To simply or to not simplify?

Dump the reference system, put the kids through college, pursue your hobby again in a few years while you enjoy a sweet set up in the meantime.



Sent from my mobile.
 
Love the thought provoking soul stirring comments.
 
BTW, I get the system synergy concept but believe unless there is a gross mismatch, the amp's pairing to the speakers is more important than preamp-amp. A preamp is critical all by itself I believe, separate and apart from upstream or downstream synergy (or lack thereof).

I had an all VAC system (Ren MkIII preamp and VAC Statement 450 amp), an all CJ system (GAT plus Pr350), and all Constellation (demo Virgo preamp and my centaur amp) and an all Hegel system (P30 and H30). The ARC Ref 40 with Constellation amp beat the the all Constellation system, which was better at really low volumes but didn't hold the mustard compared to Ref 40 and Centaur at normal listening levels (re: texture, body, weight, dynamics, etc) with Magicos. And that ARC Ref 40 plus Centaur beat all the other same brand pairings referenced earlier. I do hear a difference with the Air Tight though -- The ARC Ref 40 driving the ATM-2 amp does not sound as good as Air Tight ATC-2 preamp driving the ATM-2 amp.
 
I think that it's all important. If an Air Tight tube amp can drive your speakers just fine, it's hard to imagine that an ARC tube amp in the Ref series wouldn't drive them really well and also have greater synergy with your ARC Ref 40 preamp than a SS amp from another company. For many years I belonged solidly in the 'mix and match' category. I typically always had a tube system, but it would be one brand of tube preamp and another brand of tube power amp. My first 'all the same brand' system was when I switched to SS for awhile and my system was all Krell. I learned something from this and decided that from now on, I would stick with an amp and preamp from the same manufacturer so both pieces would sound as the manufacturer had envisioned (and designed them to sound). I now have an ARC Ref 5SE and an ARC Ref 75 and I love the combination. I'm still using my Krell KPE Ref phono stage, but it's just a matter of time until that changes as well.
 
This might sound strange, but asiufy has Magico Qs and found Dartzeel a better combo than CA. You might be able to get a CTH8550 which would save you quite a bit of money for college fund and be more in between sound of Arc/CA and Airtight. Best of both worlds?

I have not heard Airtight, so tough to say. Ive heard Luxman, Shindo, Tri, and Almarro in my system only. AT does use great transformers.
 
In my opinion if your system does not draw you in and make you want to listen to it continually then something is wrong. Not that you don't have other priorities or obligations, etc. but to me it doesn't make a lot of sense to have a high end system that sits around collecting dust. Or one that you spend more time analyzing and tweaking with then listening to music with. I'm trying to get my dad to head more of that direction in terms of musicality and long term listenability.

I used to believe in amp/preamp system and brand matching until I tried the ModWright LS100 in my system with my McIntosh MC501 amps. I agree with Darrin's thoughts about the preamp being a big determining factor on its own. The LS100 sounds better in my system then the other McIntosh preamps I have auditioned. Eventually I will demo a ModWright amp with my setup but am in no hurry because I really am happy right now with how things are dialed in.

In terms of simplification, I do think about that now and again. I have a rather "complex" system trying to do both 2-channel and multi-channel/HT in the same room. I've gone back and forth in terms of optimizing one over the other, and often long for more simplicity. I did demo the KWI-200 integrated in my system for about a week earlier this year, and thought it was terrific and an incredible buy as a one box unit with phono and dac modules. If I were starting over, I would seriously consider having one as the hub of my system, perhaps with a Classic 3, the ModWright Sony 5400ES and/or HAPZ1ES and a pair of Harbeths or other monitor speaker. That would be a fantastic and simple system! However, I also like having tubes in my system now, so we will see where things go longer term, but for right now I'm quite happy with where I am at.

I like the thoughts also of listening to your second system for a while Darrin and see if you are really missing anything after a month or two. You will have to let us know if you decide on that path. Best to you either way!
 
I found that once I retired :disbelief: I just had more time to enjoy the music and not the gear. I think people get so hung up "on the gear" the over look what's important in this hobby, the music.
 
This has been such a soulful and authentic thread. This is why I LOVE the members of audio shark - such good well intentioned people who care for one another. Thanks for that. I have read and reread all the posts and taken it to heart.

Here is where I am. I am a complicated person - both my systems draw me into the music. When listening I don't think of the gear. But...when I am not listening I use audio as an escape to obsess and research and experiment. I could be happy with much less than i have now. Obsession the gear is an outlet for energy in service of something greater - listening to music. Almost polar opposite goals (getting lost in tunes versus ascending summit of gear that makes music sound great).

So today I bought at an incredible price (60 percent off) an Air Tight preamp that will accommodate my four cartridges. I can sell my arc and other gear and put $30k plus into my daughters college funds. If the synergy isnt there i will rethink.
 
Last edited:
ATE-2001 Reference. Plan on moving my ATC-2 to my vacation home to drive my CJ350
 
Big congrats Darrin. I hope you enjoy your new Air Tight preamp.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
Big congrats Darrin. I hope you enjoy your new Air Tight preamp.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

+1

speaking of consolidation- nice avatar, Mike :). Im still tempted to add an AN845 and Hugh has a mint demo if I want it...
 
Dpod4 said:
Thx. Hopefully a step toward simplicity.
Click to expand...

Yes - potentially 5 components to 2 (Herron phono plus arc phono plus arc preamp plus 2 amps to one air tight preamp and amp).
 
By the way, now that I have put better power cords into Air Tight gear and using the reference Jena Labs cables, the Air Tight is more resolving and bigger wall of sound like the Constellation. The mids are magical. No hi-fi sound...just music.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top