Addicted To Sound

jmasterj

Now this post is just a vent, you can respond if you feel the need.
But remember "If you throw a rock into a crowd of dogs the hurt
one will bark"

Back when I was young growing up in the streets of Chicago often I would see men laying in the gutter. They were drunk, mostly from cheap wine. I know this because they still held on to
the bottle of Wild Irish Rose wine, like it was a security blanket.
I remember thinking back then wow! how simple my life would be if all I wanted was a fifth of Wild Irish Rose.

Twentyfive years later I look at my life, think back to that time and
I smile. See I just got the RT's a little over a year ago, and I'm
trying to figure out how to trade them in for some LSi. The whole
problem is "They Sound fine". When I turn them up and listen they really sound fine!. It's nothing Iv'e asked them to do, and they have let me down. I want to buy a high priced CD that can
upsample, when I already have SACD, and DVD-Audio, not to mention 2 channel. Plenty of sound. I couldn't ask for more when it comes to DVD's. I watch movies and get messed up at how good Hollywood is. My system is loud enough, it's bold enough, it's clear, and clean enough, and it's paid for. Don't want to be satisfied though. If only all I wanted was a fifth of wine. Then maybe I could be satisfied. You Think:(

shack

I understand where you are comming from jmasterj. Upgradeitis can be a **** somtimes. I am very happy with my HT rig but due to TDS (teenage daughter syndrome) I can never get into the den to listen to it for movies or music. Tonight I came home from work and the girls were gone to the high school football game so I loosened the tie put in Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Couldn't Stand The Weather" SACD (2 channel) and just listened.........Those Rt55is and the Dayton sub sound sweet. Just like when I got my Avents with the Pioneer Receiver and Tape deck 20+ years ago. When they are set up right (in your words) "They Sound Fine". I've got my HT system where I want it.

Now due to the TDS I mentioned above, my music listening sessions have been few and far between. I have starting on a quest for a dedicated 2 channel system. I already have a NAD integrated amp waiting for the room to be built in the basement. I too want some LSi9s or maybe 7s but I have spent a lot of time over the last few months auditioning the likes of Linn, PSB, B&W, Vienna Accoustics, Sonus Faber, Monitor Audio (can't find any Dynaudos) etc...and have listened to some of the high dollar stuff like the Revels and B&W Nautilus speakers with Krell and McIntosh and Rega hardware. Wow...talk about nice...! But tonight after the last track of the SRV CD was finished I too said these RT55is..."They Sound Fine". Yep...and they are paid for!

But......Those LSi9s......gotta have them!


Nice post jmasterj.

shack

F1nut

shack,

Don't bother with the Vienna Accoustics. No soundstage, no bass and no imaging.

mantis

F1nut,
thats a matter of opnion.Vienna makes a hell of a speaker.They sound much better out of the stores.

But anyway.to the topic at hand,
Upgrading is fun.I love getting new gear all the time.I hear yeah on the fine thing,but if it sounds fine to you, then maybe alittle tweaking might WOW you.If you feel your at your fine end with the system.......then it's time to look it over and fine it's weakness.Lsi 's are super awesome sounding speakers.......I can't love mine anymore then I do.They are still after a few months of listening in the WOW factor.

I'm zoning in on what I believe is the right sound for me......when you find it, you'll know...I do.

shack

Don't bother with the Vienna Accoustics. No soundstage, no bass and no imaging.

I actually have demoed the Vienna Acoustics Haydns 3 times and think they are a great little speaker. If you have any interest I did a mini reveiw of my search for a 2 channel monitor which included the Haydns, PSB Stratus Mini, B&W CM2, Linn Katan and the Sonus Faber Concerto HERE. Since then I have listened to the B&W 601 S3 (still trying to locate some 602 S3s to demo) and the Monitor Audio Silver S1s and S2s. Besides the B&W 602 S3, I need to locate some Dynaudio Audience 52s.

F1, we will just have to disagree about the Viennas.

joe6pak

jmasterj

Interesting post. I just went through a major upgrade. New Krell seperates & some Dynaudio speakers. I just spent the past week using all my spare time taking apart my old stuff and setting up the new. Several problems to overcome account more pieces, larger sizes, etc. Then there was the connection and system set up. (still not done with all of that.) During this time when it was getting extra frustrating because of Murphs law, I kept wondering if this stupid addiction was worth the stress, time, and money. Well now that I have it up and halfway right I can say that it was worth it. I am glad I did it. I can't wait to hear it when I have it set up better.

I was addicted to smokes for almost 20 years. At least with this hi-fi addiction I have something more than a ashtray full of cig butts to show for my efforts. Now I'm thirsty. Where did I put that bottle of Wild Irish Rose?

joe

F1nut

Yes, it is all a matter of opinion. I have listened to both the Vienna Bach and Mozart set up in a home, never heard them in a store. The Bach's were hooked up to a B&K ST2140 amp with a B&K pre/amp. No soundstage, no bass (at least what I call bass) and no imaging unless you call left/right only imaging. What they did have was good detail and a smooth high end. After listening to various cd's I put in MFSL's Who's Next and at moderately high volume the mid-drivers blew out, yeah I was impressed :rolleyes:
The Mozart's were hooked up to a B&K REF2220 with a B&K pre/amp. Lead shot had been added to the speakers and spikes were in use. Still not much soundstage, better bass (still not great) and the imaging improved to the point that there was some sound in the center. Again the detail was good as was the high end. I expected much, much more from a $2500.00 pair of speakers and I'm not convinced the improvements were from the speakers as much as the better amp.
shack, I read your mini review (well done) and realize that we're comparing different Vienna's, but I just don't like them.

danger boy

Originally posted by joe6pak
jmasterj

Interesting post. I just went through a major upgrade. New Krell seperates & some Dynaudio speakers.

joe

joe6pak, i and others in here i'm sure would like to see some pics when you get the system in place. Can I ask how much you spent on it?

thanks, al

joe6pak

danger boy.

Well I use a webtv device to access the internet and I do not have the capability to attach photos to this forum. As for what my gear cost, I am trying to forget.

joe