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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
ishkabibil
422 posts
 
Obsessive to the point of dysfuctional.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
But in a good way, right? 😉
alfa100's avatar
alfa100
221 posts
 
CD318. Your experience is very similar to mine. Pinthrift: my final frontier was coupling my speakers to the walls ... and then happiness. I’ve decided I’m done. The end. Now just enjoying the music for what it is. This is an excellent thread and all the posts have been excellent reminders  not to stray from the path.



stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,480 posts
 
I suggest going to real live concerts....the sound is way different than are the recordings.  The difference is animation vs reality.
audiodidact's avatar
audiodidact
88 posts
 
Hello All,
I too am beginning my journey into audiophile land and could think of no better way to start than to sign-up here and start my education.  I come from HT as a film lover with a significant investment there.  But as the film scores and sound engineering have progressed over recent years I started upgrading my audio equipment.  It didn’t take long to realize that while I was changing up the sound stage for movies, the music became increasingly more interesting.  I have always felt something almost spiritual with good music, but until recently I’ve rarely heard it played well.   I am a real neophyte here, with little more than marginal equipment.  My first concern is about my recent purchases of an Emotiva A-5175 and a Acurus A200 x 3.  I know neither of these qualify for serious audiophiles but its where I’m starting.  I run DefTech BP9020 towers and MartinLogan Dynamo 500 subs x 2, with a Denon x4500h as a preamp.  What this meager little system has done for me is open the door to what is possible.  I have also purchased a Bluesound Node 2.1 and subscribed to Qobuz Sublime and Tidal Hi-Res.  Roon soon.  But could you help, even at this very low level?  I first must decide which amp to keep, so I’m ABing them over the next few days.  I suspect the Acurus, if its in decent shape, will out-perform the Emotiva.  I’ll listen carefully.  But your thoughts and recommendations are most welcomed. Don’t worry, I’m not thin-skinned, be honest.  I want to be shown the best paths.  And thank you for this wonderful forum.  
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