My missus said to me the other day "let me get this straight you spend over £1,000 on speaker cables because you can 'hear the difference' but you can't hear me calling you from the kitchen" 🤣

If you don't draw a line in hi-fi , you'll never be satisfied.

OCD Hi-Fi Guy, just wanted to take a moment to let you know I really appreciate the time, effort, & honesty you put into your videos, for me it's an education. Thank you!

Back in 1995 when I was getting into tube gear, Herb Reichart advised me not to buy a tube amp using long out of production weird and obscure tubes. I've followed that bit of advice and am happy to hear you telling the KZfaq folks the same. Also 100% agree about not knowing WTF we're doing. I realized that one early on reading Glass Audio, Klag &%Tang, Vacuume Tube Valley, the DIY audio magazines and forums, wearing out my welcome in the HiFi Shops of yore, attending HiFi shows and club shin-dings. Meeting the enginer geeks who design build and pruduce product and know what they're doing. It's a learning experience for sure.

And just like that...you hit home with #1. My wife is an Angel for allowing me to move the couches back and have no coffee table. 🙏

I like so much the pause before "misdirected"!!! I can imagine you had in mind other words for that 😀

Hello , what speakers do you recommend for am Arcam avr 250 in term of power ?

I get around the room issue where I bought maggie LRS where I pushed them back against corner walls when not in use then pull them into the room when I’ve ready to listen. They are light enough to pull out and small enough to store away.

Hello, Mickey. Thanks for your video. May ask you a question. Is it a good idea to buy MPD-8 DAC for headphone rig (Meze Elite now, and STAX SR-X9000 with amp in the future)? Thanks.

You know a great deal about stereo equipment. 20 years is a long time. I have done it since I was a schoolboy in 1978, some decades I have been preoccupied with other things or I just have not had the money. Recently especially since Covid there has been next to nothing out there I consider to be worthwhile. I'm just glad I got in there a few years back & sorted things out to a level I can be happy with. I like your frankness, there is nothing worse than listening to a so called expert who knows very little.

"Cables make a difference" until the audiophile is required to identify the difference.

Thanks for the great advice! Can you give me some quick recommendations on speakers for HT? I currently have Klipsch 5.1 (4x RF5, 1x RC3 II) set up and want to upgrade my center (RC3 II) channel because I don't like its sound, which I think translates to -> I need to get a different brand for all my speakers. Taking in account your feelings about made in China... I'm sort of interested in Warfedale EVO 4.4, Arendahl 1723, and Aperion Verus III. Any others to look at in those price ranges? Any American made? I think I want a little warmer sound and not so bright, but still with good detail. I know there are a lot of variables, but does anything come to mind? Thank you.

Hey Mikey, what format for music playback do you think is best? Cd, Sacd, Wav files, or DSD files. I’m just asking because I want to start buying music for the long term and only want to buy my music once if possible. Records aren’t my thing, that’s why I left it out. Any help would be great, thanks.

What would you suggest for cables for a 7.2.4 system? This is my first kind of high end system I am building but I can't decide on cables so any help and options are most appreciated.

A lot of companies sell fancy wires (“cables”) because the margins are ridiculous. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that action? Like printing money. Don’t be their sucker!

I watched OCD guy develop his system over the years. He's really across the good, the bad, and the ugly. Really a devoted audiophile. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Mike. I have a good preamp so better not to get a Playback designs DAC if I understand you correctly. So COS D1 is the better option? Regards Jan

Spot on mike that’s why now that I live in a hotel I gave up on 2ch for the time being I’m running a single ch setup put it in my chair play music crawl around on the floor until I find the best sounding spot and that’s where it goes

Hi, really enjoyed the video. love your passion and knowledge. do you have an opinion on australian made VAF speakers. I noticed yo have an aus made amp for main system. cheers

I currently have B&W 802’s and have always wanted to upgrade to Wilson Watt Puppies or Sophia’s but lately I’ve been reading about Vandersteen design concepts and specifically Quattro Wood CT, which price wise is similar. My goal is to reproduce the sound not change it. It seems like this is Vandersteen goal as well. Could you comment on both? Thanks

I consider this video to be one of the most important lessons in hifi in all of KZfaq. Thanks for your honesty.

I agree with you and thanks for the hints about tubes. I made different experiences with cables, but it's definitely not a question of brands or price - it's just physics-based...

Thanks for the video. This is an important conversation. The most expensive thing in a hi-fi system is a room. If you don't have this investment, you can buy a couple of active speakers for a thousand dollars and calm down...

"We're not dumb assess, or I hope not." Love it.

This is the video that convinced me to give Mikey a call. Previously, I went to a buddy's house for a listening session. The next day I turned on my rig and to me it sounded like a transistor radio. I called Mikey and said I wanted the magic and he delivered it!

Comment on DACs are interesting. Pls share which DACs under $10K can do a good 3D. I for one live in a place where placing speakers evenly from a listening position won't work well because the room is not even. Also I think most of well designed class AB amps have among the lowest THD just before clipping, so in reality, I think amp should sound the best when playing loud providing that the speakers / room can handle the loudness. Problem of buying an esoteric brand name is that they do poorly when one needs to sell it.

What’s your opinion with Emotiva power amp and JBL 590 speakers set up?

I'm looking for 4 15 in subwoofers that I can run sealed that will yield excellent transient response and be lightweight with great musicality and efficiency any recommendations?

Great subject! I have been telling my High Fi friends this stuff for years! I used to be a high end consultant for years, and when I would visit a customer who spent a fortune on audio,that stated his system sounds like shit.I would first look at the room .most were set up horrible.the second issue was bad system Matching. Bright+bright+bright= problems.your right! The best names are not the best! I saved for a Krell KSA 250 due to the rave reviews,It was the most unrealistic amp I ever had!! Period. equalization was built into it.bumped up bass, recessed miss and hard highs.i cancelled my high end magazine subscriptions,and started trusting ears and gut.(that was in the 90's) great sound is attainable at a fraction of the price.stay in the hunt,it pays off!

Hi Mikey, Just a quick question: I already have and existing Dac and only listen streaming via tidal. My Question is: Should I invest in a power amp for worth $6k and hook it up straight a away to the dac or buy $6k integrated amplifier and connect my dac?

Hey Mikey, new to the channel. Totally agree with your prospective. Really like how you explained about the quality of the small unknowns vs the big corporates . Wanted to get your honest thoughts of Spectral. I am intrigued with this company because of the way they are so off the radar, and very rarely bring out any new products. Not even update the website (witch is hilarious to me because it looks like it was made when the internet was first introduced!). But they really show me that they care about the customers, knowing that if they pay that kind of money for gear, your product won’t be replaced or outdated anytime soon. That’s important to me. It shows me that their R&D in the products are at such a high standard that it’s hard to improve on it, especially in the short term (like 5 years or so). Your thoughts, thanks.

Here goes my Olympica Nova III to hifishark, thanks for nothing. That's too bad, because i always dress to match my speakers:)) Great video, Mikey!

Started my journey in hifi in the 80’s as a young kid because of my farther. My biggest pet peeve are people that poo poo equalizers. Most of us don’t have the money or the room characteristics to get the perfect system. An eq makes this happen. You can adjust accordingly.

The truth hurts but the truth will set you free. Well said brother. Great video. A very educational one.

OMG, you got me so worked up before Ugly Truth number 8, I was expecting something more than NOS vacuum tube supplies are drying up. Damn, I thought you were going to say something like we all are crazy here, yeah, not much fix for that.

Thanks, is it possible to do a deeper dive on specific recommended / avoid tubes? In case we want to buy back up

🤔 I’m always conflicted with Audiophiles rules/Top list. I guess it’s because I do most of my listening in my studio. Something I can get with some I can’t.🤣👍🏽 this was very interesting.

I year ago i replaced my ARC vt200 with two Carver M1.0t amplifiers and never looked back! The preamp is a JR Synergy 2 with BPS1. Speakers are Audiostatics es300rs’. Sacd player is an Esoteric x-03se and my pickup is a modified Lenco l75 with Van Den Hul Colibri. All components are connected by XLR. I’m a happy camper!!

Could you compare and contrast Esoteric vs Chord Dave DAC?

Agree with you about the disappearing quality tube market. I have decided to forego a beautiful tube integrated for a solid state amp to avoid tube hell.

