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Seems I'm really done!

Since adding a Bricasti M1 DAC in December 2015, I am totally content with my gear. Oh what a feeling! 

I do do know my phono cartridge is living on borrowed time- a Linn Arkiv B,. But till it's dead- it continues to make music. 
128x128zavato
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 

jmcgrogan2:

No I do not work for Synergistic Research. I am not a paid reviewer. I do not get samples. I do not get an industry discount.

I have a fairly limited time to evaluate possible upgrades. I certainly do not have the time or money to try all the products being developed and released.

Therefore I do not jump around from manufacturer to manufacturer and product to product. For me using a slow meticulous approach to an addition to one of my systems has been the most rewarding from a sonic standpoint.

For the last several months I have spent a lot of time evaluating fuses and A/C outlets in my  the three systems. I have tried to report what I have heard as so not everyone will have to repeat the experiment.

I do think after an audiophile has a speaker, amp, front end, and room acoustics picked, the audiophile can then make or break those choices with cables, fuses, and A/C outlets.

The Synergistic Research Black fuses and Black outlets have made an enormous improvement in my systems when considering the cost of a fuse to a new amp or a pair of Elrog 300b tubes. I hope (as does oregonpapa) that Audiophiles will not overlook evaluating an improved fuse in their quest for improved music listening.

David Pritchard

               

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I do think after an audiophile has a speaker, amp, front end, and room acoustics picked, the audiophile can then make or break those choices with cables, fuses, and A/C outlets.

David, I totally agree with you on this point. I have tried a few different fuses and outlets, and many, many, many cables and cords over the past few years/decades. After decades of trying different cables/cords, I am of the mindset that ANY gear can be made to sound good or bad depending on the cables/cords used with the gear.
I have heard cables sound terrible with some gear, sound fabulous with other gear. I have heard some gear sound terrible with some cables, and fabulous with other cables.

It's all about system synergy and personal tastes, IMHO. I feel so strong about this, that I don't know that I agree with this statement of yours:

 I have tried to report what I have heard as so not everyone will have to repeat the experiment.

While a noble sentiment, I don't know that there is any substitute for personal trial and error. What sounds good to me may not sound good to you, and vice versa. Also, since we are probably using different gear, I tend not to take anyone's opinion as something that will prevent me from running my own "experiments".
I have owned too many highly praised items over the years that did not work in my system to think that anyone can perform an experiment that will save me from having to repeat the experiment. 

I've also learned that if someone is happy with there current sound to congratulate them. I do not try to stir the pot to continue to feed the disease.
I've been perfectly happy with my system a few times in the last 30+ years. I wished I could have learned to stop and just enjoy the music.

It seems every time I'm "perfectly happy" I  get bored after a year or so and try to "better" my system by trying some great new XYZ that the Net and/or Mags rave about, only to screw up my perfectly tuned in sound.
Then it takes me a year or two to dial the sound into where I am happy again, but the cycle will repeat itself.
Sigh.....like a dog chasing his tail, this is what we do for fun.
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 

jmcgrogan:

You are absolutely correct there is no substitute to doing your own work.

But as there are so many different audio fuse manufacturers, and wall outlet manufacturers, I decided to try several fuses and wall outlets and report my results. Hopefully my one data point along with other reporters will give other audiophiles an idea of what changes a product might impart.

The other interesting thing about fuses and outlets is you can easily take them out of the system and revert back to the system you were happy with. I do feel real empathy for the audiophile who sells a component to fund the next purchase that then is a step backward.

This situation is also common place in the professional musician's world. Most artist's I know wish they had not sold at least one amp or guitar.

David Pritchard  

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hello John,
You posted words of wisdom  based on many years of listening  experience. One pertinent factor for long term contentment with one's system is what is the ultimate objective?  You mention that you were perfectly happy with a system set up but then you become bored. 

If genuinely happy  why the boredom rather than continued happiness with a  well conceived system?  My humble guess is perhaps the goal was perfect sound as opposed to pure music listening enjoyment  and emotional involvement. If the objective is the latter then once reached there should be no sense of boredom.  If the goal is the former then long term contentment remains elusive  (something is always better just around the corner ). I absolutely recognize that for some the pursuit of the unobtainable perfect sound/system is what motivates them. No right of wrong choice,  but people need to define what is their end game. 
Charles, 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi David,
We all can agree that actually listening to something is the best method to make a sure buying decision. However this isn’t always practical or possible. I’ve been able to obtain first rate products based on impressions posted by trusted experienced members of this site. The SR Black fuses being the most recent example in my case. Current discussion of the SR Black and Cerious Graphene cords has caught my attention.

Just fine tuning for a system that has been intact nearly 7 years (source, electronics and speakers ). I have no plans to change the system foundation, just tweak it. It's funny but very rewarding that replacing stock AC wall receptacles and component fuses with better quality versions truly matter. 
Charles,
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