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Use Your Own Ears

I've been an audiophile for 20+ years and have owned everything from Klipsch to Wilson Audio. My most recent system consisted of Densen electronics and Wilson Audio Sashas. Despite having what is considered a good set-up, something was wrong and I couldn't put my finger on it. I recently decided to get a new modest system to utilize with my television. I purchased a Peachtree Audio 220 amp and Nova preamp, NAD 565bee CD Player, and Revel F52 speakers. To my surprise and delight I enjoy the Revel system more than any other system I've owned. I've listened to many speakers over the years,Rockport, older Magico's,just to name a few and have always stayed with Wilson...until now! Despite what I've been told, there is something about the Revels that makes me just enjoy listening to music. My point is to help everyone and tell all of you to just trust your own ears. Forget price! I submit the other system does somethings better; however I enjoy music more on the modest system and now I truly understand what this hobby is all about. It's not the price we pay for equipment, but the music! How stupid have I been...for the first time I'm listening to music and not the equipment!
ricred1
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,274 posts
 
Interesting thread.

My personal preference has been changing from a very detailed (cold, analytical?) sound to a more musical sound. It's interesting how some systems thread the music together and let you hear the music, the nuances, and the pace, while others let you hear all the imperfections of a recording and are hyper detailed yet the music sounds disjointed and uninvolving.

I think my assesment of components within my system will now be strongly based on how I feel while listening to music. Is it involving? Does it draw me in? Does my mind constantly wander onto something else other than the music? If it does, how quickly will the music draw me back in and gain my attention?

My assesments of components before were based more upon the micro details, bass extension, brightness or harshness of the highs, blackness of the background, imaging, etc. Sure, all of the aforementioned is important, but did you notice how many times I mentioned "Music" in this paragraph vs. the previous one?

I used to listen more to my equipment but now I prefer to listen to the music.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I think my assesment of components within my system will now be strongly based on how I feel while listening to music. Is it involving? Does it draw me in? Does my mind constantly wander onto something else other than the music? If it does, how quickly will the music draw me back in and gain my attention?
"By jove I think he's got it" (obscure reference to broadway musical popular and movie popular mid last century)!!!! Be careful B Limo, you are now well on our way to tubes, tubes, and more tubes. We're gonna get ya ;-)

Wolf- Please, please, tell me that the hermit is not a vegetarian. It'd be a shame for him not to be addicted to $50 Kobe-burgers!!!
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,843 posts
 
I thought great beef, not audio, came from Kobe. Could it be that whatever they put in the beef made it's way down to the audio chain? (I forget just where they plant it)

Also, if I undue the top button, will the blood flow increase to my skull, preventing me from almost passing out every time I bend over to put in another CD?
ricred1 OP
2,005 posts
 
B_limo,

You've said it better than I did, "I think my assesment of components within my system will now be strongly based on how I feel while listening to music. Is it involving? Does it draw me in? Does my mind constantly wander onto something else other than the music? If it does, how quickly will the music draw me back in and gain my attention?" I never listened to music as much as I do now. I didn't realize it, but my prior system made me exhausted. I've listened today for over 3 hours and I don't want to turn it off.

I will listened to Revel Studio 2s to see if there is a significant improvement, while maintaining my enjoyment. I know the Salons are better, but I've set a limit on how much I will spend and the Studio 2s are within my budget. I finally realize I don't need to have the "best"...what ever that means!
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,589 posts
 
Well, unless you live in a large city and can have several dealers bring over equipment and set it up so that you can listen and make your choices, which you will pay full retail for, we have to put our systems together by trial and error, buying and selling. So we read and listen to what we can, then buy and try.

You may get lucky and reach nirvana on your first, inexpensive system or you may have to spend many years and many $ until your system causes those endorphin rushes. Some of us never get there.

I agree though, if your system sounds great to you, sit back and enjoy it and forget about upgrading for a while.
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