I think a quicker path to audio satisfaction (maybe heaven, but I'd not count on it, as that price tag is more than I want to pay right now), is the 'same + same' power train way. Maybe to the point of the source being from the likewise maker too.
A more meandering way is merely to have the ability to be paitient or easy to satisfy (within reasonable criteria) as both aspects seem to create a more positive atmosphere. (No ppun intended).
I've heard all Levinson + Maggies... All Krell + B&W. Both used Transparent wires. Both sounded super in a good many areas. I've heard all Ayre + Wilson. Again, pretty good. Also all CJ + cones and panels... again, I could live with it I suppose. All BAT with Various speakers. All Thor with VSA. the last mix was my choice for a long while.
That changed later on.
Therein lies the real issues. One's degree of stability, desire, funding, and ego are and have been all areas of concern for myself. A few of them I can manage, other's I can not.
Personally, I enjoy each aspect of better audio, save for panel speakers. Although I even like a lot of what they can do, they simply aren't for me. Past that I like it all.
All SS for HT. All Hollow state for most music, and HS + SS AMP for other music.
In every case, as articulate and revealing a source I can listen to as is possible.
Wish I could stick to merely one method... but that's the way it is for me. I have become less picky however, finding out there are inumerable pieces being made today which are really, really good. That helps a lot.
And I found out just how far into or past, the point of diminishing returns I can afford to dwell in routinely.
Being OK with that 'point' or state of affairs winds down the chasing ones tail aspect almost 100%.
That said, Am I done? No. I'm in no hurry to add or replace anything soon though. I have no outright vacancies begging to be filled finally.
A more meandering way is merely to have the ability to be paitient or easy to satisfy (within reasonable criteria) as both aspects seem to create a more positive atmosphere. (No ppun intended).
I've heard all Levinson + Maggies... All Krell + B&W. Both used Transparent wires. Both sounded super in a good many areas. I've heard all Ayre + Wilson. Again, pretty good. Also all CJ + cones and panels... again, I could live with it I suppose. All BAT with Various speakers. All Thor with VSA. the last mix was my choice for a long while.
That changed later on.
Therein lies the real issues. One's degree of stability, desire, funding, and ego are and have been all areas of concern for myself. A few of them I can manage, other's I can not.
Personally, I enjoy each aspect of better audio, save for panel speakers. Although I even like a lot of what they can do, they simply aren't for me. Past that I like it all.
All SS for HT. All Hollow state for most music, and HS + SS AMP for other music.
In every case, as articulate and revealing a source I can listen to as is possible.
Wish I could stick to merely one method... but that's the way it is for me. I have become less picky however, finding out there are inumerable pieces being made today which are really, really good. That helps a lot.
And I found out just how far into or past, the point of diminishing returns I can afford to dwell in routinely.
Being OK with that 'point' or state of affairs winds down the chasing ones tail aspect almost 100%.
That said, Am I done? No. I'm in no hurry to add or replace anything soon though. I have no outright vacancies begging to be filled finally.