Thank you Sean - great video! I am in camp A with my reference system. Camp B with my secondary system and still tweaking - my secondary system speakers have great voicing but lack the fullness on the bottom...waiting from my new Rel subwoofer to show-up. I will say that before you make major changes that you work diligently on speaker placement and take a good look at your room.

As an older audiophile the component's I need is younger ears.

I wrote down my list. The most important one is "I want more rooms in my house to justify more systems".

I bought my system, speakers, amp, dac and streamer blind about a year ago and have been pretty happy with it. The other day I was fooling around a bit with the system and found a button on the dac that read ”phase”, I pushed it and O M G I’ve been listening out of phase. The difference was staggering, depth, space and sparkle, it was pure magic. The sound was floating effortlessly in mid air. Just sat in front of my stereo for two days with my jaw on the floor enjoying the music.

Glad to see you keeping the channel alive. Hope to see more content from you and some live streams in the not to distant future. Miss your voice in the community brotha.

Sean, this video is another example, and proof that you're one of the best hi fi reviewers on the web. A lot of common sense is being shared here. I'm in my early fifties now, but I wish I would have had this kind of advice when I started my audio journey at sixteen. It would have really helped in quite a few different ways. When I think of all the money I've spent over the last 35+ years to see what works and what doesn't, it is scary. Granted, there's no substitute for experience, but for all the newbies out there, listen to this guy. He really knows what's up with gear and good sound. Well done sir! Keep em' coming Sean. Happy holidays.

Your passion for audio and the way you inform your viewers is second to none. I always search your videos before I consider buying.

I changed my amplifier and it changed the entire sound signature of my system. Had to move speakers and reintegrate the subwoofers to dial it back in. Had no idea one component could make such a drastic difference on the presentation of the entire system. Thanks Sean, great advice as always, you've been a reliable source of info for us all since the beginning! Sheer awesomeness, thanks again!

I think I like your channel so much is that you actually try to bring reason and strategy into the hobby.

I've been chasing the dragon for over 40 years, but not really hard core until the last 10 or so. As you say, the problem when you're new to the hobby (I was 13 when I started) is you don't know what you want, or like, or how to figure it out. Even if you do find a happy place (and I sort of did in my 20s), as time passes your tastes may change. I know mine did - drastically. Back then I was a u-curve kinda guy, and probably a bit of a bass head. I remember when we were young we'd re-EQ material to pull some mids out & boost the bottom & top. These days midrange captivates me. I still love a full range sound, but natural detailed mids have become my happy place. I dig controlled textured bass & smooth refined highs also but the mids take me where I want to go. It's the polar opposite of how I listened all those years ago. I guess my point is the journey is one of self-discovery. It took me 40 years to figure out what I wanted - and I realize it could change again at any moment. That said, I wouldn't trade the journey for even a perfect system (our unicorn) - the journey itself has been (and continues to be) a big part of the fun. The real trick is learning to pull your head out of your a** once in a while, bury the analytical side of it, and just enjoy listening to music. Unfortunately, we all end up falling down that upgrade-itis well once in a while. LOL

Thank you, Sean, great advice. In my vinyl days, I found that just a cartridge upgrade made a world of difference. Now that I'm in my digital days I applied that logic and I upgraded my DAC. Same great result.

Really digging your more recent videos, Sean. Explaining things about audio that I wish others would talk about. No “gotchas.” No “spend more money.” No hate. Great work.

Wise words Sean. Had the same amp for 20 yrs but added a tube pre. The phono section was so much better I’m now chasing the best phono pre and carts😊

Great advice Sean. I also come across people who want a change because of ergonomic reasons (for example an annoying remote, lack of inputs or even a poorly designed volume control) or even appearance. It’s such a shame to hear people say that they spent X and it’s not as good as before.

