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  1. #1

    My Audio Journey.

    I Love speakers, and I love amps and, well all things audio! I have had an incredible journey with audio my whole life. I am very excited to see where else my journey will take me. Lately, that excitement has been overwhelmed by a nasty trend growing more and more popular. Fanboys! They are nasty, weak and so vocal that they drown out intelligent conversations. Before we get to that, please let me tell you some of my journey. Hopefully knowing where I am coming from, will help me explain myself.



    When I was a child TV was my life. No education no real childhood till I was 11. I would wake up, eat, drink and sleep on my own. If I got to eat with my family, I was paranoid a beating was coming. My childhood was for all intents and purposes the film, “Cable Guy”. I knew my life was not normal, but I wanted to know what normal was. TV and film showed me that. It taught me how to socialize. Now here is where this leads to audio. At the age of 11 my father takes me to pick out his new stereo. B&O 9000, I think, but I was 11. That is where I saw these massive towers, with a basketball on top and a gun on top of the basketball. 802 Nautilus, but to me, 11 year old me, they were art.


    We got to hear them, I mean I could not believe it. I had no clue the price, but the shape, the style. The speaker had a presence in the room. At 11 I felt it, I could see it. My God though when the music started my whole body quivered. The price might have been $12 or $14k it might as well of been $500k to me. Once I saw them hooked to a TV, I knew 2 things in that moment;

    1. I would need to build me a home theater.

    2. One day I would have those speakers or better.



    Thus began my audio journey. After saving for 5 years, I got me an aiwa 5.1 system. Wow, what a piece of shit. And I knew it too. I had no clue what meant what, or how to describe my problems with it at the time. It’s so funny because I remember watching a THX video on discreet 5.1 systems and how they worked. I remember being mad at George Lucas for saying how each channel could only produce the specific sound for the scene. But in my AIWA system every speaker produced all the same sounds as the other speakers. This was with Dolby. I knew this needed to go and so it did. About 6 months later I bought me some Wharfdale floor standers. They looked good and sounded good to me, I remember getting a onkyo amp and piecing together the rest of the 5.1.


    This setup would last me about 2 years. By then I had saved up some cash and wanted a giant killer. You know, every speaker 20 years ago during the dotcom boom was a giant killer. Till this very day I still don’t know if those swan systems where made by AIWA.


    But after enough research, Axiom Audio had my money. M60, VP160 and the big surrounds to match. I got an SVS sub too. Well, in my head I was the shit. Not my dream system but with the Rotel amp, I was cool with it. I could not really listen to music with it. I had lots of DVDs of shit like the Eagles Hell Freezes Over. Hardly ever music though. I knew the speakers were the problem, so after about 5 years I upgrade everything.

    M60 to M80, VP160 to VP180, but still sucked to me, for music at least. This was my first run in with fanboys. I remember on the Axion forum that nearly everyone on there thought Axiom was the best. It was odd to me. I thought it might be a Canadian thing or something. But please understand I owned these speakers too. I enjoyed them too, but these people, they said crazy shit like “If you gave me a pair of 800 Diamond for even trade I would not trade my M80”. That’s real and they were serious. How fucking stupid is that? If there is no emotional value, why would you not take the really expensive speakers and sell them? See now? Free M80s. Like I said though, I let it go figuring, hey it’s a Canadian thing or something.


    I put my upgrades on hold. I did not want to buy something unheard with no return policy. I was definitely not going to buy the 802D2, which I loved, but after 20 years I felt something should be better by now. Which leads me to a beautiful trip to France. I awoke one morning and went down to grab some breakfast across from the hotel. And by luck an audio demo,. I still don’t know why but there they were, Sopra 2s in orange running on a Devialet. That sound, that sweet, sweet sound. I felt 11 years old again.


    As soon as I came home I got to work. 3 months later my system was delivered. Wow, what a difference. I know sound and I know value. The Axiom speakers are great amazing value speakers, but, the Sopra 2s rivaled systems that I heard that cost 60k. The Axioms rivaled Vienna Acoustics, not a knock, just honesty.

    Almost immediately I began to notice similarities of the Devialet people and Axiom people. They both seem to exist in an alternate reality where nothing is subjective except genuine facts. I loved all my Devialet products, but these people did not like or love theirs.

