My 2 Channel Journey in Reverse

VR3

As I am sure most noticed a few months ago I decided to sell my 2 channel consisting of gear that if you had asked me years ago about owning I would of quickly replied... I wish!

I had people instant messaging me asking why or people saying I am crazy...

I guess for me I kind of lost perspective of my entire audio journey and I guess really at this point I still have. I still am far more interested in working on speakers, upgrading and just doing things of that nature than listening. That is just the type of person I am and always will be!

There just was something about when a friend would come over and we would listen to music the immediate response to after hearing my system was that sounds awesome but I would never spend that much on audio, you are crazy!

Well, given some other priorities in life I decided it was time to sell the outrageous system and start a new journey...

The journey to build a 2 channel system that costs less than $400 dollars that would not be ashamed to step toe to toe with the super towers.

You must now be at this point going... w-t-f mate?

Well last night I spent a good two hours along with a buddy rediscovering my CD collection and as now as I was then did not know what to say.

The rig is as follows -

Basic wiring, nothing special here boys!
A cheap, single disc Denon cd player
No preamp
Parasound HCA750A
Rogers LS7

And... THATS IT!

I am not going to say it is better than the Super Towers or that there is a single trait they do better or anything but I can honestly say that for exactly 97.7% less than what my main system costed me I would not be ashamed to put these little monsters next to them in a show down.

And thats it folks!

Now I am not going to say my audio journey ends here, unfortunately I am a superficial audiophile and I like big amps and big speakers... so my journey will go back the other direction in the next few years but sometimes I think it is important to get some perspective on what I am exactly buying - my last journey was 10 years long and I think somewhere along the way I kind of lost direction...

Enjoy the music folks!

Thats for its all about!

F1nut

One word, tubes.

VR3

Yeah but that would make the system cost more than $400

Maybe I will make my next tier a thousand and see what else I can do with the Rogers at the helm!

tonyb

Well, we always say good sound can be found on any budget. God knows these days the wallet is pulled in many different directions. If a 400 buck system tickles your fancy, then rock on, it's all about you enjoying the music.

Maybe, just maybe Trey, you came up against that wall of diminishing returns.

BlueFox

VR3 wrote: »

I still am far more interested in working on speakers, upgrading and just doing things of that nature than listening. That is just the type of person I am and always will be!

That is the crux of the matter. If you are not really listening then it is easy to reach a 90 percent level. However, to get further takes work (listening) and if you can not do the work then high end gear for what appears to be in your case just background music makes no sense. Unless you are crazy rich.

From my perspective, at work I am constantly dealing with low level details (writing software to test other software) so when I get home all I want to do is listen. On the other hand, over time I want to make gradual improvements to enhance the listening experience. Usually, this entails spending money. The trick is getting the biggest bang for your buck, and then spending the time and effort to enjoy the result. My goal is to have a great stereo to enjoy when I retire and can no longer afford anything. Of course, I also want to enjoy it before I retire.

EndersShadow

Trey I agree with you on this one.

I too sold of the start of my 2 channel system to focus mostly on a decent HT and music combined setup. I am almost where I want to be with a couple additions myself and will be done for a bit.

My 2 channel rig has been entirely sold and I am working on my car audio rig. I honestly listen to music on occasion but mostly its TV and movies.

That and I find my LSi setup more than adequate speaker wise. I still want to upgrade the LSi crossovers at some point as that will be the last thing I ever do to them speaker wise, but honestly I am happy with how the system sounds now, it simply needs some better EQ which is what I am after.

Its all about both diminishing returns and how much listening you actually do. For me most of my listening if you want to call it that, is at work and its either listening to music off my iPhone or Pandora through an integrated receiver with headphones. Given that not worth spending tons of cash on the setup.

Perspective is a good thing. As long as your happy with where you are, who cares right

drumminman

For me it should always be about the music first, equipment second.

Back in the 80's when I was still using vinyl as my main source I noticed that I was always looking for the best possible sound, to the detriment of enjoying the music. I wouldn't even play some recordings because the pressing was crappy, the recording poor quality, etc.