Thanks Sean - just that one simple question - "what are you trying to accomplish with this new purchase?" really made me realize that my "hobby" was turning into impulse purchasing without really thinking. More importantly, my purchases weren't really bringing me joy, because I wasn't taking the time to really listen, test, tweak my new purchases. To me, the listening, testing, tweaking is really the fun of the hobby. I was purchasing to relieve anxiety, not to have real fun. Luckily, I'm cheap and my purchases haven't impacted my financially, but it's time to stop purchasing, and start enjoying!

agreed with many of the posters... we need more Sean in 2023!

Even though I doubt you will see this comment, thank you for this video. I am building my first good system. I'm approaching 60. I have always wanted a nice stereo system. It definitely was a thing among people in my age bracket back in the 1970s/1980s. The thing is, after a lifetime of scrimping and being necessarily cheap with myself because of financial considerations, now that I am finally making a decent dollar I keep second guessing myself. About 15 years ago I Gumped my way into a broken Pioneer SX-1250. I bought it for five dollars and a used Antec computer/server case. It was a good case, but still..... Two years ago I finally took it to a shop and got it sorted (for the most part, but that's a whole different story). I have been running it through a pair of Klipsch KG4s. It sounded OK, but the treble was harsh and the bass lacking. My father, however, loved it. So, I am giving him the KG4s, a Dual 502 turntable, a JVC CD player, and a Sony receiver I picked up so he can have an OK system in his dotage. He listens to Grieg and 50s doowop. I think that setup will serve him well. To replace the KG4s I bought a used pair of Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signatures (series i) two days ago. I auditioned them at the sellers house and had to take them home. I have never heard anything like those speakers in my life. I was completely blown away. I have spent the last two days looking for preamp/power amp combos that would put the total cost of amplification and speakers @ $1500, allowing me to sell the SX-1250 and end up with a very nice system for $0 net cost to me. If I could get more that might finance a good turntable as well. Your advice makes sense to me. I love the SX-1250. I love the Vandersteens. I'm just waiting on some adapters to get the Vandersteens hooked up to the Pioneer. I think my best bet is to keep what I have, get some peripherals that are good quality and chill for a while. If I stumble across a crazy good deal on a Krell or something, then maybe think about selling the Pioneer - but only if I have the Crazy Good Deal on hand and have tested it against my Pioneer/Vandersteen combo. Thanks for the solid advice. I really appreciate it.

Hey Sean, This was a very smart video to present and considering you're the creator of this channel, it's not surprising at all. You've always been the guy to remind people to critically think a bit more. This will help a lot of people figure things out before during and after the process. The one thing I want to add is that oftentimes I wonder if the hobby can become more about the gear than the music itself. This video touched on this indirectly, however I want to mention the rabbit hole that this hobby can create in which one is pursuing the next newest thing, and that can cause you to either not appreciate what you already have, or fail to understand the parameters of what your gear can create (in other words, not knowing your gear) or you forget about the simplicity & joy of listening to your music in the first place. I wonder how many out there do have exactly what they need but they're too distracted by other things within this hobby, to realize it, but that's just me.

I've been in a frantic search for a "better" pair of speakers.. It's been exhausting... Your video, just posted 3 hours ago, really got me. Thanks for that, man! Keep it up!

PDA for (Newbie) tips: Don't forget the simple step to help bass or treble issues; tone control. Just 1 level up or down to either can make a moderate difference. Maybe not a complete fix but maybe enough to quell your gear lust for awhile. Also toe in or out your speakers a small bit to adjust treble issues. For bass; adding a sub woofer, moving it,simply elevating it or even raising its frequency coverage just 10-20 Hz can help with a fuller sound. Decent room treatment if possible can make great differences as well. It's actually key to overall clean sound.

Really appreciate your style of analysis and how you share your thoughts. It’s straight forward…honest…and credible

Hey Sean I really enjoyed the video! I bought my first Pioneer system in 1975 when I was 14. That said, whenever you make a video of this type I always learn something new. Thank You for that. I am very fortunate to be in the first camp. I got here because I have three pairs of speakers that I can easily rotate in and out. All three pairs use the same source components. I have a set of towers and large stand mounts that are pretty neutral, nothing added or taken away. I just picked up a pair of Klipsch RP-160M. To use one of your terms the treble is a little forward of neutral. I just depends on what type of sound I want at any particular time. Got my bases covered and not for a big sum of money! Have a Great one!

Great video Shaun, I admire your honesty ....unlike other tubers who try to make you believe that you need to spend a lot of money to have a good sound, and yes sometimes you need to be content with what you already have.

That’s so true! Thanks! An other ‘trick’ for older audiophiles is to buy a hearing aid. That will bring the best improvement, especially the Wydex Moment Sheer 440. A lot of musicians are wearing this aid.

Awesome video Shawn, as usual. Couldn't agree more with what you said. I like your reference to the Elac DBR62. I enjoy these a lot and love how they are not fatiguing (like my Monitor Audio RS6's, which are also great speakers). Finding our way in this journey is helped tremendously by your honest, no nonsense advice. Thanks!

Enjoyed the video, it took me a "long time" to get use to my Cambridge CXA-81 and Polk R200's. I didn't get to audition it, but I learned to truly enjoy it over time. I just had to get use to it. Now, it is arguably my favorite setup that I'm happy with. I'm working on DAC, phono stage, and cartridge for my turntable which I'll update over time. Keep up the good work.

Awesome video. You have provided a great systematic way to think about a system.

Hey Shaun, great to have another video from you. I think you’re one of the most trustworthy reviewers on the ‘tube. Both from your expertise/experience and integrity. I really appreciate your understanding of both the industry and the consumer. Obviously it’s a lot of work to do what you do with a channel like this and you need to do what’s best for your life, but, just so you know, your content is one of a few that’s at this level. It’s been very helpful to someone who enjoys hifi but doesn’t have near the knowledge of many. Hope you are feeling better. Thanks for the great videos

I really appreciate your content and love the fact that you talk about the hobby itself, and not just the gear in it. I think you are a real positive influence. It is impossible to stay centered when all you see as an audiophile is ad after ad, how much you are missing out. I think it is important in this lonely hobby to see someone like you who balances this constant FOMO and buyer’s regret injection. Personally, it is challenging defining my sound preference. I think we can appreciate good sound when we hear it. Same as in music, how much relaxing music can you listen to?

Nice talk man, happy you discussed this. My process for building a great set up has been pick a speaker flavour I’ve been wanting, then pick an integrated that helps improve the speakers biggest weakness without losing in other areas, then finally fix the last major annoyance in sound with dac. Isolating one thing really helps so great suggestion!

That was a great video. Especially the comment about not having enough data points to know exactly what we love when we first start out.

You’re the voice of reason and wisdom Sean!

Unique, profound, mature and valuable contribution. Shows real experience and understanding. Thank you.

Very good practical advice, this is what I'm currently doing, almost word for word. Thank you for putting sanity into the hobby. Thank you Sean, hope more people will hear this.

Great advice. I suggest that you find a dealer who will turn up to your place with a selection of possibilities, and shuffle the gear until you find the right combination.

Great video Sean. I am totally with you on knowing what we want to change before makng a purchase and not to do something drastic. I wish there was an easier way to introduce non-audiophiles to get to understand why a listening improvement is crucial to enjoying not only music but also movies.

Thanks for your unbiased and practical advice.

Glad to see you back sean. Your my favorite reviewer.....!

Very good of you to make this video Sean your a good fellow 👍

I own a modest system by audiophile standards, but certainly well beyond what most people probably have. The other day I was over visiting my friend and he was playing an on-line oldies channel (1960’s to early 70’s stuff) through his Samsung sound bar and woofer. It sounded pretty good - grounded in base but with an airy-ness about the sound, which with that music sounded entertaining to me. I mentioned this to him and he said “This isn’t even loud. I turn it up sometimes and it gets pretty loud”. I was fine with it as-is and suspected my enjoyment wouldn’t increase at louder volume. It was loud enough to hear and didn’t prevent us from conversing. I have heard this same airy quality from some inexpensive Bluetooth speakers that I play out on my patio. I wondered if there is something missing from my much more expensive main system, but I don’t know what I would change. Sometimes I really enjoy the gear I have, but lesser gear can be nice in its own way. I don’t want to take space to spell out what I have - and I haven’t really done much to tweak my listening room either. Just wanted to share this experience.

