Although there are many many audio companies out there, I have listened to quite a lot of equipment but I cannot listen to all of it ... especially since the US really does not have much in the way of HiFi stores. I do not have the the time to listen to demos ... I have a research scientist position which occupies time, am fixing up my new home and have other interests ... not to mention my wife would bury in the woods if I bought something excessive (joke).
To give an overview ... I had an odd road getting into audio before I decided on something that hit me in the right place. I have always (almost) been musical and have worked a lot doing PA on the side. I was introduced to separates in 1992 as a fresher by my friend Pravinda who introduced me to his Yamaha KX650 cassette deck, 3 motor, 3 head, dual capstan ... I consider these decks second to Naks, though on a direct price comparison Yamaha first ... I was sold!
I started as a student with Revolver Rebel(LP)/Arcam(Amp)/Marantz(CD)/Mission(780's), went through Rega(Planar3)/Arcam(Alpha5+)/Micromega Stage 1/Cyrus(SL/XPA)/Mission(780 then 752) and ended up going towards Linn adding a pair of Keilidhs and an LP12/Valhalla/Ittok/SumikoBP(and a Rega Elys).
It was then I sold the audio and moved to the states, after graduation. For the record, Cyrus make good components ... just not available in the US.
I had a friend who worked at Image Audio in Leeds, UK and I used to spend some time listening there and in other stores. The best system I heard by far was my friend showing me the best Linn set up at the time ... fronted by the CD12, on loan to them from Linn for 2 prospective buyers ... I was amazed, but long before that, I had decided the Linn sound was for me! However, was swayed against Linn on a beauty level because in the face of Roksan, Wilson Benesch (Full Circle), Cyrus and B&W (CDM's, P6) they looked like ... er ... crap!
Not to be exhaustive ... I have spent a good amount of time listening to Linn, Naim, Arcam, Cyrus, Musical Fidelity, Creek, Rega, Rotel, Nad, Audiolab, Epos (spkr only) and B&W (spkr only) ... may have omitted some.
Anyways, since my Audio Alchemy DLC dropped out I have been listening to an Adcom GCD575 through variable out ($40, ebay, I bought to compare to my Micromega Stage 2 ... $150, ebay, the Stage Two trounces it!) hooked to a GFA 535 ($5, thrift store) through KEF Q15s ($100, Ebay). It's quite toppy and the midrange hollow ... so I am ready for the change.
I am looking to set up for less than $2K if I can, so if you have any suggestions ... let me know.
To give an overview ... I had an odd road getting into audio before I decided on something that hit me in the right place. I have always (almost) been musical and have worked a lot doing PA on the side. I was introduced to separates in 1992 as a fresher by my friend Pravinda who introduced me to his Yamaha KX650 cassette deck, 3 motor, 3 head, dual capstan ... I consider these decks second to Naks, though on a direct price comparison Yamaha first ... I was sold!
I started as a student with Revolver Rebel(LP)/Arcam(Amp)/Marantz(CD)/Mission(780's), went through Rega(Planar3)/Arcam(Alpha5+)/Micromega Stage 1/Cyrus(SL/XPA)/Mission(780 then 752) and ended up going towards Linn adding a pair of Keilidhs and an LP12/Valhalla/Ittok/SumikoBP(and a Rega Elys).
It was then I sold the audio and moved to the states, after graduation. For the record, Cyrus make good components ... just not available in the US.
I had a friend who worked at Image Audio in Leeds, UK and I used to spend some time listening there and in other stores. The best system I heard by far was my friend showing me the best Linn set up at the time ... fronted by the CD12, on loan to them from Linn for 2 prospective buyers ... I was amazed, but long before that, I had decided the Linn sound was for me! However, was swayed against Linn on a beauty level because in the face of Roksan, Wilson Benesch (Full Circle), Cyrus and B&W (CDM's, P6) they looked like ... er ... crap!
Not to be exhaustive ... I have spent a good amount of time listening to Linn, Naim, Arcam, Cyrus, Musical Fidelity, Creek, Rega, Rotel, Nad, Audiolab, Epos (spkr only) and B&W (spkr only) ... may have omitted some.
Anyways, since my Audio Alchemy DLC dropped out I have been listening to an Adcom GCD575 through variable out ($40, ebay, I bought to compare to my Micromega Stage 2 ... $150, ebay, the Stage Two trounces it!) hooked to a GFA 535 ($5, thrift store) through KEF Q15s ($100, Ebay). It's quite toppy and the midrange hollow ... so I am ready for the change.
I am looking to set up for less than $2K if I can, so if you have any suggestions ... let me know.