Are you satisfied?

2

Comments

  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2009
    I'm at a point where I like what I have, but I'd like to move forward.
    The next steps are damn pricey. I may have to wait until son #2 finishes
    college. I got a big refund, and every dollar of it is going to UNT!
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
  • BigMac
    BigMac Posts: 849
    edited April 2009
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Thanks for the link. Will read. :cool:
  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited April 2009
    I am totally satisfied with my HT rig and quite satisfied with my 2 channel rigs. I am not totally satisfied with 2 channel rigs (got two) coz I like to play with different gears in my 2 channel rig. Nothing's wrong with the current setup with all SS gears but in the future, I would like to try tube stuff in my rigs.

    For now, I am quite good without Tubes and the older Vintage Gears satisfy my ears. :)
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited April 2009
    Try not to get anything lodged in those cogs.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2009
    Some good points in this discussion about the "music". I've been focusing on discovering new (to me!) music for the past year or so. Not that I haven't made some changes in the gear, but the search for new music has been very fun. Recent discoveries are Hot Tuna and Eric Johnson .......... how the f did I miss these two over the last 30 yrs!

    I also like it when CP members like F1, RT1, Shack, etc. voice their opinion on music, because I find that my likes in music often are closely aligned with theirs. I've found I can usually just place an Amazon order based on their recommendations!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited April 2009
    Satisfied but bored with my current music.

    I've got so many CDs and LPs sitting around that I forget what great music I have that hasn't been played in months or even years. I have some LPs that I've picked up at garage sales and Goodwill that have never been cleaned and put on the TT to play. Boredom with my selection of music is NOT a problem for me. Finding time to sit down and listen is a greater issue. Same goes for my DVD collection. Way more than I can watch in a reasonable period of time.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited April 2009
    Agreed, I've got so much music that I'll never listen to a lot of the stuff that I have...which is a real shame. Just not enough time..


    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited April 2009
    I've been happy for a while. what I have sounds great, and to get better I would have to spend WAAAAY more that I am willing too.

    biggest step to my end in terms of satisfaction probably goes to my passive preamp. I loved my set up from the day i went that route.

    which is Ironic, since I am all about active preamps on my Bass guitars. go figure
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2009
    mhardy6647 wrote: »

    Thanks for the linky M. Very good read:)
    I like the explanation of the tube rectifier:):)
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    about an hour ago, my system reached a level I never thought possible...
    more later, just one word for now: lovely
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited April 2009
    Generally satisfied. I doubt my rig could improve much sound wise, but I would like a new cartridge and a pair of tube blocks. The only thing I'd change is going tube in the complete rig.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited April 2009
    Are you satisfied with your 2 channel rig? If so, what made you come to that conclusion (besides running out of money) & if not, what's your next move to get you there? For me personally, I'm there. I can kick back & enjoy myself without my mind wandering into never never land & contemplating what can I do to make it any better. We all should reach that point...but it's simply a matter of knowing when.
    No, absolutely not. I came close with my last rig but I ran into a brick wall because I was using two speakers as mains. Though it sounded very musical and hit every frequency to near perfection in my eyes, the 2 mains killed it with the occasional smearing of the spatial images.

    I'm still working on my new setup which is still in it's infant stages and though the sound is great to normal standards, it is nowhere near up to par for my standards. It does give me goosebumps but just doesn't have that "magic". I'll get it, no doubt or I'll go broke trying.

    Right now my weakest link is the preamplifier. I have a Carver C-16 in the loop and though it's a good pre, it is definitely holding me back at this point. This will be changed in the near future as I'm gonna slide Uncle Teddy's old Dodd tubed pre in the mix along with certain cable swaps to fine tune the rig a little more.

    After that, I'll be upgrading the x-overs in the 1C's and doing about every conceivable tweak possible to them up to possible modifications. :eek: Don't worry, I won't bastardize them. I'm just not that kind of guy. Then I will be trying about every type of tube rolling combination [in all of the tubed gear I have in the rig] that I can possibly think of to get the rig to sound the best that it can be to me and my picky-**** ears.

    If that doesn't work to my liking, I'll just start from scratch again with a completely different concept for a 2nd rig that will involve most everything custom and made to my specifications.

    I am my own worst critic when it comes to my rig's sound and no matter what others may have to say that points out the deficiencies of said rig, I will have about twenty more things about it to add to the list of deficiencies. So, to sum up and answer your question......no, I am not satisfied with my rig or any other rig I have ever heard, regardless of price, planning or synergy. I have heard some stellar rigs but each one comes with it's own attributes and deficiencies unfortunately and many times the room's acoustics have played a major role in the end result being skewed some how or another.

