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The Horror

After getting  back home from “The Show” in Costa Mesa, California this past weekend, I walked over to my stereo system and turned it on. And silently wept. I had held out a feint hope that my cross-over modified 1.7i Maggies and mighty Parasound A21+, fed from a Prima Luna 300 tube preamplifier could somehow manage a slight shimmer of resemblance to the robust setups I witnessed at the SHOW. Not—- on— your —-life. Not even close. I slumped into my over-stuffed couch and stared long and hard at the thing I created: an anemic concoction of false hopes and wishful thinking. The horror, the truth: entry into serious audiophile listening begins with purchase of speakers that cost the price of the car I had to finance for 4 years, closely followed with the added expense of beefy sophisticated electronics and wiring, not a gaggle of cheap wanna-be plastic and tweeks. I so wanted to belong, but that’s turned out to be just a fever dream I’ve got to wake up from. Maybe one day, if ever I have the nerve to rob a bank, find Jimmy Hoffa, or survive a head-on collision from a sleepy Amazon driver, I might make it. Maybe. Feel free to play the violin with two fingers.

128x128audiodidact
soix
9,388 posts
 

Yes I have heard the W5s at Alma Audio, 2 miles from my house.

@grislybutter Good for you, and you’re certainly entitled to your opinion. 

bjesien
1,274 posts
 

I suggest going a bit nuts at first with lots of pillow stacked up corners, blankets all over the floor, etc.  Move the speakers as much as you can etc. You want to really start to hear differences in sound and build off of that. Move so much that you might get thrown out the house because too little and you'll be left wondering if you hear any change.

uncledemp
776 posts
 

I fished today with my buddy Gregg, same boat, motor, trailer, and depth finder stuck to the aluminum with Velcro. On the same lake for the last thirty years. We are getting to be old men. I think he would give me half of his last piece of bread, and I’d give him mine. 
 

Nothing to do with audio, but I feel like a rich man today. Hope you all have a Gregg or two.

 

Peace. 

jond's avatar
jond
5,746 posts
 

Hey audiodidact don't despair man look at it this way zero in on exactly what your system is lacking and fix it. I realize this is easier said than done but a similar happened to me after my first Capitol Audiofest back in 2017. After hearing a bunch of systems I decided mine lacked midrange density. I decided I needed bigger/better speakers and a few years later I had them.

It doesn't need to be super expensive either you may find you prefer a box speaker to your Maggies and plenty at various price ranges. Also wondering in the short term if you've tried a sub with your Maggies? If not that may give you more of the body and richness you're looking for.

johnread57's avatar
johnread57
225 posts
 

Dear AD,

Yes that must have been painful. Nonetheless it gives you an upgrade path to pursue. And there are plenty of budget options out there these days. Over the weekend I auditioned some $2.5k USD speakers here in Australia- the KRIX Harmonix - that sounded super. Deep enveloping bass and great mids and highs with a wide and immediate soundstage. They were teamed up with a musical fidelity power amp. Rotel offerings these days from the 1592 MKII to the Michi lines offer great value for money - I have an X3 and soon an RA6000 Diamond series. 
There are certainly options available and the fun of finding a solution to work in your room will keep you busy.

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