Are you satisfied?

[pearsall001]

With your 2 channel rig? If so, what made you come to that conclusion (besides running out of money) & if not, what's your next move to get you there? For me personally, I'm there. I can kick back & enjoy myself without my mind wandering into never never land & contemplating what can I do to make it any better. We all should reach that point...but it's simply a matter of knowing when.

[Ricardo]

I've always been satisfied. I just like trying different gear for the fun of it. I also like to have different speakers to swap once in a while.

Whatever I have, I enjoy listening. That's what matters.

[TroyD]

Yes, I'm at the limit of upgrading being financially impossible. If I swap anything out, it would be just for the sake of trying something different, not really better.

BDT

[Keiko]

Happy here also. I guess if I really wanted to I could swap some components, but it's not broke so no need to fix it.

[ben62670]

I am like a wave tossed to and fro. Sometimes I go out and hear a bunch of high end gear then come home and I am thoroughly pleased. Other times I nit pick my stuff to no end, and have to chase my tail. For the amount of coin I have struggled to put into it I am very very happy.

[mhardy6647]

basically. I like to change out amps and speakers on occasion, but the main LR hifi configuration is pretty stable and I keep coming back to it: Altec 846A Valencias (with R/S planar 'supertweeter' add-ons), EICO HF-81 integrated amplifier, Sherwood S-2000 AM-FM tuner, Marantz CD-48 CD player (with Kevin Kennedy-redesigned Zhaolu DAC), Marantz TT-15S tt, Bottlehead Seduction phono preamp (and TASCAM 22 and Pioneer RT-909 reel to reel decks). Nice stuff to listen to that won't break the bank.

[steveinaz]

Yes. Probably my DAC was the key move. I do need to upgrade speakers, but I'm not in a hurry to do that.

[shack]

Yes. The only uprgade in the near future might be a TT upgrade. But for the time being everything is staying as is (it has been almost 2 years since my last change).

[Conradicles]

Always satisfied...

...but think I am a "Gear Harlot" and always like to try different goodies.

[venomclan]

I miss my Krell's...:)

[heiney9]

The most satisfied I've been. New amp and new pre-amp recently have moved my rig to a higher level and I have been enjoying it more than ever. No plans for anything else except maybe to move up the ladder and replace my current MIT's w/ Shotgun's.

I really like the fact the pre I have can run passive or active. Some recordings sound better in passive and some in active.


Key move was the Pass Aleph 30. What a wonderfully musical and emotional amp.

H9

[BigMac]

Am I satisfied, "No". I have just begun on my journey and look forward to many years of audio lunacy. I really want to try tubes but have no idea where to start. I wish there was something like this available for us tube newbs.

http://666kb.com/i/b7plyt1kvpb0viwhc.gif

[Flash21]

I am satisfied.

I just bought a new (to me) CDP after 10 years with the previous one, and am very please with my speakers and integrated amp...I see no upgrades in my foreseeable future. I can sit back and "have a concert" with you-are-there feeling.

Although I may try a few other interconnects for the CDP...:rolleyes:

[Face]

Almost there.

[ND13]

I was till it went into the massive audio black hole in my room.

[hearingimpared]

I'm there. The finishing touch was replacing all my ICs with MIT Shotguns.

[dorokusai]

Always have been.

[tcrossma]

I very much enjoy my current system. But... I want a new CD player at some point soon. And maybe a few more power cables. And someday I might try a new preamp in the mix. Kind of curious what the next step up in speakers would do for me too.

But yeah, I'm satisfied (I think).

[dkg999]

For the first time in a long while I am very much satisfied with my 2 ch system, and probably won't make major changes for a while. I would like to try some different IC's, and might experiment with phono pre's, but the changes are going to be minor. It just sounds very good at the moment, don't really want to mess with it.

I do like to play though, and I have a second office 2 ch system that I can do that with!

[George Grand]

I became satisfied quite some time ago, with the purchase of certain products. Ever since then, anything in or out was just messing around. The declining performance of my ears over the last few years, and the fact that I have been involved in this tail-chase for so many years, also tempers the urge to try new stuff. The enthusiasm is certainly not what it was at one time.

