"Yer system is really good if ya can't stop listening to it!" I think that's the best advice I've ever heard. Ever! Genius in it's simplicity.

Steve has been around for a long time, and I just gotta say I appreciate him so much. He's not here talking at you, he comes here to sit down, drop the needle, and enjoy a conversation with you. Kudos Steve. This is why I come here. No BS, no hub bub about I have a million dollar system. If you have a 100 dollar system, and you can listen...… then you to … have arrived.

In individual terms: the system is good if you enjoy it.

My problem is that I love my system but my neighbours hate it

One of your very best video's Steve! The message, the tone, the delivery...so down to earth and real. "It's all about the music." Period!

When I travel for an extended period I always think about how I’m going to miss my system.

A breath of much needed sensible advice. Way to go!!!

You understand the audiophile condition very well and offer great advice, experience shows!

Love the way you touched on cables, Steve. Well done, no matter how you feel about it.

Breath of fresh air! You are always hitting the nail on the head Steve!

It happened to me when I caught myself choosing what I was going to listen to based on how good it sounded and not what I wanted to hear. That was almost 30 years ago and it caused a big change in both me and my system. Most of my system now is homemade, or at least handmade, vintage except for my DAC, low powered, single ended and tubed, including my DAC. The first thing to go in the great purge was my turntable, it's replacement, now long out of production from a company that no longer exists, will be inherited by my children, as will most everything else currently in the system. The system, while not cheap, was also not particularly expensive. I typically listen in the evening, and have to use the clock to determine when to stop so I can still get adequate sleep.

Steve, this is your best video yet! And this is one of the reasons why I like tube amps, because just swapping in different tubes can give me a new sound!

At almost a year old, this video is describing my issues...I need to just listen and stop thinking. So much good advice here, I find myself doing the things suggested on my own, somewhat comforting, thanks Steve!

Your answer suprised me (in a good way).

Love this one Steve. I spend more time at my computer(work and play) than in my listening room. Although I spend less time at it, I love the way it sounds but I love to tinker too so that keeps me coming back to re-listen my whole library all over again.

We all get caught up with new gear and wanting new gear. It's easy to forget what it's all about - enjoying the music. Moving speakers around really helped me find a much improved sound. I can't believe what a difference it can make. Like a totally new setup. Thanks Steve.

Alan Parsons one said "Audiophiles don't use their equipment to listen to your music; they use your music to listen to their equipment." lol

Possibly the wisest KZfaq segment I have ever heard. Cuts through the mist and nails it!

Been watching you for two years and was yet to subscribe. So there you go! Keep doing what you’re doing.

Absolutely perfect definition of a nice sound system. You start listening to just the music and enjoying it! Thanks Steve.

Amazing to me how you and a few others keep talking about stuff I'm thinking of. - I hadn't started watching when IO wrote that, I wrote it because 30 minutes ago I was musing to myself that if nobody ever comes over to check out my setup I'll never know... started watching and your first statement... about if you listen to it a lot... It's so good these days I actually have slept in the room because I didn't want to stop listening, and that was after hours and hours of listening already.

Great advice! The other night I plugged my favorite headphones directly in to my phone and BAM I was there just listening to the music for two hours. It was great and I don't get to do it that often with the constant dull roar of the family around 😉. I am looking forward to my next session mostly because I wasn't even thinking about the simple gear I was using 😁

Totally agree! I only have a few nights in the week to play a few records, but when i start.....it's almost impossible to stop.

Good advice. I have a rule with myself, that I can't upgrade something until I can explain exactly what is bothering me about the old one. Just buying something else in the hope it will be better is not good enough. Using my old system as a reference I then loan components and try to fix the "issue" without upsetting the things that were OK before. When I get it right, I usually have a really late night as I can't help but listen and keep pulling out tracks just to hear what they now sound like.

Best advice I’ve ever heard. Since I got my B&W 606s my gaming and TV watching have probably been cut down to 1/4 of what they used to, because all I ever want to do when in front of my TV is play music. I consider that a very good sign that I made the right choice.

I finally turned my biggest bedroom into a dedicated (2 channel only) listening room a week ago. I'm definitely not through 'tuning' the room, but the difference is huge. I find myself listening for hours, loving the sound of my system in this new room! The depth of soundstage is staggering!

