Who R U?

Hi everyone --my name is James and I'm a 35 year old strategist for a silcon valley software company. I've lived in the bay area for going on 14 years now, so I'm too soft to live anywhere else. I'll post my system details in the proper place as a reference, but I'll say a little about my audio philosophy here.

I've read a lot of the posts on this thread and others and have tried to come to a one-man consensus on what's important about audio. For me, as involved in the gear as I tend to get, the only thing that matters is the music itself. My one goal for this part of my life is to recreate a certain feeling. That feeling is the shiver I get and the hairs standing up on the back of my neck as I experience music that touches me. I've been fortunate enough to attend many live concerts that have moved me in this way. The aim, therefore, of any piece of equipment, any tweak, any placement change, is to get closer to being able to experience that unique feeling in my listening room.

I've lurked on this site for a couple of years and have interacted with many incredible people that have spent considerable time offering their assistance. Outside of audio, I run, bike, snowboard, travel and like to drive (track and autocross) a variety of vehicles: Formula Ford/Mazda, plus my Ferrari and Porsche.

Looking forward to meeting more of you and even posting now and then when I have something to offer.

jmarkarian: well, james, we're happy you've shed your veil to join in on these discussions. sounds like your search is well-defined and admirable. we look forward to your coming contributions. -cfb

I R: a 37y.o. single but well-attached guy, no kids, from DC area who gets his $ for records and gear from a succession of sales jobs (not a "career", I fear), including stints in the audio hardware and software retail bizzes. I currently work for a local cabinetry company as a designer/estimator/salesguy, and have done designs for custom audio harware and software storage (not the majority of our work, however). I have 2-3 years worth of college coursework taken at various times, but am just a HS grad.
I've played the guitar since 11y.o., and still play in local rock bands, in a retro/punk bag. As a player, my primary stylistic touchstones are post-war electric blues, 50's rhythm & blues, rockabilly, rock and roll, 60's British invasion, surf, instrumental, soul, garage punk, folk rock, baroque pop, mod, ska, psychedelic, 70's proto punk, glam, power pop, reggae, new wave, punk rock, funk and 80's harDCore punk and indie rock. I'm also very influenced by jazz, but can't say that I'm good enough to really play it, just try to incorporate a swinging feel and the odd passing note or chord substitution.
I was conscious of quality audio as a kid through my father, who was a music lover, not an audiophile or hobbyist. He had thousands of LP's, 90% classical, most of the rest jazz. His last system was assembled in the 70's, Dual TT, MacIntosh SS receiver and Allison speakers. He added CD fairly early on in the mid-80's and has thousands of them, too. I never liked classical as a kid or young adult, but have begun to get into certain kinds in last several years, mostly early and modern, rather than the 18th-19th century standards Dad mostly listened to.
I have a several thousand record collection myself, including lots of 45's and some 78's, and a few hundred CD's. Most of the stuff is rock, jazz, and blues from the 50's, 60's, and 70's, much of it pretty obscure, but I don't consider myself a serious collector, just an opportunistic accumulator. I also listen to a lot of classical radio through my system, but mostly NPR talk or sports in the car.
I used to be the co-owner of a local independent record label that was active in the 80's releasing area punk-related bands on vinyl, and sold over 10,000 pieces nationally and around the world. I learned a lot about the technical side of recording in the studio, though I'm no wonk (anyway, digital came in after I mostly stopped producing). I still try to see rock bands live in clubs, but there isn't as much I want to attend these days.
In the last few years, I think I've spent as much on my system as on music, a trend that somewhat alarms me. For the record, the main components are: c-j PV-8 tube pre, MV-55 tube amp, modded Technics 1200 TT with B-M Glider M2, Theta Basic IIIa/Pearl digital separates, Audiolab 8000t tuner, HHB CD-R burner, NAD 6300 cassette, a vintage Sony Esprit 3-band full parametric EQ for dubbing touch-ups, Sennheiser HD600/MF X-Cans v.2 headphone combo (I've never been completely satisfied with any headphone setup I've tried, and am still not), all Cardas Cross wire, through Thiel CS2.2 floorstanding 3-ways. Next step possibilities: a turntable/arm upgrade, remote pre, separate phono pre, more amp power. I never see myself as aspiring to state-of-the-art system status, but I've already spent more time and money on the darn thing than I ever used to think I could be lured into, or am proud of, to be truthful. I bought most of the stuff used though, and stay away from high-end stereo shops like the plague, in addition to having no audio buddies and not attending the shows. So there!

zaikesman: yep, u b welcome here. nice post. i particularly like your listing of "primary stylistic touchstones." are there any others? -cfb

You know, I've never really understood what ska is, though I like the name, and now I have to figure out "glam." What on earth is that?