After a while I realized my listening priorities had become skewed.

Some times when so much effort is put into the acquisition/maintenance of equipment the enjoyment can fly right out the window.

Drenis

Music is no longer as enjoyable when you have to take a step back.

I can't even listen to my rig anymore. The sound is terrible.

heiney9

Sorry, but there is no way a simple $400 system will compete with a higher $$$ system like you had. You can rationalize it all you want, it's not happening, period!

That said, you might get similar PERSONAL enjoyment out of the system you have, but to say it's 97.7% there compared to what you had is simply just silliness.

That's like saying my GTi is 95% of the Ferrari I once owned. Each has it's own set of challenges and positives and negatives, but they are NOT the same, nor would they be close comparing apples to apples.

I have a stellar office rig (tubes) and while I have more invested than $400 it does sound really good, but nothing compared to my main rig. It ain't happening if you are judging them both on the same merrits.

H9

Drenis

DSkip wrote: »

When did you take a step back?

Sent you a PM explaining.

steveinaz

I think synergy is key. You don't need 8ft towers, or giga watts of power, or other exotic/boutique pieces stacked to the ceiling to get great, enjoyable sound. I "get" what you're trying to say. It only took me getting access to the right speaker to truly appreciate my pretty modest, $8500 rig. I have no desire to replace anything, I'm just enjoying the music.

I think there is also alot to be said about the simplicity of a system, that gives it a more natural presentation. I still believe that people overlook, or try to "work around" their speakers too much.

heiney9

steveinaz wrote: »

I think synergy is key. You don't need 8ft towers, or giga watts of power, or other exotic/boutique pieces stacked to the ceiling to get great, enjoyable sound. I "get" what you're trying to say. It only took me getting access to the right speaker to truly appreciate my pretty modest, $8500 rig. I have no desire to replace anything, I'm just enjoying the music.

I think there is also alot to be said about the simplicity of a system, that gives it a more natural presentation. I still believe that people overlook, or try to "work around" their speakers too much.

I agree to a certain extent, where I take issue is when people state it's as good or close to the nice larger more expensive system that had as much or more synergy. We all are looking for something different out of this hobby and or needs change, or lifestyle changes and sometimes we simply don't want to invest the time and/or money because our ideas change.

That's great, and there are some very nice systems at all levels. I don't agree that he has a system that is almost 98% of what he had. You have to compare them on the same playing field and with the same attributes. His need and investment (time and energy, etc not nec $$$) in the hobby has shifted which means his expectations are different.

The systems are very different and anyone who was invested and interested at the level he formerly was wouldn't find the current $400 system to be 98% of the larger system.

H9

tonyb

How soon we forget gents that not too long ago music was enjoyed by many with a boombox, 8 track, mp3's. There will always be better sound around the corner, but one has to find that happy medium between being satisfied with the sound and your wallet. You don't need to spend mega bucks on a system to get good sound, but you can if you want better sound. The option is always there.

I agree, don't think a 400 buck system is giving you 97% of what you had. Maybe your just satisfied with the 400 buck system is all so the value of your previous gear in your mind has come down. Understandable, but put side by side, no contest.

VR3

I never said the Rogers did anything as good or as better as the Super Towers...

All I said was I would not be ashamed to put them beside the Super Towers in a shoot out and watch them lose...

tonyb

No, not exactly, but he did say they cost 97% less and said he would not be ashamed to put them side by side with the supertowers in a showdown. Which insinuates that they can possibly play on the same field. But, thats neither here nor there. Not going to argue word phrases. If I took it wrong, my appologies. As long as Trey is enjoying his tunes thats all that matters anyway.

steveinaz

Let's define "enjoy", shall we? For some people the connection is the music, for others it's the equipment reproducing the music--for the remaining, a combination of both.

I've often pondered a Luxman integrated, good CDP, and my harbeths--and be done. Though far less expensive, would that necessarily be a down grade? I don't think so, IMO.