I just put together a new system and can’t stop listening to music all the time. There was the usual extensive tinkering and excessive neurotic need to perfect the sound and definitely lost the feel for the music but stepping back brought it back and now I enjoy so much. I feel like this video was made just for me!

Spot on Steve. Just upgraded to a new McIntosh integrated. I have sometimes slinked up from my listening room at 2 or 3 in the morning because the music sounds good enough to me that I don't want it to stop. Cheers.

Steve, that's a wonderful definition of what a good audio system is when you can't stop listening

Thanks​ so​ much​ for​ your​ wise words, Steve.

Congratulations on your first 100k subscribers!! Your channel is a jewel.

Soundstage is absolutely vital isn't it? I couldn't be happy without that.

Excellent point. I upgraded my amp 2 months ago from a Yamaha avantage 5.1 setup to a Marantz PM8006 2.0 all other things being equal and I now find myself staying up an extra 90 minutes an evening to fit some more listening time in. I was getting ear fatigue from the Yamaha but with the Marantz the sound is so pure with low to no distortion that I just can’t get enough.

"is my soundsystem good?" Does it sound good? "yes" Then it`s good..

Absolutely agree. I find myself not even wanting to turn on the tv. I recently made some upgrades over the holidays, thanks to some gifts from my wife (which included a new TT cartridge) and she mentioned yesterday that she's gotten used to Jazz playing every evening and she loves it. Said she loves the vibe the house has lately. A couple years ago it was a toss-up as to whether the TV, stereo, or my laptop was the main source of attention, but in the last year or so, the stereo trumps all else.

Steve, I can never stop watching your videos. It must be because you are an exceptional man.

Great video Steve, you knocked it out of the park! Its so true, its about the power of the enjoyment it provides...

Hi Steve, really appreciate your honesty in your channel. New equipment is a fun part of the music experience, but music is the reason for the equipment. I have a 30 year old pair of Koss speakers that I would like to re-cap to see what changes this can have for improved sound. I have a mix of old and new equipment and find great enjoyment in all of them. Great thought on speaker placement. Thanks for the terrific channel. Best regards, Brian.

Thanks for your advising , love to hear more from you .

One of your best videos up until now Steve! 100K and going!

Hi Steve basically you called out all the stuff I have been working on for the past few months thanks for the great advice now I'm buying dirt cheap cds in the local charity shop and my enthusiasm for discovering new music has been revived.

I loved the wharfedale sound for years, so in my retirement years, I chose the 10.4 floorstanders because they are small enough for my bedroom and just loud enough 125W ea. then I decided on a Cayin LA34 tube integrated amp (32W/channel) and a Marrantz cd 6004. Bought all these brand new under $2000. After playing around with the tubes, finally found the right sound with 4X El34 Mullards, 2X 12AU7 PSVane, gold pin and 1 piece JJ ECC 803S gold pin. The music is sublime & smooth and filled the room with wonderful music, Vangelis, O'hearn, Fourplay Rippingtons, Classic Jazz and Classical music. I even brought the whole system to the living room which has 20 foot slanted ceiling and the stereo system filled that room with great music. One does not need tons of money to buy a great stereo system, one needs great patience to be prudent and buy what you really need and enjoy.

My stuff is all second hand bought over years and nothing audio buffs would be impressed with but I listen every day and love it and my wife puts up with my two subwoofers shaking the house. I often wonder what I might be missing by not having or ever even hearing the expensive gear you guys have. There was a high end store in my area once that I loved going into and hearing good sound but other than that I'm content with what sounds good to me. I have changed my room around multiple times seeking the best setup for what I have and having tried every way possible it seems, I have settled for how it is now pretty much. Love your channel though!

Im right with ya Steve! The more revieling the system, the more cables making a difference, ime.

Great advice friend! I will remember that! I love music and sometimes I focus too much on high fidelity albums…My channel started with high fidelity album reviews, but as time passed along I realized my true passion is talking about the story and feelings behind the music and lyrics. I found more passion with my small circle talk around the campfire, so my subscribers like to describe my channel 😁 Thank you so much for the video, most of us-new vinyl generation- need to hear this 🙂

Best advice I have heard in 2020 so far for audio heads...I heard some heads explode when you mentioned “Cables” I have experienced the difference in sound of making cable changes in my system, good and bad.

