If money were no object, what would be in your rig
Many of us have admired great systems on Audiogon like Albert Porters and some of us prefer a more simpler system. If you could change any component(s) what would it be and why? Or are you satisfied with what you have?
Ok, to be honest, I wouldn't change much. The room I'd put a lot into. I wasn't lying about that. I'd go with an all tube setup. Probably some Cary or Ayon Audio monoblocks with 300B tubes. A rockin' turntable that is as beautiful as it is functional. The speakers? AAD 2001s on custom stands and Cardas Golden Reference wire. It'd have to be to the simplest and most inspiring layout consisting of the most beautiful woods one can imagine. And it isn't because I'm materialistic. Its because I believe that if something is so good that it wouldn't hurt to make it look good too. Oh yeah, and the 1947 Cheval Blanc
MBL 101 Loudspeakers, most likely, their matching electronics...the Power Plant by PS Audio. Digital, most likely not the Exemplar, as 'cost no object' would render this unlikely--and I don't know what is out there in the cosmos. The room might be as important, as anything with the Radialstrahler, technology makes for 'lots' of room interaction--so maybe a larger house/room combo.
This would do until something better came along.lol
Twilo, After your mention, come to think of it, I was going by an earlier recollection, a WKRP'esque Lonnie. She should have left well enough (!!) alone. I tho, am not one in position to point fingers, as I did once have a "procedure" performed. The truth be known, a penis job. A reduction tho....It was killing my back carrying that around.....is this truth or fiction, let's let you decide
Bigger, dedicated room in a house of my own at least a stones throw from any neighbors (it would be good if I good shoot skeet off my back porch). I'd keep my system 'simple' and just enjoy the music. Let's see now, Luxman 509u One of the Tonian Labs with the PHY driver Maybe a MAC sourced system with a pro Weiss DAC via firewire or a damn good CDP I like to live modestly.
OK with that kind of sum i would go for raw DIY-I would invest 97%of that money to plasma speakers technical researches to extend response down to 80hz , left 0.6% manufacture one prototype, 2% build dedicated house with optimised airflow to prevent any health issues ,then buy and mount in wall 346 scan speak 23w4557 9 inch subwoofers all over the room and feed each with 500w digital modules. with left few bucks i would give to charity organizations, buy older style studio master tape player ond so on.
Money no object? Forget the rig. I would hire the original musicians to come to my house and play for me! Perhaps a personal assistant to make all arrangements for that as well.
Erastratus, in my opinion, yes the XD-1/Oppo is better. I love the Oppo on both HDCDs given that it has the Crystal chips and on SACD. My life is complicated, however, by having a Mac Powerbook Pro music server using Amarra and Pure Music and various dacs. If you are willing to go to this expense, cds do sound better with a server. John does have a music server also, but he is selling the hell out of the Oppo mod.
Dedicated and professionally designed listening room with all the bells and whistles (dedicated lines, room treatments, Oyaide R-1 wall outlets...). Top line amp and pre-amp from a manufacturer such as Tidal or Soulution or comparable quality company. Audio Magic Oracle line conditioner. APL NWO 4.0 or whatever is their best current CD player. Speakers would be something like Tidal Sun Ray or Focal Grand Utopia EM and I would add a top-tier turntable to round out the system. Oh yeah, I would keep my Meridian 504 tuner - I like it that much.
Tbg and Lrsky - could I ask if the Exemplar Oppo is really better than a decent transport connected to the Exemplar XD-1? I know it supports other formats, but for 2 channel playback, is the Oppo really better?
Cheers. (Sorry, this is presuming you have the XD-1/Oppo for comparison).
Proper room size and treatments + Duke's Dream Makers + Atma-Sphere S-30 Mk 3.1 and MP-1 Mk. 3.1, both with all upgrades + excellent power regenerator(s) + hire Duke to set it all up properly. Never had the pleasure of hearing this gear but it always reads wonderful to me. And besides, when $$ is no object we upper crust types can afford to be whimsical.
Lrsky, yes I have one. I know how you feel as I had the Exemplar moded Shanling, which was excellent. The Exemplar/Oppo takes a long time to reach its best. I also had the Denon 5910, the 2900, and the 3910. John is a brilliant guy.
TBG, Have you actually heard Exemplar's Oppo conversion? A good friend received his just the other day and, in accordance with all known 'rules of audio' we listened to it right out of the box...still a little cool to the touch. I owned Exemplar's Dennon 5910 conversion, and felt that it was some of the finest digital that I had ever heard, with Exemplar using the Active Tube loads as well as replacing the 'el cheapo' parts through the audio section. Well, now I'm a little bit sick...the new Oppo unit makes my unit sound 'broken' for want of a better description. It really is REMARKABLE. It's clearer, by a wide margin, and with no 'etching' which can be common to such improvements...as a matter of fact it sounds so much smoother, and more musical, as to not be believed. I recently dusted off my LP12, and am about to put it back in the system--but know in my gut that their's no way that it can sound better than this masterpiece from Exemplar. I was, at a time in audio when I thought it impossible, 'shocked' at the difference. It's the best digital I've ever heard, by a margin I can't describe. Run, don't walk, and order one.
First, I'd add Elrod Statement Gold PCs everywhere (probably the single biggest improvement I've encountered in 40 yrs as an audiophile), along with his latest speaker cables. Then I'd upgrade my digital, but I'm not sure to what - Esoteric, APL, Exemplar-modded something, Playback Designs? Then I would improve my room significantly too. Finally, I'd probably upgrade my Rockport Antares to one of the latest generation of Rockports.
Full Burmester Reference electronics with Focal Utopia3 Grande EM. My best freind just bought that system, and I get to listen to it each and every wek.
Jmcgrogan2, your point is well taken. How about that guy that just won 259 million and had only twenty nine dollars to his name, I wonder what kind of system he would assemble, maybe he has no interest in this arena. Bill Gates may be one of the richest men in America, could be he has Adcom components and maybe picked them up at an estate sale. Just recently visited my doctor and knowing my interest in audio was bragging to me about his recent purchase of a Rotel system. Not to hurt anyones feelings I told him, doc your on the right track. Whats my point, people put their money where their interests are.
We have talked about hifi orgies and the hokey pokey among other things, someone is getting turned on about audio, maybe we can get these things layed, and then put to rest. LOL.
Magfan, I would much prefer the non-SE version of the Oppo because it has the good sounding Crystal chip set which makes sacds and HDCDs sound great. I would, of course, get the Exemplar mods done on it. I also would never steam off the internet, but would continue to use HDD as a source through Firewire cables to a dac that accepts such a cable.
Also, don't want no stinking popcorn. Pretzels and beer, or nothing! But in moderation.
Rtn1, I like your answer. If money were no object you still would choose to be reasonable and look for gear that offers value. I feel the same way but don't want to tread on anyone that feels otherwise since there are no right or wrong responses.
If money were no object, my rig....would be basically the same.
This is not to say that money is currently no object. However, I am always in search of that value, end-game component that gives me the sound I want. I also like to feel like I am getting a very good deal, and have acquired many pieces at opportune moments.
So sure, I can make a list of the world's most expensive equipment, but would it be musically satisfying?
Were money no object, I would immediately buy the Tidal Presencio and Impact Monoblocs. I would not change any source (Bergman SIndre with Ortofon A-90 and Mac server with Weiss Minerva), cabling (all Synergistic Research) or isolation (mainly StillPoints with SR Migs). I am mainly happy with my 18 x 26 x 11.5 foot listening room but would like additional low WAF treatment and more isolation from the rest of the house.