[mhardy6647]

Am I satisfied, "No". I have just begun on my journey and look forward to many years of audio lunacy. I really want to try tubes but have no idea where to start. I wish there was something like this available for us tube newbs.

http://666kb.com/i/b7plyt1kvpb0viwhc.gif

There is, you know :-)

http://www.anthemav.com/oldsitev1/pdf/taste.pdf

[maximillian]

If a newb can join the discussion... I have LSi9's on a Adcom 535L. The electronics setup is fine for my small-to-medium room. Medium grade IC's are good enough for me too. My next steps are: need a musical sub and some room treatments around the speakers to tame the lows since the room is on the small side.

Then from there I will be concentrating on non-acoustical items like room decorations and furniture.

Then I will be done. I keep my needs low so my wallet wont be.

[MillerLiteScott]

Satisfied but bored with my current music.

[heiney9]

Satisfied but bored with my current music.

Yep, I need to start putting some effort into purchasing some new music. I find I do get bored pretty easily lately. Since the new gear of course I go back and listen to everything all over again............but it's wearing thin.

H9

[nooshinjohn]

There is, you know :-)

http://www.anthemav.com/oldsitev1/pdf/taste.pdf


thanks for that link. I have saved it and will read it and learn

[Early B.]

I'm there. I don't think my system can improve significantly with different gear, given my price points.

[mhardy6647]

thanks for that link. I have saved it and will read it and learn

It's a decent place to start. When you're ready for more than a taste... let us know.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!

[TroyD]

For me, it boils down to this.....all my gear right now is Stereophile Class A or B (not that I put a lot of stock in that but just to throw it out there that I've about gotten as high as I'm going to ) but, you know, I enjoyed listening to music just as much when I had lesser gear.

I mean, I think back to my first mancave rig, DQ-10's / AMC CD8b / Adcom passive / Carver m1.5t....I loved that rig just as much as my stuff now. It's fun trying new stuff but, eventually, you just get to the point where you want to listen to music as opposed to dick with gear.

BDT

[F1nut]

For me, it boils down to this.....ten dollar, love you all night Joe.

Fixed it for ya.

[BottomFeeder]

I'm pretty close. I've got a Marsh amp & preamp, Aerial Acoustic Model 6 speakers & Tara labs speaker wire. Plenty good for this boy.

But my cdp is entry level NAD & so I want to upgrade that. I'm looking at pulling the trigger on the Bada HD22se. After that, I'll be done/satisfied, if not forever, for a good long while.

I've moved pretty quickly, at least for me, up the upgrade ladder, so I'd like to stop for a good while, catch my breath and do what I got into this gig for - listen to music.

[TroyD]

Fixed it for ya.

Nailed it!

[sucks2beme]

If a newb can join the discussion... I have LSi9's on a Adcom 535L. The electronics setup is fine for my small-to-medium room. Medium grade IC's are good enough for me too. My next steps are: need a musical sub and some room treatments around the speakers to tame the lows since the room is on the small side.

Then from there I will be concentrating on non-acoustical items like room decorations and furniture.

Then I will be done. I keep my needs low so my wallet wont be.

Sounds like you've got it covered. New, but paying attention and moving forward. Happy to see you joining in!

[sucks2beme]

I'm at a point where I like what I have, but I'd like to move forward.
The next steps are damn pricey. I may have to wait until son #2 finishes
college. I got a big refund, and every dollar of it is going to UNT!

[BigMac]

There is, you know :-)

http://www.anthemav.com/oldsitev1/pdf/taste.pdf
Thanks for the link. Will read. :cool:

[megasat16]

I am totally satisfied with my HT rig and quite satisfied with my 2 channel rigs. I am not totally satisfied with 2 channel rigs (got two) coz I like to play with different gears in my 2 channel rig. Nothing's wrong with the current setup with all SS gears but in the future, I would like to try tube stuff in my rigs.

For now, I am quite good without Tubes and the older Vintage Gears satisfy my ears. :)

[ND13]

Try not to get anything lodged in those cogs.

[dkg999]

Some good points in this discussion about the "music". I've been focusing on discovering new (to me!) music for the past year or so. Not that I haven't made some changes in the gear, but the search for new music has been very fun. Recent discoveries are Hot Tuna and Eric Johnson .......... how the f did I miss these two over the last 30 yrs!

I also like it when CP members like F1, RT1, Shack, etc. voice their opinion on music, because I find that my likes in music often are closely aligned with theirs. I've found I can usually just place an Amazon order based on their recommendations!

[shack]

Satisfied but bored with my current music.

I've got so many CDs and LPs sitting around that I forget what great music I have that hasn't been played in months or even years. I have some LPs that I've picked up at garage sales and Goodwill that have never been cleaned and put on the TT to play. Boredom with my selection of music is NOT a problem for me. Finding time to sit down and listen is a greater issue. Same goes for my DVD collection. Way more than I can watch in a reasonable period of time.

[TroyD]

Agreed, I've got so much music that I'll never listen to a lot of the stuff that I have...which is a real shame. Just not enough time..


BDT

[ohskigod]

I've been happy for a while. what I have sounds great, and to get better I would have to spend WAAAAY more that I am willing too.

biggest step to my end in terms of satisfaction probably goes to my passive preamp. I loved my set up from the day i went that route.

which is Ironic, since I am all about active preamps on my Bass guitars. go figure

[ben62670]

There is, you know :-)

http://www.anthemav.com/oldsitev1/pdf/taste.pdf

Thanks for the linky M. Very good read:)
I like the explanation of the tube rectifier:):)
Ben

[Zero]

Nevuh.

[steveinaz]

about an hour ago, my system reached a level I never thought possible...
more later, just one word for now: lovely

[skipf]

Generally satisfied. I doubt my rig could improve much sound wise, but I would like a new cartridge and a pair of tube blocks. The only thing I'd change is going tube in the complete rig.

[treitz3]

Are you satisfied with your 2 channel rig? If so, what made you come to that conclusion (besides running out of money) & if not, what's your next move to get you there? For me personally, I'm there. I can kick back & enjoy myself without my mind wandering into never never land & contemplating what can I do to make it any better. We all should reach that point...but it's simply a matter of knowing when.No, absolutely not. I came close with my last rig but I ran into a brick wall because I was using two speakers as mains. Though it sounded very musical and hit every frequency to near perfection in my eyes, the 2 mains killed it with the occasional smearing of the spatial images.

I'm still working on my new setup which is still in it's infant stages and though the sound is great to normal standards, it is nowhere near up to par for my standards. It does give me goosebumps but just doesn't have that "magic". I'll get it, no doubt or I'll go broke trying.

Right now my weakest link is the preamplifier. I have a Carver C-16 in the loop and though it's a good pre, it is definitely holding me back at this point. This will be changed in the near future as I'm gonna slide Uncle Teddy's old Dodd tubed pre in the mix along with certain cable swaps to fine tune the rig a little more.

After that, I'll be upgrading the x-overs in the 1C's and doing about every conceivable tweak possible to them up to possible modifications. :eek: Don't worry, I won't bastardize them. I'm just not that kind of guy. Then I will be trying about every type of tube rolling combination [in all of the tubed gear I have in the rig] that I can possibly think of to get the rig to sound the best that it can be to me and my picky-ass ears.

If that doesn't work to my liking, I'll just start from scratch again with a completely different concept for a 2nd rig that will involve most everything custom and made to my specifications.

I am my own worst critic when it comes to my rig's sound and no matter what others may have to say that points out the deficiencies of said rig, I will have about twenty more things about it to add to the list of deficiencies. So, to sum up and answer your question......no, I am not satisfied with my rig or any other rig I have ever heard, regardless of price, planning or synergy. I have heard some stellar rigs but each one comes with it's own attributes and deficiencies unfortunately and many times the room's acoustics have played a major role in the end result being skewed some how or another.

That doesn't mean at all that I'm not enjoying the hell out of my rig and others my ears stroll across. I'm actually enjoying the hell out of it, just not satisfied yet and I don't know if I'll ever achieve my goal of sonic satisfaction within my lifetime...........but it sure is fun trying. :D

[pearsall001]

Damn...did you ever consider an "Exorcism"!!!! Talk about being possessed!!! :D Hey, it's all good as long as your having fun. Carry on in your quest ;)

[treitz3]

Hehe, I know. I get ragged about it all the time. I'm also considering Emerald Physics, LINN's digital servo aktive and Bob's [soon to be new] Sunfire speakers that is currently still under development. It never ends.....

[phipiper10]

Not yet, I'm still a relative newb...there will be more amps and pres and wire for sure. Still haven't tried vinyl, or an integraded or a tube amp or treatments so lots to try still. I'm happy with what I have but there is some exploring I need to do.

