Was just thinking...

TroyD
TroyD Posts: 13,077
edited August 2009 in The Clubhouse
Man, it's been a looooooooong time since I've spent a day perusing the forums....

Had sort of an epiphany of some sorts day before yesterday. I was cruising craigslist and happened upon a sweet deal on a smaller Carver amp (TFM-24)...so I picked it up for a song...

Man, takes me back to a few years ago when there were a few of us in full-on Carver hoard mode. We were grooving in mid-fi and loving every minute of it.....snapping up NAD preamps...going after the giant killers...things of that nature.

Then things got SERIOUS....we went high tone. ESLs, tubes, etc etc....big bucks, no whammys

Not that there is anything wrong with it, but I'm asking myself if I really enjoy the music or the hobby that much more with the esoteric ****? Today is just one of those days, I feel like getting back to the fun of it....or at least a bit nostaglgic for it.....Hmmmmmm....

BDT
I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited August 2009
    TroyD wrote: »
    Man, it's been a looooooooong time since I've spent a day perusing the forums....

    Had sort of an epiphany of some sorts day before yesterday. I was cruising craigslist and happened upon a sweet deal on a smaller Carver amp (TFM-24)...so I picked it up for a song...

    Man, takes me back to a few years ago when there were a few of us in full-on Carver hoard mode. We were grooving in mid-fi and loving every minute of it.....snapping up NAD preamps...going after the giant killers...things of that nature.

    Then things got SERIOUS....we went high tone. ESLs, tubes, etc etc....big bucks, no whammys

    Not that there is anything wrong with it, but I'm asking myself if I really enjoy the music or the hobby that much more with the esoteric ****? Today is just one of those days, I feel like getting back to the fun of it....or at least a bit nostaglgic for it.....Hmmmmmm....

    BDT

    And that right there is why i'm afraid to REALLY step up my system... i'm not sure it'll be any more fun. In my small room, my system is enough to hurt, has no problems pressurizing the whole area, and it's still not straining at those levels.

    I've been on the fence about trying some carver stuff, though...
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited August 2009
    Oh, I'd say make the step...fo sho'. Don't get me wrong, I'm not discounting the quality or how much I enjoy it....just having a bit of nostalgia.

    Though, it would be REALLY cool to put together a high horsepower AR9 and/or Carver Amazing rig again. Hmmmmmmm.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited August 2009
    TroyD wrote: »
    Oh, I'd say make the step...fo sho'. Don't get me wrong, I'm not discounting the quality or how much I enjoy it....just having a bit of nostalgia.

    Though, it would be REALLY cool to put together a high horsepower AR9 and/or Carver Amazing rig again. Hmmmmmmm.

    BDT


    There's a pair of Carver Amazing Platinums where i am in minty shape for $1400. They've been for sale for a LOOONNNNGGGG time though. I bet if you offered him $1000 he'd take it. I've been drooling over those and a Hafler XL600 for awhile now. Less than $2000 into a system that would level a neighborhood? Awesome!

    I'll make the step... right now i'm having fun trying to put together an all-vintage Sansui setup for the garage. And that HAS been fun. :D
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2009
    I agree. I kind of miss the thrill of a good Craigslist MidFi score. Nothing like picking up a beaten up Carver M4.0t for $50, plugging it in and praying it turned on. Then, after hooking it up to the rig, half-heartedly turning it on and hoping it didn't blow anything up or catch anything on fire.

    Having a rig that is of newer, nicer stuff is great as well. And, while the gear is more expensive initially, you can still basically break even by going used so it's a worthwhile venture if you're really into audio.

    I never thought I would have gear with $3000 + retail pricetags per piece. However, I didn't pay nearly that much for any of them as there are always great deals to be had. I would say the stuff I have now sounds marginally better than my more mid-fi systems, but does look better and is more reliable (I never have to mess with connections, pull out the soldering gun, etc.).
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2009
    I've never taken my rig to what most would consider high end. It is NAD electronics, decent wire (SC and AQ), Goldring TT, NAD and Sony CDPs, Polk SDA 1Cs or RT400s...and it hasn't changed a whole lot. I have never been much of a gear hound...and now I spend most of my money on music (just ask GG). I do spend a few bucks to add to my vintage Pioneer gear...an there will probably be a TT upgrade down the road...but for now...it really is about the music for me.
    "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
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2009
    Unfortunately, I'm a gear ****/hound and spend about 10 times more effort looking for deals on great gear than listening to my rig. But, partly because I'm in front of a computer all day and not my system. Hard to really listen to music at the office while working, easy to surf the web for gear.

    But, I'm sure some day I will find peace with my materialistic / greedy self and actually enjoy the music more than the deal or the gear. I have been able to accumulate some great stuff and great prices, though!

    I think I listen to music most in my daily commute, which is sad because it's also the worst "system" I own. Stock Acura Bose from 2001.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • jm1
    jm1 Posts: 618
    edited August 2009
    Having taken the path of upgrading the room and system, I find I don't miss the good old days even for one second. Most of the previous components have been placed in the second system for the kids to enjoy listening to their blues and jazz. Any extras have found a new home.
    All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third, it is accepted as self evident.
    Arthur Schopenhauer
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited August 2009
    it was hard to determine price/performance/FUN.. ratio .

    andalso brings one to the discussions of diminishing returns.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,092
    edited August 2009
    TroyD wrote: »
    We were grooving in mid-fi and loving every minute of it.....snapping up NAD preamps...going after the giant killers...things of that nature.

    Man Troy, that is me lately and I am lovin' it.:)

    My budget will not let me leave the mid-fi level...until my 4 kids get out!
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited August 2009
    the stuff I got is pretty much where i am going to stay. it would simply be waaaay too much money for me to get even a mild improvement, much less a marked one.

    I enjoy getting those pieces that performed really well for not much bread. I like the fact that I have a 2 channel system and theater that someone could blow a wad on retial and mine will still sound better at a fraction of the cost.
    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
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited August 2009
    by the way, I am so with you on the Carver gear, still love that stuff. there might come a time where my m4.0 and TFM45 amps might go out to get freshened up
    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
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2009
    Troy well at least you and other have moved on to the better gear.. me, i'm still stuck at first base... ok I made it to second.

    As much as I love this hobby.. i don't have the means right now to take it in the direction I would like.. so you settle and make the most of whatcha got. ;)

    The good old days were fun.. but in 10 yrs from now, what we're using will be the good old days' gear. ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited August 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    .. but in 10 yrs from now, what we're using will be the good old days' gear. ;)

    And I'll be able to afford it.

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited August 2009
    shack wrote: »
    ...an there will probably be a TT upgrade down the road...

    How far down the road Bro?
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2009
    hearingimpared wrote:
    How far down the road Bro?

    No idea really...I'll know when I get there. I'm thinking a Clearaudio.
    "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
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited August 2009
    shack wrote: »
    No idea really...I'll know when I get there. I'm thinking a Clearaudio.

    Are you going to solicit ideas?
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2009
    hearingimpared wrote:
    Are you going to solicit ideas?

    Probably not. I never have before. Why start now? ;)
    "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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter