Your reference system?


What is or was your reference system that you have heard and why?

In recent years mine have been:

1) VAC amplification running Magico Mini speakers
2) Conrad Johnson amplification driving Quad ESLs
3) all mbl system driving mbl 111s


128x128mapman
My current one is my benchmark.


The term comes from a mark carpenters would put on their bench, from which everything was either above or below. 

It keeps me from spending or wanting a lot more, though I have been thinking of upgrading my DAC sometime.
My current main system is my Reference system and I have reached nirvana with it.  I have no desire or $$$$ to change it.   It does what I want and sounds perfect to me. 
My current system is my current reference as well.

ARC sp16 pre-amp->Bel Canto Ref 1000m amps-> OHM F5 series 3 speakers.

Sources are Linn Axis table with Denon DL103R cart, Logitech Squeezebox Touch -> mhdt Constantine DAC or on occasion Iphone to Chord Mojo DAC.

The ones I listed in the OP are the ones that most helped land me where I am.


My reference "system" is my town's symphony orchestra that accompanies very gifted teenaged musicians at a local church on a quarterly basis. We sit right between the piano and the string section. THAT is the sound I'm trying to replicate in my listening room. Nope ... not even close yet.

Frank