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Audio's Biggest Loser?


This relates to my recent thread for high end on the move, but puts it in a different context.

Before I begin, I am not especially interested in "lifestyle" audio, the "wife approval factor", abandoning the high end, or recommending mid fi components shaped like sleek tiny boxes or balls, or all in one kitchen systems available in a range of colors and finishes.

But as the proud author of two enduring threads devoted to biggest and baddest cables and amplifiers, I have had a contrarian thought in 2011:

what are the smallest, featheriest truly high end components?

Some quick math suggests that my latest system has weighed about 500 pounds - and not even including 5 spare power amplifiers, 3 or 4 sets of spare mini monitors, DACs, cables, tweaks accessories, heavy rack furniture and MYE stands for the Tympanis which could easily double that amount to half a TON or so.

And I am sure some of you can "weigh" in with even more - would love to hear from the Wilson MAX and Pass Labs owners.

But in the spirit of change, experimentation and spring cleaning, I am currently wondering how my life and listening room might feel if I changed to the smallest, lightest, but genuinely high end equipment.

Here are some thoughts:

Lenovo X 201 Computer - 2.5 pounds
Behringer DEQ2496 - 6 pounds
Nuforce Reference Monoblocks - 17 pounds
Silverline Audio Minuet Supremes - 15 pounds

or say, about 40 pounds for the entire system - only a few more than the shipping weight of my Audio Research preamp, my lightest component.

How much does your system weigh? Does this enhance or detract from enjoyment of high end audio.

What might inspire you to be the Biggest Loser on Audiogon?

What smallest, lightest components would you recommend?
cwlondon
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Think about it, would you be happy with a Minicopper, or BMW 740li. But then again, as Elizabeth remarks, the copper would go first.
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
For speakers, maybe the Maggie MMGs? For components, I recall that the 47 Labs pieces were rather small; for more conventional, the Meitner PA6 and STR 50/55 preamp/amp combinations were small and comparatively light.

Cost per pound would have to go to Nagra, I think.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
My system currently tips the scales at just over 500 lbs. Ouch! In 35+ years of this craziness, I cannot actually think of lightweight components that could not be outdone by their heavyweight counterparts. Not to say the former are not good. I thought the Bel Canto 1000 monos were pretty good, but prefer what happen to be heavier amps. Same with the passive preamps I've tried out - initially I enjoyed them but when put in direct comparison it was apparent something was missing. I've liked the Minuets you mentioned (though haven't heard the "Supreme" version), but liked the Proac 1sc even better (only a few lbs heavier). That is somewhere where I've found something really special is available - small monitors...really good ones...can do things larger heavier speakers fall short on. That seems to be in the soundstaging/imaging department. But even there again, the very best I've heard happen to also be some of the heavier ones as well. I have no idea whether the weight factor has anything at all to do with it, but since you asked, that's all I can come up with. Headphone rigs are another slant on 'lighter', but that becomes an entirely different beast, and has been discussed ad nauseum on various threads.
tarsando
578 posts
 
IPOD Shuffle. Pure and simple. Buy 2, hide one from the robbers, you are set for anywhere in the world.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,154 posts
 
Speakers and amps tend to be the biggest/heaviest.

Class D Icepower amps push the limit regarding power output in a small efficient package.

Speakers will depend largely on room size. Lots of small packages that work well in smaller room.

The OHM Walsh speakers are fairly compact for what they do and are sized based on room size, so I think they are fairly optimal for top notch results in most any home room size.
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