2. misc-audio
  3. 179773-40

Bragging rights.....

I recently conducted an experiment and ended up moving from a very good sounding system consisting of separate components that I carefully assembled over time to a "future fi" system. Only part of the  phono rig, old speakers, their setup within the rooms, and speaker wires remain.

A Cambridge Evo 150 all-in-one replaced 9 different components including interconnect wires. I held onto all the old stuff until I reached the point where I was convinced they were no longer needed and recently have started to sell some of it to others.

The new streamlined system sounds really good! I’m not missing all that older stuff nor the work that went into assembling a good sounding system myself. ALso the flexibility to listen to music in many ways utilizing many different sources as desired is incredible!

So I think I lose some bragging rights.... it was easy to buy that one unit, hook it up, and deliver the good sound I always crave. Anybody could do it!

Also I think I no longer would lay any claim to being an "audiophile" anymore having made things so relatively simple. I will call myself an "audio enthusiast" now, however I still will always want to keep an eye on what else is out there...especially the latest and greatest innovative applications of technology that might still move things forward. "Future Fi" is the term I have read that seems to describe these kinds of transformative products these days.

Thoughts?

 

128x128mapman
sns
3,111 posts
 

Separates at the high end are like a finely tuned exotic car, everything has to be in harmony for full effect. I'll stay with the complexity until my faculties escape me and I'm unable to recall all the steps required to fire up the damn thing!

mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,088 posts
 

I would assert that The high efficiency of Class D amps along with optimizations with power supplies for that including noise suppression enables integrated amps in general to push the limits and please even more people. Having been around a while and experienced a lot in this area, that is my observation. Noise levels with Class D amps many years back was a common problem but need not be anymore.

So more is always possible with separates. It’s not a slam dunk though in all cases. In fact it’s probably harder than ever for separates to distinguish themselves in any way meaningful to most home audio users.

A hard core audiophile determined to always push the limits no matter what will still not stop trying to do that. Some will succeed. Others may not. My point is personally I no longer feel that the return is worth it for me. So I turn in my audiophile membership card. Call me an enthusiast, at least for now. 😉. I will always be a music lover.  

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

@mapman

i like this thread but am confused why you feel you need to not be called an audiophile just because you went to a simplified system... that seems silly

audiophiles care about excellent reproduction of music in the domestic environment but all audiophiles have limits regarding space, budget, placement etc etc... dealing with those doesn’t make them any lesser audiophiles

mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,088 posts
 

@jjss49

Yeah it’s just semantics I suppose and I am being a little tongue in cheek. I suppose if one is successful on achieving one’s goals, that is all that matters.

 

Talk to me in a year. Who knows what I will be then. 😃

phd
1,307 posts
 

Mapman,  I'm sorry but once you become an audiophile you can't be demoted to audio enthusiast, it's not possible here on Agon. Although nothing wrong with simplifying your system.

More to discover