Killerpiglet has made the most meaningful comment yet..."Listen to the music, not the sound." The only criterium you need for a stereo is how much it makes you want to listen to music. Oh yeah, another one - how much more time and money do you now spend on music and searching it out? Oh yeah, another one - how much more time you spend reading music reviews instead of equipment. O.K., that's three. Oh, and one more - how often do you sit in front of your hi-fi, smile, and say out loud "Damn, that Art Blakey can play some mean drums!"
I was recently told by a high end manufacturer that I have "two nice pcs" in my system and this is a "good start". And yet, last night my wife had to drag me to bed because I could not stop kickin' out the jams (remastered editions of Cream albums for God's sake!). I literally walk by the listening room sometimes and just fondly gaze inside anxious for another listening session. My speakers were not approved by this manufacturer and yet I love to watch reflected sunlight dance on the rosewood cabinets. I have actually walked by and patted them affectionately. This is a real good indication this system gives me serious musical pleasure. (O.K., that's five criteria.)
By the way, I use a 300B SET amp and have used tubes for over 20 yrs. I also use a passive "pre-amp" and my system thrills me. My brother commented a few months ago that he could never have a stereo like mine - he'd never get anything done except music listening, and they could not play it when people visit. No one would want to talk, just enjoy the tunes. But then, that's my passion in this hobby. There are people whose passion is the equipment and technology. And God bless them because they come up with the stuff I buy. The speaker manufacturer, by all accounts and reviews, makes an excellent music lovers line of products.
I was recently told by a high end manufacturer that I have "two nice pcs" in my system and this is a "good start". And yet, last night my wife had to drag me to bed because I could not stop kickin' out the jams (remastered editions of Cream albums for God's sake!). I literally walk by the listening room sometimes and just fondly gaze inside anxious for another listening session. My speakers were not approved by this manufacturer and yet I love to watch reflected sunlight dance on the rosewood cabinets. I have actually walked by and patted them affectionately. This is a real good indication this system gives me serious musical pleasure. (O.K., that's five criteria.)
By the way, I use a 300B SET amp and have used tubes for over 20 yrs. I also use a passive "pre-amp" and my system thrills me. My brother commented a few months ago that he could never have a stereo like mine - he'd never get anything done except music listening, and they could not play it when people visit. No one would want to talk, just enjoy the tunes. But then, that's my passion in this hobby. There are people whose passion is the equipment and technology. And God bless them because they come up with the stuff I buy. The speaker manufacturer, by all accounts and reviews, makes an excellent music lovers line of products.