Why did you purchase the equipment you have and what do you like most about it?

I was away from quality stereo equipment for about a long time since having received a Pioneer receiver, large advent loudspeakers, a used Sony reel-to-reel tape deck and Garrard turntable as gifts from my parents when I was a teen in the early 1970’s.  I enjoyed that equipment but gradually got away from it by the 1980’s.  I was working, married, didn’t have much money and bought an inexpensive all-in-one in the mid-1980’s.  I bought some gear in the 1990’s that was on a similar level to what I had as a teen, and for years that was good enough.
 

It wasn’t until 2020, when I was single again and could do anything I wanted, that I got into higher quality equipment.  I didn’t have much access to hear audiophile equipment, so I read a lot of reviews and comments.  I also had a limited budget, and that certainly shaped my thinking.  I see that a lot of members here got equipment after visiting high-end music dealers and trusting in the advice of the sales people.  I think that is why I don’t have the exotic gear that many here own.  I have a more basic system, it sounds good to me, and I don’t have anything to compare it to. I’m not one to keep chasing a sound — my room alone limits what a system can do, so I don’t see need to spend tens of thousands of dollars.  

Purchased alot of mid priced gear over the years and at this stage I know what I need and don't so much in SQ.  I listen at low to moderate levels and wanted gear that isn't too bulky, sounds great to me and has a reputation for reliability and longevity.

While I would like to hear alot of speakers reputed to be great sounding, I have seemed to jump off the swapping of gear for the most part.

Being over 60, I use a simple CA-1 amp with a Topping D70s dac driving Audel Magika II speakers.  The other is a Keces E40 with an Aune dac upgraded with a Sparkos OpAmp and its own brand LPS driving Opticon 1s with good results.  Nothing super expensive, all bought on discount whether a sale, used or closeout/demo. 

Though not perfect and I could nitpick, the SQ I hear is very good, even in comparison to more expensive gear I have had prior in  amps or speakers.  

With amps I wanted smaller and lighter, got it.  The dacs have a reputation for value for performance, got it.  The speakers, were the latest purchase and I wanted smaller.  The Opticons work well with my small sub as a fillin and the Audels good on their own. 

The latest speakers, the Audels were a last minute consideration that came up in which I considered the Fritz Carbon 7se, Audio Craftsman Laval and Victoria, Revival Audio Atalante 3, Dali Rubicon 2, some Xavians (hard to find) among many others I seemed to have crossed off the list for one reason or another.

The least expensive and smallest at the time were the Dali Rubicon 2(still thought too high even on closeout) and the Audel.  I almost decided on the Fritz from the great feedback and as it would be the easiest to resell down the road from reputation but the Audels came up and after a quick review, felt they could be a great match for my needs and at less money on closeout. 

What tilted me towards the Audels were a combination of what was stated in the reviews, the actual cost of the drivers, the overall size as well as the birch plywood box over mdf (I previously looked at Closer Ogy but deemed to bass light for my needs).   Probably a bit less warm sounding than the Fritz but I was used to metal tweeters beforehand and find its a resolving and detailed listen which is still easy on the ears with good depth.  Either would have fit the bill but the cabinet pushed me over the decision edge.   I feel the Laval also offers alot and looked great in its walnut veneer.  So many choices.

Well, that's where I'm at.   If the D70s goes, I would either replace with a Centaurus and perhaps with a DDC for an expected improvement too or if I can, perhaps something like the new Denafrips Venus (if I can get at a lower price used) or such as I feel the chain is good enough to justify a more expensive dac. Time will tell but for now, its good.

My move to tube equipment was revelatory, as was my move to single-driver, open baffle speakers paired with my REL sub. in headphones, my crazy RAAL "ear speakers" are the next best thing to room listening.

On the surprising side, I am indifferent to the sound quality of my Einstein "The Turntable's Choice" dual mono solid state phono preamp and my Allnic H-1201 tube phono preamp. Maybe they're both really neutral sounding, who knows?

When I was in my 20's, and in love with music, I wanted a good stereo - like my older brother (his was Technics/Panasonic/Bose). I stumbled into a dealer in western Mass that became Music First. They were a Linn/Naim dealer, and had a bunch of "feeder" brands that eventually fed you to the Linn/Naim products. I started with a Rega Planar 2, with an NAD integrated and a pair of KEF speakers. Their policy hooked me - they would use 90% of the cost of your current stereo (if purchased from them) towards a new component(s). And so it began. The Rega/NAD/KEF became a Linn LP12/Naim Nait/Linn Kan set up. Which became a Linn/ Naim 42.5-SNAPS-110/Kan set up, and on and on. Getting a 90% return on each stage of my investment kept me saving for the next step. 

When that store closed, and I was more on my own, I started experimenting with different kids of components, and this was fueled by curiosity. The love and passion for music (aided and abetted by equally passionate friends), was an separate, but related stream.. They were tied to each other, at least somewhat - I really think being young, and having a decent sound system made me take chances on music I might not have paid any attention to had I been still using my used, all in one box setup. I was taking some risks on the music I engaged with, and I would take some risks with the equipment that rendered the music. I tried planar speakers, and tube amps, and open baffle and idler drive turntables and now I'm trying horns. The music is the constant, and the equipment is for playing around with. 

I am currently enjoying  Thorens 124/all Zesto tube electronics/Volti Razz horn speakers. And it is very enjoyable, indeed. But someday, in the next couple of years, I'll try out some omni speakers (Decware, Walsh, Gerhswin???) just because I am curious about them...

Late summer, 1977. Savings from first summer job purchase an MCS ( Technics or Panasonic rebadge)  receiver, speakers, and turntable from the J.C.Penney catalogue.  Elton John and the Doobies, Pink Floyd and Bowie.

Brick and mortar purchase of ESS 10" 2-way, Nikko integrated amp in 1980, and Onkyo turntable w Grado F3. Good God Magnum!  Police were occasionally called to my parent's home. Flipper and Dead Kennedys,  Residents and PIL. 

 Current system is very, very good. Vandersteen Quattro,  McCormack DNA-1 ( gold+ rebuild from Steve's shop )  image and slam in my tiny 12x12 treated room . I bought the heavily advertised VPI table from Upscale, with  Hana ML  and a Sutherland 20/20. Holy cow, end game satisfaction . I've purchased only LPs and CDs ( CD only releases DO happen ) for 5 years while the Mrs and I grind out this last 3.6 years to retirement. King Crimson and Steven Wilson, Throbbing Gristle and Rodger Waters ( and finally a new Gilmour original that ROCKS ).  I'm sure your cables are fine, as are mine.

There will be a new house, in about 4 years. With a new room and guidance from my beloved to buy new for this last system. My Quattros and my LS26 are 19 years old and slated for upgrade. Leaning towards new DeVore Gibbon X or Carbon Quattro, but excited by Vittori and other horn types, that might call for Quicksilver amplification.  Hana cartridge will need replacing, leaning towards a moving iron w replaceable stylus to reduce maintenance costs. 

The new house will have shelves and shelves and shelves for my records and CDs and books- I'm now self  bound  to 2 records/ mo for space constraints in this 950 ft2 condo. I pre-ordered Wilson's The Overview, shipping from England next week, leaving me a delicious trip to the record store this afternoon.

Enjoy the music!