Covid has given me lots of time to really sit and enjoy the music, I've also discovered how really good my system sounds. That's really the point is enjoying the music for music's sake. Another good video Steve

I totally agree Steve! Fantastic statement. When you listen a lot and also hope to have more time to keep listening, yes sir you have a good system. It's very important not to deviate from the root of all, and that is the music itself. Happy listening!!!

I had heard that if your system still sounds full and satisfying at low volume then that’s a good indication. I would tend to agree as I find that’s the case with my system!

CONGRATS on 100,000 subs! Well deserved. And horn speakers really are special.

I love your channel such a cool groove!

Steve you've topped yourself with this presentation. Your advice is spot on. This video is worth the price of admission. 😉

I’ve never enjoyed movies and music as much as I do now. I’ve pieces together the best sounding system I’ve ever heard by being very patient and waiting for insanely good deals on OfferUp and craigslist. It’s become quite an addiction buying new pieces of brands like kef, Miller & kreisel, bowers & Wilkins. Every new piece makes such a huge difference in the sound quality and the enjoyment of listening. Purchasing a power conditioner made a huge noticeable difference for me and am currently searching for amps to replace my marantz receiver. Good channel keep it up!

Great advice Steve, it is all in the listening :-)

Greatest and wisest response to a commonly asked question.

Absolutely love this Guy ... I can just relate to what is being said, it’s like therapy every day !! ❤️❤️

This is right in so many ways! Thanks Steve

I agree about changing cables. Some people say it doesn't matter but I can hear the difference.

I have 2 sets of entry level speaker (wharfedale 225 and bnw 607). I love them both and different sound signatures. I agree that you dont need to get news speakers. Just move them around and have a good time with it.

I'm always listening to my system, can't get enough of it. This affliction has been going on for decades! ❤😂

I do mine. It gives me the fun even when I watch cable TV and KZfaq with it. It makes me look for a reason to listen to it. I think at 13k usd, it outperforms the old big Utopia most of the time.

You never get tired listening to it, and most of music genres sound great!

Wisdom wrought by experience. I know the experience well. As hard as I try to attend to the audiophile stuff, I just can't resist being pulled away from that and being drawn into the music. There's no audiophile stuff to listen for anymore, the system is just doin' it. The opposite of that is where you keep getting abruptly awaken from the musical trance, or even being able to be entranced in the first place, by things that keep diverting attention. I'm in a good place with headphone headphone journey these days. I'm enjoying it very much. I look for, and forward to, more moments to listen, and am happy to listen to the same music again and again because it sounds so good, I'm encouraged to search out new because I want to enjoy it on my kit, or finding that music I've enjoyed more casually to have the experience of it on a better playback system.

I've had a basic system since 1995, this year I upgraded all my stuff and I listen to it every single day now.

At 71 years old I've finally got the small vintage system I cannot stop listening to. I run ADS L400's and Infinity Infintesimals with a 10 in. Sony sub. 600 watts total in a small room sounds like you're wearing a giant pair of headphones. Too cool.

Great advice Steve 👍love your channel 👍👌

Great advice. WRT cables. Try making your own to see if it clears up some issues and open a new window to the sound. Interconnects with 24 gauge magnet wire in packing tape makes a very revealing cable. Just run 2 parallel wires 1/2 inch apart and dirt cheap RCA connectors. If you find that great (as I did) and want more? Then build a new set with 99.9% silver wire as the conductor. Then upgrade to KLEI RCA connectors. With each of these changes you will open a window deeper into the music. Costs next to nothing if you have a soldering iron. If not, time to get one. But watch out. This is how I started down the road to DIY all my gear. It's wonderful. You can then make small incremental upgrades and seldom have to outright replace your gear.

