"Don't listen to the system but listen to the MUSIC". This is the most precious advice You, a recognized and expert audiophile, can give to people. Totally agree. Change music and don't necessarily change components.
I was with your mother This is not true. If you say that, with the same cable type (copper or silver or mixed) and connection, there is no difference between entry level and high end cables I agree with you. But cables sound different depending on their electrical measures, material (copper or silver), quality of terminations, speakers resistance they are connected to.
Best possible tip for almost everybody, first make the room acoustically good (a multiyear project), you don't actually know what your system sounds like until you do, and if you keep replacing gear instead of fixing the room... your just making different versions of not good. I know a person who is obsessed with replacing his gear with super high end stuff... because he thinks his current gear is not up to par, but every problem he has is acoustics... that I could fix for a few hundred dollars, but he won't let me, he is dead set on the idea he needs 30k$ set of amps to get it right.... but amps and cables can't overcome physics.
I get you man. And my way is this: Never try to advice a friend who thinks he is always right, or likes to be always right. They may use you only to have their beliefs justified. And will not listen, or understand, what you can tell them. Even if your experience and knowledge faaaar exceeds theirs.
And it’s not just listening rooms that need attention to acoustical treatment but any place where any type of music will be played whether live of reproduced. 20+ years ago my local place of worship underwent a massive renovation. A one hundred plus year old example of European Spanish Style was renovated “expertly” and at great expense BUT absolutely no thought was considered to the acoustics of the project. An expensive professional sound system was installed with all the modern features. The result was/is an incredibly horrible acoustical “venue”. The choice of construction materials, the finishing of walls, vaulted ceilings, flooring, etc gave this beautiful renovation the acoustical properties of a fine Cavern minus the bats. I cringe with every hymn. No amount of electronic processing can fix the issue. A real acoustical treatment process needs to be done. A new pastor realized a problem and sought some acoustic consultant and some treatments were added. It helped a bit but more needs to be done. At least now the man in charge has an idea of the scope of the problem and has taken a step in the right direction.
My system is good enough. If I have discretionary $$'s, I'm going to try to help out people in need with the money. Too many people out of work, hurting, for me to buy more gear.
I know I won't have extra $$ for quite some time and if I did I would not be spending on audio stuff, what I have is good enough and I can only listen on headphones since my wife basically hates sound. I have a few different headphones, an O2 amp and a decent DAP, one only thing I would want is something I will never be able to afford(high end headphones).
I would add that before making any change, consider the major changes before incremental changes. Major changes such as whether you prefer the open, airy, spacious sound of dipoles or the focused and lively sound of horn speakers. This really should be figured out before getting into audio at all. Speakers make the biggest difference in sound of any component in the chain, and deserve the most thought and scrutiny before laying down the cash.
Agreed! If the rest of your system is at a cost of say $1000. The quality range in price of your speakers should be at least $3000 speakers. The two biggest influences of sound are a clean signal, and speakers that can best reproduce sound. Achieving a clean signal is a lot easier than matching speakers. I did not mention speakers in my recent response. But, in 2020 the most important component of your system for reproduction is your SPEAKERS. Today,s technologies has made it easy to achieve a clean signal. SPEAKERS! SPEAKERS! SPEAKERS! I really like your comment Stewart...so true!
Nobody ever talks about simply using octave band dB boosts to adjust your existing components to ongoing changes in your hearing, especially as you age (presbycusis). New components may only seem to sound better if you never adjust and readjust your existing system to your hearing.
I certainly can attest to this first hand. Great observation and very useful for many audiophile especially those of us who experience age related or workplace related hearing changes.
Audiophiles dont listen to music, they listen to equipment. The trick to this hobby is to outgrow it and then months or years later you have the system or headphones and you listen to it for the music and realize God Damn this is good. But while you're in the hobby you never have that. You have to outgrow this hobby
Your statement of what will happen to your system when you’re “gone” is now burned into my brain! I just never thought about it before, now I can’t stop thinking about it !!!!!
Lol... I have thought about this for a while and have told family members what things are worth and not to toss ANYTHING. The only answer I come up with is to put it on eBay and list it for a long time. For that I mean 2 weeks if possible. I do that because locally won’t bring in higher prices. I have a lot of stuff... tube amps, tube preamps, reel to reel, silver faced solid state....... you get my point. I also told them what to keep in the family. All of my things have been restored to new,and tube stuff,better than new. I have considered selling stuff and buying fewer things but replacing them with better equipment. Bottom line “LISTEN TO THE MUSIC” doobie brothers 😎
When I received my tube preamp the wife said, { What are those nobby things sticking out } ...... I'm sure most of my gear will find its way to the dump......
@@moon-light1354 hehe, I'm sure my stuff will end up in the dump too, I told my wife to put it on ebay because it's worth enough that the money will be worth the effort but I doubt she remembers.
@@Silverface1987 Excellent point - leave someone a list of what things are worth, who to call when you die, insurance/investment account numbers and contact info, what bills are paid from where, where the folders with important papers are. Oh, and all of your passwords.
make sure your audio equipment is functioning properly , check ac voltage and clean up your ac line , clean all contacts , separate chords and make improvements to room acoustics before you go down the upgrade path --AGAIN! don't judge system if you generally are having a bad day .
Hi i have come to a conclusion Usually people who like me change and buy things cannot change listening room. I have a short story. I was talking with a technician whose job was to treat acoustically little theaters. He told me that he had had the opportunity to work in a small theater whose acoustics were exceptional. As an experiment he had placed a boombox on a chair in the middle of the stage. Well that insignificant boombox filled the theater with good quality music . I am sure that if one could afford a room suitable for listening to music (i.e. acoustically optimized), he would stop changing systems frequently and would simply enjoy the music. Unfortunately it is much easier to change an amplifier than the house .... but the room will always remain a big problem.
"What is it that you want out of music?" Almost seems like an existential question. I'd say all I am looking for in a system is natural midtones, deep bass (even if it's unnatural) and crisp highs. Nothing more.
I believe that the differences in sound quality between similarly sized and powerful equipment made by reputable companies (more like different flavors of good) is far less than the differences between environments that people listen to their equipment in. The only piece of gear that most people need and don't have is a DAC if you're listening from a computer source. As a recording engineer, I need to know how my clients listen and almost without fail, they don't even know what a DAC is let alone have one. It's indispensable to a hifi experience coming out of a computer.
Thumbs up, Jon. Yes, I have a DAC, a Topping D10 DAC. However, so far I mostly listen to music from vinyl, CD, cassette tape, and FM radio. Anyway, it's connected to my Sony STR-DH520 Receiver for now. A little later I am going to connect my DAC to my desktop computer of 2003, upgraded to Windows 7 that has a S/PDIF optical output port; therefore going to get a long SPDIF cable from Amazon, Canadian web site, and connect to my eSynic headphone amp via Linkerpard RCA cables. But you know what? I still mostly listen to music from analogue, and digital CD.
This discussion could apply to many hobbies and interests. But....sometimes chasing gear, selling, buying, reading forums, magazines, etc. can be fun as well. Just a thought.
Well, Steve is talking a lot of sense here about that constant battle between the gear and the music but his most poignant remark for me here is what he says when... "What happens to your stuff when you're no longer of this planet" Time for a short tale. I worked in HiFi for eight years for a very renowned HiFi store, and one day, in strolls this chap wanting to look at a new integrated amplifier - nothing special you might think, out the back we both went to the showroom, being a salesman I began to show him what we had on offer. Luxman, Bryston, Moon Audio, Octave Audio and so on.. Eventually, I had to ask the question :- "So sir, what speakers are you running back at home" "Tannoy Legacy Series Cheviots" was his reply "Oh wow, I bet they cost you a pretty penny" I added "No, not really...they were essentially free" What? That's when his story began - he was out with his girlfriend for a Sunday drive in the bucolic Melbourne Dandenong ranges, the day was overcast and rain was due any moment, driving along the winding roads they both looked out at some of the beautiful scenery - olden, craggy gum trees, the occasional vintage periodic house and of course as you do.... You drive past a freshly shorn lawn of grass to spot these Tannoy Cheviots just sitting there by the garbage can waiting for collection. Slam on the brakes and make no mistake. Out to inspect them - they look mint, an incredulous moment ensues. Quickly, as the weather took a turn for the worst he loaded them into the car and off he drove home. Plugged them into his system - perfect, Scottish vintage, goodness, sublime - what gods had brought such fortune and luck? Our man here was a keen member of an online audiophile community called 'StereoNet Australia' and of course, he had to tell his tale of marvelous fortune via the forums. He got a reply. "Dandenong you say man, was it around here and here, around that area?" Our man was taken aback, who was this strange person replying to him with almost pin-point precision as to his gilded find? Here is the kicker, the Tannoys belonged to a decade upon decade long audiophile named - Ted - the guy who replied had popped in on one or two occasions to his house for a mutual listening session and chin-wag because they happened to be local to each other in those hills. Ted passed on and with it also disappeared one of his life long lies... He never told his wife and kids the true value of his gear, he lied time and time again to hide his tendencies and addiction to keep upgrading. "Yeah those Tannoys cost me $500 honey, I promise to be good from now on" Scoundrel!
I was convinced I needed new speakers in all 3 of my systems.....(living room, bedroom, computer room).....I priced them out, and was ready to spend the $$......then, I thought of what each speaker brought to the table....and how perhaps they were simply in the wrong room for their particular qualities......so, I put each speaker in a different room....and....holy moly, I saved myself a ton of money, as I was (and continue to be) completely happy with the sound in each area now.....go figure....
Another thing you can do is play around with the speakers and amps you have, try different pre-amp amp combos, and different settings. I recently found a magical sweetspot I never knew existed in the balance of my equipment. Everything sounds different and more detailed than ever before, right down to the individual snares on the drum, or the coils of the guitar string during a slide.
will be listening to mix of music and notice that there is a lack this or that. hey, maybe its time for new speakers, maybe the lrs's would sound better , or ohm walsh's, no its gotta be wilson watt puppies. yes that's the answer. then another song plays and its.... perfect, just like it was when i put the system together. could it be that the problem is not the gear, but the recordings? you can always upgrade gear, but its like a dog chasing its tail. i've learned to be happy with what i have, its not perfect, but nothing is.
I got 4000euro to spend. So I spend it on eye laser surgery. Everything went well. I bought some Sony ss-cs5 for working at home. My desk setup is at the end of my diner table. At the other end beside the table I put the Sony speakers on top of BNS speakers on top of a small stool. The tweeters are at the perfect height. If I am tired of the Sony, I switch to BNS. I use Topping PA3 class D amplifier. The stereo amplifier is smaller than my headphone amplifier 🤣😂. In a Teams conference everybody can enjoy my music 😏😏. My main speakers are Magnepans.
Better than an approach to plan for and improve your system, would be a survey of what the digital software landscape is moving toward, and how to plan for a system that will cover the contingencies. Many of us are about to move from systems we understand, analog, to digital systems we know nothing about. Like literally not understanding the jargon, what plugs into what, what my high def music library will look like, what to play it on, and how to store it. Yes, I could read a bunch of articles on line, articles I'll get impatient and confused with, articles that won't give me a strategy for purchases and compatibility. So, I request that you do that. How should an old analog man proceed through the digital forest? And what the hell is a 'music server' (the range of functions seems to vary) and where does it get it's shit from?
This is me, too. Turntable, tube phono preamp, low watt tube amp w/bluetooth, high efficiency speakers. Very simple, and at times the music is so good it catches me by surprise.
Improvement of the enclosures and insulation in doors and windows, reduction of background noise. Refill the fridge with our favorite drinks. Buy new records, give away the ones we don't like. All of that helps.
As a practical matter, there's a limit to the technology and a limit to human hearing, once you reach a certain point you're buying something more than the best sound. At that point if you want the experience of actually being there listening to real instruments in real space your best bet is to spend your money getting the thrill of attending live events, but don't be surprised if your system at home sounds better than the live rock concert held down at your local football stadium.
Great advice! New music is a great adventure 👍 I invested in a Bluesound Vault2 and and Node2i with Qobuz subscription for my music rooms. Every day I check out the latest HR recordings. Every day is "wonderfilled"! My library fills in my listening time too, but there's so much music to discover!
I loved this episode. Totally didn't expect life lessons from Guru Steve but its very welcome. In yoga they re-teach you how to hear, how to see. How to be mindful in other words. I think Audiophiles get caught up on hamster wheels so having someone ask you to stop and smell the daisies is great advice.
I realise nobody will do it, but if you have the guts to try it, you may have an upgrade for nothing. Get some Christmas tinsel and cut a diamond shape piece out of the tinsel (3mm x 1mm). It's a tiny whizzer that you make, that is if you are up to such small workmanship. And this is where your guts comes in. Using a water based glue (like PVA) dip the tiny whizzer on one pointy edge into a spot of PVA glue and glue it to your tweeter diaphragm (if you have cheap bash around speakers, or if you are brave). It won't stick too well so you can easily get it off (with a bit of wet). That material in that tiny shape might make your speakers sound real. It's the texture caused by the material that does it. Does wonders for the imagery.
"what will happen to your system after you've passed?" many of them end up at Goodwill where they were donated by family members who don't know what else to do with a bunch of "old" electronics gear
too late, I have 3 systems, actually 5, I dont even have room for 1 set of speakers until I buy a new house. Only thing I want to upgrade is a streaming device, currently there are'nt any that I like so that will have to wait. I have one that works ok, but requires a phone, which, I dont want a phone involved with my stereo. Good news is I am happy with what I have, and when I move, I will probably sell everything and get 1 system to rule them all.
@axxxman Keep us posted if you find a streamer that fills the bill. Have you looked at the streamer Atol?( The Atol seemed to have good features. #1 for me was storing lots of files and formatting of any type of file) I don't have enough bandwidth for a streamer and will keep enjoying my collection.
@@MrSmithford Closest I have found has been the Cambridge Audio, I actually had it for 2 days but I decided to return it, 1500 dollars was a little expensive for what you are getting, Sony makes a nice one but it does not support very many apps, unless you want to use a cell phone. I am trying to keep cell phones out of the equation as do not like using my cell phone with my stereo system. I have such a setup now with the Yamaha WCX1, it works but I using the app is a bit of a hindrance. you have to find and unlock the phone the find the app every time you want to make a change. The NAD M10 (I think that is what it is called) if they made that just as a streaming device, it would be what I am looking for, I like the interface. I will keep looking. I hope someday it will be featured on the Audiophilliac. ;-)
I have on morethen 1 occasion discovered that friends had their speakers connected OUT OF PHASE! This makes them sound dull , unclear and undefined. I demonstate this by letting them listen to mono with treble way low, bass way up and balance in the middle. This can bring out this out of phase situation because those bass drivers will start to cancel eachother out instead of complementing eachother. Then i reconnect their speakers correctly (=in phase) also front agains rear sets if present. Then i re-adjust all controls to normal settings and switch to stereo and often people were amazed how much better their system sounded. Same situation in cars. Specifically with after market non-OEM installations. Just by doing simple tweeks like that can bring out a whole new enjoyment of music.
I have the privilege of owning a truly amazing sound system After listening countless times to all my favorite music and going through Qobuz and Spotify searching for new music to listen too Sometimes I find some good music but my biggest problem is finding new music that I Love that I just want to play over and over
Damn, im sooo in the same boat. I just cant get the sparkle the my favorite songs did fir me. I dont have amazing systems but i do enjoy listening to it. But there are times that i just want to discover some artist or genre that a could just listen to all day.
I have two systems, one in my office and one in the bedroom. Dahlquist DQ-10's, Quart 350's, Harman/Kardon Citation 5.1, the Harman/Kardon CD player has outstanding DAC/Analog Smoothing technology . . . I can go on, but the biggest challenge is MUSIC PRODUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pure digital . . . Analog to digital . . . compression . . .
You already covered this in a previous video, but the very first thing you should prioritize above all else is acoustic room treatment. NOT foam(its useless for the problems you will have) but proper treatment whether you DIY or buy and speaker placement. There are so many nuances and subtleties in your music that even the greatest gear cant achieve without room treatment. Dont blow money on anything until your room is situated and treated. Even if its just the first reflections, but you should make a project out of the whole room or as much as you can...properly that is.
@@Colin-yh7oy Thats a good work around but you will lose the spaciousness of the soundstage and that open sound. Depending how "near field" you will actually be anyways. Totally personal preference tho
@@blobeyeordie I'm sat about 8' from the speakers so I don't know if that really qualifies as "near field". They're about 6.5' apart and fire across the 10.5' width (not length) of the room, and side walls are far enough away that first reflections don't seem to be a major problem. This arrangement is probably entirely sub-optimal, but I guess I've grown used to the way it "images" and still allows me to get some insight into instrument placement, recording venue acoustics, etc.
i use my computer to stream from spotify , i did have a sony 5,1 sound bar but i thought it was very flat in the sound so i bought a small DAC and built some 2 way speakers ,its ok but does lack in bass on some songs so now im building a set of 3 way speakers ,,, just waiting for the parts to turn up lol
This video kind of explains me what I love about vintage Audio, lets say turntables though everything I have now is vintage. It takes away the urge to buy the latest and greatest. It has the 20/20 hindsight. And it has this mystery around it, what music was played on it trough all those years? But also only yesterday when I played music with my girlfriend (which is great because she pulls out different music) I was realizing how amazing the turntable is I was using: It is like half a century old and it is super engaging. I always come back to it and even though I know and can hear there are better products, it keeps drawing me back and above all it works well after all those years. For me, besides how it sounds and how it looks and feels (something discussed here often) the above dimensions add to the excitement that only vintage audio can do. And it brings calm and satisfaction to the equation. It even allows me to forgive flaws that would drive me mad if I would have bought brand new high end equipment.
Totally vintage here.... try getting into vintage tube amps.... talk about blown away. A vintage turntable and tube amp.... (In the evening) now that’s a HOMERUN. I have Magnavox amps that were pulled out of consoles, a very little work and they sound great. Tubes glowing in the night, that’s the cure, trust me. Get a tube preamp and your set. You can run your phone through it also. Sweeeeeet!
Also strikes me that it is fiscally very sound. You have the opportunity to look from a long view at how well a product stood the test of time. It is likely 50-90% depreciated which means it is back to the actual price of the parts. Particularly with point to point tube gear, the circuits are very simple to refresh by changing out the electrolytic caps when it hits the 20 year point. Everything else last a lifetime.
The only thing I would add to a great vintage system that is modern is a good quality DAC with today's technologies. A good matching DAC will help get the most out of the tone of your system.
AUDIOPHILE- equals -MAKE BELIEVE its hardware ?!?!? ME MYSELF AND EYE ..well we enjoy the music ....artist..environment...we dont concern ourselves with the sound and OR EQUIPMENT we DANCE !!WHY ???BECAUSE THE MUSIC IS PLAYIN not what its being played on !!!!! SHAME SHAME !Its a seriously weird world where some starve (tO death ) and others spend on audio hardware well beyond their inherit/physical means and requirements . BUT hey lets all go watch a movie right ?? Or watch a AWARDS SHOW put on by whom ...WE HAVE LOST ALLLL TOUCH ..so sad ..MY BLESSING TO DOCTORS .NURSES ,SOLDIERS MAAAYYBBE I PRAYTHERE WILL BE AWARD SHOWS FOR YOU !!!! need i ???s..A ..Y ...MORE
Exploration in audio is expensive. I'm not an "audiophile" but have owned a ton of components. NAD, Onkyo,Nikko, B&K, Klipsch, Axiom, KEF, Adcom, Sansui. For the last several years I've been happy with Rega RP3 w/ 2M blue Snell E2 Marantz PM 8004 Okki Nokki Marantz CD 6004
Should you be interested in KEF LS50 Meta, there you go: the very good technical presentation ( 60 minutes). Enjoy: ua-cam.com/video/qzcMLB-kEiY/v-deo.html
I liked Listener and Sound Practices. Audiomart. Those were the days - owned used ARs, KLHs, Advents, Linn SARAs, Thiel 3.5 floorstander, Camber 3.6, and now the amazing Spendor A6R which is super sought after.
The endless search for duplication of a musical instrument. As this has been my Life past 18 months. Bought a Yamaha A-S Integrated Amp new, a little pricey, incredible clarity, separation of Instruments, dynamic punch, but as I read it does lack Bass (especially late 70's early 80's Rock) just sounds horrible, but a quality recording from lets say Lee Ritenour sounds incredible. But, I need to listen to all my CD's from that era, so watched countless UA-cam on how to use a Multi meter, how to check DC off set, adjust the BIAS, ect. Now (like you) have 5 stereo systems set up in house, when I want some BASS bought a Kenwood KR 9000G with Cerwin Vega 12" or Pioneer SX-980 with JBL Studio monitors.
Any system will never meet your expectations .......mind will allways tell you ....I can be better . The first radio or something you did ever buy .....this gave you the most fun ............
l think l am progressing..... Started out in ‘68 with Armstrong 222 valve amp. Over the years, I have gone back to valve with Fisher x100a and then Fisher 500B and Klipsch 600m spk’s and a JBL sub bass. Perhaps l should change from a mc cartridge to a mm? lt is difficult ‘ to not to spend ‘. The sound l have is great.
Hi Steve, i need to buy an amplifier and a pair of bookshelf speaker. I’m thinking to get Elac speaker Elac debut 2.0 b6.2 and NAD C316BEE V2. Do you think this amp will do good with this speaker? Or I better get Klipsch RP-600M? Or any other speaker or amplifier but not over $1K for both, thank you.
Question for you. Bose haters are a weird cult. Decades ago, bose invented waveguide technology. Now today, polk, klipsch, etc...etc.. .are all using waveguide technology. Yet you so-called audiophiles have the nerve to make fun of and insult Bose? WTF?
I completely agree with your comment about not making lateral moves. I finally talked myself out of that and went from an RB250 to an Audiomods Series 6 arm, a Dynavector DV20X2H to a DRT XV-1s, Dreamcatchers to Nautilus 805s, and Lounge Audio mkIII to Valab LCR MkIII. All were about 3 steps up the ladder from where I was at. I also replaced my electrical outlets to inexpensive pure copper outlets and swapped out my power cables and ICs. It's amazing the detail I get out of my system now.
Hey! You! Buddy. Your job as part of a magazine in part driven by advertising revenues is to get people to go out and spend money on new stuff that is sooooo much better than what they already have even if the new stuff sounds like S**t. That's what keeps this industry going. Now get out there and SELL THE DAMNED PRODUCTS. SELL SELL SELL.
Motorcycles or audio buy and hold... I stop reading bait (tech specs) and avoid videos... Listen and ride ..Buy better different source material or safety gear track school. Got to a couple shows (yea COVID) Thanks for a non review video...
My Adcom GFA1 power amp that I purchased new in 1980 has finally given me some trouble. I also have the matching GFP 1 preamp. So I was all excited about buying a new Musical Fidelity integrated amp to replace it. But I spoke to a local guy who says he could fix it for $100 - $150. So that's what I'm going to do. In the meanwhile I'm cleaning up the switches and controls to the preamp. This was the system I "chased" back in the day. It still cranks out the tunes to ear-bleeding levels (if desired) but if the repairs needed are not worth it I'll go with the MF equipment. Either way I win.
Ok, I know you have a SUSVARA. Is that an HE1000se on the left behind you? Also, is that an HE1000v2 behind you on your right? I see you really like HIFIMAN headphones. I have all three and am curious what is your amp preference for the SUSVARA? G
I’m on the verge of getting my first turntable after 20 years of digital files. And I feel like I want a new bigger speaker, because I’ve seen one I like. I’ll definitely pause, and listen, especially to those favourite albums I’m considering buying on vinyl. But I’m not going A BLOODY WEEK without listening. That’s crazy talk. And my wife uses the system every other day anyway. So I get to listen outside my favoured zones quite a lot. Hahha
I’m on the verge of getting my first turntable after 20 years of digital files. And I feel like I want a new bigger speaker, because I’ve seen one I like. I’ll definitely pause, and listen, especially to those favourite albums I’m considering buying on vinyl. But I’m not going A BLOODY WEEK without listening. That’s crazy talk. And my wife uses the system every other day anyway. So I get to listen outside my favoured zones quite a lot. Hahha
My listening setup is Q Acoustics 3030i, Sugden A21SE, Qobuz, downloaded mp3/ Flac files, youtube. I have another setup - JBL studio 680, Sony AV receiver. I also use a Bose soundlink II (bluetooth) sometimes. Most of the times I do not miss my other two systems when I listen with one. I enjoy music in all three systems. Because music is paired with time, not with the instruments you listen with.
Just got a pair of Focal Aria 906's. Took your suggestion. Listening to modern country. Holy cow! What a difference between mixes. Familiar stuff sounds familiar with details I hadn't noticed before. These speaks are unforgiving. Mastering engineer by trade.
Best move I made in lockdown was purchase of an Innuos Zen mark 3 music server. Ripped my large CD collection to it and (a) it's much easier to access my collection, so I am playing CDs I haven't played for years; and (2) it sounds better playing FLAC rips than my CD player does, all into the same DAC, so I am happy. But I agree, take a breath otherwise you end up forever searching for the next upgrade, sometimes at the expense of enjoying your music collection. it's all about getting a balance, I completely agree - enjoy your system for a while before looking to upgrade.
Steve , need your help on a Denon 600NE. I want to add a pre amp to my system Fluance T85 . No one will answer my question on can I add a pre amp through the AUX connection? I can't get a straight answer. Need your help!
My Yamaha CX-1000 preamp is being repaired now in Palo Alto to the tune of $420 . It's 30 years old. Ive got a Carver C7 spare right now. Im sold on gettin' a new McIntosh preamp and makin' that Yamaha a spare.
Maybe the move for mature audiophiles is to pursue high quality source material. I have only, arguably, low-end audiophile gear, but to me, it sounds great when I use my limited selection of good source material. Finding more of that seems like: 1) is money better spent as I'm sure no equipment improvements will recover my existing loved, but crappy, material, 2) is affordable in that mistakes are less costly than purchasing high-end gear, 3) is nearly unbounded in its variety of choice compared to gear, and 4) directs focus back to the music experience. I could be showing my lack of expertise here, though. It is difficult for me to sort out what is at fault, source material or equipment, from a lack-luster sound experience. Perhaps a discussion of this could be a topic for a future Audiophiliac (if it hasn't already).
Ya know it’s funny and coincidental watching this video because that’s what I’ve been doing. I have a very small spare bedroom and turned it into a listening room, and have all the gear I want an need at the moment. Always had plenty of the software, vinyls, but a less than adequate stereo system. Thanks for recommending the Reissong A-10 and the Klipsch (sp) RP600M. It’s working out real well and I believe the tubes are starting to burn in. I don’t know what I’m supposed to hear and listen for, but I’m noticing a change.
I have a pair of altec 340a tube monoblocks ~30-35 watts each. Everybody raves about mcintosh old tube amps and i really just want to get one (mc225 or mc240) just to see how mine compare. After watching your video i feel like this will be a lateral move, but sometimes do you just have to see how it compares?
I don't agree!...... I'm 40 years in, and still in the exploration phase, and I love it! That said, I have 3 pairs of speakers that I've had for over 20 years, and I love them all. Other new and used speakers have come & gone, and I've made some mistakes. Oh well.... so what. Usually I agree with Steve, but I really don't understand this video.
