27:03
Thank you for this story. It's always fun to read about others adventures. I took a similar path, over and over and over. I could write a book on the subject....
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Since I started the odyssey in the late 60's, I've been at it, on and off, for 47 years. I got it started with a mixed bag of mis-matched speakers(eventually a matched pair of KLH 17's in 1971), a Dynaco PAS3X kit, a used Dynaco Mk II amp, a total rebuild of an Eico HF20 into a 48 watt power amp (a long story in itself), and a used Dual 1215 changer with an Empire 888P cartridge.
By 1970 I had a pair of MK II's. Then into solid state receivers, and a variety of speakers. I have kept a list of all the stuff I've had, and it goes on and on. Some systems were an improvement, some were a step back, and most were just sideways moves.
I also kept a running commentary on the Super Model 20 specifications, and kept track of what $800 in 1969 dollars had inflated to.
The original specifications called for 105 dB peak levels in a 3000 cubic foot room of average damping in order to be able to calculate power requirements. It also called for a four piece system - two speakers, electronics (a receiver, or the equivalent), and a record player. Frequency response of 40 Hz to 15,000 Hz +/- 3 dB. I later found that the peak levels and a 3000 cubic foot room needed more power and more speaker power handling than I could afford on my $800 budget. Also, my initial specifications didn't include any criteria for imaging. The key specification is that the system had to be "systems engineered".
Today, I have exceeded all the original specifications, I'm well under the cost limit ($800 in 1969 is over $5000 in today's dollars); CD players have replaced LP, and imaging specifications have been added and refined. And I have two complete systems that both meet the intent of the quest.
Can I go further? Sure! Will I? Probably not, except for maintenance. I'm 78 now and my hearing will decline more and more as I age, the sound is the best I've had to date within the confines of The Quest, I no longer have any foam surrounds to replace, and the components in the two systems are 100% interchangeable, so I have a lot of backup. Time to just listen to what I have while I can still fully enjoy it. Unless something happens, I'm done!!!
I'll still be around here on the Vintage Asylum from time to time, as I enjoy the discussions. I still have my instruments and RTA (the systems not only sound good and image well; but they also measure very well). I got my grandson started with his own system, my ex-son-in-law who is still my friend is an avid audio enthusiast, and I have a friend in the city who is into this stuff. So there is still life after The Quest ends.
At this point, I would like to comment that over the years, I have had some much more elaborate and expensive systems than The Quest would allow. I did not find them significantly more engaging or accurate than my current Quest systems; except maybe in the deepest bass or the ability to play loudly.
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
With the dwindling supply of good vintage gear, and the level of quality that I have reached, I don't expect any huge changes in my system. I will be switching and comparing stuff I already have. Due to their temporary nature, I will always be changing cartridges. I have collected quite a few. I will probably buy a DAC at some point. I do plan to experiment with cables. I think improvement can be made, but I am expecting only subtile differences there. I have all the parts to resurrect my Michell Hydraulic Reference. While I am expecting it to sound different form my Linn LP12, they are both very good tables, so again I don't expect a night and day difference. The visual difference will be striking, however. So like you, I am not expecting any huge leaps forward. My software collection has become insane with the vast number if cheap and free CDs available, so with my hardware and software, the main effort will be to cull. It is now time to enjoy the music, which is why I think both of us really go into this hobby!
Dave
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