There are a few You tube content creators that have a similar perspective to Hifi as I do... But I will say.... There's less bullshit here than any others.. I appreciate your levels of integrity Sean.👍🏻

What an insightful tip there! You instantly got me thinking of Rega Elex-R integrated amplifier which has been discontinued and recently replaced with a new model with added digital inputs and a headphone port. The thing is that Elex-R is an awesome sounding amp which is probably due to it being totally analog. Well, not anymore apparently since what it used to be famous for seems to be just a nostalgic history nowadays..

Hey Sean I have a great wish list for you this year and hope you're doing well. I want you to give your self personal time and allow space to breathe in and relax and enjoy the presence of joy. You give us peace, reassurance and abounding respect for the past, present and future of music.

You nailed it! I especially like the not necessarily regrets, more learning experiences. Jim 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙂

Thanks, Sean, This was quite an educative video. This stopped me from selling my best-sounding DAP to finance a high-end DAP I have not auditioned so for. This will make me choose my next purchase with due care and diligence.

Very good, one of your best . Helped tremendously, thanks, Steve

Hi Sean. Thank you for your insight. I always enjoy your reviews. I wanted to mention something that has happened to me that I don't read about in reviews or comments. I am one of those who loves his stereo team and am very aware of my favorite type of sound when I hear it. My problem is that my system is pretty up in age and my PS Audio 5.5 preamp's phono stage has been malfunctioning and making noise. This product is from the mid 90s when I paid around $1600 with the upgraded power supply M500. Everything else that I have sounds great. Now I have tried to fix and tune up the phono section but have not been able to achieve my goal. I then tried to buy a highly reviewed phono stage for about 1K that ended up sounding like it came from Kmart. It let me to the conclusion that $1600 in mid 90s value might be like 5K to 6K in today's dollars. I wish I could borrow equipment and plug it into my system but that is extremely difficult in today's environment. What is your insight on this and what might you suggest?

great video (again), really great! I wish you did this video a few years earlier. I had to go through a lot of trial and horror... and money down the drain. Nevertheless, this is a great advice, absolutely true for me. You will get a great bang for your buck listening to Sean's advice, seriously!

Great to see you back, Sean! I'm a new subscriber, (orig. from Scotland), living in Japan, (past 24 + yrs.). Love your no-nonsense, precise, informative, objective, totally unbiased reviews. Thanks for all your top-class content and sterling advice! All the very best to you & your.s - Gerri in Nippon - Yiroshiku Onaigaishimasu! Sean-san...

Great advice. Thanks for simplifying the process for me.

Very interesting "eliminating process", Thanks again !

Good to see you and thanks for the advice and hope you'll be sharing your thoughts soon on that beautiful Willsenton behind you! Looks so much better than the R8 and R800...

OMG! You seems to have all the answers to my situation man. Since way back then. Now, after 4 years owning hifi system, I’m in a stage on thinking of wanting to try something new but am so afraid of switching my amp (Cambridge Audio CXA81) which is famous for it dominant characteristics. I just wanted more depth to my soundstage, which i think the CXA81 can’t deliver. But, afraid swapping amp will change the sound character that I love. I’m thinking on buying new dac to aid my hunt, and your video supports this. Thank you.

Very smart video and proposed approach, makes a lot of sense education wise when it comes to make an 'informed' decision when changing equipments.

One shall never skip Seans videos, for they are so good

Pioneer vsx-lx305 receiver . All Emotiva speakers , B2+, B1+ , A2+, A1+, C1+ , SE12 sub , for a 7.2.2 system for home theater and music . The sound is incredible and blows away my previous fluance then Polk ( mid range ) set up . Your reviews and others helped guide me and I was lucky to have hit the jackpot early in my journey . Not gonna change a thing …. For now . Although wharfdale is drawing my eye lol .

Listening, and Reading comments, I’ve concluded; Small changes will be the productive attitude in two categories a) better listening pleasure, b) longer, and a more satisfying endeavor. Thanx Zero Fidelity!

I'm learning how easily one thing can change a system also, I was after a wider soundstage, so implemented a Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 and also two subwoofers and it was a big step, luckily in the direction I'd "hoped" for and I love the sound.

Great video touching on the fundamentals of this mad hobby 👏🏻 All the best Peter

Welcome back 🎄☀️🎄✨

Ive been upgrading from speakers to dac for the better part of the decade and i had a moment of burnout. I stopped everything last 6 months or so and boxed it all up due to frustration. Best decision ive made and when i got a craving to go back, i had the appreciation for my audio gear. Stepping back made me realize i like what i have and just wanted to try if upgrading my accessories would make it better for me. Started with power cord and was happy with the results. Now im just after a smoother dac and i think im good for the foreseeable future. Im in no rush to upgrade, just waiting for the right time to do it. Sometimes, hitting the brakes and stepping back give you a better perspective. Thanks for the video sean, hope to see more reviews and audio topics soon.

Cheers, Sean, for some great advice, especially selling a beloved product before you are certain you have improved upon it. You do need luck to reach the nirvana of 'Camp A.' I recently and accidentally discovered that the pre-amp section of a once beloved integrated amp ( that I never could make myself sell ) fitted a new power amp, like a hand fits a glove, allowing me to return an expensive valve Pre I had just brought to partner it. But even people who truly love their system can improve it without huge risk. Vibration absorbing system supports and superior mains products are a great way to make something good even better, with little risk of a lateral improvement.

Sean, that's some very good advice. I guess I'm still building, as I can play CDs on my disc player and want to add a way of playing files that I've downloaded. However I am basically happy with my amp/speaker combination, so maybe that puts me in camp A. The gearhead in me still wants to try new stuff, but the CFO says there's other priorities (and at the bottom of my heart I know she's right). So - I tell myself - relax and enjoy the music!

What a great video. Full of truth.

your points are very good.

As others have commented - this was great video. When I got back into HiFi two years ago after a twenty plus year absence I consumed a lot of content from your channel and the others we're all familiar with. What I'd like to point out - in my experience - is that I heard you, but didn't always listen as I lacked recent experience and context. When I made a decision to purchase new stereo equipment I determined the best course of action for me was to pick up where I'd left off and bought a known commodity (an Integrated Amp and CD player.) I bought speakers while vision-impaired and the ones I'd chosen were new to me and, while well reviewed and popular, they were not a good match with the Integrated Amp. Again, as borne out in one of your reviews - only I understood the words you were saying. Expensive lesson. Now I've made a lateral move to another brand better suited to my amp, room and tastes - again (there's that word ... ) partially based on your reviews. You've been a tremendous help to me and it's my sincere hope this video get's the attention it deserves.

THX Sean fro your time and effort with insight addressing Audiophilism. Like most people looking at this and other YT stereo equipment reviews seem to be in mode which generates that Strivbing for the "perfect" sound. Usually, "isms" do manifest into behavior appraoching OCD. I'm 71 YO, and have bouts of OCD - striving for Perfection in product purchases like Steros , Cars, etc. I find that with respect to Stereo Equipment, after you have selected and set it up, and semed gratified by your selection, after awhile, you will start to question whether to seek something better? I've been there. To quell that curiousity without spending a bundle for all new Speakers or all new equipment, I would recommend adding an Equalizer. I did - a Schiit LOKI for not much money. It is a simple 4 band Equlaizer that can be switched on or off and adds about a 10 decibel boost. That allows you to Tweak your sound -m perhaps that does it and saves you money! Even Better, Schiit has added the LOKIUS - a 6 band Eq for a bit more money. I may purchase one for my LR stereo setup which has been fully satisfying since 1987 !!, No Eqs, No SWs. For my secondary system in the ManCave in my finished basement, The LOKI has been a great addition that I use soemtimes. Happy Holidays All.

Great video, Sean! I guess I got lucky with my system, which I bought based on reading research ( specs, etc...), and some reviews from KZfaq. I'm very happy with how it sounds and functions; almost two years with Parasound amplification, Audiolab CD transport, and Cambridge DAC. The rest is a variety of headphones, speakers, and headphone amps.........basically all CD-based (2700+), with some streaming (Spotify & Qobuz). Use to have LPs, but sold them all (2000) to downsize a bit, along with my trusty Dual 622 turntable from 1981! Keep up the positivity on audio gear advice, and the whole "audiophile thing".....................👍

Well thought out story. Maybe two more things are good to consider: are you staying within a reasonable budget and do you have faith in the desicions you have made. Because there will always remain other stuff that you haven heard that may be better. I thought my speakers were not ideal, but then I heard my sister's new system and realized her da conversion was better. So I first replaced my rather basic dac, and the problems I blamed on the speakers were resolved. So it is always a puzzle. My ears don't lie, I hear room for improvement. But within budget and my choices and the expectations that I had, I am happy. Videos like yours and Steve's and Tarun's have been extremely helpful.

For the most part, I agree with you. The one major consideration is resale. There is a lot of used high-end gear that can be list on Audiogon or Ebay and easily find a new home after years of use. Buying a recognized brand is important. A recognized brand not only helps in resale, but also provides support while in use.

Another great video Sean keep it up I happen to own a pair of elac UB5s paired up to the emotiva basx a100 with a Schiit stack of Mani phono preamp and Modi multibit dac. To my ears they work really great together probably the Elacs doing the most to make it all sound coherent.

Great perspective and advice. Y

Camp A here. I found that the biggest improvement to my systems as always been adding a REL subwoofer. Edgy treble from maybe turning the volume up too high then goes away. Mid-range quality improves. Sounds stage is enhanced. Bass deficiency obviously is no longer an issue. And of course two are always better than one. 🎵🎶😊🎶🎵

Great vid, a few points if I may to give some perspective after a few years in the hobby and spending a decent amount of cash. Admittedly I'm mostly on headphones but same things apply. - There is no perfect system, but there are perfect moments for you as a listener if your system is dialed in. - At the end of the day we're here to enjoy the music, so build a system that you fully enjoy first and then admire. Often we go after technicalities and we don't really enjoy the experience. - You can't possibly know what you want or what's possible without auditioning a lot of good systems first ... this is tricky part especially for speakers. You need to arrange sessions in as many good hifi shops as you can and get in touch with local community. Use whatever brings you even shreds of experience as a crutch, even YT videos or forum threads. I started knowing nothing about audio buying first set of old Audeze LCD3 to see what's possible comming from cheap Sennheisers thinking "yeah this hifi is all snake oil, I'll probably stick to my trusty HD25 and DT770 for the rest of my days and not spend any more money" ... over some years I've spent upwards of $20k on building a system and now I prefer to drive an old cheap car and have a good system to enjoy daily than to upgrade my car ... anyway, I had no idea what's possiblem and I was floored time and time again by how amazing systems can sound! - Good and expensive gear often equals good quality (not always), so be prepared to splash that cash when you find the right pieces for you. - End of the day everything matters, from the files you use (if you build a digital system), to cables, power and pieces ofc. I would say the most imporant to least important are : Speakers and the room (or headphones), AMP (to synergise with speakers or headphones), DAC (to further synergise), clean power, digital front end, cables ... and of course running your system properly with the right settings, connections etc. - Don't get hung up on small details (on this one track the treble is a bit too sharp in this one spot), that's what you compromise on, forcus on big picture like overall stage, dynamics, sound structure, layering, and of course general enjoyment : ) Enjoy : )

Great advice. Thanks for sharing.

Great suggestions!

I knew you had this in you. Well done sir!

Mr Fidelity I had been looking for an amplifier for many years upon watching one of your shows you somehow convinced me that the Luxman 550 A was what I was looking for so I went and bought one , blind , and you was right phenomenal amplifier couldn’t be more happier , so thanks for your honest approach, like others I look out for your reviews. The Luxman is the basis of my system it makes me smile every time I look at it knowing I made the right choice. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones I find my system obviously not perfect but very happy with the sound . All the best Clint.

