Could you keep your current (or favorite) gear for 10, 15, 20+ years?
- Thread starter joeinid
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Thanks you Ken and to others for your kind words
I agree with your view. I actually went back and edited my earlier reply to Darrin which better reflects my thoughts (see below)...
Dpod4
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That's fair - I had the lower priced reference integrated amp, running it straight from source and then adding different preamps in the mix. I also had an audio manufacturer over for an amp shoot out who also is a recording engineer. Consensus on how that one piece sounded and compared.
I heard AJ Conti of Basis uses the the entry Pass Labs 30 watts amp in his system. That says a lot. I heard the big pass amps in Jeff dorgays system and man they sounded incredible. Threw some heat but after hearing those I would buy pass labs for sure.
We all have different preferences and different ears literally physically different "hearing curves" so that's what's awesome about this hobby - knowing who has similar preferences and ears. I think Joe and Mike and I like warmth and body and I simultaneously crave speed/accuracy. I didn't like magico q series because when I auditioned my ears heard a slightly bleached sound but the S5 did it for me...warmth and body plus speed and accuracy. So it is true even within a brand the house sound deviates.
Great question Joe. My mind is still being blown on a daily basis with my system; there are times when I am trying to do work and have to turn the damn thing off because it steals my attention away from the documents I am trying to either comprehend or draft. It can be a time machine that makes me a teenager again; I never thought I could come close to the illusion of actual musicians playing in my house! Tonight it's Moon and Entwistle RIGHT OVER THERE as I crank the HDtracks of Quadrophenia with peaks hitting over 100dBZ per the iPhone app. And it's clear as a bell.
Now there are certainly systems out there that assuredly sound even better than mine, including without doubt many of yours. But after the next piece arrives next week - what I hope is a real upgrade in the silver disc-playing department as well as my first crack at computer audio playback capability - I'm telling myself I should be set for a good long while...
...which is exactly what I told myself 2.5 years ago, right before I swapped out the Plinius amplification for the current stuff. So really, who the hell knows?
Now there are certainly systems out there that assuredly sound even better than mine, including without doubt many of yours. But after the next piece arrives next week - what I hope is a real upgrade in the silver disc-playing department as well as my first crack at computer audio playback capability - I'm telling myself I should be set for a good long while...
...which is exactly what I told myself 2.5 years ago, right before I swapped out the Plinius amplification for the current stuff. So really, who the hell knows?
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Darrin,
I agree. There is so much great gear out there that most of us are all in a great place now. I am not going to do anything until after summer and figure out how my demo with Devialet goes. Let's face it. We are all very lucky to have what we have. I can only imagine how nice Jeff Dorgay's system sounded
Peter, you can't ask for much more than that. I loved my Studio2's when I had them. I literally had to turn the amps off at night to get any sleep. My CJ gear on them was outstanding. I suspect it would be even better on the Salon2's based on what I hear on friends systems. I am so glad you are happy.
Hi Paul, thanks for your kind words
I agree, the Vitus Signature series has uncanny synergy with the S5's. I am loving the sound which is wonderfully pure, natural, well controlled and tube-like. I can't wait to take delivery of my SCD-025 dac/cdp which should be awesome! I also have further plans to move up the Vitus line later this year. Stay tuned! 
Cheers Darrin. You owe it to yourself to audition the Vitus Sig series if you get the chance. The Class A integrated is quite a bit better than the Ref series integrated as I said & sounds a bit more 'romantic' than the separates.
Pass Labs (being a legendary US high end manufacturer) will always be more popular in the US compared to European manufacturers like Vitus. That is to be expected. One just has to be content with thier choice of gear and enjoy the music! :audiophile:.
Good show Myles, the AF Strumento amps are good value & very powerful. Sounds like your system is really 'purring along' now! :roflmao:Very un-solid-state-ish and faithful to the music.
And I haven't even had a chance to use the amplifier with its matching preamplifier yet.
Sucker definitely runs hot; kitties appreciate that though! Sweet Pea at the spa.
Well said.
But as a side, the bulk of Pass' growth in sales is now coming from outside the U.S. My understanding is that they are becoming increasingly popular outside the U.S. now.
Cheers Mike, I was thinking more of the US market to point to their natural popularity. That doesn't mean that a less established non-US manufacturer such as Vitus has less merit. Actually it could be quite the opposite. In any case, you will be increasingly popular with me if you offer to trade your Pass XS amps for my SIA-025! :lol: You are living the dream Mike, they are mighty amps for sure! I have to remind myself I am only 44yo & am doing pretty well on my audio journey for my age
Agreed, quite the contrary in fact. One of the reasons I'm considering T+A for a SACD spinner (as crazy as that seems).
As for Vitus, my first experience was a haunting one. I stayed for two hours and just kept hoping the owner of the store wouldn't kick me out. He had the big Vitus stereo class A amp and a matching preamp. At first, he played Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company on SACD. It was a hauntingly real experience. I do recall him flipping between the S5's and Q5's for a gentleman who came in to listen. We went back and forth. We all honestly thought the Q5's paled in comparison to the lesser expensive S5's - even the store owner. I remember first posting that almost two years ago and was immediately ridiculed. I believe today, sales and popularity of the S5's proves me right.