As mentioned getting some new quality music and time is always helpful.

[skipf]

Treitz, your rig will sound better if you get the right speaker out from behind the couch.;)

[NJPOLKER]

I do not think I will ever be satisfied with my system because there is always one more tweak.
example: I have to add Dynamat to the inside of my pre-amp and CDP

[treitz3]

Treitz, your rig will sound better if you get the right speaker out from behind the couch.;)Yeah, yeah, yeah. What do you think happens when the wife isn't home? You should have seen the place this weekend. Lightman1 and I had the entire place pretty much empty except for a chair in the sweet spot. It is from this that I make my evaluations. The couch isn't even in the same room when I listen critically.

I hate having to move furniture around for a critical listening session every time, but it beats the alternative which is having no room to have the rig set up at all. This was the first major sacrifice I had to make for the unborn son that's still brewing.......moving the rig out of "his" room, that is. I can deal with it until we move. Then I'll be as happy as a clam in mud because I will have a dedicated audio room that will be built specifically for optimum acoustics. :D :D :D

[W WALDECKER]

I am very happy with my current two channel rig but one of the bias pots on my VTL mono's needs to be replaced.These amps are keepers so i figure that while they are being worked on a little hot rodding would be cool so i contacted a friend of mine who has agreed to replace the coupling caps with .22uf Mundorf silver in oil's and replace various parts in the Signal path,power supply and rectifiction circuits with modern premium quality stuff ;) My VTL 2.5 TL is also a keeper but it too may benefit from a little sprucing up after the monos are squared away :) .thanks.....WCW III

[smglbrth]

Is anyone ever satisfied? I would like a B&K 200.2 amp, that would put me closer. More power, more power....

[lightman1]

Treitz, your rig will sound better if you get the right speaker out from behind the couch.;)


I had to keep from laughing myself, skip. It would have been rude and un-gentleman like for me to do so.
So we rearranged his furniture when the wife wasn't looking.

[lightman1]

I'm content so far....

[Ern Dog]

Hell No, I'm not satisfied. Since the beginning of 2009, I've upgraded my cdp, speakers, sub, cables, IC's and I just pulled the trigger on a new (used) Rogue Audio Tube amp! I just maxed one of my credit cards and just started working on the next one....

Now my goal is to sell off all the gear I've replaced to pay off these friggin' debts! Then I'm hoping to take a break from upgrading and just enjoy the fruits of my labors :)

For me that means pouring a glass of red wine and relaxing in my sweet spot and listening to the most beautiful music in the world! Ahhhhhhhh.

[dragon1952]

I will never change another thing unless something breaks, and then I'll try and find an exact replacement. The quest was strictly to find the sound I wanted. And while it was fun for awhile, it did get old. I'm glad it's over and I can just enjoy the music.

[ben62670]

No, absolutely not. I came close with my last rig but I ran into a brick wall because I was using two speakers as mains. Though it sounded very musical and hit every frequency to near perfection in my eyes, the 2 mains killed it with the occasional smearing of the spatial images.

I'm still working on my new setup which is still in it's infant stages and though the sound is great to normal standards, it is nowhere near up to par for my standards. It does give me goosebumps but just doesn't have that "magic". I'll get it, no doubt or I'll go broke trying.

Right now my weakest link is the preamplifier. I have a Carver C-16 in the loop and though it's a good pre, it is definitely holding me back at this point. This will be changed in the near future as I'm gonna slide Uncle Teddy's old Dodd tubed pre in the mix along with certain cable swaps to fine tune the rig a little more.

After that, I'll be upgrading the x-overs in the 1C's and doing about every conceivable tweak possible to them up to possible modifications. :eek: Don't worry, I won't bastardize them. I'm just not that kind of guy. Then I will be trying about every type of tube rolling combination [in all of the tubed gear I have in the rig] that I can possibly think of to get the rig to sound the best that it can be to me and my picky-ass ears.

If that doesn't work to my liking, I'll just start from scratch again with a completely different concept for a 2nd rig that will involve most everything custom and made to my specifications.