After about 10 years of staying with my system I purchased new speakers which lead me to replacing my speaker cables, then my power amp, then cartridge and then my turntable, then my digital playback, then added 2 subwoofers, then added new power cables and then improved electrical supply. This took about 18 months and to be frank, I’ve had enough even though I could/should replace more of my power cables. But my systems sounds very good, and, for the moment it will do. Maybe not for the next 10 years but definitely the next couple.
Have been in this hobby most of my life. As with anything in the human world, the sooner and more frequently you start to know and listen to you and yourself only, the less you will need "experts, magazines, gurus, and audiophiliacs".....to get it your way, which is always the most rewarding way..... Happy listening, meanwhile!!!
Save your mind and your money from going down the hifi upgrade rabbit hole. I did. My floor standing speakers are 30 y/o and my turntable 20ish, for example. And my speakers are not tall and skinny which is all I see these days, ugh. Short and stumpy, like the good old days.
Hello Steve i own a pair of klipsch rp 600m's and i am looking to see if the yamaha rx v385 which is a budget receiver that i am considering on buying as i would like to power my speakers with it. Is it enough power? I am beginning my audiophile journey like this.
I dunno, Steve. To use a car analogy, you are telling us to enjoy the scenery, or go somewhere new, or take a different route to a familiar location. All things we've done. And, good advice. But there's also the car itself. That acceleration (dynamics). Steering wheel feel (transparency). The brakes (noise floor). The suspension (transients). Some of us like the car, and the human engineering, as much as the scenery. Some of us mash the throttle just to feel that rush, en route to the grocery store. Combine amazing scenery with a bitchin' car ... oh yeah. Then of course there's the wristwatch analogy; would you say "just enjoy knowing what time it is?" I think some of us just have to admit that we're gearheads.
I use the same pre amp/power amp and speakers that I bought 30 years ago. Speakers could probably be improved but the amps, maybe not. For my listening preferences. Mostly soft to loud Classical music in a large living room.
Very good wisdom Steve. Only time I believe you should buy some new equiptment is when you are not happy with the sound of your music, or like in my case just upgrading it because you can do it financially. Most people dont buy the perfect system when their young because of priorities family kids college Expenses etc. But at the end of life you now can afford better speakers, amp, whatever you think will improve your system. Bottom line is its your system your happiness with it. But knowing your end goal in the sound is important. Imo 👍
I need the audioquest niagara 3000 power filter.. I Tried it thes weekend, and my system was at a whole different level. What Surprised me most, was the increase in dynamics and details when connecting their Tornado power cable. It was mind blowing.
Hey...just a minute...the only way I could afford my gear is by buying the used “stuff” that others have grown out of. There is some really good used buys out there at a fraction of the new price. Keep reading the magazines. And buying that new gear. Then after a couple of years move on and sell it for less than half of what you paid for it. Oh, that’s how I buy my “new” cars also.
Great video. I tell you this. I don't consider myself a real audiophile because I never upgrade. If something breaks beyond repair, l may be forced to upgrade just because the stuff I had is no longer available. Other than that, I never upgrade. Music is the most important thing. Besides, entry level gear nowadays is much better than entry level gear years ago.
Please comment on the combination of a relatively inexpensive pre amp(300-400) and excellent 1k or so phono stage for vinyl lovers. It has worked wonders for me for many years with no desire to buy new components.
Can you turn the in adverts off are really baggies me up! I don't just get the advert I get about 10 seconds of buffering afterwards! if there's too many adverts in somebody's clip I just don't watch it anymore
Are you can just squander 1000 on the latest greg weaver approved speaker cable which is the best cable ever ya know... lmao Still overpriced by at least double.
Congratulations! I think the clock is the big secret to great digital. All the DACs are pretty good these days, but limited by the phase noise of the clock. Its like the comments about fixing the room treatment before changing the gear. Without a low phase noise, digital simply cannot be natural.
@@user-od9iz9cv1w I am worried this may be a pointless purchase, just like Audiophiliac's NY buddy who also has dCS DAC and wanted to add a clock. A dCS DAC is already rather expensive and has a good clock in there. So adding an external clock does not do anything for you - unless you have OTHER components which need to be clocked TOGETHER with the DAC. So unless he has a transport, upsampler or whatever else dCS is selling, you do not need a clock, because there is nothing to sync with one component only....
@@Baerchenization I can't comment on the value of adding the external clock to the dCS DAC. What I do know first hand is the phase noise of the clock determines the sound of the DAC. If the dCS DAC has a great built in clock, that may be all that is required. Only your ears can determine is the optional master clock is worth buying. Recently at an audio show I was really blown away be the sound in one room. I realized the DAC had an outboard clock. The host offered to disconnect the clock and the sound collapsed to the normal level. Can't recall the brand, but in that case the $5k clock would be hard to pass up.
@@user-od9iz9cv1w Err, when dCS sell you a DAC for 20K bucks, it comes with a decent clock, I give you that in writing ;) If it needs an extra 20K dollar clock to make a 20K DAC sound like a 20K DAC, then maybe it is not a good investment...
@@Baerchenization Well I agree with you on that point. If I paid $20k for a DAC, I'd be ticked if I had to cough up another $20k to make it sound amazing. For these numbers I can't image what all it would need to do but it would be more than make music.:) Fortunately I am part of a DIY group which allows us to get this stuff without the commercial gross margin.
Something no one ever talks about is adjusting your hearing to sound it’s best. Pinch your nostrils, close your mouth and lightly try to blow through your ears. After that rabbit f•ck your ears with your pinky. Then, pull down down your earlobes with your mouth wide open. This will make your system sound it’s best. Even doing this if I fly or drive over the ridge route in Calif. it takes a day or so for my hearing to sound right.
I'm not an audiophile, but I am a professional musician, and what Steve is saying makes perfect sense. Stop chasing gear and start enjoying what you already have.
funny , just reading to day that my old Polk RT3 Speakers will sound better if the tweeters are set at around ear level.Just about to jack them up a bit on the desk (currently they are used as computer speakers through a dac out usb on my computer, then through a small class D amp with built in Dac)
1:55 I mean, this is what I do every time I get a new bit of audio kit anyway, and often even when I don't. That being said, I'm more pragmatic about my gear than most audiophiles, though everyone I know would likely disagree with that statement. 😆
Do a video on preamp and amp match ups, tube / tubes, tubes / solid state etc. Recently you did review of a Cary preamp and beside the technical part of impedance you mentioned how well one First Watt worked compared to the other. Was it just the higher impedance or was there a synergy between the First Watt and the Cary.
Sad that people with too much money are being told that if you love audio gear at audiophile level you really ought to be listening to music...I love music and I wanted a system to enjoy music on...once that the urge to buy more and more gear receded I listened to more and more music....surely that is the point...
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
I seem happier with my system if I don't read the stereo magazines.
I know what you mean.
Yes, enjoying what you have, enjoying the music instead of focusing on what someone wants to sell you.
@@dilbyjones Be happy you're up there, as a 16 year old I can't afford the top 10%! ;-)
You too?! LOL!
@@gideonkloosterman it's Re-Sale from 1970 vintage ...just like my clothes.
"Don't listen to the system but listen to the MUSIC". This is the most precious advice You, a recognized and expert audiophile, can give to people.
Totally agree. Change music and don't necessarily change components.
good quote here: Alan Parsons: “Audiophiles don’t use their equipment to listen to music. Audiophiles use your music to listen to their equipment”
Amen. Spot on advice.
I was with your mother This is not true. If you say that, with the same cable type (copper or silver or mixed) and connection, there is no difference between entry level and high end cables I agree with you. But cables sound different depending on their electrical measures, material (copper or silver), quality of terminations, speakers resistance they are connected to.
Sometimes Steve's videos surprise me in a good way. This happens to be one of them. Great advice for a newbie and not so newbie!
Thanks so much, hey, I make over 200 videos a year!
Don't need to buy anything 👍
Solid advice. Pure audio wisdom.
Your ears are who you want to dance with,
Not your ego..
@Fat Rat Your ears & your wallet & your significant other.......Lol
Best possible tip for almost everybody, first make the room acoustically good (a multiyear project), you don't actually know what your system sounds like until you do, and if you keep replacing gear instead of fixing the room... your just making different versions of not good.
I know a person who is obsessed with replacing his gear with super high end stuff... because he thinks his current gear is not up to par, but every problem he has is acoustics... that I could fix for a few hundred dollars, but he won't let me, he is dead set on the idea he needs 30k$ set of amps to get it right.... but amps and cables can't overcome physics.
So true!
I get you man. And my way is this: Never try to advice a friend who thinks he is always right, or likes to be always right. They may use you only to have their beliefs justified. And will not listen, or understand, what you can tell them. Even if your experience and knowledge faaaar exceeds theirs.
