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An unscientific poll: How often are you happy?

What percentage of the time do you just break out in a smile and thoroughly enjoy the music *and* the sound when you fire up your system? 10%? 50%? 99%? (The other times: you hear something wrong, something lacking, needs tweaking, needs upgrading, colorations, distortions, you hear a noise, a tube might be going, not musical enough, can't suspend your disbelief the way you want to, your expectations are disappointed, it doesn't sound like you remember the dealer's system did, doesn't sound like you remember your friend's system did, you made the wrong move with the last upgrade, you doubt the money you recently spent really made a difference, the recording is too flawed, you wonder what it would sound like if you changed this or that, you enjoyed it more in the car, you question whether you've truly got your priorities in perspective, etc...) Give your %, and list the approximate $ investment you have in the system (specify new or used valuation). Mine: happy about 15% of the time, valuation around $17,000 if all bought new. Conclusions - if any - drawn later...
zaikesman
zaikesman OP
3,017 posts
 
Thanks for the input, gents, glad to see this thread revived (Detlof sez, Let's see how long it lasts!).

RC, is it your system you wind up enjoying a little less, or maybe your recordings? Does the difference matter? Should it?

As for me, both my room (I moved) and system have changed substantially since I first posted the thread, so once I finally figure out just where exactly I've landed myself, I'll have to update my $ and %.
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
I think it's the recordings, and all of them are CDs. SACDs sound terrific and involving, as do LPs. Some Cds, though, with the added high frequency extension, seem a little too threadbare harmonically, even upsampled. After listening last night, I'd maybe move the satisfaction level up to 95% with the Lamm, as I thoroughly enjoyed a few SACDs I had time to listen to last night. So I guess the Jadis is kinder to my CD collection than is the Lamm, as it adds a lusher sound to the midrange.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Rcprince, Zaikesman nice as always to be on a thread with you. Yes, all Jadis Preamps cheat beautifully in the midrange and what Rcprince found with the Lamm, I experienced with the Aesthetix IO, which is far more revealing, has better soundstage LAYERING and moves you closer to the event. However, I've found, that listening through the Aesthetix is always a capturing and thoroughly satisfactory experience, but with the Jadis, I stop listening critically and am drawn much more easily into the music. This especially since I equipped them entirely with Tele NOS of the 302s and 303s series. Yes, I'd also say, that the Jadis is kind to the software, whereas the Aesthetix, as obviously the LAMM gear as well, is more revealing and less coloured. However, the Jadis is like a beautiful women, who - although you know that she's not always completely truthful and above board - will enrapture you in such a way, that you don't much care about what truth is and enjoy the moment (to get back on topic ) 100% in complete bliss and happyness. Cheers,
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
Detlof, I presume you mean the Tele 802 and 803 series, which I use in my preamp and are as good as they say! Yes, I think that I really don't want to listen critically very much after all these years. The Lamm is a nice piece in that it handles the accuracy/musicality issue with an excellent balance, just not quite like the Jadis. A worthy replacement if necessary (although my dealer has a customer looking to sell a JP200 so he can buy a Lamm L2, maybe I should refinance the house and trade my wife a new kitchen for that piece, if I can find space to put it).
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Rcprince I would!! You will find an increase in dynamics as well as in soundstage and placement of instruments, which you have to experience to believe. Tube rolling of course is a pain on the pocketbook and yes it is the same series you have and was so envious of. I found a German source through Ebay which was both honest and knowledgeable. Cheers,
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