Phd, some have the hokey and don't do the pokey. Some do the pokey and don't have the hokey. I would never say that I've even approached a system with a money is no object attitude, yet I have owned audio systems worth well over $100K. For me, if money was no object, I'm sure I could assemble a dream rig/room for around $1 million or so. However, since I don't see the hokey coming in, short of hitting the lottery, I won't even bother with the research. I'll just spin some more Licorice Pizza instead.....John
Same room, I like where I live. BAT REX preamp would replace BAT VK-42SE BAT REX monos would replace the Manley Snapper monos BAT VK-P10se w/Bat Pak would replace The BAT VK-P10 phonostage Harbeth 40.1s would replace the Harbeth SHL5s Not sure what my new Turntable/arm would be. But cartridge would be the Dynavector XV-1t to replace the XX2 MKII I use now.
Magfan, lets hear the rest. I have found that dreams can come true and when you set goals and in time we will reach them. There is nothing wrong with wishful thinking.
I would go INSANE at the choices. How about an ALL Magnepan HT setup? 20.1s all around. Bryston monobloc behind each speaker. Individual 20 amp circuit to EACH and a pair of 20 amp circuits to drive the TV and other low level electronics. Room designed and built by some major consulting / design firm. (Rives?) AT LEAST 4 subs. No less will do in MY fantasy setup. All equalized to 20 hz. Who makes the best sub? REL? I'd have my own drop from the transformer, too. with the stereo having its own 200 amp panel......House on a completely separate line.
Motorized screen, (research needed) a projector and of course a new HOUSE to go with it all! Probably a modest 2000ft/sq with a 400ft/sq HT room for the new toys.
Jmcgrogan2, really, I didn't know that any gear could be that expensive. I think you missed the point entirely and the thread was meant to examine someones dream system. As an audiophile you already know that most of us have set lofty goals. But I think it it is clear based on the response from Shadorne he has no monetary constraints. If you don't have the hokey, you can't do the pokey. That is not meant to be sexual.
Well, the OP clearly stated that money is no object, so for those that need clarification, let's say 100 million trillion bajillion dollars....Euros of course....
For 'A lot' of money I'd work on the room. Acoustic treatments, new drapes and other appearance items.
At the 'Obscene' level, I'd add some new electronics and a pair of new subs, to replace the single sub I now have.
If I were truly 'Profane', I'd go all the way spend and about 130$ per square foot on a full designed in room addition of about 300 ft/sq. At that point, I'd replace my MG1.6s with the forthcoming (I should live so long!) MG3.7s
Remember Magico Ultimate II horn speakers? After I customize my miniature Carnegie Hall, I'd install the Ultimate IIs, multi-amped, and get a nice chair to admire the organ pipes behind the speakers. Once that's set I go to my huge record collection and grab some LPs. Then I'd pass through my fabulous modern art collection to reach the mega-wine cellar. By the time I have made it back the tubes would be warmed up, ready to go. All my tubes would be NOS for the 1920s-30s in their original packaging, which I would keep in the original store display units that I painstakingly scoured the globe for. I would also be backing my own high end tube company and reprinting all the classical albums that no one seems to want to reprint (180 gram/45 rpm). I can afford to work out the details with Sony and BMG. Maybe I've talked myself into reel to reel and I go that route too?
I would purchase some Soundlab U1's new with 2 of those huge Wilson Sledgehammer (?) subs. I would keep my current TRL electronics and then spend some big $$ on room treatments and sound consultants for room set - up.
I also want one of the large wind turbines to generate power for my sound room only :-)
I think I would still be looking more at the question of how and why does something blend (or not) and work well (or not) with something else. That means a nice fat budget to buy used equipment and flip it back out if I don't like what I'm hearing.
That and probably some formal education from a technical college to round out my electronics knowledge. There's more fun in this hobby when you have a soldering iron in one hand and a schematic in the other.
Mbl 101s running right just might just be intoxicating and disorienting enough sonically and visually to do the job! Not many other speakers out there that I think might though however.
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