Wow I am spoiled by my new (budget) stereo. How spoiled could I get?

[reynolds532]

Interesting comments. Thanks. I appreciate both the music and the equipment. In many ways I have greater appreciation for the art and engineering in a $1000 system that sounds really good than for systems trying to define the state of the art. And if all I had was a cheap boom box I would still enjoy music and listen nearly everyday.

[StevenSurprenant]

In many ways I have greater appreciation for the art and engineering in a $1000 system that sounds really good than for systems trying to define the state of the art.

That's exactly how I feel about it. Bravo!

You might want to try a little DIY, the rewards can be great for the money.

[Florian]

Hi there,

i used to / still have the key parts of a system like Mike (apart from the Turntable) and was extremely happy with the sound until i realized that i am fixing and tweaking stuff more than i actually listen to music. The supporting electronics are massive and complex so i kept the speakers and sold the rest and got me a nice simple system and enjoy it more than ever before. In the meantime i will either sell my main speakers or rebuilt it using some less "picky" electronics. Mainly class a non feedback solid state amps with tube front end. The key message, those with mega buck systems are usually not trouble free either ;-)

Enjoy the tunes

Pic 1 is of a currently "decommissioned pair of super speakers" in perfect condition.



Pic 2 is of my currently new setup. One integrated amplifier and a 2 way horn speaker.

• KR Electronics VA350i
• Usher Audio D2 MK2 (newest one) speakers

[Florian]

PS: The pics worked, but this site has some serious coding issues.

[Feanor]

Hi there,

i used to / still have the key parts of a system like Mike (apart from the Turntable) and was extremely happy with the sound until i realized that i am fixing and tweaking stuff more than i actually listen to music. The supporting electronics are massive and complex so i kept the speakers and sold the rest and got me a nice simple system and enjoy it more than ever before. In the meantime i will either sell my main speakers or rebuilt it using some less "picky" electronics. Mainly class a non feedback solid state amps with tube front end. The key message, those with mega buck systems are usually not trouble free either ;-)

Enjoy the tunes

Pic 1 is of a currently "decommissioned pair of super speakers" in perfect condition.



Pic 2 is of my currently new setup. One integrated amplifier and a 2 way horn speaker.

• KR Electronics VA350i
• Usher Audio D2 MK2 (newest one) speakers

Wow, Florian, not giving up on those Apogee Grands? Surely not!?! Now horn speakers. What ever happened to "Lord Magnepan"?

I see that Morricab has been messing with your head. Brad has has is preferences and, to his credit, he has figured out what equipment satisfies those preferences -- but they are still just preferences, and other people have different preferences that are just as valid.

Recently acted on one of his suggestions, (not high-end equipment admittedly), that was a bust for me. But at least it proved that he and I are not on the same wavelength. Recently I upgrade to a Pass Labs amp which Morricab doesn't like but which I find highly satisfactory.

[JohnMichael]

Hi there,


Enjoy the tunes


Pic 2 is of my currently new setup. One integrated amplifier and a 2 way horn speaker.

• KR Electronics VA350i
• Usher Audio D2 MK2 (newest one) speakers

Looking good Flo! I like a quality but less component type of system. Two speakers, integrated amp, turntable and SACD/cd player. As always I would enjoy hearing your system.

[Florian]

Hello you two,

thanks! But this is not because of Morricab ;-) We are friends for over 12 years so far. The Grand is perfectly fine, but you need 6 mono blocks or three stereo amps to run it. This makes it quite sensitive to reliability. Its also of a quite different nature to run all ribbons fully active with nothing in between. Sonics wise the NAT amplifiers are absolute top notch and by far the absolute best thing i heard. It is however, like i said, to prone to issues.

Lord_Magnepan was a long time ago and currently there is no planar that can come anywhere close to the experience of the Grand. One option might be the Soundlab Majestic with big tubes, but those are no reliable either. The Usher is a fantastic speaker and the KR a dream. Together they work very well indeed and i am quite happy. I don't have to sell the Grand and can build it up as a second system. My technician is currently developing a hybrid amplifier for me with no feedback. If its good i will use it on the Grand and just run both systems.

Cheers

[blackraven]

Florian, how could you take down that system? You were supposed to adopt me so that I could play with it!

Do those Apogee's really need 3 amps to drive them?

How does the new system compare to the old one?

[Feanor]

Do those Apogee's really need 3 amps to drive them?

I'm inclined to think I could make do with the Apogees and a couple of Pass Labs X350.5's -- but them I'm easy to please.

[Florian]

Florian, how could you take down that system? You were supposed to adopt me so that I could play with it!

Do those Apogee's really need 3 amps to drive them?

How does the new system compare to the old one?

Not to worry, i am building a second system around it ;-) I can still adopt you.

[Feanor]

Hello you two,

thanks! But this is not because of Morricab ;-) We are friends for over 12 years so far. The Grand is perfectly fine, but you need 6 mono blocks or three stereo amps to run it. This makes it quite sensitive to reliability. Its also of a quite different nature to run all ribbons fully active with nothing in between. Sonics wise the NAT amplifiers are absolute top notch and by far the absolute best thing i heard. It is however, like i said, to prone to issues.

Lord_Magnepan was a long time ago and currently there is no planar that can come anywhere close to the experience of the Grand. One option might be the Soundlab Majestic with big tubes, but those are no reliable either. The Usher is a fantastic speaker and the KR a dream. Together they work very well indeed and i am quite happy. I don't have to sell the Grand and can build it up as a second system. My technician is currently developing a hybrid amplifier for me with no feedback. If its good i will use it on the Grand and just run both systems.

Cheers

I don't really doubt the Usher + KR is a great system -- I'm just kind of ribbing on account of your hyperboles in the old days.

You'll recall that E-Stat has Sound Labs combined with VTL monoblocks -- I'm sure that sounds great too. I don't think he's had many problems with the VTLs.