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Collecting Within One Brand

As a reader of Audiogon for years I've taken note of many people collecting across brands. While I'm always tempted to buy a different preamp or Cd player (and have indeed done so), adding to my speaker collection is done strictly within a single brand. I wonder how common this is.

How many people try and collect the best from one manufacturer? For me - its like collecting all of Van Morrison's releases or making certain I have every Eva Cassidy single and album which has been placed for sale. I'm more curious about how the artist or manufacturer who has captured my ear has progressed throughout the years than I am at comparing them to a band or brand I don't have the same strength of feeling for.

So far - this compulsion has just been limited to speakers - and of course to music. Anyone else addicted to a single line of speakers? Mine is KEF - especially the reference series units of the 1980's. Anybody else out there?

Warm regards,

Scott
martlet
martlet OP
4 posts
 
Adam18 - Glad to know you liked the ABC piece. In more than one way I can truthfully say Eva's music has pushed by pursuit of better audio solutions.

The pure sound of her voice was something I wanted to get closer to. I wondered if there was something about her technique that I would learn as I upgraded speakers. In this pursuit, her voice did become fuller and truer to life.

Ultimately the better equipment does disclose something about her talent. The greater amplification and better speakers magnify the smallest flaw in her performance. Someone I thought was a perfect vocalist turned into someone I respected even more. I learned that she was human and whatever flaws I found were just of the moment, something every singer should be afforded.

There are a number of ways for audiophiles to hear the highest quality recordings from Eva. The are several selections on a single SACD, a full album (Songbird) on XRCD and vinyl (the US version pressed by by Steve Hoffman on HQ 180 vinyl). Finally her original releases which have long been praised for their audio quality (as noted by "Live At Blues Alley").

The link in my last post shows a picture of her latest album atop some of the newest audiophile equipment. "Simply Eva" is all acoustic - just Eva and her guitar. It offers (imho) the best version of her original arrangement of "Over The Rainbow." It has been reviewed well and achieved "Gold Record" status in the UK.
martlet OP
4 posts
 
To clarify my language..."flaws of the moment" was intended to mean things like turning away from the mic a moment early. Cassidy to my ears is never off key or suffers any other major flaw. There must be a better wording to describe a slight recording imperfection done in a live recording which only the keenest of listening will disclose - unfortunately I can't think of it.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I'm a Mirage addict. I bought my first pair, M5si's, in Oct. 1996. Over time I've turned that pair into a 7.1 surround system including a 400w 2x8 subwoofer. In the living room I have a stereo pair of OMD-15 floorstanders augmented by an MM8 sub (a 9" cube) and I'm tempted to get a second one before they're gone. I also have a couple more Mirage subs that I don't use anymore (LF-150 and LF-100) that I plan to consign.

I've been wearing (figuratively) a black armband ever since Klipsch bought Mirage and dismantled its high end lines, leaving only their "lifestyle" product line, which is nevertheless very good. I'd love to get a pair of OMD-28s before they're all gone.

If I had the money and started over with another brand, it would probably be two brands--Magnepan plus JL for the subwoofers. Or maybe GoldenEar, but I'd have to audition the Triton Two's more thoroughly to decide.
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