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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
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
2,588 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.
oros's avatar
oros
43 posts
 
Such a refreshing thread it is so easy to miss the point that it is the enjoyment of the music that comes first.

How you choose to listen to it and on what is entirely up too you.
As long as you enjoy it the opinions of others are meaningless.
I have come to conclusion that their is no such thing as the Holy Grail of audio it is all subjective and personal.

I get just as much enjoyment out of a scrounged up system that cost me less than $500 to put together. As I do with the one that cost me +$15,000.
Truth be told I enjoy the $500 one more because I just listen to the music and do not try and pull it apart and analyse it.

After all the expensive one cost so much it has to be perfect and better, what ever that may mean.
It is all in the mind you know!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
The only reliable metric for determining good sound is enjoyment, which cannot be quantified in any specifications or any other mathematical or scientific terms.

It's the "human factor" that cannot be quantified, at least so far.
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