One Man's Dream - Ken Fritz documentary about the world's best stereo system!

WLDock
WLDock Posts: 3,073
edited October 2021 in 2 Channel Audio
DIY 9.5 ft. tall speaker, 1400 lbs. each
DIY Ultimate 1500 lbs. 'Frankenstein' turntable
Krell Power - Running at 220 V, dedicated transformer
17-foot-ceiling that mirrors a concert hall in Osaka, Japan.

DIY Audiophile Ken Fritz Spends 25 Years Building the Ultimate Stereo Experience
https://www.odditycentral.com/news/audiophile-spends-25-years-building-the-ultimate-stereo-experience.html

System / Room description / Equipment list
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7399

5400 Hours of Fun - Part 1 - PS Audio COPPER, Issue 72
https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/5400-hours-of-fun/

5400 Hours of Fun - Part 2 - PS Audio COPPER, Issue 73
https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/5400-hours-of-fun-part-2/

5400 Hours of Fun - Part 3 - PS Audio COPPER, Issue 74
https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/5400-hours-of-fun-part-3/

A Turntable of my Own, Part 1 - PS Audio COPPER, Issue 90
https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/a-turntable-of-my-own-part-1/

A Turntable of my Own, Part 2 - PS Audio COPPER, Issue 91
https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/a-turntable-of-my-own-part-2/

A Turntable of my Own, Part 3 - PS Audio COPPER, Issue 92
https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/a-turntable-of-my-own-part-3/

A Turntable of my Own, Part 4 - PS Audio COPPER, Issue 93
https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/a-turntable-of-my-own-part-4/

News Story - 5:29 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3T4hkPrSIY

One Man's Dream / Full Documentary - 57:37 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b2IOOhJmxw

absolute-hearing-1.jpg

kenfritzroom.jpg

2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
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Comments

  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,146
    We had this man's story posted a few months ago. He went where many of us can only dream of going.

    He was involved with every detail of the room, stereo, clocks and helped / or construct it too.

    I hope he's still listening.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,413
    Great story, horrible disease!
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  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    Tony M wrote: »
    We had this man's story posted a few months ago. He went where many of us can only dream of going.

    He was involved with every detail of the room, stereo, clocks and helped / or construct it too.

    I hope he's still listening.

    Yes, I wish the best for him as well. I don't know why I didn't find your post when I originally searched before posting this one. I did find it the second time.
    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2647944#Comment_2647944
    2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    To say he’s dedicated is an understatement.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Dabutcher
    Dabutcher Posts: 2,595
    I just watched this hour on YouTube. Amazing gentleman! I love his attitude and his determination and dedication to his life dreams. Peace. D
    MIT Magnum MH-750, Monster HTS 5100MKII, Sony 77" Class - A80CJ Series - 4K UHD OLED,PS4, Def Tech 15” sub,LSIM 706c, Sunfire Signature Grand 425 x 4,Parasound hca 120, LSiM 702 x 4, Oppo 103D, SDA SRS 1.2, Pioneer Elite SC63 , Pioneer Elite BDP-05 “Why did you get married if you wanted big speakers?”
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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 3,764
    A few of his tape related items have been offered on the Reverb site, mostly Ampex.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    SeleniumFalcon wrote: »
    A few of his tape related items have been offered on the Reverb site, mostly Ampex.

    What does that mean? He’s parceling out his system?
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,363
    I believe he died last year
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    invalid wrote: »
    I believe he died last year

    Really??
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,363
    https://affinityfuneralservice.com/obituaries/kenneth-e-fritz/#:~:text=February 20, 1942 – April 21, 2022&text=Ken was extreme in everything,system with no holds barred.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,581
    I'm sure somewhere there's a statistic that says he died of COVID. Or do they not do that anymore?
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 3,764
    Here is a link to the auction site:

    https://reverb.com/shop/kenneth-fritz-estate
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 1,157
    WOW...
    This was powerful.

    When he started talking about how his children helped, he started to lose it which did the same to me.

    What an accomplishment.
    My only wish is, this man was able to enjoy the fruits of his labor as much as possible.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,413
    It was a POWERFUL story.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    skipshot12 wrote: »
    WOW...
    This was powerful.

    When he started talking about how his children helped, he started to lose it which did the same to me.

    What an accomplishment.
    My only wish is, this man was able to enjoy the fruits of his labor as much as possible.
    Yeah it’s unfortunate he passed before he really kinda settled in. I felt like the majority of the time, he was exploring and experimenting. It’s something I definitely would rather not do when I advance in age. The gear is cool, but if I can just sit back and not think of upgrading, I think that’s when you know you’ve really been successful.

    RIP
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,573
    A friend sent me a Washington Post article about Ken Fritz today. His obsession damaged his family relationships. I’d link it but I think that you need to subscribe in order to read it.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,477
    I read that article this morning. Interesting read I wasn't expecting to see. Sad end to his life and his obsessions, but I suspect the family dynamics with his son would have turned out to be the same with the stereo obsession in the mix or not. The article kind of drags the guy through the mud for no good reason that I can think of other than curiosity about how the house and the audio system in it ended up.
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,007
    I read an article about him today. I think his entire system only brought about $165K or something like that. His son that he disinherited sounded like a dick.
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  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    I too read the WAPO article about him today. Interesting read. I hope I am never into anything that much to ruin relationships with my family.
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,363
    It was his money that he earned not his son's money.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,581
    FK them. He died happy.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,413
    He died grom a terrible disease and he put the last of his life into his passion
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  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 1,877
    I found this “gift link” on another site, for those who wish to read the article:

    https://wapo.st/47ErwZI

    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    His story is somewhat a shame....and gives audiophiles a bad name IMO.

    I read the article (Thanks @bcwsrt) and some of the comments as well. This one cat summed it up well for me.
    Commenter wrote:
    Sounds more like a sickness than a delightful hobby. It cost more than a million dollars, it cost a family.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,363
    I'm sure it was more than that
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