And it’s not just listening rooms that need attention to acoustical treatment but any place where any type of music will be played whether live of reproduced. 20+ years ago my local place of worship underwent a massive renovation. A one hundred plus year old example of European Spanish Style was renovated “expertly” and at great expense BUT absolutely no thought was considered to the acoustics of the project. An expensive professional sound system was installed with all the modern features. The result was/is an incredibly horrible acoustical “venue”. The choice of construction materials, the finishing of walls, vaulted ceilings, flooring, etc gave this beautiful renovation the acoustical properties of a fine Cavern minus the bats. I cringe with every hymn. No amount of electronic processing can fix the issue. A real acoustical treatment process needs to be done. A new pastor realized a problem and sought some acoustic consultant and some treatments were added. It helped a bit but more needs to be done. At least now the man in charge has an idea of the scope of the problem and has taken a step in the right direction.
@@Aswaguespack
The perfect example! Facts, not fiction!🤗😉😇
@I was with your mother
So, so did I say do TRUE!🤗😉😇
Amen . That’s why I like Steve and Darko .. common sense over the itch
My system is good enough. If I have discretionary $$'s, I'm going to try to help out people in need with the money. Too many people out of work, hurting, for me to buy more gear.
If you realize that humans build stuff you’ll know you’re helping them when you buy the stuff.
I know I won't have extra $$ for quite some time and if I did I would not be spending on audio stuff, what I have is good enough and I can only listen on headphones since my wife basically hates sound. I have a few different headphones, an O2 amp and a decent DAP, one only thing I would want is something I will never be able to afford(high end headphones).
@@orwhat24 Not the same.
@@orwhat24 There are more efficient ways to help people than buying stuff you don't need made mostly overseas.
This week, new speakers, new vintage turntable, new headshell and cart.
Beans and rice untill 2021. 😏🏴🐙
I did those same upgrades 3 months ago..... Beans and rice would be a luxury at this point hahahaha
What turntrable are you using now and which vintage turntable are you considering?
What a gas!
@@mr.seanster hi Sean I have a Technics SL1200mk2. A Pro-Ject primary and have just acquired a Trio KP1022.
@@paznewis107 I have a Technics SL 1200 mk too.
Best music i ever heard..
Driving my dads 72 corvette, top down, blairing FM radio RS Satisfaction on Ft.Laud strip....
Its all subjective man....
I would add that before making any change, consider the major changes before incremental changes. Major changes such as whether you prefer the open, airy, spacious sound of dipoles or the focused and lively sound of horn speakers. This really should be figured out before getting into audio at all. Speakers make the biggest difference in sound of any component in the chain, and deserve the most thought and scrutiny before laying down the cash.
This ... Speakers and a decent amp
Yep!
Agreed! If the rest of your system is at a cost of say $1000. The quality range in price of your speakers should be at least $3000 speakers. The two biggest influences of sound are a clean signal, and speakers that can best reproduce sound. Achieving a clean signal is a lot easier than matching speakers. I did not mention speakers in my recent response. But, in 2020 the most important component of your system for reproduction is your SPEAKERS. Today,s technologies has made it easy to achieve a clean signal. SPEAKERS! SPEAKERS! SPEAKERS! I really like your comment Stewart...so true!
the room is probably the most important factor and the quality of the music is extremely important as well
@@raynewcomb337
I also find the quality of the recording matters more than most anything else especially cables!🤗😉
Nobody ever talks about simply using octave band dB boosts to adjust your existing components to ongoing changes in your hearing, especially as you age (presbycusis). New components may only seem to sound better if you never adjust and readjust your existing system to your hearing.
I certainly can attest to this first hand. Great observation and very useful for many audiophile especially those of us who experience age related or workplace related hearing changes.
Audiophiles dont listen to music, they listen to equipment. The trick to this hobby is to outgrow it and then months or years later you have the system or headphones and you listen to it for the music and realize God Damn this is good. But while you're in the hobby you never have that. You have to outgrow this hobby
Your statement of what will happen to your system when you’re “gone” is now burned into my brain! I just never thought about it before, now I can’t stop thinking about it !!!!!
Lol... I have thought about this for a while and have told family members what things are worth and not to toss ANYTHING. The only answer I come up with is to put it on eBay and list it for a long time. For that I mean 2 weeks if possible. I do that because locally won’t bring in higher prices. I have a lot of stuff... tube amps, tube preamps, reel to reel, silver faced solid state....... you get my point. I also told them what to keep in the family. All of my things have been restored to new,and tube stuff,better than new. I have considered selling stuff and buying fewer things but replacing them with better equipment. Bottom line “LISTEN TO THE MUSIC” doobie brothers 😎
When I received my tube preamp the wife said, { What are those nobby things sticking out } ...... I'm sure most of my gear will find its way to the dump......
Not just your system, but everything else as well.
It's all temporary.
@@moon-light1354 hehe, I'm sure my stuff will end up in the dump too, I told my wife to put it on ebay because it's worth enough that the money will be worth the effort but I doubt she remembers.
@@Silverface1987 Excellent point - leave someone a list of what things are worth, who to call when you die, insurance/investment account numbers and contact info, what bills are paid from where, where the folders with important papers are. Oh, and all of your passwords.
make sure your audio equipment is functioning properly , check ac voltage and clean up your ac line , clean all contacts , separate chords and make improvements to room acoustics before you go down the upgrade path --AGAIN! don't judge system if you generally are having a bad day .
Hi i have come to a conclusion Usually people who like me change and buy things cannot change listening room. I have a short story. I was talking with a technician whose job was to treat acoustically little theaters. He told me that he had had the opportunity to work in a small theater whose acoustics were exceptional. As an experiment he had placed a boombox on a chair in the middle of the stage. Well that insignificant boombox filled the theater with good quality music
. I am sure that if one could afford a room suitable for listening to music (i.e. acoustically optimized), he would stop changing systems frequently and would simply enjoy the music. Unfortunately it is much easier to change an amplifier than the house .... but the room will always remain a big problem.
"What is it that you want out of music?"
Almost seems like an existential question. I'd say all I am looking for in a system is natural midtones, deep bass (even if it's unnatural) and crisp highs.
Nothing more.
You are absolutely correct. Listen to the music. Having said that, great sound makes the music immersive but any decent equipment produces good sound.
Great vid. Steve,, I've recently gone back to a vintage marantz from the 70s, after running a brand new iota integrated for the last year.
What model?
@@ofnarcr it's the 2235b
I believe that the differences in sound quality between similarly sized and powerful equipment made by reputable companies (more like different flavors of good) is far less than the differences between environments that people listen to their equipment in. The only piece of gear that most people need and don't have is a DAC if you're listening from a computer source. As a recording engineer, I need to know how my clients listen and almost without fail, they don't even know what a DAC is let alone have one. It's indispensable to a hifi experience coming out of a computer.
Thumbs up, Jon. Yes, I have a DAC, a Topping D10 DAC. However, so far I mostly listen to music from vinyl, CD, cassette tape, and FM radio. Anyway, it's connected to my Sony STR-DH520 Receiver for now. A little later I am going to connect my DAC to my desktop computer of 2003, upgraded to Windows 7 that has a S/PDIF optical output port; therefore going to get a long SPDIF cable from Amazon, Canadian web site, and connect to my eSynic headphone amp via Linkerpard RCA cables. But you know what? I still mostly listen to music from analogue, and digital CD.
Who the hell is this incompetent UA-cam entertainer guy?
This discussion could apply to many hobbies and interests. But....sometimes chasing gear, selling, buying, reading forums, magazines, etc. can be fun as well. Just a thought.
You lost me when you said to listen to Country Music!
Can't go wrong with a bit of mandolin orange
Well, Steve is talking a lot of sense here about that constant battle between the gear and the music but his most poignant remark for me here is what he says when...
"What happens to your stuff when you're no longer of this planet"
Time for a short tale. I worked in HiFi for eight years for a very renowned HiFi store, and one day, in strolls this chap wanting to look at a new integrated amplifier - nothing special
you might think, out the back we both went to the showroom, being a salesman I began to show him what we had on offer. Luxman, Bryston, Moon Audio, Octave Audio and so on..
Eventually, I had to ask the question :-
"So sir, what speakers are you running back at home"
"Tannoy Legacy Series Cheviots" was his reply
"Oh wow, I bet they cost you a pretty penny" I added
"No, not really...they were essentially free"
What?
That's when his story began - he was out with his girlfriend for a Sunday drive in the bucolic Melbourne Dandenong ranges, the day was overcast and rain was due any moment,
driving along the winding roads they both looked out at some of the beautiful scenery - olden, craggy gum trees, the occasional vintage periodic house and of course as you do....
You drive past a freshly shorn lawn of grass to spot these Tannoy Cheviots just sitting there by the garbage can waiting for collection. Slam on the brakes and make no mistake.
Out to inspect them - they look mint, an incredulous moment ensues. Quickly, as the weather took a turn for the worst he loaded them into the car and off he drove home.
Plugged them into his system - perfect, Scottish vintage, goodness, sublime - what gods had brought such fortune and luck?
Our man here was a keen member of an online audiophile community called 'StereoNet Australia' and of course, he had to tell his tale of marvelous fortune via the forums. He got a reply.
"Dandenong you say man, was it around here and here, around that area?"
Our man was taken aback, who was this strange person replying to him with almost pin-point precision as to his gilded find?
Here is the kicker, the Tannoys belonged to a decade upon decade long audiophile named - Ted - the guy who replied had popped in on one or two occasions to his house for a mutual
listening session and chin-wag because they happened to be local to each other in those hills. Ted passed on and with it also disappeared one of his life long lies...
