Acquiring an awesome system, but how?

Using your ears is a must. I have listened to many pieces of fabled kit over 30 years of hi-fi, and some have been sadly most disappointing. In the UK, it's much easier to get demos (either in a shop or preferably at home), as the density of hi-fi shops is much higher.
For me, the 'revelation' purchase was a pair of Avantgarde Duo horns. that has been the buy that has transformed my musical experience most in the last 30 years. Next was the purchase of my TRON tube pre-amp (www.tron-electric.com) and then my Allaerts MC1B cartridge.
I go to lots of gigs (more than 20 a year) and we have lots of music at home. 4 pianos at home including a Steinway Grand, drums & trumpet get played on a daily basis, so I know what real instruments sound like.
It is more difficult in the USA, as getting to hear some piece of high end kit can be very difficult.

Good luck!

Charlie

Blindjim "I believe that there are really only 3 different types of sonic reproduction given the level of many of the listed systems here on the pages of AudioGon , and those to which most subscribe to attain. Hmmm that’s pretty good! Yes siree!

Oooh, now that’s special!! No question.

And then there’s "Oh, My God! That’s amazing!"

The latter response, has been what I have grown used to hearing from those who have come to listen.

I have Always wanted a system, where I am in the middle of the room, with speakers all around me.

After many years I have reached my goal.

P.S Audio GCA-500,PCA-2/HCPS in front at 4ohms.
Statement power cords,Statement I.C.'s, speaker cable, power conditioners.
too much to list, it works.

With 4 separate Stereo Amplifiers, plus 2 powered subwoofers, and 18 separate speakers.

Because the sound is from 8 different locations around me,
the sound just "is", basically 2 separate systems looped as
one in Stereo, with no processors at all.

There is simply no substitute for 2kw.+ of power.

Synergy, Control,Extreme Dynamic Headroom,Balance.

"REAL" Musical Instruments, have a "BIG SOUND!"

Listen to your neighbors Steinway Concert Grand Piano
sometime, and then try to reproduce that same "Dynamics",
the Piano plays on your Audio System.

Generally 2 speakers will not cut it.Without driving them hard,then it is obvious where the only 2 places in the room where music is playing,straining to fill the room.IMHO.

The 18" and 15" subs. help reproduce the lower octaves of
the piano.

Active 4 each 15" Drivers and 4 each 12" along with 4 each 8"-6.5" drivers, for the
meat and potatoes of the music. Tractrix Horns for the
Natural sound of the Human Voice, and all horn instruments.

Done right, all the speakers literally vanish! It's funny,
people always get up, and walk up to the speakers and put
their ear up to the drivers, to hear if it is "on"? They
smile, and just look around the room saying..."OH my...!"

Then they ask, "how far can the music be heard, if I turned
up the volume?"

I shake my head, with a smile, saying "I don't know, but,
if I turn up the volume much, crockery and glassware damage,
is a given."

I know I do Not own the "Best of the Best", but it IS,
The Most Satisfying Listening Experience Ever! For me in my Life.
I used the below site for a rough estimate, and then,
just followed my ears.

J.B.L.
http://www.jblsynthesis.com/products/system_overview.aspx?prod=SYN-ATLAS&Language=ENG&Country=US&Region=USA

When I listen to music, I think of Mel Brooks in the "History Of The World" when He say's "It's good to be King!"

Except I am NO King, and I am so thankful to be able to
enjoy Music at This Level.

Enjoy the Music!

Bjpd57a1

18 SPEAKERS, 4 SUBS, 2K WPC, AND YOU IN THE MIDDLE?

OMG... now, that is amazing!

marry into money

the easiest way to achieve an awesome listening experience is to acquire master analog tapes and a decent tape deck. the rest of the stereo system, will be secondary.

in fact a set of headphones is all that is necessary to achieve a very statisfactory listening experience with master tapes.

of course, finding master tapes is not easy.