Your reference system?

I'm out of money, so my current system is my reference. The one in the listening room.
SoundSmith Helios cartridge mounted on a VPI Prine Signature with ADS and periphery ring.
BAT VK-P6SE Phono Preamp
Prima Luna Dialogue Premium Pre
Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP mono-blocks w/ KT150s
ATC SCM19 speakers.
And room treatments (acoustic pamels)

I use a Lynx Hlio Pro Audio A/D-D/A w/ usb to the DAW to rip and edit the vinyl I play on the main system.


The LR is running

Marantz NS-11 S1 streaming via ethernet from an DAW
Conrad Johnson PV6 preamp - completely upgraded
Acoustat Twin 120 power amp - completely upgraded
JBL Century L100's w/ Troels Graveson cross over
And room treatments

Rollin

Hey Misc-audio

Hi.  Find the topic somewhat ambiguous, as already stated, but well meaning.  I am more camped in the school of subjectivity, guided by the hard sciences.  As I pile into my dotage reading the journals, chatting with active long time members in Audio Asylum and interacting with my local informal hi-fi club, I find that greater exposure lead to paths of preference.  In recent years, I've had the good fortune to hear great SET,  Volti Audio Vittoras in a room built to Klipshorns specs; a massive megabuck Boulder - Magico pairing at Goodwin's High End, given the "keys to the Maserati!" oh boy; an all too brief listen to a cold McIntosh tube mono block system with Thiel 3.7's..(oh the potential!)  A musician pal streams Spotify using a (Brit) Cambridge streamer to a Parasound A21 amp into new Taylor monitors and a REL sub...ya, not a true hi-end source, but, you know what....he happens to love modern classical & jazz and claims he's "done."  Another close audio buddy has wealthy audio friends "from away" who keep making him can't-refuse offers in filling up his three systems.  In the past several years he's had large AR9s, Von Schweikerts, Kings,  Dalis, plus single driver approaches to his HT.  A basement system sports a lovely vintage Majuscule tube integrated driving new KEF LS50's.  His big room has heavily modified corner Tannoys fed by a fluid stack of various Pass Labs, 300B monoblocks & big boy Audio Matiere tube gear, legendary stuff.  He also pushes hard with cutting edge vinyl and digital sources.  For me, it's like living near a start-up 80's brick and mortar!  A hoot.

In conclusion, maybe we need to lighten up on ourselves in making perfect choices for the perfect system which may not exist?  Similar to foods and beverages, I find much joy in keeping less static in my preferences.  Maybe tomorrow will bring new realities and greater profits by venturing down side roads with wider vision, open minds and ears. 

More Peace, Pinthrift     


 

Interesting to learn peoples thoughts on "reference systems".

It surely has a different meaning to each. Some could care less which is also fine.

"You can’t hit the target until you know what the target is."

I always have a target sound I am shooting for. I also have multiple systems in my house, each aiming for the same target sound and succeeding to various degrees.

Sometimes I listen seriously, other times not. I’m more tolerant of not hitting the target exactly when listening casually.

I’m on lunch break at work now listening to my music server at home remotely via Plex on Iphone with Bluetooth adapter connection to aux input on a very nice mono desktop radio, an older Sangean WR-1 (current model here https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-WR-11-Cabinet-Table-Analog/dp/B001BGGD8A). It’s a nice compact table radio (takes up very little space) with very good sound as table radios these days go, and I am perfectly happy with this as background music. Way off the target of my current reference setup in my house though. Different leagues. Maybe if I added a subwoofer ;^) ....

I have had a few that I liked a great deal, but the one with Magnepan MG-20, CJ-ART Pre, Classe Power and ARc cd player, Magnum Dynalab Tuner was one that gave me much pleasure...all Wireworld Gold Eclipse cables/interconnects. At the time I also had one of the best rooms for sound quality.

Wouldn’t it be a nice magic trick if we could all bring some favorite music and be transported to listen to each others systems? Beam me over Scotty!