I REALLY think I am done

**crwilli** · April 20, 2016, 05:00 PM

With the MC2301s firmly in control, I Think I am done. At the very least content.

**Mike** · April 20, 2016, 05:03 PM

Holy crap! What a system!! 2301's are incredible amps. Paired with Strads = heaven.

**the professor** · April 20, 2016, 05:09 PM

Great system!!!

**crwilli** · April 20, 2016, 05:09 PM

Thank you Mike!

**Paul** · April 20, 2016, 06:06 PM

Very Nice Big congrats !

**JJinID** · April 20, 2016, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Holy crap! What a system!! 2301's are incredible amps. Paired with Strads = heaven.

+1 - congratulations! I'd be done also if I had your system!

**joeinid** · April 20, 2016, 07:15 PM

Craig,

Did you really have to post a photo too? OMG! Looks beautiful. I think I know EXACTLY what you are hearing and I know how wonderful it sounds. Congratulations!

**still-one** · April 20, 2016, 07:20 PM

Congratulations. That is a excellent system you have pulled together and with the effort you put into the room should make for a very satisfying musical experience.

**jdandy** · April 20, 2016, 09:14 PM

Craig.......Tremendous effort, amazing results. Looks like a wonderful place to soak up some tunes.

**apdoc2004** · April 20, 2016, 09:52 PM

Congrats on the superb space -- I can see that listening would be an absolute pleasure given the top notch equipment. May I ask what are the dimensions of this room?
Anshul

**FlexibleAudio** · April 20, 2016, 09:56 PM

I am not worthy!!!!!!

**Kuoppis** · April 21, 2016, 01:38 AM

Beautiful - is the other seat still available? Could join you to listen in with that amazing setup. No wonder you are happy

.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**CPP** · April 21, 2016, 08:55 AM

Very nice setup

**crwilli** · April 21, 2016, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by apdoc2004

Congrats on the superb space -- I can see that listening would be an absolute pleasure given the top notch equipment. May I ask what are the dimensions of this room?
Anshul

The room is 13'8"W X 19'6"L X 7'6"H. JUST big enough for this equipment. It has its challenges on the low end and that is why the Fathom and MEN220 are here. I would prefer to have a simpler system without them but they earn their keep!

**crwilli** · April 21, 2016, 10:20 AM

Thanks for the kind words everyone.
Craig

**Steve** · April 21, 2016, 10:23 AM

Well....Sonus Faber Stradivari adorned with Vicoustic Wavewood panel ears powered by McIntosh Mc2301s must be one of the most beautiful setups I have ever seen.

Fabulous synergistic choices.

If you think you are REALLY done with that setup, then I believe you to be correct.

**ctop** · April 21, 2016, 12:32 PM

Wow! Beautiful room and setup...congratulations!

**bzr** · April 21, 2016, 05:33 PM

great set-up & lovely room. good to see the effort and joy from the pics.

**volks** · April 21, 2016, 09:21 PM

Simply Beautiful

**crwilli** · July 30, 2023, 07:15 PM

Woah, Forgot about this post.

A great deal has changed since my naive comment on being done. Retirement, moving 800 miles south, and countless changes to my system. Only a couple of Wireworld Platinum Starlight Power Cords survive from that ‘I am done’ proclamation. I have learned a lot over this time about room setup, sub integration and digital signal processing. Wonder how much more I will learn over the next 5 years?

Not sure I enjoy the music anymore today than I did six years ago. But I do enjoy my system and this hobby more. That’s not a contradiction. My system is so much more revealing and shows any incremental reductions in noise, better listener or speaker positions and changes to any equipment or cables that I have grown even more interested in the hobby of sound reproduction.

I can sit and just listen and enjoy music or I can test different changes, tweaks or equipment. It is a more fulfilling hobby to me.

Today, I broke out 2 pairs of older speakers while having two friends visit. We listened to music on my 40 yr old Infinity RS-IIa and nearly 20 yr old Revel Performa F-52 speakers. No doubt my system into the Kharmas yields the most realistic sound but there is also no doubt the Revels, which surprised us all, and the vintage Infinities were not embarrassed.

Spinning vinyl on my cheap ass analog front end into the Infinities had us all thinking dorm rooms. It was simply fun. The Revels had us all thinking why we had spent so much $ on our respective speaker systems. They are amazing.