    That doesn't mean at all that I'm not enjoying the hell out of my rig and others my ears stroll across. I'm actually enjoying the hell out of it, just not satisfied yet and I don't know if I'll ever achieve my goal of sonic satisfaction within my lifetime...........but it sure is fun trying. :D
    ~ 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. ~
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2009
    Damn...did you ever consider an "Exorcism"!!!! Talk about being possessed!!! :D Hey, it's all good as long as your having fun. Carry on in your quest ;)
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited April 2009
    Hehe, I know. I get ragged about it all the time. I'm also considering Emerald Physics, LINN's digital servo aktive and Bob's [soon to be new] Sunfire speakers that is currently still under development. It never ends.....
    ~ 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. ~
  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 955
    edited April 2009
    Not yet, I'm still a relative newb...there will be more amps and pres and wire for sure. Still haven't tried vinyl, or an integraded or a tube amp or treatments so lots to try still. I'm happy with what I have but there is some exploring I need to do.

    As mentioned getting some new quality music and time is always helpful.
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited April 2009
    Treitz, your rig will sound better if you get the right speaker out from behind the couch.;)
  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited April 2009
    I do not think I will ever be satisfied with my system because there is always one more tweak.
    example: I have to add Dynamat to the inside of my pre-amp and CDP
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited April 2009
    skipf wrote: »
    Treitz, your rig will sound better if you get the right speaker out from behind the couch.;)
    Yeah, yeah, yeah. What do you think happens when the wife isn't home? You should have seen the place this weekend. Lightman1 and I had the entire place pretty much empty except for a chair in the sweet spot. It is from this that I make my evaluations. The couch isn't even in the same room when I listen critically.

    I hate having to move furniture around for a critical listening session every time, but it beats the alternative which is having no room to have the rig set up at all. This was the first major sacrifice I had to make for the unborn son that's still brewing.......moving the rig out of "his" room, that is. I can deal with it until we move. Then I'll be as happy as a clam in mud because I will have a dedicated audio room that will be built specifically for optimum acoustics. :D:D:D
    ~ 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. ~
  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited April 2009
    I am very happy with my current two channel rig but one of the bias pots on my VTL mono's needs to be replaced.These amps are keepers so i figure that while they are being worked on a little hot rodding would be cool so i contacted a friend of mine who has agreed to replace the coupling caps with .22uf Mundorf silver in oil's and replace various parts in the Signal path,power supply and rectifiction circuits with modern premium quality stuff ;) My VTL 2.5 TL is also a keeper but it too may benefit from a little sprucing up after the monos are squared away :) .thanks.....WCW III
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
  • smglbrth
    smglbrth Posts: 1,472
    edited April 2009
    Is anyone ever satisfied? I would like a B&K 200.2 amp, that would put me closer. More power, more power....
    Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    skipf wrote: »
    Treitz, your rig will sound better if you get the right speaker out from behind the couch.;)


    I had to keep from laughing myself, skip. It would have been rude and un-gentleman like for me to do so.
    So we rearranged his furniture when the wife wasn't looking.
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    I'm content so far....
  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited April 2009
    Hell No, I'm not satisfied. Since the beginning of 2009, I've upgraded my cdp, speakers, sub, cables, IC's and I just pulled the trigger on a new (used) Rogue Audio Tube amp! I just maxed one of my credit cards and just started working on the next one....

    Now my goal is to sell off all the gear I've replaced to pay off these friggin' debts! Then I'm hoping to take a break from upgrading and just enjoy the fruits of my labors :)

    For me that means pouring a glass of red wine and relaxing in my sweet spot and listening to the most beautiful music in the world! Ahhhhhhhh.
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    edited April 2009
    I will never change another thing unless something breaks, and then I'll try and find an exact replacement. The quest was strictly to find the sound I wanted. And while it was fun for awhile, it did get old. I'm glad it's over and I can just enjoy the music.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2009
    treitz3 wrote: »
    No, absolutely not. I came close with my last rig but I ran into a brick wall because I was using two speakers as mains. Though it sounded very musical and hit every frequency to near perfection in my eyes, the 2 mains killed it with the occasional smearing of the spatial images.

    I'm still working on my new setup which is still in it's infant stages and though the sound is great to normal standards, it is nowhere near up to par for my standards. It does give me goosebumps but just doesn't have that "magic". I'll get it, no doubt or I'll go broke trying.

    Right now my weakest link is the preamplifier. I have a Carver C-16 in the loop and though it's a good pre, it is definitely holding me back at this point. This will be changed in the near future as I'm gonna slide Uncle Teddy's old Dodd tubed pre in the mix along with certain cable swaps to fine tune the rig a little more.

    After that, I'll be upgrading the x-overs in the 1C's and doing about every conceivable tweak possible to them up to possible modifications. :eek: Don't worry, I won't bastardize them. I'm just not that kind of guy. Then I will be trying about every type of tube rolling combination [in all of the tubed gear I have in the rig] that I can possibly think of to get the rig to sound the best that it can be to me and my picky-**** ears.

    If that doesn't work to my liking, I'll just start from scratch again with a completely different concept for a 2nd rig that will involve most everything custom and made to my specifications.