Good advice here. Maybe for many of us just get your system sounding nice, then play well recorded music, then move on with life and don’t let yourself think you need better when you really don’t. Be content with what you have in life. Unless you win lotto then buy everything 😂

Hey Mikey I have a PS Audio DirectStream PerfectWave DAC and an Innuos Zen Mkiii Streamer and it sounds glorious. It’s magical. What is it that you don’t like about the PS Audio?

Would also wonder what are the brands you respect / admire that “we haven’t heard of” . My biggest problem is my living room has a coffee, table, a lounge chaise and 2 tape machines. I’m guessing I’m screwed in terms of getting a good image?

Great video. Mogami makes good value XLR cables like $50 a pair for 6ft?

Thanks, cheers. To have a worthwhile mission, such as improving the quality in the life of the people is something very good.

Point # 5 is absolutely accurate. Companies (who can afford to last for the long haul) sell way too cheaply just to gain market share, and then double or even triple prices once they are more known. If you find that company in it's early stages you will be purchasing great quality at an amazing value. I have personally done it. ( The other 8 points are valid also ) haha.

What's wrong with Mogami cable or Canare for that matter, hasn't it been in use for decades in studios? I use it exclusively for balanced and unbalanced cabling in my system and in my opinion it doesn't colour the sound, just tells it as it is. But I might be wrong.

Too many truths! Loved them all. Last one works for me daily.

Mate, you had me rolling with your reparte!

your philosophy is pretty much on point. system design and shopping around is fun, isn't it? i think so, even when i'm not an expert in something. the learning along the way is fun. and product design/aesthetics is also a big part of it. that's why a fair few people here wouldn't be your ideal customers. many of them like the journey and the (illusion of?) free will that comes with (even simply dreaming about) putting 'ideal' systems together for a given budget. it would be interesting to know who the good and bad guys are out there when it comes to inexpensive components but it's quite possible that you couldn't do it because you have tasted bigger and better things and have figured that there is no hi-fi below a certain budget. or simply because you've inevitably become out of touch with the things that wouldn't be worth your time exploring. this is not being sarcastic or facetious in any way, it's just how it would be, from my observations. time is money after all and brain space is valuable. ironically, it feels like a waste, for a certain class of consumer that we've *just* missed a unicorn. like we still haven't found that guy that sorts the wheat from the chaff AND still operates at a 'little people' level for the little people and that's easily explained by the fact that you love music and sound and hi fi and you're on that journey that is way past little-people level. i would say at least provide better alternatives to the brands you diss, that come in at the same price-point, but those brands you dis are also out of some of our budgets, so that would also be a waste of time. i mean cheapaudioman is almost on the right path too but still, it's all about affiliate links and a bunch of the same popular brands that pop up everywhere, even if they are products that offer stand-out value among inexpensive items. where some designer has been granted access to the buying power of a mega company and so is able to offer decent parts in a $100 speaker, including crossover etc. yes, people might as well make money of their youtube content but really, is it necessary? i mean can't people do it purely as a hobby or for the love while also holding down a separate job that earns them enough to support their habit? i do prefer boutique brands to mass-produced stuff and believe that they offer more to the world but at the end of the day, people like you are still promoting them, selling their stuff and getting a commission of it and due to lower turnover, there are larger margins and commissions. nothing wrong with it but this always corrupts when compared to people who sell nothing at all, for instance. even if it doesn't corrupt, there will always be doubt in certain peoples' minds and if my guess is correct, that is their problem and it doesn't affect you in the slightest and at the end of the day they can decide not to engage and ultimately, it will probably be their loss. absolutely fair enough. i found you not through this vid, but after a quick search to see if anyone else could see how REL was taking the absolute p*ss, after i had just unsubscribed to jay soulsik upon watching his latest upload. it all became so clear to me, especially after checking rel's website. anyway, with your most expensive products, where do you think the money goes? would you say mainly r & d? i'm assuming that they would make their own dacs from scratch right. or if they did base them on an existing chip they would have the right to reprogram, fine tune, rebrand and basically make it indistinguishable from anything we could hunt down ourseves, yeah? like some 'miracle' speaker 'producers' give you the models of the seas or peerless drivers they use so you can basically take a short cut to getting a similar product but if i got my hands on an mpd-8, i probably wouldn't be able to open it up and hunt down most of the parts for myself huh? it wouldn't be easily reverse-engineerable and even if it was, i've already paid enough to cover any royalties for a while yeah? i'm still working on ways to design stuff, put things together and profit from it one day too. still trying to working out what the actually industry/ies will be and the model etc., which will probably take months and years. in the mean time i'll survive the way i always have and i'll be one of those people eagerly looking out for tips and tricks and shorcuts to best kept secrets, best bang-for-buck options, whispers, insider shiz and 'giant killers'. thanks for sharing some of your stuff, i look forward to sifting thru your other vids.

All points are gold! It took me a while to stop fuming my brain when some "experts" are saying that "You must spend bla, bla, bla on speakers FIRST and build your system from that point". One thing I failed to understand is if they are truly morons or if they think that everyone else is an idiot?! Room - definitely a no.1 if you intend to blow your hard earned cash on HiFi gear! If you do not have a dedicated space to listen than it's better to go with a desktop setup with a Hi-End DAC and headphones rather than blow a money for gear trying to fit between the existing furniture (and family, of course). Source (recording) is my no.2 important point. If a music you are listening is recorded as crap - no gear will be able to fix it. Cables do matter a lot but once everything else is in place. Strange science but unfortunately it does make a difference! 😆

So to sum it up, i'd best do room treatment and get a full Accuphase set and some great speakers?

Thank you for keeping it real bro!

I love strong opinions, particularly if they're similar to my own. Subscribed!

I'm glad you stopped at 9. Whenever I see a top 10 or a top 5 list, I know that one or two of those are bogus and were included just to make it to that nice round number. Either way, thank you for your input. That was very insightful.

Really like these talks. I'm in a condo. My couch (listening position is against the wall in a 11'6"x10'6" (latter being pretty open other then the kitchen island). I've had bass issues I think, I had Usher be718's with a Primaluna Dialogue 1 and rega dac. Noticed it most with that set up vs SS and smaller speakers. I prefer to buy used usually. I like 'liquid' over harshness. But I could just be speaking from lower-end experience. I do like tubes, but who knows. I do want 'magic'. Emotion. I want looks too with at least one of the pieces of gear. Budget 4k for used gear. Would you offer a consulting package for me without being here in my room?

Hi Mike Great video with logical advise. I agree the first step is your room If you use a great/living room you can only utilize the shape it is and what the room design is for, thus no sense going crazy on gear to fix the room. If you have the ability to improve the room and listening position I agree speakers are #1 as per placement in relation to the listening position. If you are trying to achieve a a HT solution with music listening then one needs to determine what is the most important. I happen to be one of these type people. I went with an Arcam AVR 850 Ohm Walsh 3000 for LR and a mix of other speakers for surrounds and subs. I know it isn't perfect setup for critical audio listening per music but it does a good job per what it is for that room. I am not one who likes DSP room correction though I have Dirac Live I typically only use if for HT. I have furniture carpets coffee tables etc. Is the sound stellar no per pure 2 channel audio. But it sounds good to me for the equipment and room. I do have upgraded cables mostly stuff from Shunyata and Audio Quest. Bear in mind I got these prior to seeing your videos on your cables. I think for my great room it is fine being 90% of my use is combination TV, Movie 7.1 and Direct Audio through the Arcam AVR 850. Is the DAC the best probably not but it does a good job and the Arcam does offer Direct for analog bypassing the DAC which I do occasionally listen with cassette and vinyl. I will though in the next year or so be building a new HT room which will also have more components which will be also double as a Music Listening room and will be getting components and cables specific for that 2 channel use along with HT gear. But not sharing the HT gear for two channel audio.

Kindred Spirits! I’ve been an Audiophile since 1975 and an Audio Dealer since 2010. I’m learning new things every day! I love this hobby and helping people too! I can relate to everything you stated!

That's why I builded my own audio set. No compromise and even then I don't save money on quality.

I want to get into audiophile .. I would like a good good DAC within 500 price range .. but I am confused within chord or schiit audio or ifi .. I want specifically for headphones only ... movies, game Apple Music .. but I love classical orchestra and would like separation and detailed holographic airy feel

Right on Mikey! I have been at this a while building my own gear and setting it up. It is working pretty well. I know enough to know you are speaking wisdom from experience. What you do is a tough sell, because people will spend a lot on commodities but choke on value services. But average well funded people should hire you to do this. Money well spent. You are in a career that is a terrible way to make money but it is clearly your passion. Great you share that for a fee. Hire this guy.

Thanks for saying cables matter. You can’t convince the zip cable crowd. I believe the system is only as good as its weakest link, and that includes cables. They are components as critical as the speakers or amp. Buy the best you can afford, it makes a big difference. Room treatment is also a great way to make the sound better. Everything is important.

The idea that a DAC can restrict imaging is laughable. Imaging is about speaker placement, recording quality and environment.

Love your motivating Passion. I bought a nice 2011 Pioneer ELITE with everything, Mic,Manual,original remote $100 & now I am off to Buy a pair of used Turbosound inspire ip82 8" 4 Ohm Pro Loud Speakers for $200. Shweeet... I use 10 Gauge Solid Core Electrical Wire for speaker wire & 8 gauge solid core electrical wire for my 18" Subs Boom Boom Boom..

Great video I love it. I have one question. Im in the market for a turntable and my budget is from $1200 to 2k. Im sick of my debut carbon and changing belts for 45rpm and lifting the tone arm before the needle wares out. So can you recomend something in that ball park that an auto lift and has speed switch or would that not be acceptable?

Ok so I do want to spend some money on a power cable. But what component do I start with? Streamer, DAC, PreAmp or Amp. What will give me the most difference in sounds? Thanks man. You rock. I love the honesty. You say it how it is. Haha.

Greetings from Denmark. Great video 👍 I love amps with a little flavor

what do you think of bryston B60 intergrade

I love music and i play several musical instruments.... I have tried the Hi-Fi thing of fixing the room acoustics, placing the speakers and sitting in the centre... and it bores me stupid. I find myself picking up a guitar and working out the chords or using a laptop to search the net. I would much sooner listen on a vintage radiogram while doing other things like housework or DIY. Music makes me want to move... to get up on my feet and move my body in time with the music. It took me a long time to work this out.... but i enjoy my music so much more since i sold the hi-end gear.

Thank you. This is a great video. Could you give us a list of unknown small boutique Amp & speaker/manufacturers/Company’s that are just as good or better then The more popular company’s (Within different budget) Company’s That you believe are a better value then the corporate owned speakers & amplifiers/audio equipment company’s ?

Thanks for the Statement on cables!!I really hate the discussion about it. Have you heard Brinkmann gear?

Overall,,,,,this is pretty right on! I agree with a lot of it. *APPLAUDS LOUDLY"

Your channel is great. Really informative. But regarding cables, have you, or would you, ever take part in a blind A/B comparison between cheap and expensive cables? Is there a website you can point to where such a test took place and the expensive cable won out? It seems that such tests always indicate that there is no meaningful difference.

Love it. thanks man.

Great video. Looks like I have just enough power but my speakers are too small for the room. Agreed as well, that most people haven't a clue on how to spend on Hi Fi, myself included, so we go through the merry go round, hoping to strike gold. Here's a point of controversy however: I haven't heard a better CD player than the old Accuphase DP 57. It brought back the original recording; good, bad or mediocre. Since then, at least for most brands, its been ameliorating the imperfections, artificially creating a more palpable sound. I've been to Axpona and have heard great systems. ( The Stenheim speakers are wonderful to my ears anyway - but too rich for my blood though)

Hi Mike. Great advise as always. I appreciate it a lot. I'm thinking about building a system consisting of Wilson Alexxes, Ypsilon amplification and APL transport/streamer/dac. What are your thoughts on these brands? Considering also adding some of your beautiful cables too :))

Hi, just found you. I agree with much of what you said, except for #7. Older gear often had what were SOTA components when built, or in cases like Hafler's Dynaco ST70, was not well designed, but is very upgradable for less than new. I have a Threshold Stasis 2 amp. These were famous for needing 24 hours to warm up, and then was warm, aka dull/dark. I got one that was down a channel. I went through the drivers, I used Resistas for the available values, they were discounted, and Holcos for the other values. I replaced the emitter resistors with Mills non-inductive wire wound resistors, I replaced the electrolytic caps on the board with Black Gatevcaps, bypassed with good poly caps. Rather than purchasing 1K worth of output transistors, I had former Threshold tech Jon Soderberg replace the old output transistors with newer substitutes with much tighter tolerances, and closely matched, as well as new increased capacitance power supply caps. Jon said that it is the best sounding Stasis amp he had ever heard. While available, he began using Black Gates in his mods going forward. Never say never because universal negatives are nearly always wrong. A single exception makes it false. I certainly agree that this is the exception and that you are generally correct. I am sure that your Roland amps have better slew rates, but the detail masking from the old carbon resistors is gone, details are amazing, and the bass is relatively good as it is not fast and powerful. Anyway, great advice generally. Thanks for the video, will be watching more of them!

I understand the goal of the amp is to amplify the analog signal going to the speaker. I also believe the amplifier changes the sound signature of a rig drastically (probably due to being voiced with other gear that has a signature). When trying to tailor the sound of the rig I believe it is important to keep this in mind.

Some great advice thank you.

How exactly do cables make a difference? If they do, it can be measured by scientific instruments.

Great stuff, as a young audiophile (25) I’ve found most of this list to be true. I’m in the market for a new dac at $3k, I was eyeing the holo audio spring 3. Any suggestions? The dac I have now sounds fine but has that digital edge to it

Does a high end cable add something to the signal or take something away to achieve its great sound?

Absolutely brutal.. loving the video 100%

I got a hypex mono design power amp, and a Xindak preamp- also mono design.. I used to have my two volume pots on my power amp turned full throttle, and then fine tuned the volume on my preamp.. Now, I'm on half volume on the power amp, and I actually firmly believe, it sounds better- more relaxed ..

In audio. if your volume control is on "5", you are likely at 30% or les power because of the "audio taper" built into the control. Our hearing is logarithmic and so is our sound perception.

Hi, enjoyed the video as usual! The one thing that keeps gnawing at me is forums like ASR which keep debunking cables through measured performance. I do believe that cables make a difference but how do you explain when you can’t measure it?

"If you want the killer forget about it....... Thats more" Truer word were never spoken

Interesting, i was about to buy B&Ws 705s, coz everyone talks about the brand . Which smaller comapanies make better speakers for similar price then with better quality? I guess i will also not buy Rega elex r, that brand name is big too. If anyone can recommend other brands with superior sound let me know pls. Thanks

I am not a rich guy, neither I am a Audiophile. However, I love to listen to good music. I have a Mac MA 7900 and need to upgrade my Altec Lansing 510 speakers. My Audio guy is recommending the Focal Kanta 2. I have a Oppo 103 blue ray player and a clear audio turn table. Need your guidance.

#5 is so true, while im a "budget hunter" i found "Aune" and never heared about them, found some reviews that sounded really good, and was really surprised how good the X8 XVIII sounds compared to similar priced known brands a real bargain at 300€ + a discrete op amp

Mr OCD, I need a pair of Roland Monoblocks, bad. But 17k per channel is insane, my brother. I know Roland is the shit, let’s get real. Thank you for your wonderful videos.

Great Video Mike :), lots of insights into this industry.

I'm so lucky i have dedicated home cinema room for movies and music that's it. Only have unit gear sofa and that's it, and on my carpet i have 2 thick rugs that my set up is on.

22:47 So that's why so many people on the forums suggest a setup that's way above the original poster's budget or needs. That also happens alot on photography forums.

I agree with your last point man. Hahah this is REAL!! Most think they know how to build a system and the reality is they DO NOT!

Hey man. What’s your take on Rega as a company ? I know we’re not talking crazy dollars, but they seem to make solid engineered products putting sound way ahead of BS features.

Well like you said.... it IS what it is. You can ONLY hurt feelings, when... the ears DON'T want to hear, that its there... but sacrifice is NEEDED to hear the magic. Tuanis :-}}

Yes! Please have cable playback. It will be awesome. Let that cool off the whole argument. 😬

Source is the key. Agreed about WAV and DAC. Since there’s no physical representation of digits, DAC has to shape the sound. Everything else needs to preserve it, or at least not to degrade it.

You speak as if you are to only one who enjoys this hobby. I and many others would rather spend our own time doing our own listening and learning rather then buying a pre designed killer system. There are many ways of going about constructing a hi-fi system, and the fact that every system is built by a unique individual I think makes it very interesting.