He never told his wife and kids the true value of his gear, he lied time and time again to hide his tendencies and addiction to keep upgrading.
"Yeah those Tannoys cost me $500 honey, I promise to be good from now on"
Scoundrel!
I was convinced I needed new speakers in all 3 of my systems.....(living room, bedroom, computer room).....I priced them out, and was ready to spend the $$......then, I thought of what each speaker brought to the table....and how perhaps they were simply in the wrong room for their particular qualities......so, I put each speaker in a different room....and....holy moly, I saved myself a ton of money, as I was (and continue to be) completely happy with the sound in each area now.....go figure....
Another thing you can do is play around with the speakers and amps you have, try different pre-amp amp combos, and different settings. I recently found a magical sweetspot I never knew existed in the balance of my equipment. Everything sounds different and more detailed than ever before, right down to the individual snares on the drum, or the coils of the guitar string during a slide.
will be listening to mix of music and notice that there is a lack this or that. hey, maybe its time for new speakers, maybe the lrs's would sound better , or ohm walsh's, no its gotta be wilson watt puppies. yes that's the answer. then another song plays and its.... perfect, just like it was when i put the system together. could it be that the problem is not the gear, but the recordings? you can always upgrade gear, but its like a dog chasing its tail. i've learned to be happy with what i have, its not perfect, but nothing is.
I gotta show my wife this video, maybe she will ease up on what my stuff looks like in my house
I got 4000euro to spend. So I spend it on eye laser surgery. Everything went well.
I bought some Sony ss-cs5 for working at home. My desk setup is at the end of my diner table. At the other end beside the table I put the Sony speakers on top of BNS speakers on top of a small stool. The tweeters are at the perfect height.
If I am tired of the Sony, I switch to BNS. I use Topping PA3 class D amplifier.
The stereo amplifier is smaller than my headphone amplifier 🤣😂.
In a Teams conference everybody can enjoy my music 😏😏.
My main speakers are Magnepans.
When I realize how much my friends and family mean to me, the music always sounds better.
Better than an approach to plan for and improve your system, would be a survey of what the digital software landscape is moving toward, and how to plan for a system that will cover the contingencies. Many of us are about to move from systems we understand, analog, to digital systems we know nothing about. Like literally not understanding the jargon, what plugs into what, what my high def music library will look like, what to play it on, and how to store it.
Yes, I could read a bunch of articles on line, articles I'll get impatient and confused with, articles that won't give me a strategy for purchases and compatibility. So, I request that you do that. How should an old analog man proceed through the digital forest? And what the hell is a 'music server' (the range of functions seems to vary) and where does it get it's shit from?
Nope. I am in my happy phase. Small watt tube amp and efficient speakers are the way to go for me and I'm in love.
I have a Magnavox 8601 SE tube amp... (1960ish)2-3 watts. (It sounds wonderful, improved Gillespie design)what speakers are you using for your amp
@@Silverface1987 Klipsch RP-150M
This is me, too. Turntable, tube phono preamp, low watt tube amp w/bluetooth, high efficiency speakers. Very simple, and at times the music is so good it catches me by surprise.
Improvement of the enclosures and insulation in doors and windows, reduction of background noise. Refill the fridge with our favorite drinks. Buy new records, give away the ones we don't like. All of that helps.
As a practical matter, there's a limit to the technology and a limit to human hearing, once you reach a certain point you're buying something more than the best sound. At that point if you want the experience of actually being there listening to real instruments in real space your best bet is to spend your money getting the thrill of attending live events, but don't be surprised if your system at home sounds better than the live rock concert held down at your local football stadium.
Great advice!
New music is a great adventure 👍
I invested in a Bluesound Vault2 and and Node2i with Qobuz subscription for my music rooms. Every day I check out the latest HR recordings. Every day is "wonderfilled"!
My library fills in my listening time too, but there's so much music to discover!
Don't listen for a week.
R U frickin' kidding me?
I loved this episode. Totally didn't expect life lessons from Guru Steve but its very welcome. In yoga they re-teach you how to hear, how to see. How to be mindful in other words. I think Audiophiles get caught up on hamster wheels so having someone ask you to stop and smell the daisies is great advice.
I have discovered, that when I start disliking how my system sounds, it's time for new tubes.
I realise nobody will do it, but if you have the guts to try it, you may have an upgrade for nothing. Get some Christmas tinsel and cut a diamond shape piece out of the tinsel (3mm x 1mm). It's a tiny whizzer that you make, that is if you are up to such small workmanship. And this is where your guts comes in. Using a water based glue (like PVA) dip the tiny whizzer on one pointy edge into a spot of PVA glue and glue it to your tweeter diaphragm (if you have cheap bash around speakers, or if you are brave). It won't stick too well so you can easily get it off (with a bit of wet). That material in that tiny shape might make your speakers sound real. It's the texture caused by the material that does it. Does wonders for the imagery.
"what will happen to your system after you've passed?"
many of them end up at Goodwill where they were donated by family members who don't know what else to do with a bunch of "old" electronics gear
Not if you have a proper will.
Madness! This isn’t really Steve! Just look at the shirt!
too late, I have 3 systems, actually 5, I dont even have room for 1 set of speakers until I buy a new house. Only thing I want to upgrade is a streaming device, currently there are'nt any that I like so that will have to wait. I have one that works ok, but requires a phone, which, I dont want a phone involved with my stereo.
Good news is I am happy with what I have, and when I move, I will probably sell everything and get 1 system to rule them all.
Get a good phone with highly regarded audio stats / headphone amp and a nice pair of over ear closed cup headphones. System on the go.
@axxxman
Keep us posted if you find a streamer that fills the bill. Have you looked at the streamer Atol?( The Atol seemed to have good features. #1 for me was storing lots of files and formatting of any type of file) I don't have enough bandwidth for a streamer and will keep enjoying my collection.
@@MrSmithford Closest I have found has been the Cambridge Audio, I actually had it for 2 days but I decided to return it, 1500 dollars was a little expensive for what you are getting, Sony makes a nice one but it does not support very many apps, unless you want to use a cell phone. I am trying to keep cell phones out of the equation as do not like using my cell phone with my stereo system. I have such a setup now with the Yamaha WCX1, it works but I using the app is a bit of a hindrance. you have to find and unlock the phone the find the app every time you want to make a change. The NAD M10 (I think that is what it is called) if they made that just as a streaming device, it would be what I am looking for, I like the interface. I will keep looking. I hope someday it will be featured on the Audiophilliac. ;-)
I have on morethen 1 occasion discovered that friends had their speakers connected OUT OF PHASE!
This makes them sound dull , unclear and undefined. I demonstate this by letting them listen to mono with treble way low, bass way up and balance in the middle. This can bring out this out of phase situation because those bass drivers will start to cancel eachother out instead of complementing eachother.
Then i reconnect their speakers correctly (=in phase) also front agains rear sets if present.
Then i re-adjust all controls to normal settings and switch to stereo and often people were amazed how much better their system sounded.
Same situation in cars. Specifically with after market non-OEM installations.
Just by doing simple tweeks like that can bring out a whole new enjoyment of music.
I've just ordered a new 26mm Delrin Platter for my turntable that I've made, you can see it on my channel, another great topic steve.
I have the privilege of owning a truly amazing sound system
After listening countless times to all my favorite music and going through Qobuz and Spotify searching for new music to listen too
Sometimes I find some good music but my biggest problem is finding new music that I Love that I just want to play over and over
Damn, im sooo in the same boat. I just cant get the sparkle the my favorite songs did fir me. I dont have amazing systems but i do enjoy listening to it. But there are times that i just want to discover some artist or genre that a could just listen to all day.
@@justanotheryoutubeuser5029 maybe try Greta van Fleet?
@@jjcale2288 good call. Haim. Chris Potter, Chad LB, Maria Schneider. Paul Weller. Snarky Puppy. And on, and on...
I have two systems, one in my office and one in the bedroom. Dahlquist DQ-10's, Quart 350's, Harman/Kardon Citation 5.1, the Harman/Kardon CD player has outstanding DAC/Analog Smoothing technology . . . I can go on, but the biggest challenge is MUSIC PRODUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pure digital . . . Analog to digital . . . compression . . .
You already covered this in a previous video, but the very first thing you should prioritize above all else is acoustic room treatment. NOT foam(its useless for the problems you will have) but proper treatment whether you DIY or buy and speaker placement. There are so many nuances and subtleties in your music that even the greatest gear cant achieve without room treatment. Dont blow money on anything until your room is situated and treated. Even if its just the first reflections, but you should make a project out of the whole room or as much as you can...properly that is.
Could also try getting closer to the speakers a.k.a. "near field", which should reduce the effect of the room if not listening at party volume.
