New to Audiogon. selling my whole system


EVERYTHING. I've never done this before. It's time to start fresh. I'll soon be posting everything as I learn to use this site. I have everything from Proac Supertowers to studio 100's to studio 1 mk2 to Quick silver monos and full function pre with all MIT wire to Stax Lamda's to two Onyx integrateds etc...

Not sure how much I'll fetch for everything, but I've been listening to everything from 15k speakers to the newest integrateds. I have found a few dealers who have been ultra helpful and very nice. Many years ago I met Richard Vandersteen at Stereo Unlimited in SD and fell in love with the 'new' 2's. After a 4 year stint driving the USS Kitty Hawk, I moved back to CT and set out to finally get my new system. I sold off my moscode amp, CJ pre and Polk 10's (Sandy Gross' design) and found a Vandy dealer in RI> I became close friends with the owner and we are still in touch even though he's been closed for years. I walked in with my wife prepared to walk out with Vandy's and a new amp. Instead I walked out with the Supertowers, Quick mono's and his personal pre amp.

I have loved this system for many years and have had new drivers put in and it sounded even better. Problem is, my new wife needs a remote so I had to buy an NAD integrated. I still love the speakers, but I was told to check out the new D series of Proacs. I was led to Audio Connection and John (he posts here). I went in to audition the Pro Ac's and they were nice, but I wasn't blown away as what I have is still pretty darn good. Then John told me to listen to the Vandy's along with the Ayer 7x integrated and a cheap Music Hall DAC.

Keep in mind, I had recently heard the Focal BE line, Paradigm Signatures, B&W (never have liked them), Dynaudio, PSB T I think it was, Wilson, Dali and the list goes on. Nearly all the contenders (I"ve left some out). I have head the NAD Master series and the new NAD 390 digital. I heard the Krell, etc....

I never expected to have one system blow me away, but it did. I was in SHOCK and still am as it's the reverse of the last time. I really wanted to hear the Hegel integrateds as they have a nice DAC built in, but they aren't out yet. That said, the Ayre would be hard to beat. I like John's approach in that he puts systems together and we have similar ears. He carries the lines I have and have had other than the MIT I have been using (770 MH CVT and shotgun etc..) I also didn't think the Audioquest would impress me, but again, I was dead wrong.

I read reviews, but nothing beats listening. NOTHING. I think the Vandy Treo's , ayre 7x integrated, Music Hall DAC and Audioquest with those DBS deals are the way I'm going to go as soon as I'm able to share some great stuff with folks.

I look forward to reading more threads in the forum as it seems like a nice community.

I wonder how many have been in my boat (starting fresh for the first time after all these years)? Any stories to share?
ctsooner
Many sets at shows and also at clients are often incomplete. So I explain them what is missing. When they hear my set at home it is quite easy to understand what is missing. I change part for part in there set to make them understand what it does. For example; first I start with a good conditioner. I compare it with there conditioner. I Always use the best things on the market. For conditioners the same. After this I compare the powercables they own with better ones. I change one for one. With the interconnects the same story. I never change more than one part. Just keep it simple and clear as possible. Always use your own music. Music which you use for comparing parts in audio. I Always use good and nice music at shows. Most common fault at shows is that they use pingping music. Often these people do not have a lot of music themselves. They are seldom music lovers. Music is the essential part for audio. When you are not a music lover it is better for you to look for another job or hobby I Always say.
BTw, just read that Starker just passed away earlier this year.

http://www.amazon.com/forum/classical%20music?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2O5YQ79OVJBUQ&cdThread=TxK3S97EYXDJA6

What a talent! I strongly recommend anyone interested in classical music who may have never heard him pick up a recording or two and give it a try.
He was very old already. Even over 80 years old he still gave lessons to students.
I read in his NY Times obituary he was apparently quite a talented character!
Great thread and thanks to all. Well, I just got my used Ayre AX7E and hooked it up with my ProAc Supertowers. WOW. What a difference. It's like they are new speakers and damn good ones. I still want the Vandy Treo's, but I can honestly sell the Proacs to someone and tell them that they will be hard pressed to find anything close to them for the price (probably around 1300 or so as they have brand new drivers). They actually sound darn good and I'm listening to music like I used to when I had the Quickies hooked up to them. It's fun again. Now figuring out if I go with the Music Hall 25.3 DAC or do I look at other DAC's. I must go true balanced as that's the only inputs I have left, lol, plus it sounds best with the Ayre.