What is Your End Game System?

I am almost at my endgame system. I have been into Hi-Fi speaker systems for about 4 years now. I started with headphones and went to the top of that summit before getting into speakers. 
 

I started with a pair of KEF LS50 and an Arcam A-38. They lasted about 1.5 years. Then it was on to Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinums and a Hegel H360 with a Chord Hugo2 and M-Scaler. Changed out the Hugo for a Metrum Onyx and the system stayed like that for 6 months. I upgraded the Dynaudio to Magico S1MKII and the Dac moved on to the dCS Bartok. Added 2 JL Audio Fathom F110v2 subs. I though that was it this is my endgame. 
 

Fast forward about 18 months. I was looking at new speakers and ended up with the Rockport Atria II. Now I needed to upgrade the amp. I got into a pair of Octave MRE220 monos used. They were going eat amps but did not have the super black boxes and the output impedance was higher and caused some chaos with the mods paired with the Atria. Luckily they were used so I did not loose money on them and moved on to the Krell duo300xd. Now the rockports were coming into their own more bass and clarity. I am happy with the sound right?

My dealer friend then had been carrying MSB and I avoided a home trial but gave in. I ended up selling the dCS and getting a fully loaded MSB Discrete. At the same time I decided to sell the Krell and move on to the new Classe Delta separates. At this point I was done the system sounded great. I had a pre that was incredible for use with movie watching. It has built in peq and bass management. So now I focused on room treatments and I could be at the end. 
 

Last month I was at my friends shop. He had just gotten in Dan D’Agostino momentum gear. The HD pre and a pair of M400 monos. I was offer a deal that was too good to pass on. I auditioned them at home and  needless to say they are now in my system and they are the endgame for pre and amps. I have no need to look at higher level amps as I don’t have the space of electrical system to support the relentless anyway. Plus my bank account is no where near large enough. I can stop here and be happy for now. I am sure I will upgrade my speakers and Dac in the future. 

@creditingkarma , thanks for posting your journey (so far :) I think most members here can relate that each time you move up on the adio ladder the next rung takes a combination of budget and experience. A journey that takes some people decades you seemed to accomplish in a sprint. If someone were just starting out what would you share you would do differently if you knew then what you know now?

Personally, I focused on components first, IC;s second, power conditioning/cords third, room correction software fourth, and room treatments last. If I were starting over I would do the room treatments first. I got the process to really dial in the room watching a video by Anthony Grimani and he was even nice enough to exchange e-mails to help implement.

@creditingkarma

Wow, that is the fast track. You have a couple beautiful systems. When your component search ends, you have tremendous opportunities in detailed adjustments… wire, room treatments, vibration control… etc.

I finished my last upgrade about two years ago and after acquainting myself with what my system sounded like (a good solid 500 hours after breakin) I slowly started optimizing one thing at a time. Although I have nearly fifty years of experience at this, I still surprised myself. Absolutely every parameter I adjusted resulted in an improvement.

While the system does not have a vastly different character, virtually every aspect of the sound has improved. I really spent my time very carefully choosing or adjusting each. Here is a list of stuff that contributed:

Speaker location

Speaker toe in

Moved equipment from between speakers

Wall treatments

Bolsters at the wall floor

Interconnects

Added another direct line for the amp

power cords

ethernet connections

Vibration control

careful cable and wire routing

So, I’m guessing you have tremendous opportunities for achieving even greater sound. Great equipment like yours is capable of amazing feats.

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?

@kota1

my t-fusors on the side walls and ceiling are empty. my intention was to get the diffusion but not to absorb any energy or change the tonal balance. thank you for the kind words. i love my vinyl collection and play them often. yes; having clean power with plenty of headroom is the foundation of any good system. the Equi=tech did make a significant positive difference.

What would you have done differently when you started your journey if you knew then what you know now?

.there were lots of decision points along the way, where i might have made alternate choices. but mostly my steps forward have been linear. my system building has been more about my learning curve, than buying particular pieces.

my biggest single commitment was to build a great room. and it’s still the dominant issue in what i hear. not everyone has that choice, so i feel lucky about being able to do that.

Any advice for those starting their end game build?

so my advice is to keep your mind open and follow your ears. develop your own references so you can stay true to what sort of sound you want. don’t buy with your eyes. yet don’t be afraid of going with your gut sometimes. it’s a fun hobby after all and so have fun.

@ghdprentice 

Well, when you retire you have something to look forward to. I can’t tell you how much joy my system has brought me since retirement. Having time to really immerse yourself and not have to end your sessions because of other responsibilities.

exactly!. i am really looking forward to that part.....😂

you have a beautiful system there.

thank you for the kind words.