    I am my own worst critic when it comes to my rig's sound and no matter what others may have to say that points out the deficiencies of said rig, I will have about twenty more things about it to add to the list of deficiencies. So, to sum up and answer your question......no, I am not satisfied with my rig or any other rig I have ever heard, regardless of price, planning or synergy. I have heard some stellar rigs but each one comes with it's own attributes and deficiencies unfortunately and many times the room's acoustics have played a major role in the end result being skewed some how or another.

    That doesn't mean at all that I'm not enjoying the hell out of my rig and others my ears stroll across. I'm actually enjoying the hell out of it, just not satisfied yet and I don't know if I'll ever achieve my goal of sonic satisfaction within my lifetime...........but it sure is fun trying. :D

    I like you. I feel like less of a compulsive neurotic freak when I talk to you, or have you over. Please come down soon before I sell a kidney. It is easier to spot the sickness in someone else than to look in the mirror. Of coarse you might be an enabler.
    Take care Bro.
    Love ya.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited April 2009
    I fear that I'll never be satisfied with any audio system. I'm always looking for a little tweak or a better sounding pair of speakers.
    I've found out I'll need at least 6 complete systems for the different types of music I listen to. There is "NO PERFECT" system that can do it all
    I've pretty much concluded I'm like a junkie looking for a better rush and won't be satisfied until it kills me.
    Then again, there's worse habits to be stricken with.
  • TSWisla
    TSWisla Posts: 446
    edited April 2009
    Somewhat satisfied, I would like to get new ICs and speaker wires, do the x-over upgrade in my SDA-1c. On the upside, my m1.5t is at Rita's as we speak! A VPI Scoutmaster would be nice as well...
    Zu Soul Supreme
    Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
    Esoteric K-07
  • TSWisla
    TSWisla Posts: 446
    edited April 2009
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Yeah, yeah, yeah. What do you think happens when the wife isn't home? You should have seen the place this weekend. Lightman1 and I had the entire place pretty much empty except for a chair in the sweet spot. It is from this that I make my evaluations. The couch isn't even in the same room when I listen critically.

    I hate having to move furniture around for a critical listening session every time, but it beats the alternative which is having no room to have the rig set up at all. This was the first major sacrifice I had to make for the unborn son that's still brewing.......moving the rig out of "his" room, that is. I can deal with it until we move. Then I'll be as happy as a clam in mud because I will have a dedicated audio room that will be built specifically for optimum acoustics. :D:D:D

    Women just do NOT understand. I actually sold my entire 2 ch setup when we moved to the new house because my wife complained so much about how big the speakers were, etc, etc. I resolved to buy some small system with in wall speakers. You know what? F**K that! Now my system is bigger and more expensive than ever and it will only be getting worse. I don't get it, men work and have to share their living space with their wives, but we don't get to have any of our "stuff" in there?! That is crazy, it is not like I keep a horse in the living room. She is just going to have to get used to it, PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN like I did and take back the living room!
    Zu Soul Supreme
    Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
    Esoteric K-07
  • dougy
    dougy Posts: 182
    edited April 2009
    Seems like lately I'm never satisfied for long. We built a new house with a dedicated basement music room. Speakers were klipschorns. Guess what? Due to room acoustics and lack of speaker placement flexibility, the sound sukt big-time. Finally gave up on that system and room. Moved 2-channel rig to family room, which accidentally has great acoustics for 2-channel music. Speakers by then were B&W 703's. Very nice, but got in a financial pinch and sold them for a/d/s/ HT400's. Nice for the money, with very solid build and good performance. Then I longed for floor-standers again and found a great close-out deal on Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab OML-2's. A wonderful speaker for $800 close-out price. Especially on classical and jazz. A little anemic on ze rawk und roll, though. Longed for slam. Bought "B" stock Klipsch La Scala II's and sold Mo-Fi's. This was 9 months ago.

    FF to today...Got sick (pancreatitis/gall stones), and got poor again (medical bills and hours cut at work). Plus, I wuz gettin tired of concept of HUGE speakers that make little bass. And not much air there, mon frer. So...I sold the big ol' horns and immediately stumbled onto what appears to be a good deal on a "mint" pair of LSi9's, so...yup, I bought'em and now hope springs eternal that audioboy will be satisfied and living in audio bliss -for a while at least!:D
    THE MAN-CAVE 5.1 CHANNEL A/V RIG
    Sony KDS-60A3000
    a/d/s/ HT-400LCR (3)
    a/d/s/ HT-300 (2)
    Velodyne DLS-4000R (2)
    Pioneer Elite VSX-55TXi
    Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai
    Sony BDP-S300
    Sony SLV-779HF
    DirecTV HD sat. receiver

    MAN-CAVE 2-CHANNEL RIG (shares sources with a/v system)
    Adcom GFA-5500
    Bose 901 Series VI
    NAD C-165BEE
    Slim Devices Squeezebox Classic
    TEAC CD-RW890
    Technics SL-BD20D w/ Audio-Technica P34
    Akai HX-A3X
  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited April 2009
    I'm not quite staified yet, but I will be soon...:cool: