I don't know if I would call it a hobby...just yet. I'm 34, and about 3 months ago decided I could finally afford to purchase my first *real* audio/video system. Up to this time, I've lived with low end junk. I must admit for someone new to this, it is rather intimidating to say the least. Members have been very helpful from audiogon and audio asylum in answering many of my questions.
I've spent this time auditioning equipment, reviewing information from Audiogon, and other websites, and basically becoming familiar with what was involved. Everyone I know thinks I'm obsessed...I have finally selected all of the components and because its my first system I have actually yet to hear it, as I'm awaiting the arrival of a few pieces this week.
After much anxiety over selections, I decided on Sonus Faber Grand Piano home speakers, SF center, and SF wall for rears, Rel Stadium III sub (the dealer that I worked with recommended this over the StrataIII due to the size of my living room), and the Cal audio labs 2500 series, preamp/pro, 2500 MCA, VSW, and CD/DVD player. Cable and interconnects are Nordost Blue Heaven (still awaiting their arrival). Everything I purchased except the sub, cables, and interconnects was through Audiogon dealers, at a substantial reduction over retail.
Before making my speaker selection, I listened to B&W Nautilus line, Dynaudio Countour, Vienna Accoustics, Revel, and Aerial Accoustics. Close second was Aerial Accoustics, third choice was Vienna.
The most challenging part was trying to audition the other components, as stores didn't carry all lines for comparisons. I listened to Proceed AVP w/Revel speakers and was underwhelmed, B&W speakers with Marantz, McIntosh, and B&K equipment, Dynaudio Speakers with Simaudio W-5, and Anthem pre, and Sonus Faber speakers with Krell, Classe, and Theta Casablanca. I was unable to hear them with the CAL equipment, but opted to buy CAL based on the reviews, and after many email exchanges with members from Audiogon and audio asylum offline, on CAL performance in 2 channel. I learned from a former CAL employee that much of the voicing on the CAL MCA was done using Sonus Faber speakers as the lead design engineer owned them.
Because I live in the very expensive Silicon Valley, I have only my living room space to adequately house both audio and video. Hopefully I will not be disappointed with 2 channel sound when the system arrives. I also bought the Pioneer Elite 710HD RPTV, and a Tosiba W808 VCR.
I was also very surprised that so few women were visible during this process, both at the audio stores and audio websites. I suspect there are probably more women like me, who are reading the posts, but not posting.