    No, these people have faith, faith that nothing is better and nothing will ever be better. Which is fine, I can respect that, I can even appreciate it. The thing I can’t handle is when these people want to enforce their feelings as reality. I am happy you love your $40k 1000 pro. Please enjoy it, love it but stop trying to tell me it’s a bargain. Stop trying to tell me the 1000 pro beats MBL, Gryphon and D’agstino. I am not going to get into all of Devialet’s problems, hopefully my point is clear.


    After getting poor support from Focal and Devialet, my ears began to wonder what else was out there? The final straw was when the Devialet blew 2 cones on my Sopra. The 220 pro core infinity had to go but I was going to keep the Sopras. Until I got no help what so ever installing the new cones. Just, “here are your cones. Good luck asshole”. That got me on the hunt again. Which lead me all the way back to B&W with the 802D3s.


    Now my point in all this is not to tell you that I know the 802d3 is not my final speaker. No, my point is to say when did sound go from a journey to a product? I mean I remember at age 11 in the Modia store listening to my dad talk with Mike Blust, his salesman “The great thing is Frankie, that no matter your sound, no matter your flavor, someone is always doing it better”. That resonated with me. I remember the first night listening to the beolab with my dad. He asked me what I thought. I asked if this was the same money as the Nautilus? “Yes!”, he shot back smirking, as if he expected to hear something good. All 11 year old me could muster in that moment of WTF was “You got fucking robbed”. Now remember what I said earlier about my childhood, now look how much my father had changed. No beating, no anger, he simply replied “to you I got fucked. To you. This is my sound”. Sure he was a fanboy but he understood the other speakers were much, much, much better… I mean different.


    The thing that really angers me is these guys who answer every question with what ever they own. What speaker do recommend, A or B? First post is “I recommend you try Q”. OP buys A. First post is, “did you try the Q? what did you not like about the Q?”


    How did we get to this place where your speaker or amp is your identity? How did we get to a place where if you bought something, if you spent your hard-earned money on something, you can’t critique it or admit that something, anything could be better than it? This new world in which I am living is baffling to me.

    So, having said that, and after reading this article


    The F*ck*d up nature of The Audiophile Audio Industry - 13th Note HiFi Reviews



    Can you believe this piece of shit? It reads like an April Fools joke. He wants to be paid for ads for speakers he gives good reviews to. That is the definition of bribery. He is mad that no one bribed him enough! The fucking balls on that guy, but, that was not even the kicker. The best part is he basically admits to spinning things for sales.


    So, after seeing so many fanboys corrupting the industry, and now seeing reviewers plain out admit they want bribes, I have decided to to do something about it.



    I will be starting my own podcast, 2 Ears Up. We will not award bests, we will award new levels of achievement.


    This sound for this price.


    This soundstage for this environment.

    And guess what? If something is shit, we will say it. Politely but firmly. The object will not be to sell you something. But too engage you in something bigger than one’s self.

  2. #2
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    My Audio Journey.

    Wow! I think I read every word. LOL. If you could do your best to keep the F bombs down (I’m guilty of that myself), it would be appreciated.

    The guy from 13th note was already called out on this site. He thought it was funny to issue a press release that everyone at Chord got fired because of Covid. Last I heard, they sued his sorry ass. Making up a story that everyone lost their jobs is just NOT funny. No one losing their job is funny and making up lies about it, is disgusting. Now he’s on some rampage about wanting to be paid to do reviews after saying he was quitting, which he’s not because he still has an axe to grind. It’s all very bizarre.

    Good luck with your podcast. Once Covid is over, I’m thinking about doing a podcast called “Mike & Rick talk audio”. Rick is a former engineer at VAC (retired now) and myself, we could do some interesting interviews with industry folks and come at things from different perspectives. Rick is brilliant and reads audio patents for fun. I’m interested in things from the sound, sales and marketing side.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  3. #3

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Sorry, Mike I will tone it down on the site. Yeah I am just so sick of best best best, everything is the best. I really hate how they make everything about money. Forget the money take it out of the equation, tell me how it feels. Tell me where the sound takes you, what it reminds you of. Then we can talk price at the end.