I do wonder if Vitus will ever scale their manufacturing to the point where costs can come down? I find their biggest barrier to ownership here is price.
And yes, you're doing quite well. I'm sure you have your eyes set on some a Vitus separates perhaps?
Well yes, a logical outgrowth of Pass getting the AMP* right with the XS series.
* AMP = Asian Market Pricing
Yeah I had a look at your other thread...that T&A player looks beautifully built for sure. For comparison, here is a pic (below) of the player which will be flying from snowy Denmark in the next monthAgreed, quite the contrary in fact. One of the reasons I'm considering T+A for a SACD spinner (as crazy as that seems).
As for Vitus, my first experience was a haunting one. I stayed for two hours and just kept hoping the owner of the store wouldn't kick me out. He had the big Vitus stereo class A amp and a matching preamp. At first, he played Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company on SACD. It was a hauntingly real experience. I do recall him flipping between the S5's and Q5's for a gentleman who came in to listen. We went back and forth. We all honestly thought the Q5's paled in comparison to the lesser expensive S5's - even the store owner. I remember first posting that almost two years ago and was immediately ridiculed. I believe today, sales and popularity of the S5's proves me right.
I do wonder if Vitus will ever scale their manufacturing to the point where costs can come down? I find their biggest barrier to ownership here is price.
And yes, you're doing quite well. I'm sure you have your eyes set on some a Vitus separates perhaps?
The current spec SCD-025 has a DSD board which supports DoP, though my main interest at this point is in spinning well mastered/recorded rbcd's. My latest acquisition is a rare copy of the 24kt gold DCC remaster of Joni Mitchell 'Blue.'Mike your description of your experience hearing the Vitus class A amps with the S5's echo's my own experience. I even used the same word "haunting" to describe my epiphany of hearing the SIA-025, SCD-010 & Magico Q1's paired with Siltech Royal Sig series cables. That experience directly led me to selling off my old system including my Boulder 1060, heavily modded Ayon CD-5s & Marten Coltrane Alto's.
Yes being right doesn't always make you popular. I found that out on another forum. When the S5's were released, I posted a thread proclaiming the S5's were "the best cost/performance speaker Magico have ever made" and named the S5's as "the high end bargain of 2012". I was predictably attacked by a couple of usual suspects. But I feel like my enthusiasm has now been vindicated.
Vitus doesn't want to become too big, as he doesn't want to compromise the hand-made quality of his gear. With that said, he has just moved into a new, larger and more high tech factory which will enable production to increase overall. Besides that, audio has always been a hobby to Hans which became his job. He is a musician first. I know US pricing can be pretty high. It's the same in Australia now due to the low AUD vs Euro.
I actually don't have any plans in the next few years to move to separates as I don't have the room in my current loft apartment. However I plan on adding another front end component in the next 12 months, though i'm keeping that one under wraps
I plan to one day buy an architect built house to my specs & have a dedicated listening room. That's when i'll step up to Vitus mono's & possibly an MP series preamp, but that's a long way off. But as Myles will tell you, a front end upgrade can transform your system.Attachments
My current focus too is on old CDs. Been spending way too much on early Japanese pressings of favorite albums. But cementing my commitment to that format is what has resulted in my waiting this week for the new source component to clear U.S. Customs.
That's unfortunate for you guys Down Under. To the extent that the Euro is really weak right now against the dollar, the present time is a good one for Americans to pounce on that lusted-for European luxury item. I won't deny it aided my decision to go ahead and buy now.
Dpod4
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This was my bad and I apologize - i reread my post and my opening statement was sweeping and arrogant. I should not have made a value judgement but instead just described what I heard, noted the differences and what was most pleasing to me. Having listened to just one piece of Vitus gear without full Vitus loom puts my commentary in the "take with a grain of salt" category. Also, I should have stated - by liking other amps more it doesn't take away from the Vitus from being a great amp. I actually was going to keep it for my second system (integrated vs separates) but sent back to seller since it needed warranty work. Again, sorry if my comments were disrespectful ... And I deserved the comment back - good reminder to be careful how I phrase my opinions.
It's all good.
I have bought a few Japenese SHM cd's recently. I would like to buy a lot more audiophile discs, but don't want to compromise my system development. Congrats on your new spinner. Which player did you go for?
The AUD is currently around 68-69cAUD to the Euro, whereas the USD is around 88c to the Euro, meaning Vitus for example costs about 1/5th more here just due to the exchange rate. There is also much less ex demo or 2nd hand high end gear which comes up for sale as the Australian market is pretty small in the scheme of things, meaning it is a big accomplishment to build a world class high end rig down here.
Btw, you have a very nice rig there...congrats :thumbsup:
MDP
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This is great example of how great the people are here, thanks !
