Acquiring an awesome system, but how?


At this point I am making some changes to my system that may raise eyebrows as have in the past. But it's my money and my ears so here goes.
If one was to count all the makers of high end stuff and multiply by how many pieces will be included to create a system one would get the statistics of possibilities of combinations. I bet it's as high as our deficit, did I have to bring that up?
Well it mind as well be infinite because no one can even approach a fraction of all the possibilities.
I still haven't picked up an atma-sphere mp-1 preamp, so every now and then I look at the forum and see some suggestions for preamps to see if something comes up with raving reviews.
Well most of us know it's mostly synergy that makes a system excellent.
I thought the experienced goners can shed some light and offer suggestions as to what will make lasting purchases.
On my end I was amazed at how good the atma-sphere m60 sounded while it was running, now it is on hold till some things get resolved and so now I am back to the sim w-5 and it still satisfies. But I would like to do some more comparative listening, because the atmas sounded so good. I have no intentions of letting go of the atma's by the way.
I am still after the mbl sound and will be experimenting with some non-mainstream designs. I have some good ideas that will take time to bring to fruition.
But as for the reason for the thread, please share with us what systems made the biggest impressions and how one achieved them without breaking the bank?
Please include what systems sounded the best to you.
pedrillo
what constitutes audio nirvana for one maybe a disaster for another.

i will share for you what for me is a great listening experience.

it's simple. i want to play one recording after another and never want to leave the room or complain about a bad recording. this means a stereo system has to be somewhat euphonic in its coloration. somewhat attenuated in the upper midrange/lower treble and also somewhat elevated in the upper bass/lower mid range. i can't specify the "somewhat".

in order to achieve the ability to listen without complaints, i would need a tube-based stereo system and panel speakers.

i would start with a conrad johnson mv 125 amp and a pair of say, tympany 1ds, or stacked original quads, or the apogee duetta signature.

preamp might be tricky, but the original nobis proteus or mac c22 would suffice.

if you are playing cds and insist on current generation, maybe an amr 77 or audio research ref 7.

cables are another challenge. a bit of listening would be recommended.

again the key for me is not to be concerned about lost resolution but rather to be able to experience all varities of recording quality and still remain in my listening chair and let the music play.
It all comes down to "Homework" ..As mentioned in other reply,,Whats good for one may not be so for others..It takes dedicated time and effort ( and sometimes years ) on ones part..Try not to buy too many pieces at one time so as to know which direction each piece will take you...We have all made mistakes and at least if you do your homework you can minimize your problems.......
I agree with above, however, I have found that there are expensive mistakes along the way. If you want to peruse this ofttimes elusive goal you have to just shrug your shoulders and move on. I have spent many thousands of dollars on stuff that ultimately disappointed. I have found more success however in finding a corporate sound that I like, and buying many components from the same company. It seems to me that the same tastes as mine are in play, and there is less of a chance of incompatibility between the components. ..just my take...
I have gone through many pieces of equipment over the years looking for the same thing. I had stayed away from tubes because of audiophilia nervosa but finally took the plunge. I decided on audio research and assembled the following used arc ref one, arc ph3se, classic 60 and acoustic zen adagio. Front end is vpi scoutmaster jm9 benz ruby or my mac pro through dacmagic. I listen in a small room and the sound is fabulous. It puts me in mind of the time many years ago in northern california when I heard a maggie system driven by arc playing elton john-yellow brick road. That sound was what I looked for over the years and now have.