- Thread Author
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Hi all,
Found this forum while searching for reviews on the Focal Sopras.
History
I am a long time audiophile, going back to high school when I bought my first stereo at Pacific Stereo in San Francisco. I had saved my money and spent a huge amount of money for me at the time, $200 on my first receiver, turntable and speakers. It has been all downhill since then.
In college I was introduced to the high-end with a phono preamp from a small company near by called PS Audio. I later purchased a PS IV preamp, followed by a VPI table with ET-2 air bearing tone arm. Electronics were an Audio Research SP-14 preamp, supplemented with a Tandberg TD-20a SE reel to reel. I built a huge collection of progressive and classic rock music, both studio and live recordings as well as lots of Vinyl. I lost it all in the San Francisco earthquake in 1989 :|.
I really miss all that vinyl and my priceless recordings still. :heart:
I now have a modest vinyl collection collecting dust, but am toying with setting up my Well Tempered Record Player and spinning more vinyl.
Speakers
My speakers have evolved between dynamics like Vandersteen model 2's, Von Schweikert VR-4 Silvers, and Electrostatics & Ribbons like Acoustat Model 3, Apogee Duet's(a bitch to drive, flattened in the big Quake) as well as Martin Logan Requests, Aerius and Descent Sub.
Amps
My amps have been solid state:2 Sunfire Cinema Grands, ATI A8012, as well as tube hybrids: Audio Research Classic 60, Moscode 300,as well as all tube like Golden Tube SE-40.
Preamps
My preamps now are Blueberry Xtreme, along with Peachtree Audio Grand Pre and Marantz AV8003 for surround. Prior to the Marantz which supports HDMI, I used the Meridian 565, 562v and 518 for my primary surround systems.
Studio Recording
Finally, I also dabble in studio recording, and use a pair of outstanding Focal SM9's as my studio monitors. They support my Kemper profiling guitar amp, as well as Moog, Elektron, Arturia, Roland and Dave Smith synths and pianos. On the software side, I use Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Omnisphere, Ableton Live, Reason and Arturia soft synths. I love everything about guitars, except my playing ability, but I now have the time to develop that, since I retired early.
Personal Audio
I use a variety of headphones including Sennheiser 600 and AKG K702 driven by the excellent Oppo Digital HA-1 as well as HA-2 for portable use. On the road I use the Oppo HA-2 with my Etymotic Research ER-4's which I have listened to for at least 14 years!
Future Gear (Santa's List)
My to do list includes finally building a comprehensive music server to support my Slim Devices Transporter and other wireless players, and am toying with the idea of upgrading my mains to Focal Sopra, and thinning my inventory of Martin Logans, and maybe a final turntable and cartridge. I have always had a soft spot for the Oracle tables, as well as VPI Classic and 3D arm, but since the decline of audio stores, question my ability to have a cartridge installed correctly, let alone being able to audition them. No real solution there where I live.
The Most Important Part - The Music!
My musical interests are varied, primarily guitar oriented rock, but also progressive (Zeppelin, Hendrix, Trower, Stevie Ray, Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanois, Lou Reed, Bruno Mars, Tears for Fears, Howard Jones, Camel, Richard Thompson, Genesis, Muse, Porcupine Tree, Chris Issak, The Call, Chris Whitley, Peter Murphy, Sly Stone, Sisters of Mercy, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry,Beatles, Sia, Lorde).
I also like Jazz & Latin big band (Miles, Billie Holiday, Bill Evans, Chet Baker, Pink Floyd, Al Dimeola, Afro-Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, Charlie Haden, Sarah Vaughn, Sinatra and Bennett)
I have some classical(Respighi, Copland, Mozart, Bach,etc) and very little country (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson). I am open to more of each, they just don't seem to float my boat.
Last words
Sorry I was so long winded, just felt like taking stock of my audio history!!
Promise this will be my longest post ever!
Look forward to new music, and some new gear to tweak my setup, and to meet some like minded music-lovers.
jim v
Found this forum while searching for reviews on the Focal Sopras.