Anyway, it was a fun day with friends, great music, better than average sound and something to hope to reproduce again.

**Mike** · July 30, 2023, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by crwilli

Woah, Forgot about this post.

A great deal has changed since my naive comment on being done. Retirement, moving 800 miles south, and countless changes to my system. Only a couple of Wireworld Platinum Starlight Power Cords survive from that ‘I am done’ proclamation. I have learned a lot over this time about room setup, sub integration and digital signal processing. Wonder how much more I will learn over the next 5 years?

Not sure I enjoy the music anymore today than I did six years ago. But I do enjoy my system and this hobby more. That’s not a contradiction. My system is so much more revealing and shows any incremental reductions in noise, better listener or speaker positions and changes to any equipment or cables that I have grown even more interested in the hobby of sound reproduction.

I can sit and just listen and enjoy music or I can test different changes, tweaks or equipment. It is a more fulfilling hobby to me.

Today, I broke out 2 pairs of older speakers while having two friends visit. We listened to music on my 40 yr old Infinity RS-IIa and nearly 20 yr old Revel Performa F-52 speakers. No doubt my system into the Kharmas yields the most realistic sound but there is also no doubt the Revels, which surprised us all, and the vintage Infinities were not embarrassed.

Spinning vinyl on my cheap ass analog front end into the Infinities had us all thinking dorm rooms. It was simply fun. The Revels had us all thinking why we had spent so much $ on our respective speaker systems. They are amazing.

Anyway, it was a fun day with friends, great music, better than average sound and something to hope to reproduce again.

Two awesome guys! Glad you’re having fun.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**Mr Peabody** · July 30, 2023, 07:59 PM

I had F52's, matching center and surrounds as well. The F52's were great, my enthusiasm wasn't so great on the Performa 3 stuff.

**Mikado463** · July 30, 2023, 08:57 PM

Craig, great follow up as I'm sure was a great walk down memory lane with your gear......

**Bones13** · July 30, 2023, 10:37 PM

Lol, “done” 7 years ago, famous last words…

Glad you are still having fun, at least it looks like fun.

Working on my “final” system myself. Hoping to retire next year, as well. Expect an across the country move / downsize, next year. So, everything will be in flux.

**MichaelsMinute** · July 31, 2023, 06:34 AM

Great up! And that's what it's all about - simply enjoying the music and having fun.

**crwilli** · March 21, 2024, 09:59 PM

Living to eat your words…

After a fantastic transaction and level of service from Mike, I have now added BLOCK Audio Line and Mono SE amplification to my system. Next to my move from the Strads to the Kharma dB11-S, this is the largest SQ upgrade I have ever had. The battery powered Block Line Pre is a game changer which I can’t understand why it hasn’t received more attention. It’s THAT good.

I won’t jump into the hyperbole but everything is better. Noise level below what I had, soundstage is indescribable, bass is far better and transient and complex passage reproduction / congestion reduced to zero.

Can’t say enough about Mike’s support for the transaction and after sale service. Huge respect.

**Bones13** · March 21, 2024, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by crwilli

Living to eat your words…

After a fantastic transaction and level of service from Mike, I have now added BLOCK Audio Line and Mono SE amplification to my system. Next to my move from the Strads to the Kharma dB11-S, this is the largest SQ upgrade I have ever had. The battery powered Block Line Pre is a game changer which I can’t understand why it hasn’t received more attention. It’s THAT good.

I won’t jump into the hyperbole but everything is better. Noise level below what I had, soundstage is indescribable, bass is far better and transient and complex passage reproduction / congestion reduced to zero.

Can’t say enough about Mike’s support for the transaction and after sale service. Huge respect.

Spectacular, have fun!

**Mikado463** · March 21, 2024, 10:38 PM

Great journey Craig !!

**SCAudiophile** · March 22, 2024, 04:01 AM

Congratulations, Craig, it all looks fantastic!

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**Ritmo** · March 22, 2024, 05:41 AM

Beautiful system Craig! Enjoy in good health!

**exupgh12** · March 22, 2024, 06:44 AM

Congratulations on your new **purchase**! Your elegant setup and room must be a delightful space. Enjoy it to the fullest!