I liked your video. I'm 60 and I have had many stereos in my lifetime. If you really want a great sound system (especially in a tight space) go with the Bose AM FM wave radio. It's really the best stereo system around. The Bose wave system actually reproduces the original audio without filters such as equalizers, surround sound functions or even bass boost. People need to know this: on the wave radio only model, it has the largest wave pattern that designs the true hi fidelity sound. Take the CD version: the wave pattern is squished but the radio-only version has more of the free running wave pattern making it more conductive to hi-fi than the CD model. Don't get me wrong; the CD version is good also but the radio-only version is the best. There is a feature called "talk radio" mode. This can change the tone naturally without filtering through equalizers or surround sound additions. These radios are small but have a sound that reproduces the original sound naturally. The Bose wave 2 or the 3 model is better than the older model.These cost only $350. new. Or you can get a good used one for about $200 on e-bay. Best of all its American made technology because these pieces of equipment are made only in the USA. You won't believe the sound quality until you try it out! They are very economical.

I really like this content. You should make a video answering the best questions that you have received during your live stream.

That simplifies what can be an overly complicated way of looking at things. BTW. I sure hope you'll give us a review of that 300B on your shelf.

This is awesome, love the approach Espically for most Newbies and even seasoned Audiophiles , Thanks Sean your always helping people out and that to me is truely what audio is all about and having fun of course 😃 Building a system can be very stressful For some people - And i feel them !! Been in the market for reccording gear/labtop totally out of my element but working hard to make happen and to open my budget up just a little bit more I have taken to long i will admit

Some great points! In my experience, I've tried to audition components I'm interested in - not many brick and mortar places left, and the conditions do differ from a sound room to my home, but it gives me an idea. I bring my own source material too - if allowed to play it. And I have to realize - what I truly like may be well out of my budget, so looking at items within my budget comes first.

Good guidance.

Thanks for your advice.

Pretty good advice, Sir...

It’s tough giving up speakers you’ve worked with for 20 years even though you know they’re not the right ones

Sean - draw your swords - great track revealed by you to me - also bro 3 - thanks from Norfolk UK

I think that sometimes people will spend a lot on stereo components but forget what I thin is the most vital lesson. You touched on it with speaker placement but I think that the environment really is the biggest improvement. i have set up a stereo that to my ears is probably what 90% of people would consider a good setup but no audiophile would. I did this for a few reasons. Number one, my stereo room had to be moved ( like a mini home) and I won't use my high end equipment in a room that just won't work to the ultimate. In the interim, ( Number Two) I had a load of components, none of which were great but it had one redeeming quality. It was either cheap or free. The speakers needed to be rebuilt ( drivers and tweeters shot and the previous owner tossed them). All said it's better than listening to the small "footballs" for music and clarity. The most important part is trying to improve the room. My parents had owned the condo where it's located and the living room is ( by audio standards) awful. All sorts of glass and reflective surfaces with "pool ball " refraction and open areas. In other words, possibly the worst environment possible for listening enjoyment. If, in the end I can eliminate a lot of the effect of the room, it should at least be "ok". That third point is something that a lot of people either ignore or throw crazy money at without realizing that by using cognitive process we can make listening to the music we love more transparent and I think that's what most people want.

I have been in the mid-if hobby since I started working at a stereo shop in the late ‘90s. I have owned, sold, and listened to systems from most of the major brands. Only once in 30 years in the hobby have I experienced sound from a system that actually sounded like it was there in the room. It was an acoustic guitar played through my Onkyo TX-SV424 Pro-logic receiver through an old set of Fisher bookshelf speakers. The sound staging wasn’t great, no bass, no balance, but that guitar string sounded like it was actually there. In the ensuing years I’ve heard the best equipment from companies like Mirage, Parasound, Totem, Monitor Audio, Polk, Usher, Elac, etc and have yet to hear anything that was legitimately and convincingly realistic. To me, realism is the holy grail; the perfection that we all seek, but it’s so rare, and dependent on SO MANY factors - from mic positioning and equipment quality during recording to mastering, recording medium, equipment quality, system integration, component performance, room positioning, cabling, etc - that it’s nearly impossible to reliably replicate. What you’re left with then is creating a system that allows you to maximize your enjoyment of the music. That means building a system that draws you in with its tonal balance, imaging, and relative fidelity. The other day I heard a $30K system that wasn’t appreciably better or more accurate than what I have at home that cost a fraction of that. My advice, from a long-time hobbyist, and former dream peddler, is to build a system that works together to sound as neutral as possible. My current desktop system utilizes Totem Rainmakers with a Harman/Kardon 330B, which to my ears sounds much better than the Onkyo, Marantz, Sansui, and NAD amps I had paired previously. In the basement, my “big” system is a Harman/Kardon AVR-55 (which was $1500 CAD in 1998) paired with a custom-built pair of transmission-line speakers using Peerless woofers, Viffa tweeters, and hand-built crossovers that sounds spectacular. When I tried this same setup with my Totem Dreamcatchers, or my Paradigm Reference Studio 20s, it was “meh.” Those same Dreamcatchers are now upstairs in my bedroom with an Onkyo mini system and they sound fantastic. Pairing and positioning are the biggest factors. As Sean said, don’t go replacing major gear until you have made the small, incremental improvements that will maximize the performance of your current rig. Sometimes, the magic comes from pairings, not from having “the best” gear.

Great advice. 👍

Your room dictates how everything sounds. If you add room treatments or furniture after the fact that will change everything. I love my 7.1.4 system (Getting ready to watch Top Gun: Maverick for the 5th time), but we're moving into a RV in the spring for 2-3 years and the rest is going into storage. I'll keep a few things but this is a good time to downsize and reevaluate later. Thanks, Sean!

Thanks!

I'm def group A so when I make changes it's typically with sources. I usually just walk up the line with the same manufacture so in theory but not always in practice I wind up with what I like about said component and more of it.

I'm relatively new to high-end hifi. I might have gone a wee bit overboard with buying speakers. I started with a pair of active Hedd Type 20 studio monitors, which set the benchmark. Over the last 2 years, I have somehow ended up with the following speakers - JBL 4311, JBL 4429, Kef LS50w, Chario 100, B&W 805 Natutilus, Beousound vintage bookshelves, and a few more. I also have a Kreisel dxd808 sub which I love. Later this week, I'm taking delivery of a pair of Avalon Monitors. I love the hobby, but I'm running out of space in my apartment.

A long term quality control manager for General Motors once told me - Perfection is only an illusion.

Thanks 👍

Eliminating wall reflections was the biggest improvement to my sound. A thick wall to wall carpet is paramount. Heaving damping behind the speakers improves front to back depth. The only reflective surfaces are the ceiling and the back wall. This room treatment is necessary when i use cross-talk cancellation to achieve a true 3 dimensional sound stage where the speakers "disappear". Sound appears to originate well outside the side walls The stereo depth appears to be about 20 feet. Sound images even appear to the left and right of my listening chair. I can turn my head and "look" at the sound and it will stay put in space.

Agree--I have been on a lifetime journey trying things. I thought I was about there but just could not get the sound stage I wanted with MC75 tubed amps (2500 pre) and Sonusfaber OLympica 1s. I am in a 10x12 room. So I got a small e-purify Class D amp and bingo! It makes the fabers sing. But I still want the ability to use my tubed monoblocks on occasion---what do you think of them and Heresy IVs? The Heresy's would just fit I think.... either way the fabers and the audiophonics e-purify Class D is a combination keeper for me. Oh and advise for everyone else--first steps: decluttering the room (no computer desks, no knick knack corner shelves, no hi fi racks between the speakers, esp if they are above bottom height of speakers..then speaker placement--AND room treatments!!!

What you say about the 2 groups is really a philosophy of life in general!