Top questions that audiophiles must ponder over!!

[Joey_V]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?
2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?
3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

Answer!

:cheers:

 

[Zero]

1. A tie between the Polk Audio RT2000P towers of power and the Polk Audio LSi-9. The RT2000's are what got me into audio. The LSi-9's got me hooked.

2. Totem Sttaf. Not exotic, expensive, nor immensely popular - but they are rich with tone when set up right. They have survived the whirlwind of electronics that spin through these doors. Thats a statement in and of itself. They will always be with me - if I have anything to say/do about it.

3. Moscode 401 integrated or a fully custom class-A amp (DartZeel's got nothing on this) from a good friend of mine. Vinyl will also be the next 'big thing' for yours truly - along with room treatments. A few years down the road I will have a room specifically built just for my listening pleasure, or at least thats the plan. Time to start collecting timber...

 

[Beat_Dominator]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?

I don't know how to answer that, my first visits to HiFi stores opened my eyes to what was possible in audio. If I had to give anything credit, I'd give it to my AKG K501 headphones. They kept me in touch with my inner audiophile throughout college.

2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?

Easy! My Forte 6a. I know that someone would need to spend more than double what they go for to best its performance.

3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

Turntable, my dad's hand-me-down Marantz has seen better days

 

[asindc]

1. A tie between the Polk Audio RT2000P towers of power and the Polk Audio LSi-9. The RT2000's are what got me into audio. The LSi-9's got me hooked.

Interesting. For me it was the Polk RT800i. Close second was the Onkyo receiver I bought with it. Hasn't been the same since!

 

[Charliemike]

1. My SL3s ... Before that I was lost ... Lost in a world where I didn't know what I was missing. Now, I couldn't possibly go back. I can't imagine what a ESL center would do for my HT ... I can't conceive of it being better than it is right now!

2. I guess the Rotel 3-ch amp as I wouldn't be able to get the most out of the SL3s without it.

3. Next big addition - Assuming I sell the SL3s (only one email about them so far) I'd probably go with the Aerius i and probably upgrade my receiver. As much as I like my Denon, my buddy's Sony is just so much better. Then it's a pair of surrounds and finally a sub. Oh, and maybe a new projector if the place I get has the size basement I want for the media room.

 

[DTB300]

Hard to say just one thing....But speakers probably dominate my history of major jumps

First it was: Dayton Wright Model 7's
Then it was: Kef 105.2's
Then it was: ML Sequel II's

Best Bang for the Buck Component - Both were purchased used for less than 1/3 of the original cost: CLSIIz's and my Plinius SA-102

Future Purchase: Pre/Pro to replace the main stream receiver I use now

 

[twich54]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?
2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?
3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

Answer!

:cheers:

1) Like Dan, my Speaker journey.....Dahlquist DQ-10's, Maggie 3.6's

2) No Brainer....my "Plinny" SA-102

3) Joey's Summitt's...when he upgrades / changes to the CLX's !!!

 

[Joey_V]

And the reason why I havent posted is because I'm still pondering....

3) Joey's Summitt's...when he upgrades / changes to the CLX's !!!

BTW, funny one Dave!! We got a comedian here guys!

 

[jfm]

1. Most pivotal audio purchase of all time?

MLs would be the obvious answer? So, looking elsewhere, I'd say my first ARC tube preamp, which made possible an integrated a-v system that's musical, and led me back down the tube path.

2. Most bang for the buck?

Acoustic treatments, without which I wouldn't really hear the potential of the system. Second place would be capacitor upgrade in my tube cdp.

3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

Upgrading my turntable. Or amp. Or speakers. Or ask me again sometime

 

[Pcar928fan]

1. Realistic (Radio Shack) speakers...still have them...in a scary way they took the place of the Aerius i in zone 2 of my system (it is rarely used and never critically).

2. Bang for the buck... Hmmm...got my Prodigy for like $6800 for the pair or maybe it was less that that...seemed like a really good deal... The new in box Rotel RSP 1098 was $1800...also a smokin' deal... The all time best might end up being the MBL 101a speakers I just bought...we will see when they get here. $4500 at a time when the current models new cost nearly $48,000!!!!!

3. As much as I have bought over the last 8 - 9 months I better be careful. I will be adding MBL amps at some point though. 8011AM or 9007... Hopefully a good deal coming directly out of Germany!