**a.wayne** · March 22, 2024, 09:32 AM

Did Mike redo the room too ..?

**a.wayne** · March 22, 2024, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by crwilli

Living to eat your words…

After a fantastic transaction and level of service from Mike, I have now added BLOCK Audio Line and Mono SE amplification to my system. Next to my move from the Strads to the Kharma dB11-S, this is the largest SQ upgrade I have ever had. The battery powered Block Line Pre is a game changer which I can’t understand why it hasn’t received more attention. It’s THAT good.

I won’t jump into the hyperbole but everything is better. Noise level below what I had, soundstage is indescribable, bass is far better and transient and complex passage reproduction / congestion reduced to zero.

Can’t say enough about Mike’s support for the transaction and after sale service. Huge respect.

Congrats , You were really done before now you’re really finished ..

**rrwmd** · March 22, 2024, 10:14 AM

Congratulations Craig! Having heard this exact combo at Mike's last year I know what you've got there -- a Killer combo, and one that I keep contemplating for my Kharmas. I too am surprised that Block doesn't have more attention. Enjoy!

**Mr Peabody** · March 22, 2024, 12:26 PM

I've always heard never say never. Congrats

Maybe Mike should show Block at Axpona some year.

**SCAudiophile** · March 22, 2024, 03:47 PM

Having been there quite a few times, I can tell you that Craig has a real skill for setup, measurement, and refinement. That's all on him

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**JGlacken** · March 22, 2024, 07:46 PM

I spent several hours at Craigs today in total sonic bliss. I have luckily listened to Craigs systems starting with the 2301s and Strads. Every upgrade or change Craig has made have all been big improvements. We both heard the Kharmas and Blocks at Mikes and were blown away then. I guess Craig was blown away more as he now owns them. Well done bud!

**crwilli** · March 22, 2024, 08:19 PM

Such a joy to be able to share this crazy ass hobby with a local buddy! Thanks Jeff!

**GSOphile** · March 23, 2024, 10:07 AM

Sensational system, Craig.

**steve59** · March 30, 2024, 09:34 AM

I came very close to buying then driving to Fl from CHi to get of Kharma db11's on agon a month or so ago and decided instead to trust in experience that my room would be too small. Congrats on the new system.

**Mike** · March 30, 2024, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by steve59

I came very close to buying then driving to Fl from CHi to get of Kharma db11's on agon a month or so ago and decided instead to trust in experience that my room would be too small. Congrats on the new system.

That’s why you work with a dealer and done buy used. Avoid mistakes.

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**steve59** · March 31, 2024, 09:53 PM

I definitely trusted your experience. It was just an opportunity to try a beautiful $$$ speaker, I’m really not bored or dissatisfied with the Blades.

**Ricky64** · April 1, 2024, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

That’s why you work with a dealer and done buy used. Avoid mistakes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Agree with this. There is this gnawing, "hobbyist", drive in many of us to read forums, view the exercise of moving components in and out of our systems as fun or cool (it's not), and playing around as an audiophile. As I look back over the years, I lived with sound I didn't like for many years because of this approach, and never had the time or energy to swap pieces in and out until I achieved the desired result. An experienced dealer is the best way to achieve the end product of getting the sound you are looking for, and sitting back and enjoying the music.

**Vintage_Tube** · April 8, 2024, 07:41 AM

Hey Craig - I remember when you received those Stradivari's and MC2301's from your initial posting. Doesn't seem like it was 8 years ago; dang how time flies. Anyways Sir, Gorgeous system and thanks for the memory lane trip. Sit back and enjoy

Best sir,

Bob

**crwilli** · Yesterday, 09:55 PM

I remember a YT video Mike did a few years ago on analog. One of his comments stuck with me. Paraphrasing - You don’t need to go crazy in analog. Just get a good TT and spin your old albums and maybe buy new ones. It doesn’t have to be stressful.

Roll the clock forward - I buy the Block amp system with the fabulous line amp. ‘For free’ it comes with a magnificent Phono pre which combined with a recent purchase of a used ClearAudio Performance SE TT, I find myself listening to vinyl quite a bit. Part of that is the ‘newness’ of it. Reliving the 70’s but also playing my parents oooolllldddd albums and having great memories.

That’s what Mike was talking about.

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