Words From the Wise

Don't overlook one of the "weak links" in a system.... ac outlets!

Hifisoundguy, yes, for years I rejoiced in the fact that my cheap house builder chose to use Eagle outlets, as they sounded much better than the Levitons, especially their hospital grade ones.

Relative to my early systems, all manner of new concerns have become important. Cabling, power cords, shelves, record cleaning, stylus cleaning, and isolation feet now matter.

It is possible to be economically deprived and still be in the "High end". First, you have to buy the low end of the "High end", next you improve it by swapping out capacitors. Always make your own interconnects; Vampire wire and Belden have very good products. You can also build speakers for home theater and bedroom; you will need an engineer to design crossover for listening room speakers. It is possible to have the highest of the "high end" sound on the cheap.

Orpheus 10,

Yes, it is possible as demonstrated by my friend the "Evil Weed". He has parlayed a modest investment into a SOA system by buying his gear on the internet and then having it modified by the original designers who often no longer work for the company and often are thrilled to update their designs, often at very reasonable prices. It also helps if you have friends who are willing to loan you pieces for audition. Sometimes we forget that yesterday's
Editor's Choice is just as good even if it has been replaced by a new product. Audio is a fickle industry. I am using a TT that is almost 20 years old and speakers that are almost 8 years old.

Listen to as many systems as you can
Buy what works for you, not anyone else
A very modest, well thought out system set up properly will outperform a much more expensive system that is poorly set up
Don't listen to the hype. There's so much BS in this hobby it ain't funny
In the end it's the music - Enjoy listening always