What is Your End Game System?

I like the race car analogy.

@mglik the race car analogy is good.
…most people want to spend money on every part for just a chance of speed, and fewer spend the money on the driver training, which can be applied to any vehicle that they get into.

@kota1 mentioned measuremen@ghdprentice mentioned speaker placement. These are the overlaps with race car analogy.
Until a driver is consistent, it is a waste of time to use their lap times as a metric for speed improvements.

The other overlap is trying to use money to make up for skill… which might be akin to using ICs to make up for system deficiencies?

@mglik , are you considering monoblocks for the Quad 57’s? I am not an amp expert but the reviews on the Van Alstine DVA M225 monoblocks seem to say that it hits way above its price. It has a preamp that is designed for it, the DVA Digital preamp.

"Gentleman, start your engines": :)

I’m new to the game but I did a ton of research and I ended up with a tube amp and a streaming dac plus my Klipsch Cornwall IV’s. I’ve been loving it. As long as the original recording doesn’t suck this system delivers. Great recordings sound amazing. As good or close enough to anything that I have heard at audio shows. And the reaction of people when they come over and listen. Friends and family jamming until the wee hours with smiles on their faces. And with a clean recording such as Child in Time from the Made in Japan album, I can literally play the music so loud that it will annoy my neighbors. All of that checks a lot boxes. And I an finishing a room upstairs just for listening. The space where I am setup now is far from optimal so things should get better. There will always be something new or different or intriguing. But I don’t intend to endlessly pour money into this hobby. I’m pretty close to endgame. I wanted a massive, room dominating sound that was clean and clear and nuanced when needed. I’m there. 

@chiadrum , first, welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story in this thread. Man, it must be great to get what you want jumping right into the hobby. There are many members that have a lot of experience with tubes (not me though) :). Klipsch are typically very efficient speakers and that is a good formula for some of those tube amps with lower power. Do those Cornwall's need a lot of space?

I have a Klipsch Gate streamer that I use in the kitchen paired with an active speaker and a great Klispch integrated amp called the Powergate. Both are part of my DTS Play-Fi whole house audio setup. They are more entry level products and still sound great. Congrats!!

I am rapidly approaching my end game system. The only significant upgrades left are replacing linear power supplies, and some fuses.

My desired end system is definitely measured by budget, number 1. Second is the space I have available. These constraints are concrete, but most important in any purchase is its sound. Does it suit my listening preferences.

I’m happy with my amp, streamer and master clock in present form, but these could and may be upgraded if sufficient funds fall my way.

Have sorted speakers, DDC, Dac, network switch, speaker cables (just recently), USB cable, clock cable, footers, power cables, digital cable, interconnects; all as final purchases.

Having been in this hobby for 46 years, I unable to fully describe the pleasure I get from my system as it stands. Unbelievable, from where it started.