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Audio withdrawal

I experienced the audiophile's worst nightmare today.  A component (NuForce reference 9 mono block amplifier) went bad.  It's made by a company which has gone out of business and has no referring repair service.
My local stereo repair shop was not sure they could fix it.

My system is fine tuned to just the way I like it, and I didnt want to start over with the nightmare of mixing and matching components until I found just the right combination.
After extensive Googling, I managed to find the one person in the universe who is qualified to repair my amp, an ex NuForce employee. I  sent it off today.
My problem is It's going to take a week or two before it comes back and I'm already in audio withdrawal.
Trying to find something to do, I'm writing this post.
Anyone  have other suggestions?
 
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rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
Interestingly, I'm a retired Classical musician who was getting bored with music and started this addiction to audiophilia.
Now that I don't have my toys to play with any more, I've gone  to my Cowan MP3 player loaded with great music. 
I'm starting to listen to MUSIC again.  I'm forced now to concentrate on the music and not how I can tweak the sound.  It's a great pleasure to get back to my first love which is music.
It can only be a bonus when I get my set back together, if I don't let the addiction take over again.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
If I were classical musician, I’d probably play for myself more than I would listen to some one else.
Going live concerts is just another great idea. 
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rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
Unfortunately, for various reasons, I don't play anymore.

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ghosthouse
4,312 posts
 
Ditto dbtom’s recommendation.

Time for some nice cans and a little headphone amp. AKG K550 (extremely comfortable!), Asgard 2, and a Dragonfly Black plugged into a laptop. Cans, amp, & DAC all new for around $600.

Late arriving thought:  the K550s are sensitive enough you could drive them very well with a DragonFly (v1.2) alone.
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rvpiano OP
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Thanks for the recommendation.
i already own Sennheiser Headphones that are pretty good.
i also have an extraordinary Cowon player that reads FLAC files.
Probably  not as good as what was suggested, but good enough to listen to
dozens of albums I have on it in decent sound.

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