    It seems every review just wants to talk about money, it seems every reviewer out there has an agenda. Which to me is the exact opposite of a critic.

    That dude just seems ill, God bless him.

    I think that would be an amazing podcast, it seems much different from mine. I am hoping to get some dealers local and not local to help me get things to listen too. I will be paying any and all costs associated with the reviews. Which so far all the dealers liked, my concern right now is encouraging discussions.

    We all know which car is faster, Dodge Demon, Corvette C8 or any one of the 500 super cars on the road today. Top Gear was not about telling which car gets the best gas or which car does the fastest quarter mile. Sure that is part of it but, its a lifestyle thing too.

    One thing we are going to do is help someone each week put a system together. We are also going to go on house calls and check out some of the best setups.

  4. #4
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Man, I have never read anything like this thread before, saying it in a good way, both of you. I like it!


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
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  5. #5
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Nice read , but the F bombs killed it for me. Enjoy your journey can't wait to read more.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  6. #6

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    That guy is a complete cretin. I hope he never gets another review.

  7. #7

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by Howiebrou View Post
    That guy is a complete cretin. I hope he never gets another review.
    Which guy?
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  8. #8
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    My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    Which guy?
    13th note guy Simon Price.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  9. #9

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    13th note guy Simon Price.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    I was having a hard time telling them apart.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  10. #10
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    I was having a hard time telling them apart.
    You know how all those reviewers act alike.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  11. #11

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by joeinid View Post
    You know how all those reviewers act alike.
    Yep, it’s quite common for reviewers to go on audio forums and/or their websites and talk about being abused as a child and threatening to commit suicide.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  12. #12
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Don't do it MEP, don't do it .
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
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  13. #13
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Myers View Post
    Don't do it MEP, don't do it .
    LOL. Do it! Do it! LOL.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  14. #14
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    The guy wants to be an "Influencer" and make money off the internet. I can't believe their are companies out there that pay people a great deal of money to "mention" their products. The Internet is the worst and best thing to impact our society in the last 20 years.
    Jim

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  15. #15
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    We must be living in a pandemic ...
    ~ Bob ~
    "And it Stoned me to my Soul" Van Morrison
    ClickAudiophile Audition
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  16. #16
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    LOL. Do it! Do it! LOL.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Hahahahaha
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  17. #17

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quick update, just waiting on the gear to get here. We are going to be live if anyone wants to say hi. I will post the time and date when I know. All in I think I am excited.

  18. #18
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    I found much of this thread interesting, especially the part about price and what is best. I would say to that there is so many "the best" out there and there is nothing "the best". It is to each of us what works best for us; our ears, our home (room), our musical taste, our budget restraints, etc.

    Sometimes chasing that ultimate goal means actually taking a step back or forward as the case may be. My personal example of this is in a couple component. And what works better for me, or "the best" for me would definitely not work better for everyone.

    Two examples, my newest pre-amplifier. The Hattor passive pre called "The Big". A passive pre-amp is certainly not for everyone. Some people prefer tubes, or various features, various "house sound" colorations. And that is ok, but what I mean in saying a step back is I have had much more expensive pre-amps, a Audio Research, McIntosh, etc., even a known "Giant Killer" the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2 cost a lot more, actually in some cases several times more than the Hattor, but the passive pre-amp is better for me, my personal "the best".

    My second more recent example is my new speakers. As long as I can remember I have been a KEF fan. I own a pair of R700's which is the most my budget allows for at this point in time. I have been fixated on getting Reference models or ultimately The Blades, but I do not feel my current circumstances, room, wife, budget, would ever allow for this.

    When reading some various articles and recommendations on what is most important to me a name kept popping up. A name I have heard of for years but never ever have listened to. But the more I read and then researched the more these sounded intriguing to me. This company has a cult type following for over 50 years now. Why I have never listened to them is hard to say. And, they are a huge step down in pricing and actually doable in my budget. So I took a chance and purchased a pair of these speakers. I've had friends tell me these are more "audiophile" than my KEF's, whatever that means.

    So far, with only a week into the Magnepan experiment I am thrilled. And these are less than half the price of even my low end KEF's.

