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Well, first post in a few years. I was a raging audiophile back in the day and sort of got sidetracked. So, just re registered and thought I'd post a hello and toss out a brief description of where I've landed in my current audio listening set up.
I did the usual asylum member stuff as I traveled the audio lifestyle. Huge 6550 mono blocks, flea powered 300Bs, vintage tubes Fisher integrated, tube and solid state separates for front ends, high end digital playback, homebrewed interconnects, solid silver Teflon speaker wires, high end turntables and cartridges. Vintage speakers, Electrovoice, JBL, back loaded horns, separate subs., high end solid state tuners, vintage tube tuners and so on.
Anyway, I just wasn't connecting with music, and no matter what I tried, I was always looking for more. I really became jaded with the inflated hype around the industry--how great the new boutique amps or preamps are, etc. The transparency of the $4000 interconnect (spoiler alert. Mfg'rs would never be able to sell a $2000 interconnect, if they couldn't convince the mark that it was 95% as good as a top of the line $4000 one).
Anyway, I've fallen back in love with music with a very humble and non audiophile setup--hence, the main reason for me coming back to the asylum.
So, here's the dog's breakfast of components that have somehow turned out to be amazingly synergistic and involving.
I'm running a Marantz 2252b. My vinyl rig is a VPI Super Scoutmaster with-- heresy of heresies-- an Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge, speakers are Lowther back loaded horns.
There are so many things in this setup that run contrary to common audiophile group think, that it is laughable. But, for whatever reason, the system plays music that draws you in an puts a smile on your face. The Ortofon was a pure fluke. I was having a Shelter 501 retipped by Soundsmith and picked up the Ortofon as a stand in while waiting on the retipping. The Ortofon plays music that you want to hear and not obsess over whether you are hearing the last detail in the tracks. The Marantz 2252B is just perfect, in fact, its preamp section very much reminds me of the Macintosh C11 I had in sound and function (go figure) and is more exuberant(in a good way) than my lovely Threshold Fet10 preamp, which was so transparent that it was personality challenged. The tuner section, which only has 3 gangs, is extremely satisfying, and convinced me to retire my Onkyo 9090II. The Marantz is hardly breaking a sweat powering the Lowther horns, but it doesn't feel throttled back like I experienced with other moderately muscular amps. The lowly $100 Ortofon is just hard to believe. I guess Ortofon just can't bring itself to create a bad cartridge at any price point. I've not even had any desire to put the Shelter 501 back into the mix. I'm sure it is better, but I'm not sure that will make me happier, so I'm probably just going to sell it.
Anway, me and my 10,000 Lps are pretty danged gruntled and spending a lot of time together rediscovering great vintage and some new music.
Just thought I'd share.
Darnit
Follow Ups:
I applaud your audio priorities. Too often there is a keeping up with the Jones vibe to our music listening.
I too went a little wild with upgrading and constantly experimenting with my system.
Amps: Primaluna Prologue One, Eastern Electric M520, Quicksilver 8417, Primaluna Prologue Two, Eastern Electric M88, a Creek 4040, a homebrew 807 amp) before settling on a restored Pioneer SM-500 (7189) tube amp (with the Creek as my backup).
Turntables: NAD 533, Basis 1400 w/RB300, Garrard 401, Lenco L78 w/PTP4 (have messed with dozens more but usually just to fix and flip). Stopped with the Lenco/PTP4 - love idlers and the fact I put it together makes me smile!)
Tonearms: Rega, ATP-12T, Sumiko, SME3009 & SME 3012, JMW 9, modified Ortofon AS-212 (turned into a 12" arm). Currently using the Ortofon with the Lenco and love it. Have an ATP-12T (3rd time I have owned this arm) I plan to rewire and use somehow - great performance for the money.
Phono Stages: Grado PH-1, Creek, Sutherland PH3d, homebrew 12AX7, Bottlehead Seduction, Cornet2 (and probably 12 more I cannot recall). Stopped with the Cornet2 - it just sounds so darn good to me and to beat it I would have to spend over a $1,000- which I don't have.
Cartridges: Grado (all kinds from the budget up to a Reference Sonata), Clearaudio Aurum, Sumiko Bluepoint, Denon DL103, Denon Dl103R, and SoundSmith SMMC3 mono. Currently stopped with the SMMC3 - just like it. Probably will poke around for a stereo cart (gave up on finding a SUT that paired with a Denon DL103) but plan to always have the SMMC3 around (I listen to a lot of jazz).
