The Horror
After getting back home from “The Show” in Costa Mesa, California this past weekend, I walked over to my stereo system and turned it on. And silently wept. I had held out a feint hope that my cross-over modified 1.7i Maggies and mighty Parasound A21+, fed from a Prima Luna 300 tube preamplifier could somehow manage a slight shimmer of resemblance to the robust setups I witnessed at the SHOW. Not—- on— your —-life. Not even close. I slumped into my over-stuffed couch and stared long and hard at the thing I created: an anemic concoction of false hopes and wishful thinking. The horror, the truth: entry into serious audiophile listening begins with purchase of speakers that cost the price of the car I had to finance for 4 years, closely followed with the added expense of beefy sophisticated electronics and wiring, not a gaggle of cheap wanna-be plastic and tweeks. I so wanted to belong, but that’s turned out to be just a fever dream I’ve got to wake up from. Maybe one day, if ever I have the nerve to rob a bank, find Jimmy Hoffa, or survive a head-on collision from a sleepy Amazon driver, I might make it. Maybe. Feel free to play the violin with two fingers.
ap1…. I can certainly understand your not appreciating what Maggies can do for your personal listening pleasure. However, when you limit the entire universe of amps to just two brands, and also not hear any differences between cables, it kinda limits the strength of your arguments… Just hoping that you’re finding pleasure with your rig, as that’s what it’s all about. Happy listening. |
Accuphase and Luxman are two known brands which make FULL FEATURED control amplifiers. If you play vinyl - better get one WITH tone controls and rumble filter. Power amplifiers field is much broader and there you need to choose what is most compatible with your speakers. Cables do change sound, but I would never choose those which do (other than reducing noise level). I use tone controls, if I need to alter the sound.
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@ap1 while you might be trying to be helpful, your advice above ($20k entry point, Luxman or Accuphase) is somewhat narrow and wide of the mark. The OP was seeking help understanding what about his setup was holding him back. Its the room combined with a buffet of gear which either does not have synergy with the room or with the other gear or both.
While there are many great speakers for the arbitrary budget you just established and while both Luxman and Accuphase are fine brands with excellent options in their lines, there are many others here who have heard both extensively and chosen other brands…and vice versa. To the OP, stay the course and address your room and acoustics…only then will you alone know appropriate next steps. |
I for one have never gone to one of the big audio shows, probably for the same reason as the poster, I’m sure mt system would be woefully inadequate after hearing the megabuck systems put together by experts. instead I have over the years put together a decent sounding system, going back to vinyl as my primary source. I still listen to CD’s and streaming but my three turntable, yes three, obsessive but different sounds that I enjoy from each table, cartridge and phono preamp. Trust your ears, use room treatments as they help tremendously and sit down and listen. As others have said your components are ten times better than the Best Buy mass market stuff most people have.
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Thank you Ghasley. I was just about to respond with something very similar. There is so much great gear out there now at varying price points and with different sounds/synergies. I just think that we should not give folks the impression that they only have a very narrow set of options from which to choose. Listen to that sound in your "mind's ear" that you're trying to obtain, and then go out and listen, listen, listen to various components and setups. Just keep moving toward that sound. You'll probably never get there, but you can get close! :) |