 

[Kruppy]

1. Kind of a toss up between my first "real" audio purchase, Vandersteen 2Ce and the speakers I lusted after for 12+ years, my current SL3s.

2. Besides my SL3s, PS Audio Power Director 3.5. So far this $600 purchase has made the biggest improvement to my system (probably because I can't really afford any improvements right now).

3. Next purchase......I want a sub really bad.....or maybe Jeff's 1072.....

 

[TheBobGoat]

1. Most Pivotal is my purchase of Aeon's back in 2003-04. I saw them first in college and was blown away. So shortly after Graduation I picked a pair up.

2. Worth it Gear? - I really love my new Ascent i's in full piano black w/cherry. They make the ML's fit in any room better and look great - obviously better sounding too! Worth the extra $$$ for the beauty. (Im going to add one photo I forgot to put up of the speaker in all of its glory in my system, so check that out!)

3. Next purchse is nothing for now - especially after last week's stock market fun! But I think sometime in the future I will pick up all of the gear like many on here have. It will just take some time to free up money and really sit down and audition some good gear. And then Summits or the next Gen.

 

[Dreamer]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?

the first "high end" bit of gear I ever purchased: a Carver M-200t amp, in my Junior year of college. After that, there was "no turning back" in my eternal quest for MORE CURRENT...

2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?

My Sequels, which I got used, with only about 40 hours on them, and they came with all the original packaging, which I got for about $1200. I'd been lusting after MLs for about 2 years at that time, and now I can't listen to any other speaker without thinking "they just don't have the "air" that Logans have..."

3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

I want to add a sub (probably a Sunfire EQ), a multi-channel pre (probably a Sunfire TGP-III or IV), and maybe take a BIG step up for my analogue setup (looking at Clearaudio, VPI and Amazon)

Of course, a bigger place to put all my gear would be GREAT, but with Grad shool looming on the horizon (I start in the fall) a new house is probably not in the budget for at least 3 years...

--Richard

 

[jtwrace]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?
2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?
3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

Answer!

:cheers:

I thought if you start the thread you shoudl really complete it with your answer. So Joey, don't be scared of yoru gf let's hear it.

 

[Audiophiliac]

1. Well I havent bought anything for a long time. My Paradigm Studio 60 v.2 were my first serious purchase. I bought them at the store I now work at, before I worked there...and while I worked at a now out of business big box store and had a discount to use...but nothing appealed to me there. I went back and forth between the Paradigms and Monitor Audio Silver 5i (which are amazing in their own right). Then I bought a second pair off of a co-worker who needed money....(I later sold them for a healthy profit of course...to his dismay)......And I had a nice little 5.0 system in my apartment. (2 pr. Studio 60, Studio CC, Denon AVR3802, Denon DVD2200). Then I sold it all. The end.

Actually, a friend got me into audio when I was in my teens. He was a recording engineer and had a lot of cool toys in his basement. I remember the Vandersteen 1s and 2s and the 2WQ sub...and Classe amps, Aerial speakers, Tannoy monitors, Maggies, Ashly amps, mixerboards, Macs, and old Klipsch sub, Adcom preamps, Acurus amps, Celestion speakers (maybe the only nice ones they ever made)...Paradigm mini monitors....the list goes on.

I digress. My answer to the question would have to be my Studio 60 purchase. They were lovely speakers!

2. Right now, all I have is my B&W M1s and the Dynamo sub hooked to my PC through a freebie Sherwood receiver that is on its last leg. The Dynamo rocks! I got it at cost so it was a great deal for me. I also am the proud owner of a recently acquired Loewe 38" widescreen CRT television. I picked it up off a client who "didnt want it anymore" for a song. It is the best looking television set I have ever seen and I will use it until it dies or I die.

3. My next purchase will likely be the new Rotel RB1072 100x2 class D amp. I need to replace the Sherwood receiver. And I think this little guy is just the ticket. I will also be able to use it to evaluate other future purchases. Although the rest of my audio/video visions will have to wait until I own my own home. Then the fun begins.

 

[kcl]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?

Five matched Snell speakers with a B&K AVR105 receiver, for a 5.1 system I picked up back in the early '90s. It replaced a $250 system my wife and I bought back around 1970, and it opened up a whole new world of both audio and home theater that I was aware of but until then didn't understand.