@@Colin-yh7oy Thats a good work around but you will lose the spaciousness of the soundstage and that open sound. Depending how "near field" you will actually be anyways. Totally personal preference tho
@@blobeyeordie I'm sat about 8' from the speakers so I don't know if that really qualifies as "near field". They're about 6.5' apart and fire across the 10.5' width (not length) of the room, and side walls are far enough away that first reflections don't seem to be a major problem. This arrangement is probably entirely sub-optimal, but I guess I've grown used to the way it "images" and still allows me to get some insight into instrument placement, recording venue acoustics, etc.
i use my computer to stream from spotify , i did have a sony 5,1 sound bar but i thought it was very flat in the sound so i bought a small DAC and built some 2 way speakers ,its ok but does lack in bass on some songs so now im building a set of 3 way speakers ,,, just waiting for the parts to turn up lol
This video kind of explains me what I love about vintage Audio, lets say turntables though everything I have now is vintage. It takes away the urge to buy the latest and greatest. It has the 20/20 hindsight. And it has this mystery around it, what music was played on it trough all those years? But also only yesterday when I played music with my girlfriend (which is great because she pulls out different music) I was realizing how amazing the turntable is I was using: It is like half a century old and it is super engaging. I always come back to it and even though I know and can hear there are better products, it keeps drawing me back and above all it works well after all those years. For me, besides how it sounds and how it looks and feels (something discussed here often) the above dimensions add to the excitement that only vintage audio can do. And it brings calm and satisfaction to the equation. It even allows me to forgive flaws that would drive me mad if I would have bought brand new high end equipment.
BFD
Totally vintage here.... try getting into vintage tube amps.... talk about blown away. A vintage turntable and tube amp.... (In the evening) now that’s a HOMERUN. I have Magnavox amps that were pulled out of consoles, a very little work and they sound great. Tubes glowing in the night, that’s the cure, trust me. Get a tube preamp and your set. You can run your phone through it also. Sweeeeeet!
Also strikes me that it is fiscally very sound. You have the opportunity to look from a long view at how well a product stood the test of time. It is likely 50-90% depreciated which means it is back to the actual price of the parts. Particularly with point to point tube gear, the circuits are very simple to refresh by changing out the electrolytic caps when it hits the 20 year point. Everything else last a lifetime.
How true. My 'new' system is a Trio 70s amp and turntable. But I have an SMSL AD18 upstairs...
The only thing I would add to a great vintage system that is modern is a good quality DAC with today's technologies. A good matching DAC will help get the most out of the tone of your system.
Funny coming from a guy that has more audio gear cramped in his apartment
Than what.i have in my house ...
AUDIOPHILE- equals -MAKE BELIEVE its hardware ?!?!? ME MYSELF AND EYE ..well we enjoy the music ....artist..environment...we dont concern ourselves with the sound and OR EQUIPMENT we DANCE !!WHY ???BECAUSE THE MUSIC IS PLAYIN not what its being played on !!!!! SHAME SHAME !Its a seriously weird world where some starve (tO death ) and others spend on audio hardware well beyond their inherit/physical means and requirements . BUT hey lets all go watch a movie right ?? Or watch a AWARDS SHOW put on by whom ...WE HAVE LOST ALLLL TOUCH ..so sad ..MY BLESSING TO DOCTORS .NURSES ,SOLDIERS MAAAYYBBE I PRAYTHERE WILL BE AWARD SHOWS FOR YOU !!!! need i ???s..A ..Y ...MORE
Exploration in audio is expensive.
I'm not an "audiophile" but have owned a ton of components. NAD, Onkyo,Nikko, B&K, Klipsch, Axiom, KEF, Adcom, Sansui.
For the last several years I've been happy with
Rega RP3 w/ 2M blue
Snell E2
Marantz PM 8004
Okki Nokki
Marantz CD 6004
NO, NO, NO!!!! BUY - NOW! Audio manufacturers need to feed their families and make boat payments. ;-D
Should you be interested in KEF LS50 Meta, there you go: the very good technical presentation ( 60 minutes). Enjoy:
ua-cam.com/video/qzcMLB-kEiY/v-deo.html
I liked Listener and Sound Practices. Audiomart. Those were the days - owned used ARs, KLHs, Advents, Linn SARAs, Thiel 3.5 floorstander, Camber 3.6, and now the amazing Spendor A6R which is super sought after.
The endless search for duplication of a musical instrument. As this has been my Life past 18 months. Bought a Yamaha A-S Integrated Amp new, a little pricey, incredible clarity, separation of Instruments, dynamic punch, but as I read it does lack Bass (especially late 70's early 80's Rock) just sounds horrible, but a quality recording from lets say Lee Ritenour sounds incredible. But, I need to listen to all my CD's from that era, so watched countless UA-cam on how to use a Multi meter, how to check DC off set, adjust the BIAS, ect. Now (like you) have 5 stereo systems set up in house, when I want some BASS bought a Kenwood KR 9000G with Cerwin Vega 12" or Pioneer SX-980 with JBL Studio monitors.
Any system will never meet your expectations .......mind will allways tell you ....I can be better .
The first radio or something you did ever buy .....this gave you the most fun ............
l think l am progressing..... Started out in ‘68 with Armstrong 222 valve amp. Over the years, I have gone back to valve with Fisher x100a and then Fisher 500B and Klipsch 600m spk’s and a JBL sub bass. Perhaps l should change from a mc cartridge to a mm? lt is difficult ‘ to not to spend ‘. The sound l have is great.
Hi Steve, i need to buy an amplifier and a pair of bookshelf speaker. I’m thinking to get Elac speaker Elac debut 2.0 b6.2 and NAD C316BEE V2. Do you think this amp will do good with this speaker? Or I better get Klipsch RP-600M? Or any other speaker or amplifier but not over $1K for both, thank you.
Question for you.
Bose haters are a weird cult.
Decades ago, bose invented waveguide technology.
Now today, polk, klipsch, etc...etc..
.are all using waveguide technology. Yet you so-called audiophiles have the nerve to make fun of and insult Bose?
WTF?
I completely agree with your comment about not making lateral moves. I finally talked myself out of that and went from an RB250 to an Audiomods Series 6 arm, a Dynavector DV20X2H to a DRT XV-1s, Dreamcatchers to Nautilus 805s, and Lounge Audio mkIII to Valab LCR MkIII. All were about 3 steps up the ladder from where I was at. I also replaced my electrical outlets to inexpensive pure copper outlets and swapped out my power cables and ICs.
It's amazing the detail I get out of my system now.
Hey! You! Buddy. Your job as part of a magazine in part driven by advertising revenues is to get people to go out and spend money on new stuff that is sooooo much better than what they already have even if the new stuff sounds like S**t. That's what keeps this industry going. Now get out there and SELL THE DAMNED PRODUCTS. SELL SELL SELL.
Motorcycles or audio buy and hold... I stop reading bait (tech specs) and avoid videos... Listen and ride ..Buy better different source material or safety gear track school. Got to a couple shows (yea COVID) Thanks for a non review video...
My Adcom GFA1 power amp that I purchased new in 1980 has finally given me some trouble. I also have the matching GFP 1 preamp.
So I was all excited about buying a new Musical Fidelity integrated amp to replace it. But I spoke to a local guy who says he could fix it for $100 - $150. So that's what I'm going to do. In the meanwhile I'm cleaning up the switches and controls to the preamp.
This was the system I "chased" back in the day. It still cranks out the tunes to ear-bleeding levels (if desired) but if the repairs needed are not worth it I'll go with the MF equipment. Either way I win.
Ok, I know you have a SUSVARA. Is that an HE1000se on the left behind you? Also, is that an HE1000v2 behind you on your right? I see you really like HIFIMAN headphones. I have all three and am curious what is your amp preference for the SUSVARA? G
I’m on the verge of getting my first turntable after 20 years of digital files. And I feel like I want a new bigger speaker, because I’ve seen one I like. I’ll definitely pause, and listen, especially to those favourite albums I’m considering buying on vinyl. But I’m not going A BLOODY WEEK without listening. That’s crazy talk. And my wife uses the system every other day anyway. So I get to listen outside my favoured zones quite a lot. Hahha
I’m on the verge of getting my first turntable after 20 years of digital files. And I feel like I want a new bigger speaker, because I’ve seen one I like. I’ll definitely pause, and listen, especially to those favourite albums I’m considering buying on vinyl. But I’m not going A BLOODY WEEK without listening. That’s crazy talk. And my wife uses the system every other day anyway. So I get to listen outside my favoured zones quite a lot. Hahha
My listening setup is Q Acoustics 3030i, Sugden A21SE, Qobuz, downloaded mp3/ Flac files, youtube. I have another setup - JBL studio 680, Sony AV receiver. I also use a Bose soundlink II (bluetooth) sometimes. Most of the times I do not miss my other two systems when I listen with one. I enjoy music in all three systems. Because music is paired with time, not with the instruments you listen with.
Just got a pair of Focal Aria 906's. Took your suggestion. Listening to modern country. Holy cow! What a difference between mixes. Familiar stuff sounds familiar with details I hadn't noticed before. These speaks are unforgiving. Mastering engineer by trade.
Best move I made in lockdown was purchase of an Innuos Zen mark 3 music server. Ripped my large CD collection to it and (a) it's much easier to access my collection, so I am playing CDs I haven't played for years; and (2) it sounds better playing FLAC rips than my CD player does, all into the same DAC, so I am happy. But I agree, take a breath otherwise you end up forever searching for the next upgrade, sometimes at the expense of enjoying your music collection. it's all about getting a balance, I completely agree - enjoy your system for a while before looking to upgrade.
Steve , need your help on a Denon 600NE. I want to add a pre amp to my system Fluance T85 . No one will answer my question on can I add a pre amp through the AUX connection? I can't get a straight answer. Need your help!
