I am very content with my current system.
My ...preamp,power amp,speakers...are here to stay. For me the equipment is a means to an end, enjoying music in my home and not an end in and of itself. My train pulled into the station a while back and I am not riding the rails anymore.
Scotty
Scotty, I pulled out of your quote what was relevant to my situation, hope you don't mind.
I also note that my dedicated listening room, TT and cart, and CDP are good 2 go as well.
- Regarding cabling, I opted into the 2nd Grover Group buy and recently reached out to get the upgrade to SC version, so I'm open to consider changing speaker cables if the cost were modest for a substantive improvement.
- [I thought I might consider upgrading speakers from the ones I originally purchased in 1988, but they still sound wicked good and I continue to be unimpressed about dumping out $$$ for another product that might provide but a small improvement in my overall listening satisfaction; thus, the only change I might make to my speakers would be to have all the caps changed out in a year or two - by then they'll be 20 yrs old.]
- Regarding the mainstay power pieces of my system, I'm content with the enjoyment my mono amps provide. I found that going to monos, fed by dedicated lines, was a quantum upgrade that satisfies each and every listening session and was a brickwall to any thoughts about major upgrades. In my case, the dedicated lines' expense was under $160 and a wonderful investment; the price was a bargain from a local church community member.
- Regarding preamps, what I have is eminently enjoyable, satisfying, and affordable. Glad it includes a nice MC section as well. (Sure, I wouldn't mind trying / hearing the latest ModWright pre and his separate vinyl piece, yet I know I won't purchase them.)
- I also like headphone gear, esp. for my work setting, and with 3 sets of phones including a boutique cable for my Senn HD650s, a nice set of ICs, a vintage & high performing portable player, and a portable amp plus 2nd home preamp to boot, that system has been set for a while and should even be slimmed down.
- For my basement home gym, I've got a mint vintage Fisher 800B receiver and other vintage gear. Who could ask for more?
- Now, if we're talking minor tweaking products, I'll leave that door open for the foreseeable future. My experience has shown that a modest tweak can elevate a system to an enviable price/performance ratio. [See earlier comments above regarding dedicated lines.
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Didn't think I had this much to say about the topic. I'd summarize comments about my main audio system in general, and headphone / other system's as well, that they're enjoyable and satisfying. It's as comfortable and reliable as a best long-term friend: generally real, great food for the soul, agreeable, informative, sensitive, and mostly forgiving (bad recordings, you know who you are). I've found that my audio mantra of patiently stretching my $ for the largest positive and synergistic return, within reason, has served me well and steadily brought me to the point of overall system satisfaction without killing the savings account. This and other forums are great conduits of impressions and information for which I'm thankful, and help direct me towards possible system sophisticated enhancements that meet my guidelines. There's no doubt I've invested (generally wisely) in acquiring and using various audio gear at home and work. The return, for me, is not so hard to measure - you may want to ask yourself, what's the value of a smile on your face, peace in your heart, and toes tapping in time day after day?
