Best System for Pink Floyd



Someone who I never expected might listen to Pink Floyd was praising Dark Side of the Moon recently.

It made me realize that I have been listening to it for over 30 years now, and I still get something out of it every time, and also trust and rely on Pink Floyd to test the resoltuion and imaging of my audio components.

Which made me wonder:

Imagine if the only music you would ever listen to again was Pink Floyd, what components and in particular, what speakers would you suggest?

It would be fascinating to hear how you like to listen to Pink Floyd, as well as an interesting litmus test for capable and dynamic systems.
cwlondon
As a long time fan of the "Floydsters" I have listened to them on many systems and always enjoyed it. Before I delve in to the dream system you suggest I would own for FLoyd music only, I must add the Maoman is right on que with the refernce to Porcupine Tree. I discovered them a few years back and I feel that PT picks up where PF leaves off. A continueum of the Floyd sound.
SO if I could afford it I would go with:
Wilson Sashas
McIntosh MC1201's
Audio Research REF5
Ayre C5xe-mp for CD/SACD
Linn LP12 with Ekos SE-Keel-Radikal and Urika
Lyra Olympos Cart
Cardas Clear IC's and Speaker Cable
That is about it, I know there is more expensive and better sound gear but these are components I have heard.
Oh and a fresh copy of Momentary Lapse of Reason to warm it all up.
I don't know if it's "the best" system for PF, but I heard the Burmester setup (cdp, amps, speakers) playing The Wall at CES 2009, and it was stunning.
Some ancient history.

When it first came out, "The Wall" was one of my most successful demo disks back in 1978 in selling equipment to fellow college students when I used to do such things.

We sold JBL, Advent, Infinity, EPI, Electrovoice, KLH (back when they we decent) and other brands. It always sounded best on OHMs, in particular OHM Hs. Those were too big for my dorm room so I settled personally for the OHM Ls that I still run, though I've always coveted OHM Hs and a bit later also OHM Is. All others had various shortcomings IMHO, although the better large JBLs may have had perhaps teh "warmest" sounding presentation.

BTW, one might be able to pick up newly refurbished versions off any of these old classic OHM models via OHM still. They still sell them refurbished and retrofitted with the latest 21st century drivers and technology when available.

I don't know of ANY speaker I have heard for $600 a pair that can beat my OHM Ls playing PF or PT in particular these days, especially anything that works well close to teh rear wall. I could probably still live comfortably with these as my main speakers today. They cost $500 a pair new back in 1978.

There was a point about 2 years ago as I was in the process of updating most of my system that the PT album "FOABP" ONLY sounded good to me on the OHM Ls in my big listening room where the OHM 5s reside today. This album was in particular one of the hardest I found to get to sound right, but once it does, like most PT stuff, BINGO!!!
As a long time Pink Floyd fan since 1968, I have always used their music when selecting components. As they still are my favorite group even after 42 years, I always get something new when listening to their music.

My present system reproduces their music very satisfactory to me. Click on my "system" link for a glimpse, and if you like you can leave me feedback regarding my system. I have been fortunate enough to see Pink Floyd (all 4 of them) play together 7 times, also 3 times without Roger Waters, and David Gilmour 1 time in New York on his last tour. He had The deceased Richard Wright playing keyboards that evening and the crowning jewel of the show was when they did "Echo's" in its entirety. I also saw Roger Waters 1 time when he did "The Dark Side Of The Moon" tour

Bob
Best listening sessions EVER of this legendary recording? Get the very best headphones and amplification you can afford. The genius of this music is in the mix and little bits and bytes of sprinkled detail all over the recording. Try it with cans around 1am - you will experience it as never before.