2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?

Believe it or not, a B&K AVR307 receiver. It does an excellent job of home theater management and driving of my 7.2 system, yet also does a surprisingly good job of 2-channel plus a sub for my Ascents and Descent.

3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

Already done. A pair of Summits, Sunfire pre/pro, and Sunfire amp to replace the Ascents and B&K receiver (which is lacking for the Summits).

 

[HsvToolFool]

#1) Most pivotal audio purchase?

SL3

#2) Most bang for the buck in my system?

SL3

#3) Next big addition?

First, serious room treatment including dedicated power
and using spectrum analysis tools, wood diffuser panels,
and perhaps absorbers to flatten response.

Second, Summit.

 

[Sambob2]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?

Of all time which changed everything for me....In 1976/77 I purchased a Phase Linear 700B Amplifier, Phase Linear 4000 Preamp and a pair of Ohm F speakers. That changed it all for me. It was then that I realized there was more to recorded reproduction than I ever thought I knew or heard! This was an upgrade system from the previous which was a Lafayette 4ch receiver, four Rectilinear speakers and a Gerard Zero 92 turntable.

2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?

This would be a tie between my Martin Logan ReQuests and the Audio Research Preamp.

3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

Easy, the purchase of the amplifier I have been auditioning, a Pass Labs x250.5 or its larger brother the x350.5. A little further out would be a purchase of a new transport or player for my digital collection. Looking at Cary for this so far...303/300 or a CDP-1

Sam

 

[Rich]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?

Actually, it was a cheap Yorx integrated stereo system with tuner, phono, cassette, 8 track, and speakers that I got for Christmas in about 1978 or so. It was as low fi as you can get, but I loved it and played the hell out of it. This was the gear on which I really fell in love with music. It was years later, when I got to listen to a pair of Klipschhorns, that I realized there is music, and then there is MUSIC!!!!!

2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?

Conrad Johnson Amp and Preamp. Got the pair as a demo -- half off retail price. Incredible detail, dynamics, soundstage, and that wonderful warmth and midrange that only tubes can give you. Mucho bang for buck.

3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

A dedicated listening room / movie theater, with a Summit, Stage, Clarity, Descent 5.1 sound system, high-end solid state electronics (tba), front projection system, and ample acoustic room treatments. More on this as it develops.

 

[Joey_V]

1. What is your single most pivotal audio purchase of all time? The one that you think changed everything for you?
2. What is your current most bang for the buck, most phenomenally worth it gear that you have in your system right now?
3. What is the next big addition to your system within the next year, 2, or 3?

To answer my own question:
1. I think it was the ML Mosaics, looking back a year and a half ago. It was the first time I actually thought of sitting far from the speakers and NOT use it strictly as a PC speaker set. It was the first time that I actually made it a point to position the speakers in a manner that would allow me to pull my computer chair back about 8 feet and listen to music the way 2ch music is meant to be experienced. It was my first taste of the hi-end!

I usually say my Polk LSi9, but in retrospect, I think what really got me going were my first pair of Martin Logan Mosaics.

2. Biggest bang for the buck is hands down, no doubt about it.... Martin Logan Summits. No ifs, ands, or buts.... I thought about it and wondered whether it was the Plinius or the Cary... but although all the other components have monumentally moved the sound so much closer to my ideal, I still think that the Summits are the ones that have leveraged much of my experience in audio today. Since I got the Summits, I've been much more aggressive with regards to auditioning other hi-end speakers and equipment, I've been more engaged in the community, and I've brought in more gear than I have ever done in search for a better understanding of what sounds good and right to me.

In close second, it might be the Cary SLP-98L preamp, this thing pushed palpability and eerie realness to the Summit experience.

Third would have to be a tie between the DAC (that is in the mail) and the Plinius sa-102.... further giving me better insight into the music.

3. Next? I think a TT from VPI (scout or scoutmaster or aries 3) and a Phono stage. But the creme dela creme has to be this Christmas, the Cary SLP-05 flagship preamp! Other than that, probably a subwoofer to augment the lowend, something like the Descent-i with SMS-1, JL Audio's Fathom, or a Velodyne DD-18, but that's atleast until I start as a resident.


Joey