    Sometimes a step down is a step up, for me anyway. And this is the point. The more I get into this crazy hobby, the more I realize that there are many products available and sometimes a step down is not really a step down. I have had friends congratulate me on the decision, even congratulate me on the step up in speakers. The point is that each of us prefers something different and have various circumstances. More expensive does not always mean better, or "the best", only different. The Magnepan's have driven this point home very clearly to me.
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  19. #19
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Absolutely spot on Randy, more expensive gear does not always equate to better sound or determine what we may prefer. I've generally found that within a brand's offerings there is a more likely correlation between cost and performance, but when comparing different brands superiority does not always correspond with price. This is such a subjective hobby incorporating a significant emotional aspect that personal preferences will often differ from objective performance.

  20. #20
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Myers View Post
    I found much of this thread interesting, especially the part about price and what is best. I would say to that there is so many "the best" out there and there is nothing "the best". It is to each of us what works best for us; our ears, our home (room), our musical taste, our budget restraints, etc.

    Sometimes chasing that ultimate goal means actually taking a step back or forward as the case may be. My personal example of this is in a couple component. And what works better for me, or "the best" for me would definitely not work better for everyone.

    Two examples, my newest pre-amplifier. The Hattor passive pre called "The Big". A passive pre-amp is certainly not for everyone. Some people prefer tubes, or various features, various "house sound" colorations. And that is ok, but what I mean in saying a step back is I have had much more expensive pre-amps, a Audio Research, McIntosh, etc., even a known "Giant Killer" the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2 cost a lot more, actually in some cases several times more than the Hattor, but the passive pre-amp is better for me, my personal "the best".

    My second more recent example is my new speakers. As long as I can remember I have been a KEF fan. I own a pair of R700's which is the most my budget allows for at this point in time. I have been fixated on getting Reference models or ultimately The Blades, but I do not feel my current circumstances, room, wife, budget, would ever allow for this.

    When reading some various articles and recommendations on what is most important to me a name kept popping up. A name I have heard of for years but never ever have listened to. But the more I read and then researched the more these sounded intriguing to me. This company has a cult type following for over 50 years now. Why I have never listened to them is hard to say. And, they are a huge step down in pricing and actually doable in my budget. So I took a chance and purchased a pair of these speakers. I've had friends tell me these are more "audiophile" than my KEF's, whatever that means.

    So far, with only a week into the Magnepan experiment I am thrilled. And these are less than half the price of even my low end KEF's.

    Sometimes a step down is a step up, for me anyway. And this is the point. The more I get into this crazy hobby, the more I realize that there are many products available and sometimes a step down is not really a step down. I have had friends congratulate me on the decision, even congratulate me on the step up in speakers. The point is that each of us prefers something different and have various circumstances. More expensive does not always mean better, or "the best", only different. The Magnepan's have driven this point home very clearly to me.

    Right on Randy, about the buy expensive is NOT always best concept. Pretty much so on anything. Case in point one of our neighbors bought a really high Fridge Sub Zero Pro 48 about $14K and has nothing but problems with it. My little $1800 Whirlpool hasn't had a problem in 8 years.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  21. #21
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by CPP View Post
    Right on Randy, about the buy expensive is NOT always best concept. Pretty much so on anything. Case in point one of our neighbors bought a really high Fridge Sub Zero Pro 48 about $14K and has nothing but problems with it. My little $1800 Whirlpool hasn't had a problem in 8 years.
    In general my wife and I prefer to buy quality products, spend a little extra to get something better, and most of the time buying quality does indeed pay for itself. However more expensive does not always mean the best quality.

    Case in point, we one time bought a really, REALLY expensive coffee machine (my wife had to have it)... a Krups machine; the dang thing was $2500... it worked well for a while, maybe a year or so, and then it went to hell in a hand basket, so to speak. Ridiculously how bad it was for what was paid for it. We replaced that with a not cheap but not ridiculously priced Krueger. It has been an amazing machine, for a fraction of the price, but still a high quality product.

    However in audio components many high quality built pieces are reasonably priced. Sound preferences and performance may not necessarily cost over the top prices. Also, one person's "the best" may not be and probably is not the same as my "the best".
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  22. #22

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Myers View Post
    In general my wife and I prefer to buy quality products, spend a little extra to get something better, and most of the time buying quality does indeed pay for itself. However more expensive does not always mean the best quality.

