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How Do You Live The Audiophile Life

I don’t really have the credentials to be on Audiogon. Kef Q150s and new NAD equipment that replaced my stalwart Arcam Solo. Maybe I can peek over the fence.
So I’ve have a question about the new equipment. I’m browsing the forums, looking for an answer. I know as much as about audio as anyone who isn’t an audiophile. But I was astonished at the number of brands I’d never heard of. And I know the price of the stuff I have heard of.
I’m in NYC. Maybe there’s five high-end dealers here. I’m guessing that number drops off quickly once you cross the Hudson.
This is a long winded way to ask how you live the audiophile life? How do you get access to this stuff? I’d want to hear something before dropping a car-like sum on it. Do you buy blind? Do you travel? Go to the industry shows? Help me, teach me, inform me.
I guess this question applies to speakers as well. Maybe more so. But I was in the amplifier section so . . .
paul6001
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
That’s how they get ya. They start you out on the harmless stuff, you know, 45s and 8-tracks and cassettes. Before you can turn around, BOOM! you’re a full-blown audiophile with a $30,000 system. They don’t call them dealers for nothing, ya know. Hel-loo!
cd318
2,636 posts
 
asvjerry,

"..padding the ’listening den’ enough so it looks less ’room’ then padded cell...."


That’s made my day.

I guess I shouldn’t laugh too much, just in case someone else actually went that far.

I will admit to considering it though.
Only considering - but in this instance lazyness was my guardian.
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,734 posts
 
cd, I suspect a SO somewhere 'modded' the door to the audio cave door with a lock on the exterior ONLY....👀!  (🤷‍♀️*L*)

The reason and rationale could likely be understood, given 'extenuating' circumstanse....extremism begets extreme response, in relationships as well as audio pursuits....but all of this is mere conjecture on my part. *G*


knotscott's avatar
knotscott
974 posts
 
I haven’t stepped foot in an audio store in more than 20 years, yet my system has continued to evolve via several relatively low cost DIY upgrades.

I’m fortunate enough to have acquired a couple of Dynaco ST-70s, and a Lazarus Cascade Basic tube pre-amp years ago. During the Covid 19 lull I rebuilt all of them. The Dynas got the wonderful VTA PCB boards, and the Lazarus got new caps and resistors....all got new tubes. The Dynas are now running in a vertical bi-amp configuration, as suggested by VTA’s Bob Latino.

While I was at it I bought some bulk 4-conductor 12 gauge OFC cables and made some new runs of speaker wire.

Overall, the system has never sounded better to me, and it’s been a lot of fun to find some renewed interest in it.

Next up - A fairly inexpensive outboard DAC for my old Denon CD player.
cd318
2,636 posts
 
asvjerry,

"....extremism begets extreme response, in relationships as well as audio pursuits....but all of this is mere conjecture on my part. *G*"


I hope so. Even though the existence of the hi-fi widow has been known since the days of Edison, I'd like to think we're all doing better than that - lockdown or no lockdown.

My own audiophile journey has known many low points, for sure many have  cleaned the mains plugs and fuses, but the holes for the wires too and sockets too? Then there was that ludicrous 350 mile round trip to pick up some Quad ESLs, and let's not even start on all those various turntable mods..

However, however getting locked up in my over bass trap-treated room by my spouse?

Well not yet, anyway. 😉
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