My Yamaha CX-1000 preamp is being repaired now in Palo Alto to the tune of $420 . It's 30 years old. Ive got a Carver C7 spare right now. Im sold on gettin' a new McIntosh preamp and makin' that Yamaha a spare.
Maybe the move for mature audiophiles is to pursue high quality source material. I have only, arguably, low-end audiophile gear, but to me, it sounds great when I use my limited selection of good source material. Finding more of that seems like:
1) is money better spent as I'm sure no equipment improvements will recover my existing loved, but crappy, material,
2) is affordable in that mistakes are less costly than purchasing high-end gear,
3) is nearly unbounded in its variety of choice compared to gear, and
4) directs focus back to the music experience.
I could be showing my lack of expertise here, though. It is difficult for me to sort out what is at fault, source material or equipment, from a lack-luster sound experience. Perhaps a discussion of this could be a topic for a future Audiophiliac (if it hasn't already).
Ya know it’s funny and coincidental watching this video because that’s what I’ve been doing. I have a very small spare bedroom and turned it into a listening room, and have all the gear I want an need at the moment. Always had plenty of the software, vinyls, but a less than adequate stereo system.
Thanks for recommending the Reissong A-10 and the Klipsch (sp) RP600M. It’s working out real well and I believe the tubes are starting to burn in.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to hear and listen for, but I’m noticing a change.
I have a pair of altec 340a tube monoblocks ~30-35 watts each. Everybody raves about mcintosh old tube amps and i really just want to get one (mc225 or mc240) just to see how mine compare. After watching your video i feel like this will be a lateral move, but sometimes do you just have to see how it compares?
I don't agree!...... I'm 40 years in, and still in the exploration phase, and I love it! That said, I have 3 pairs of speakers that I've had for over 20 years, and I love them all. Other new and used speakers have come & gone, and I've made some mistakes. Oh well.... so what. Usually I agree with Steve, but I really don't understand this video.
After about 10 years of staying with my system I purchased new speakers which lead me to replacing my speaker cables, then my power amp, then cartridge and then my turntable, then my digital playback, then added 2 subwoofers, then added new power cables and then improved electrical supply. This took about 18 months and to be frank, I’ve had enough even though I could/should replace more of my power cables. But my systems sounds very good, and, for the moment it will do. Maybe not for the next 10 years but definitely the next couple.
Steve, I have Energy RC 70, RC LCR and RC10s. Have you heard these speakers ? If so, what is your opinion on them? I was thinking of upgrading.
Have been in this hobby most of my life. As with anything in the human world, the sooner and more frequently you start to know and listen to you and yourself only, the less you will need "experts, magazines, gurus, and audiophiliacs".....to get it your way, which is always the most rewarding way..... Happy listening, meanwhile!!!
Save your mind and your money from going down the hifi upgrade rabbit hole. I did. My floor standing speakers are 30 y/o and my turntable 20ish, for example. And my speakers are not tall and skinny which is all I see these days, ugh. Short and stumpy, like the good old days.
Hello Steve i own a pair of klipsch rp 600m's and i am looking to see if the yamaha rx v385 which is a budget receiver that i am considering on buying as i would like to power my speakers with it. Is it enough power? I am beginning my audiophile journey like this.
I dunno, Steve. To use a car analogy, you are telling us to enjoy the scenery, or go somewhere new, or take a different route to a familiar location. All things we've done. And, good advice. But there's also the car itself. That acceleration (dynamics). Steering wheel feel (transparency). The brakes (noise floor). The suspension (transients). Some of us like the car, and the human engineering, as much as the scenery. Some of us mash the throttle just to feel that rush, en route to the grocery store. Combine amazing scenery with a bitchin' car ... oh yeah. Then of course there's the wristwatch analogy; would you say "just enjoy knowing what time it is?" I think some of us just have to admit that we're gearheads.
I use the same pre amp/power amp and speakers that I bought 30 years ago. Speakers could probably be improved but the amps, maybe not. For my listening preferences. Mostly soft to loud Classical music in a large living room.
Very good wisdom Steve. Only time I believe you should buy some new equiptment is when you are not happy with the sound of your music, or like in my case just upgrading it because you can do it financially. Most people dont buy the perfect system when their young because of priorities family kids college
Expenses etc.
But at the end of life you now can afford better speakers, amp, whatever you think will improve your system. Bottom line is its your system your happiness with it.
But knowing your end goal in the sound is important. Imo 👍
I need the audioquest niagara 3000 power filter.. I Tried it thes weekend, and my system was at a whole different level. What Surprised me most, was the increase in dynamics and details when connecting their Tornado power cable. It was mind blowing.
Hey...just a minute...the only way I could afford my gear is by buying the used “stuff” that others have grown out of. There is some really good used buys out there at a fraction of the new price. Keep reading the magazines. And buying that new gear. Then after a couple of years move on and sell it for less than half of what you paid for it. Oh, that’s how I buy my “new” cars also.
adding a sub-woofer is just bad advice......................timing issues will result
Great video. I tell you this. I don't consider myself a real audiophile because I never upgrade. If something breaks beyond repair, l may be forced to upgrade just because the stuff I had is no longer available. Other than that, I never upgrade. Music is the most important thing.
Besides, entry level gear nowadays is much better than entry level gear years ago.
Please comment on the combination of a relatively inexpensive pre amp(300-400) and excellent 1k or so phono stage for vinyl lovers.
It has worked wonders for me for many years with no desire to buy new components.
Can you turn the in adverts off are really baggies me up! I don't just get the advert I get about 10 seconds of buffering afterwards! if there's too many adverts in somebody's clip I just don't watch it anymore
Are you can just squander 1000 on the latest greg weaver approved speaker cable which is the best cable ever ya know... lmao Still overpriced by at least double.
I made the move... to a dCS Rossini with Clock, and now I can't unhear it, I'm forever spoiled. -
Congratulations!
I think the clock is the big secret to great digital. All the DACs are pretty good these days, but limited by the phase noise of the clock. Its like the comments about fixing the room treatment before changing the gear. Without a low phase noise, digital simply cannot be natural.
@@user-od9iz9cv1w I am worried this may be a pointless purchase, just like Audiophiliac's NY buddy who also has dCS DAC and wanted to add a clock. A dCS DAC is already rather expensive and has a good clock in there. So adding an external clock does not do anything for you - unless you have OTHER components which need to be clocked TOGETHER with the DAC. So unless he has a transport, upsampler or whatever else dCS is selling, you do not need a clock, because there is nothing to sync with one component only....
@@Baerchenization I can't comment on the value of adding the external clock to the dCS DAC. What I do know first hand is the phase noise of the clock determines the sound of the DAC. If the dCS DAC has a great built in clock, that may be all that is required. Only your ears can determine is the optional master clock is worth buying. Recently at an audio show I was really blown away be the sound in one room. I realized the DAC had an outboard clock. The host offered to disconnect the clock and the sound collapsed to the normal level. Can't recall the brand, but in that case the $5k clock would be hard to pass up.
@@user-od9iz9cv1w Err, when dCS sell you a DAC for 20K bucks, it comes with a decent clock, I give you that in writing ;) If it needs an extra 20K dollar clock to make a 20K DAC sound like a 20K DAC, then maybe it is not a good investment...
@@Baerchenization Well I agree with you on that point. If I paid $20k for a DAC, I'd be ticked if I had to cough up another $20k to make it sound amazing. For these numbers I can't image what all it would need to do but it would be more than make music.:)
Fortunately I am part of a DIY group which allows us to get this stuff without the commercial gross margin.
Something no one ever talks about is adjusting your hearing to sound it’s best. Pinch your nostrils, close your mouth and lightly try to blow through your ears. After that rabbit f•ck your ears with your pinky. Then, pull down down your earlobes with your mouth wide open. This will make your system sound it’s best. Even doing this if I fly or drive over the ridge route in Calif. it takes a day or so for my hearing to sound right.
I'm not an audiophile, but I am a professional musician, and what Steve is saying makes perfect sense. Stop chasing gear and start enjoying what you already have.
What's that single disc ripper with a massive library functionality??
Cartridge. I am thinking upgrading from a Nagaoka MP 110 to a Goldring 1042.
I have a Marantz SR5008. Will the sound be even better if I pair it with the Rotel A12? Thanks!
funny , just reading to day that my old Polk RT3 Speakers will sound better if the tweeters are set at around ear level.Just about to jack them up a bit on the desk (currently they are used as computer speakers through a dac out usb on my computer, then through a small class D amp with built in Dac)
1:55 I mean, this is what I do every time I get a new bit of audio kit anyway, and often even when I don't. That being said, I'm more pragmatic about my gear than most audiophiles, though everyone I know would likely disagree with that statement. 😆
Do a video on preamp and amp match ups, tube / tubes, tubes / solid state etc. Recently you did review of a Cary preamp and beside the technical part of impedance you mentioned how well one First Watt worked compared to the other. Was it just the higher impedance or was there a synergy between the First Watt and the Cary.
Sad that people with too much money are being told that if you love audio gear at audiophile level you really ought to be listening to music...I love music and I wanted a system to enjoy music on...once that the urge to buy more and more gear receded I listened to more and more music....surely that is the point...