    Case in point, we one time bought a really, REALLY expensive coffee machine (my wife had to have it)... a Krups machine; the dang thing was $2500... it worked well for a while, maybe a year or so, and then it went to hell in a hand basket, so to speak. Ridiculously how bad it was for what was paid for it. We replaced that with a not cheap but not ridiculously priced Krueger. It has been an amazing machine, for a fraction of the price, but still a high quality product.

    However in audio components many high quality built pieces are reasonably priced. Sound preferences and performance may not necessarily cost over the top prices. Also, one person's "the best" may not be and probably is not the same as my "the best".
    In an ideal world the amount one spends on something would equate to some added benefits. But in this world we live things are not as they should be. I remember I had a $200 dollar Panasonic DVD player. I remember Some company took it, stuffed it in a aluminum case and charged $4k. Different company did the exact same thing 4 years later with Oppo.

    Look at Devialet they where in my opinion making real tech, real gear. I know the marketing was always vapid and insane, but, marketing. But now just price increases.

    I can name a lot of companies who just stop, they just get to a point and coast. Look at Mcintosh I know people who dream their whole life for gear they never heard. When In my opinion an M33 will make the MA9000 suck on it's bolts like it wished it could become it.

    Now my beef is with all this is simple. Just be honest, I know a guy, 2nd cousin actually. Who owns a MA8000 with some 803D1s. The Amp is ass, he can trade straight up for better amps. But he is honest, people come over see the green gauges and melt. People see that color and name and think it's $100k, that makes him feel good. I have no beef with that, I respect it.

    I once took my 220 (200 at the time) to his house. The Devialet played better than the Ma8000 in every way, I mean shredded. He could of got a 400 at the time and, put $2 or $3k in his pocket. He looked me dead in the eye while listening to The Boxer by Paul Simon. "boy that sure is the sound, but who in the hell in their right mind is gonna feel the Big D!CK Energy looking at gold food scale" I laughed because I understood, I got him

    So many times, when talking to people I fear the discussion going into audio. So many people say they are audiophiles but the sound is secondary to them. It's really all about that Big D!CK Energy. The saddest thing on Earth is when I have to listen about Bose for 15 minutes.

    I mean imagine someone telling you for 15 minutes BDE stories about Bose. I can't I am polite I am nice, but I can't F**cking humor them.

    You like your Bose, I am happy for you. But it's a convenience and lifestyle thing. Not a, high end audio thing. It's always followed up by anger when they hear other cheaper brands that I do consider audiophile. The answer is the same, the other brands are about the sound.

  23. #23
    Senior Member
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    Ormond Beach, Plantation Bay CC
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by griffithstrife View Post
    In an ideal world the amount one spends on something would equate to some added benefits. But in this world we live things are not as they should be. I remember I had a $200 dollar Panasonic DVD player. I remember Some company took it, stuffed it in a aluminum case and charged $4k. Different company did the exact same thing 4 years later with Oppo.

    Look at Devialet they where in my opinion making real tech, real gear. I know the marketing was always vapid and insane, but, marketing. But now just price increases.

    I can name a lot of companies who just stop, they just get to a point and coast. Look at Mcintosh I know people who dream their whole life for gear they never heard. When In my opinion an M33 will make the MA9000 suck on it's bolts like it wished it could become it.

    Now my beef is with all this is simple. Just be honest, I know a guy, 2nd cousin actually. Who owns a MA8000 with some 803D1s. The Amp is ass, he can trade straight up for better amps. But he is honest, people come over see the green gauges and melt. People see that color and name and think it's $100k, that makes him feel good. I have no beef with that, I respect it.

    I once took my 220 (200 at the time) to his house. The Devialet played better than the Ma8000 in every way, I mean shredded. He could of got a 400 at the time and, put $2 or $3k in his pocket. He looked me dead in the eye while listening to The Boxer by Paul Simon. "boy that sure is the sound, but who in the hell in their right mind is gonna feel the Big D!CK Energy looking at gold food scale" I laughed because I understood, I got him

    So many times, when talking to people I fear the discussion going into audio. So many people say they are audiophiles but the sound is secondary to them. It's really all about that Big D!CK Energy. The saddest thing on Earth is when I have to listen about Bose for 15 minutes.

