After fifty years… amazing. What high end audio can be.

@ghdprentice -- almost 62 here and I still own the first LP I played on my first "stereo" in 1973!  I am off to audition some speakers tomorrow and I will be bringing along one or two of my favorite Bill Evans recordings!  There is something about him that forges a personal connection to each song and it is wonderful to hear you writing something quite similar. 

I still have work to do on my "room" but I do have a plan, so more to come on this subject!

Thanks for a wonderful reflection and for the advice you have offered as a fellow ARC convert. 

@ghdprentice , once you reach this point it is more about acquiring content than components because changes might actually degrade the enjoyment you have right now, congrats!

Congratulations on your happy landing after what was no doubt, a long and interesting journey. That you achieved all of this, despite the handicap of using round copper is truly amazing.

Ghdprentice, you’re one of my favorite contributors on site too. You consistently provide well thought out and practical advice. Glad to hear how much satisfaction you derive from your current system, which you’ve obviously taken great pains to put together.

As a fellow 70 year old, my only concern is that youngsters like Baylinor and Henry58 feel entitled to chime in here at their tender age. Grow up you two. And Happy New Year to you and everyone else here, youngsters included.

Mike

Yes, I can relate as well. I have been pursuing hi-fi for over 50 years. I built my first stereo speakers (Bozak) in 7th grade woodshop.  My woodshop teacher didn't understand why I needed two speakers!  I saved all my money from cutting lawns to buy a Fisher 202 Receiver and thought I was in heaven.  I convinced my father to take me downtown (Cleveland, OH) to Audio Craft were they holding a McIntosh Amplifier Clinic.  We waiting for over 2 hours whist some of the most beautiful equipment I had ever seen was placed on the test bench.  I listened to same gear in the showroom and I was smitten. When it was my turn on the bench, the harmonic distortion graph for my lowly Fisher looked like a hockey stick.  The technician grinned suggested I upgrade to a McIntosh.  Little did I know at the time, he was the infamous Dave O'Brien of McIntosh Labs. 

Fast forward to the present, my father passed away two years and I cherish our time together and sacrifices he made to nourish my hobbies. So for the past two years I have been researching, networking, searching and building my McIntosh system and 50 years later - it is bliss. (I know that this forum is not necessarily fond of MC, but this is my story and I am sticking to it).