History
I am a long time audiophile, going back to high school when I bought my first stereo at Pacific Stereo in San Francisco. I had saved my money and spent a huge amount of money for me at the time, $200 on my first receiver, turntable and speakers. It has been all downhill since then.
In college I was introduced to the high-end with a phono preamp from a small company near by called PS Audio. I later purchased a PS IV preamp, followed by a VPI table with ET-2 air bearing tone arm. Electronics were an Audio Research SP-14 preamp, supplemented with a Tandberg TD-20a SE reel to reel. I built a huge collection of progressive and classic rock music, both studio and live recordings as well as lots of Vinyl. I lost it all in the San Francisco earthquake in 1989 :|.
I really miss all that vinyl and my priceless recordings still. :heart:
I now have a modest vinyl collection collecting dust, but am toying with setting up my Well Tempered Record Player and spinning more vinyl.
Speakers
My speakers have evolved between dynamics like Vandersteen model 2's, Von Schweikert VR-4 Silvers, and Electrostatics & Ribbons like Acoustat Model 3, Apogee Duet's(a bitch to drive, flattened in the big Quake) as well as Martin Logan Requests, Aerius and Descent Sub.
Amps
My amps have been solid state:2 Sunfire Cinema Grands, ATI A8012, as well as tube hybrids: Audio Research Classic 60, Moscode 300,as well as all tube like Golden Tube SE-40.
Preamps
My preamps now are Blueberry Xtreme, along with Peachtree Audio Grand Pre and Marantz AV8003 for surround. Prior to the Marantz which supports HDMI, I used the Meridian 565, 562v and 518 for my primary surround systems.
Studio Recording
Finally, I also dabble in studio recording, and use a pair of outstanding Focal SM9's as my studio monitors. They support my Kemper profiling guitar amp, as well as Moog, Elektron, Arturia, Roland and Dave Smith synths and pianos. On the software side, I use Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Omnisphere, Ableton Live, Reason and Arturia soft synths. I love everything about guitars, except my playing ability, but I now have the time to develop that, since I retired early.
Personal Audio
I use a variety of headphones including Sennheiser 600 and AKG K702 driven by the excellent Oppo Digital HA-1 as well as HA-2 for portable use. On the road I use the Oppo HA-2 with my Etymotic Research ER-4's which I have listened to for at least 14 years!
Future Gear (Santa's List)
My to do list includes finally building a comprehensive music server to support my Slim Devices Transporter and other wireless players, and am toying with the idea of upgrading my mains to Focal Sopra, and thinning my inventory of Martin Logans, and maybe a final turntable and cartridge. I have always had a soft spot for the Oracle tables, as well as VPI Classic and 3D arm, but since the decline of audio stores, question my ability to have a cartridge installed correctly, let alone being able to audition them. No real solution there where I live.
The Most Important Part - The Music!
My musical interests are varied, primarily guitar oriented rock, but also progressive (Zeppelin, Hendrix, Trower, Stevie Ray, Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanois, Lou Reed, Bruno Mars, Tears for Fears, Howard Jones, Camel, Richard Thompson, Genesis, Muse, Porcupine Tree, Chris Issak, The Call, Chris Whitley, Peter Murphy, Sly Stone, Sisters of Mercy, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry,Beatles, Sia, Lorde).
I also like Jazz & Latin big band (Miles, Billie Holiday, Bill Evans, Chet Baker, Pink Floyd, Al Dimeola, Afro-Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, Charlie Haden, Sarah Vaughn, Sinatra and Bennett)
I have some classical(Respighi, Copland, Mozart, Bach,etc) and very little country (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson). I am open to more of each, they just don't seem to float my boat.
Last words
Sorry I was so long winded, just felt like taking stock of my audio history!!
Promise this will be my longest post ever!
Look forward to new music, and some new gear to tweak my setup, and to meet some like minded music-lovers.
jim v