    I mean imagine someone telling you for 15 minutes BDE stories about Bose. I can't I am polite I am nice, but I can't F**cking humor them.

    You like your Bose, I am happy for you. But it's a convenience and lifestyle thing. Not a, high end audio thing. It's always followed up by anger when they hear other cheaper brands that I do consider audiophile. The answer is the same, the other brands are about the sound.
    That was Lexicon that took a $500 OPPO 83 and and dressed it up in a fancy case sold for a lot more.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  24. #24
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
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    Kansas
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    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Quote Originally Posted by griffithstrife View Post
    In an ideal world the amount one spends on something would equate to some added benefits. But in this world we live things are not as they should be. I remember I had a $200 dollar Panasonic DVD player. I remember Some company took it, stuffed it in a aluminum case and charged $4k. Different company did the exact same thing 4 years later with Oppo.

    Look at Devialet they where in my opinion making real tech, real gear. I know the marketing was always vapid and insane, but, marketing. But now just price increases.

    I can name a lot of companies who just stop, they just get to a point and coast. Look at Mcintosh I know people who dream their whole life for gear they never heard. When In my opinion an M33 will make the MA9000 suck on it's bolts like it wished it could become it.

    Now my beef is with all this is simple. Just be honest, I know a guy, 2nd cousin actually. Who owns a MA8000 with some 803D1s. The Amp is ass, he can trade straight up for better amps. But he is honest, people come over see the green gauges and melt. People see that color and name and think it's $100k, that makes him feel good. I have no beef with that, I respect it.

    I once took my 220 (200 at the time) to his house. The Devialet played better than the Ma8000 in every way, I mean shredded. He could of got a 400 at the time and, put $2 or $3k in his pocket. He looked me dead in the eye while listening to The Boxer by Paul Simon. "boy that sure is the sound, but who in the hell in their right mind is gonna feel the Big D!CK Energy looking at gold food scale" I laughed because I understood, I got him

    So many times, when talking to people I fear the discussion going into audio. So many people say they are audiophiles but the sound is secondary to them. It's really all about that Big D!CK Energy. The saddest thing on Earth is when I have to listen about Bose for 15 minutes.

    I mean imagine someone telling you for 15 minutes BDE stories about Bose. I can't I am polite I am nice, but I can't F**cking humor them.

    You like your Bose, I am happy for you. But it's a convenience and lifestyle thing. Not a, high end audio thing. It's always followed up by anger when they hear other cheaper brands that I do consider audiophile. The answer is the same, the other brands are about the sound.
    Unfortunately I have to agree. I grew up in Binghamton, actually in the shadow of the McIntosh factory. I have to have at least one Mc piece (I have a tuner). But for my system I own a passive Hattor pre-amp, a T+A DAC, a little dinky T+A amp, a SimAudio phono stage; all of which Mc fans would consider toys, but all of which sound many times better than McIntosh gear .
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  25. #25

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    You see Randy, you see that right there. What we just did is exactly what the world needs more of. I gave you my honest feeling and opinion about a brand, a brand you just happen to own. And rather than attack me for it, you heard me. We are having a real discussion, and guess what. I happen to respect your choice, I have always said, if I get anything Mcintosh made it would be the turntable or the tuner. I mean they look amazing, and I figure I would never use either. No knock on turntables I been thinking about getting one. I can't chase vinyl I just started milling my own flour and well that is time consuming. I can't even pick a first vinyl.

  26. #26

    Re: My Audio Journey.

    Well, after spending a lot of time and some money I am all set. The first podcast will be live tomorrow between 11ish to 2ish I hope you guys stop and say hi. We will be talking about speakers and amp prices value propositions. We will be talking about the Nad M33, and some new movies and TV shows news. We might even discuss my new bread mill and the advantages I personally have seen from milling my own Flour.

    If any any vinyl guys want to pop over and try and tempt me in, you are most welcome.

    Podcast will be saved once done, I will add links here. Thanks.

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