Speakers: PSB (cannot recall the model), Proac Tablette 2000 (which I have promised my wife to never sell :), Zu Audio Soul Superfly, Bozak B302A (loved fixing this one up), Focal Chorus 726v, Econowaves (with generic 60s woofers), and dozens more not worth mention. Currently running the Econowaves - gobsmacked at how nice they sound (large 60s wood cabinets I had, with the Selenium D220ti drivers, Pyle waveguide, and 12" Allied or Knight (I think) woofers (which I will upgrade at some point - total cost to me around $300 to $350). I don't envision me ever selling them :)
My current system, Pioneer SM-500, Cornet2 phono stage, Lenco/PTP turntable, Ortofon tonearm, SoundSmith cart, Econowave speakers, provides the natural, slightly warm soundstage that I prefer. I can and do listen to records for hours.
Is my system the best ever? Not even close. But I no longer care. Most important to me is that I did not break the bank. Having money left over to buy LPs was half the point!
I had some favorite artists in the mid 50s. As I got older I found more mucic I really liked. When I started my own system after getting used to it I noticed that those artists were saying more than I was hearing and because I loved them I wanted it all so I started trading up. Read, study, llisted think, save. Next upgrade. Still not concentrating on the sound-just on what wasnt there. From Audiogon and other sources I finally have what satisfies me and I love it. It's good enough to listen to just for the sound which at times is so good that it reaises the hair but the music is completely satisfying.
Edits: 03/28/15
I have a 2nd set consisting of flea market/thrift store finds.
Philips/Aristona 212 clone with GP 401 cartridge. A gimme from the local hifi shop owner. Marantz 1040 amp(15 euro). Rotel RCD-06 CDP(15 euro). KEF Chorale III speakers(10 euro for the pair!) on Target stands (15 euro).
Slap a good record or a good CD on and you're in business. Involvement, satisfaction, sheer FUN.
"The torture never stops"Greetings Freek.
It's all about synergism. Obviously you hit the sweet spot. I have owned the "RED" and didn't like it with my system at the time. Welcome back and don't let this forum corrupt you again. Just enjoy the music..
Thanks for the warm welcome. Currently listening to Alternate Sessions, VeeJay/ Japanese reissue. Man, how did I go so wrong??
Great to be back.
Darnit
There have been several stories of late, of folk who have given up on chasing sound at the expense of music and enjoyment. It's great to have listeners around who favour balance and champion one's enjoyment of a performance first and foremost.
Perhaps this is a distinct phase in the life of AA members. A growing population of those who can hear the sonic difference, but whose senses and tastes confidently prioritise the musical difference, no matter what. In any case, I like it. And I think you'll have a lot more in common with several members here, including me.
Welcome back.
Big J
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
Horns and flea powered tube amps = not a good way to go (in my experience).
But yes, the Ortofon carts are very nice.
"Familiarity breeds contempt, and children."
-Mark Twain
Welcome back Darnit.
Nothing wrong with a modestly priced system. Like you, I have a large record collection and I'm too busy enjoying music to obsess over what the equipment sounds like.
The best stereo setup is the one that makes you want to listen to music.
IMO, if it doesn't, it's failed in it's primary goal, no matter how expensive it is.
I am authorized to say this because I actually am a psychologist and am allowed to use non-PC or pejorative references to our own audio craziness...but seriously... Welcome back. Your post reminded me of my fondness for my Marantz 2230 receiver in my office which is hooked up to some old acoustic suspension speakers and sounds really nice...warm and wonderful are what it does for CDs. Those great audio geniuses of the 50's, 60's, and early 70's knew the alchemy to conjure a sweet sound from solid state. Saul is gone but I think we "Better call Saul" to reincarnate and pass on the magic to the new generation of audio designers. All hail Saul!
Edits: 03/27/15 03/27/15 03/27/15
....to hear from someone whose "system plays music that draws you in an puts a smile on your face". That's why we listen. Don't get me wrong, I have my share of fits of "upgradeitis". But I try to keep my eyes, no make that ears, on the goal of listening for the sheer pleasure of the music.
After every upgrade (or modification in my case) there is a period of time when we listen to the gear (just to make sure it's an upgrade).
But the best part is when we get back to listening to the music.
I think some audiophiles forget to go back to just listening to the music.
Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
Hey! Nice to read the story. ALthough you've had a much larger variety of equipment than I have, the journey is similar.
It's nice to know you've reached the most desirable destination which is to enjoy the music above all else!
10K LPs! Wow.
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