What is Your End Game System?

I have not gotten much into headphones but enthusiasts build end game system in headphone rigs too.

How do you "measure" your end game system?

We a microphone and measurement would be one way.
Certainly for doing room treatments. And sometimes for ferreting out ground loops and wiring dramas.

Is it by budget, how much it cost? Is it by the luxuriousness of your build and room?

Some luxuriousness helps. Some people do not have a purpose built room, but cabling things up and attention to wiring and moving away from a rats nest can usually help for not much $.

Is it by your components being either state of the art or unobtanium? Is it by the satisfaction you get when you are sitting in your listening chair?

The later for sure.
But having a state of the art system (or part of a system) is not a bad thing.

What is your end game system and how do you know when you have reached it?

I thought I had an endgame system in the 80s, and replaced part of it in ‘99.
Then replaced part in 2022.

If one puts it together somewhat thoughtfully then it should either be pretty quickly apparent that it sucks, or it should be able to provide years of enjoyment.

There is little sense in replacing it all willy-nilly if it continues to make good sound.
There are meals, trips, etc that can all make use of funds, so “perfection” can be the enemy of “good enough”.

@ghdprentice , photos posted, thanks for asking. I'll see if I can post some frequency response measurements too later.

@holmz , great point about putting it together thoughtfully. When I initially invested in higher end gear I bought what I felt was the best fit for my needs because I new it would likely be a lifetime investment. I have made two major upgrades since being in this hobby. One was going from surround sound to immersive audio and investing in a new processor and height channels. The next was when I upgraded my room treatments for a new listening room. Buy once, cry once as they say :).

I'll see if I can upload my measurements in my profile later.

@mikelavigne , OMG, your system makes the systems at CEDIA seem entry level. I noticed you use Auralex T-fusors in the front, did you fill them with rockwool of polyfil? I use the Geofusors on the ceiling You must get room service all the time because I would not want to leave that room once I sit down. Your vinyl collection is incredible. The Equitech power panel is inspiring, might as well treat the source right?

What would you have done differently when you started your journey if you knew then what you know now? Any advice for those starting their end game build?