The BEST system you've ever built !!!!

Before sharing the contents of my system, pedestrian as it may seem to some, I'd like to add support for the notion that this isn't about "mine's bigger than yours". The real issue is whether one's system delivers the intended levels of enjoyment, right? To that end, give up the list, Carl_Eber. You know as well as anyone that it's not the price of the toys, but how well they're matched and, maybe even more importantly, how lovingly they've been assembled. That said, my best system is the current one and, though still only a few months "new" it's the culmination of several years of research and auditioning. Needless to say, I'm quite proud of it. Here's the (almost embarrassing when compared to what others have) list: Amp - McCormack DNA-1 w/SMc Audio's Rev. "B" upgrade, Preamp - Sonic Frontiers Line 1, Source - CAL Alpha/Delta DAC and transport, Speakers - Hales Revelation Threes, Power cords - BMI Majik throughout, Cables - AP Oval Nines, Digital IC - Illuminati D-60, and ICs - HT Pro-Silways throughout. Next addition: power conditioner, vibration isolation and a tube roll. Then I'll be done. Right...?

To that end, nope, don't think I will, sorry. The original question was "what's the best system you've ever built?"...Not, what's in the current one you have now, anyway. Whether the guy intended it, or not, I interpret it as a question meant for those who have set up many very high rez systems over the years. I said that I have not done so many yet, and also feel that most of you have not. That's the way I interpret it, that's the way I answer it...but I'm also not interested in running on about what's in my system, and so I choose not to reveal it. It's not that I'm being overly secretive, it's just that it's not important to me, that everyone know. So just listen to yours, and be happy...you know you will anyway.

I have built a few systems, mostly mid-fi because of the budget others were working with (i.e., parents & friends). They wanted certain capabilities but didn't want to shell out the $$$. My system has been a "work-in-progress" as it sounds like others are too. That's half the fun, right? I have heard high $$$ systems, some that I loved and others that I liked. I guess you can equate it to something like - do you prefer the sound of a guitar or a piano? Both can be expertly constructed and expensive but are designed for different types of music. The analogy here is that it depends on the taste of the individual and the music they prefer - or mostly listen to (hope that makes sense). My current system has evolved over the last 15 years and, until I get a substantial raise, it will continue to evolve modestly. I have performed just about every tweak I can to extract the maximum performance from the equipment. Alas, just about every piece of gear though is under $2K retail though. I know where I'd like to be and am sure I will get there some day but I do enjoy my current set-up. I would list all my gear but this post is long enough already! BTW: I've had the pleasure of listening to Albert Porter's system and it IS awesome! I will say that it is his knowledge, experience and hours of dedication that has gotten it to sound so good!

I think it's also kind of interesting to see how good a system you can put together on a limited budget. To give a little hope to those here who can't spend as much as a Mercedes on audio, I'll put my system out there. It's not the last word in resolution, but it sounds pretty nice and all was purchased second hand. Vandersteen 2ce with stands (retail 1400, I got them for $450,) Radio Shack 10 gauge (pennies), Aragon 24K preamp ($399), Dyanco ST-70 ($300 on Ebay) running highs, Marchand XM26 ($199 Kit form) Tube Active Crossover, Perreaux P2150 (over $2000 grand new, got it for $575) running bass, And Sean here on this website set me up with some spectacular interconnects for only $15 bucks each pair...they were so good I ditched my more expensive pair. Cheap Nak CD4 on source...that's kind of embarrassing, but I'll get something better soon. So there you go, a pretty damn good system for about $1800...you can't get a fancy rack system at Circuit City for that anymore.

Carl, Not to out you or anything but let me guess from memory... Resolution CD player, Rogue 88 amps, Krell KAV 300i amp, VPI turntable (or was it Sota), and MIT terminator 2 cables, MIT interconnects. For the love of me, I can't remember your preamp...perhaps also a Krell? See, you just have a very noticable presence on Audiogon...and I've got a pretty good memory. How accurate was I?