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Why are all the Virtual Systems mega-assaults now?

I've noticed that more recently nearly all of the activity on the virtual systems is with really decked-out systems in lavish rooms with $50K speakers and electronics, cables, and single malt Scotch to match.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes it's nice to see how the upper crust live. But I've always viewed a strength of the virtual systems as showing how people have put together budget items with great synergy. What ever happened to the guys with the Adcom amp and PSB speakers posting about the continuing evolution of their systems? (Maybe they've updated to a spiffy room, speakers that require a forklift to position, MBL electronics, and cables that each cost more than my car.)

I guess Albert Porter's system gets a lot more traffic because people like discussing systems like that, but I really do miss seeing new "bang for the buck" units pop up on the virtual systems and admiring their ingenuity for putting it together.

Am I the only one who's a little disappointed with this?

Michael
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jb8312
247 posts
 
10 years ago when I had a starter system, I didn't even know what a digital camera was!

If it was possiable, I would have shown my system and every developmental step on the way to where I am now.

I think some people that have responded are way off base. No one should feel intimtated by showing a "sub $30K" set up. 98% of the people with systems over $50k at one time had a sub $29K set up and mostly likly WAY below that figure....

I think showing the diveristy can motivate others to put togeather systems that fit their budget. If I thought ONLY real systems were over $50k, I would have given up years ago...
bar81
791 posts
 
Concur, I'm one of those people you're talking about who currently has a system over $100K (and climbing; I'll be putting it back up after the latest round of revisions/additions) and the first system I put together eight or so years ago was around $18K using mostly used gear (used Wadia 850, used Levinson 38 Pre, used Ayre V-3 Amp, B&W N804 Speakers and MIT cabling). imo, the cheaper systems can be extremely enjoyable (as I can attest to) but I would caution that those kind of systems don't have the resolution to show differences in products; for example, whereas such a system may show no difference between PCs, a higher resolution system may. Accordingly, it is important to *me* to see a poster's system to determine how much weight to give their opinion (just being honest here).
sufentanil's avatar
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sufentanil OP
782 posts
 
Jb8312, I don't think that many of us feel intimidated by "sub $30K" systems. (I'm still at the stage in my life where I consider $30K for a stereo to be excessive.) And, granted, people do have to start somewhere with their audiophile stuff. (For me, it was NAD and PSB.)

I just think that my original point was about seeing more Audiogon traffic on the more budget systems, as I believe it takes more skill to set up a $1500 system and make it sound great than it does to set up a $20K system and make it sound great. And that's what I tend to look for in the Virtual Systems: synergy, and ingenuity. Which is why I've been a little dismayed that many of the posts are on the uber-systems.

Michael
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jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Which is why I've been a little dismayed that many of the posts are on the uber-systems.

Michael
Sufentanil

I know what you mean Michael. I'm always a little dismayed because the tabloids spill more ink on Angelina Jolie than they do on my wife. ;~0

Cheers,
John
newbee
4,767 posts
 
John, Put up some photos of your wife so we can compare her to Angelina and then judge you accordingly! :-)

If you want to be a god here you've got to have a goddess.

BTW, Michael I'm with you. It sure as hell does take a lot of skills to set up a $1500 system and make it sound great. The good part is that there is no shame in failure. Its the folks in the $20K class who have the most at risk. There really is no excuse for failure, but sloth does take its toll on its members.

The MEGA systems posted are nothing more, or less, than expensive. A lot of disposible income solves a lot of problems that poor folks have to use inventiveness to solve. As with John's wife though, you have to see (hear) her before you decide whether you want to jump on or throw stones.
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