I am my own worst critic when it comes to my rig's sound and no matter what others may have to say that points out the deficiencies of said rig, I will have about twenty more things about it to add to the list of deficiencies. So, to sum up and answer your question......no, I am not satisfied with my rig or any other rig I have ever heard, regardless of price, planning or synergy. I have heard some stellar rigs but each one comes with it's own attributes and deficiencies unfortunately and many times the room's acoustics have played a major role in the end result being skewed some how or another.

That doesn't mean at all that I'm not enjoying the hell out of my rig and others my ears stroll across. I'm actually enjoying the hell out of it, just not satisfied yet and I don't know if I'll ever achieve my goal of sonic satisfaction within my lifetime...........but it sure is fun trying. :D

I like you. I feel like less of a compulsive neurotic freak when I talk to you, or have you over. Please come down soon before I sell a kidney. It is easier to spot the sickness in someone else than to look in the mirror. Of coarse you might be an enabler.
Take care Bro.
Love ya.
Ben

[HB27]

I fear that I'll never be satisfied with any audio system. I'm always looking for a little tweak or a better sounding pair of speakers.
I've found out I'll need at least 6 complete systems for the different types of music I listen to. There is "NO PERFECT" system that can do it all
I've pretty much concluded I'm like a junkie looking for a better rush and won't be satisfied until it kills me.
Then again, there's worse habits to be stricken with.

[TSWisla]

Somewhat satisfied, I would like to get new ICs and speaker wires, do the x-over upgrade in my SDA-1c. On the upside, my m1.5t is at Rita's as we speak! A VPI Scoutmaster would be nice as well...

[TSWisla]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. What do you think happens when the wife isn't home? You should have seen the place this weekend. Lightman1 and I had the entire place pretty much empty except for a chair in the sweet spot. It is from this that I make my evaluations. The couch isn't even in the same room when I listen critically.

I hate having to move furniture around for a critical listening session every time, but it beats the alternative which is having no room to have the rig set up at all. This was the first major sacrifice I had to make for the unborn son that's still brewing.......moving the rig out of "his" room, that is. I can deal with it until we move. Then I'll be as happy as a clam in mud because I will have a dedicated audio room that will be built specifically for optimum acoustics. :D :D :D

Women just do NOT understand. I actually sold my entire 2 ch setup when we moved to the new house because my wife complained so much about how big the speakers were, etc, etc. I resolved to buy some small system with in wall speakers. You know what? F**K that! Now my system is bigger and more expensive than ever and it will only be getting worse. I don't get it, men work and have to share their living space with their wives, but we don't get to have any of our "stuff" in there?! That is crazy, it is not like I keep a horse in the living room. She is just going to have to get used to it, PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN like I did and take back the living room!

[Zero]

I've found out I'll need at least 6 complete systems for the different types of music I listen to. There is "NO PERFECT" system that can do it all

Zomg!!!! I know it's a tad early to be asking this but....are you single!? lol It's good to see that I'm not alone.

[dougy]

Seems like lately I'm never satisfied for long. We built a new house with a dedicated basement music room. Speakers were klipschorns. Guess what? Due to room acoustics and lack of speaker placement flexibility, the sound sukt big-time. Finally gave up on that system and room. Moved 2-channel rig to family room, which accidentally has great acoustics for 2-channel music. Speakers by then were B&W 703's. Very nice, but got in a financial pinch and sold them for a/d/s/ HT400's. Nice for the money, with very solid build and good performance. Then I longed for floor-standers again and found a great close-out deal on Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab OML-2's. A wonderful speaker for $800 close-out price. Especially on classical and jazz. A little anemic on ze rawk und roll, though. Longed for slam. Bought "B" stock Klipsch La Scala II's and sold Mo-Fi's. This was 9 months ago.

FF to today...Got sick (pancreatitis/gall stones), and got poor again (medical bills and hours cut at work). Plus, I wuz gettin tired of concept of HUGE speakers that make little bass. And not much air there, mon frer. So...I sold the big ol' horns and immediately stumbled onto what appears to be a good deal on a "mint" pair of LSi9's, so...yup, I bought'em and now hope springs eternal that audioboy will be satisfied and living in audio bliss -for a while at least!:D

[amulford]

I'm not quite staified yet, but I will be soon...:cool:

[reeltrouble1]

try that new gel stuff you mix together Ant, going to make you stiffer than when you coddled Susie's elbow thinking it was her ta-ta at the drive-in back in high school.

RT1-Tubes Rule