Well, in this case I really do believe you can have your 'cake and eat it too'. Through the several decades that I've enjoyed this hobby I've tried to put together systems that not only sound good but also make an interesting visual statement as well. Most of the gear has been acquired from sites such as AudioGon and E-Bay. I think the latest system is a case in point where Rowland componets have been mixed with EAD componets. Both companies use the silver diamond cut look on their faceplates and present an interesting synthesis of 'sight and sound'. The same type of approach has been used with items from several other brands. I've also very much appreciated my wife's support in all this and have tried to make the audio part of our home a pleasing part of the overall interior design. She has always been very positive about things, but I have often wondered if these efforts were enough or if I'm just blessed with a very accomodating lady. I any event, being an audio enthusiast for me has many dimensions, all of which provides endless challenges and rewards.
For the sound, or?????
About three years ago or so, we auditioned a tube amp with a pedigree name driving a set of speakers exactly like the ones my friend owned. It was certainly nothing to write home about. Actually, it was more than a bit mushy in the top end.
After we listened to it for an hour and a half, trying I/C's and speaker placement, they had to bring it to another room for a demo.
We still wanted to try a few I/C's so while we waited for the amp to be available again, I demo'd a few D/A's they had in stock just for kicks.
I hooked up the only other amp available at the time, an old scratched up 80 watt transistor name-brand amp the shop used for testing in the back room.
The speakers immediately came to life! Detail, control, subtle layering...POOF! It was all there.
We were shocked to say the least.
The amp we had been auditioning was in the 3-5K range and the old amp that had lived on the solder bench for more than ten years sells for around $120 on ebay in good shape, let alone a beat up example like this one.
A chat with both techs verified there had been no mods to the old Amplifier.
A listen by three different salesman and the techs from the back had heads shaking and smiles all around.
(He went home with the pricey tube amp.)
When I asked him why, he said he could not bring himself to own all that nice esoteric gear and have it powered by a name-brand 30 year old amp that he would have had to hide.
While I am far less interested in looks than most, I simply cannot imagine someone spending more to get less...so the face-plates will complement each other. (Especially when the price difference was this outrageous)
More recently, I checked out a set of single driver home-made speakers. While we were playing with placement and measuring reflections, we ended up substituting the tube amp for a 35 year old 22 watt mid fi receiver.
The difference was instantly obvious and for the better...like...a LOT better.
When I left, the tube amp was back in place.
Reason? "Because my SET friends would not believe it or take me seriously with that old Kenwood receiver powering my speakers.
I cannot help but wonder how many people have spent money for less sound and a prettier/more exclusive face plate.
How many of you have actually done something like this...or been there when it is happening right in front of you?
- ...
- 30 posts total
- 30 posts total