I had become very neurotic around record cleaning, to the point where any sort of click or pop would kill my ability to enjoy the music. This video really helped me to take a step back and reassess what I was trying to accomplish with my music reproduction system. That said, the approach Mr. Guttenberg presents to root out problem source(s) leaves something to be desired. In my view, the first step is to identify and eliminate noise. With each audio source, is there noise and of what type (hum, buzz, or other junk)? Each has its own cause and cure. Whatever the system, start with component outputting the smallest signal and work backward/inward. If there is a turntable and CD player in the mix, play the same recording on both. If the CD sounds better, the weakest link can be found somewhere in the turntable, interconnect, or phono pre-amp. Once everything else is in good shape is the time to start looking at the power amp (assuming it is relatively modern and in good condition) and speakers. I would put swapping out speaker cables at the bottom of the list (if at all). The type of connector, though, is very important. In my experience/research, the compression type (e.g. screw down using a 5-way binding post) is best; "banana" style is the worst and should be avoided.

Long time listener and this hits the nail on its head. Best advice yet in the KZfaq world of the latest and greatest gear pushers. Speaking of gear I’ve been very pleasantly surprised what difference a mobile dac has made to my listening pleasure. Thanks in no part to Apple removing the headphone jack from the phone...

"Temporary relief from your neurotic behaviour-" That cuts deep Steve.

Always enjoy watching thanks. One comment, I come to realize after a lifetime of listening that upgrading the amp is more important than upgrading the speakers.in most cases. Certainly you can make a case either way but todays budget speakers are pretty good and can come alive and impress you big time with a good amp up near the thousand dollar range.

Great vid. My guide to tell if a system is sounding really great, is my both feet. If it starts tapping on the rhytm of the music, i can tell for sure i'm enjoying the music. If you are listening to analysing the audio components, somethings wrong. If the music " grabs" your attention, the specs and looks of the equipment is not important anymore!🤔

I took a break from you and just came back, love the topic! I notice when I get a really good recording. I'm in the dollar bins and came home with 80 lps, wow there are some really great sounding recordings and most are first pressings! and i am introduced to some other music greats from yesterday decades. I notice good and bad recordings, they are like night and day with the sound quality.

Absolutely true ! I've recently upgraded my audio system and haven't listened to this much music in years.

I discovered I needed two systems. One is a hybrid tube with an automatic turntable I use for the times I'm writing and can't jump up to stop the table. My other has a wonderful amp, manual turntable, a top cartridge and excellent preamp with imported high end speakers I use for those times I desire critical listening. Some others may be happy with one or three.

Phew. I guess mine must be great, even though it is a budget, dare I say, 'audiophile' system. I listen everyday to a few or lots more albums. I spent a lifetime building a music collection of rock, jazz, blues, world, and classical. But never gave much thought to the sound I was getting, just being a happy idiot instead. As a single divorced guy in my 50's, things are often pretty quiet around here, and I really do enjoy having my audio system and music collection fill my world with great sound and all the good it does me. Currently listening thru a 2.2 system and movies in 5.2. It may not be everyone's cup o' tea, but it's luxury I can afford. Oddly enough, I went thru a period of listening fatigue when I bought some new gear and started to take sound more seriously. Then I learned about reflection and room acoustics and all Steve's great advice and am now enjoying my music again. Thanks, Steve!

There is an old saying in the audio engineering world "if it sounds good then its good"

Could not agree more ! Nice vid Steve.

What a great hobby! It will be 50 years next year that my dad took a 14 year old me to Melton's in Atlanta and said "son, are you sure that you want to spend that much money on a stereo?" That $1200 bought a Marantz 2220, Studio Craft speakers, and a dual turntable with a Shure cartridge. Non-fatiguing is my measure of my system. That is if I start listening and keep listening. Now, I have temporary speakers that are fatiguing because they are cheap Best Buy Insignia speakers filling a now two month gap. I may just turn it off for a while until the new speakers arrive.

Good for you with that apartment-wide record collection. I've got about 200 LPs and a hundred 45s, I have to pace myself. Sessions are good. HNY Steve, more power to you.

I am very pleased with my Fluance rt81 and Edifier 1280t speakers. Sound quality is smooth as silk and I mostly enjoy Progressive rock from the 70's and 80's music. Play my system every day and love the vinyl ritual and turntable interaction.

It's a great point, applies to many more hobbies, photography in particular fails to appreciate the sheer joy of taking pictures, as opposed to pixel peeping and such like. My very humble audio system passes the test, which began with "has to sound at least as good as my headphones".

For my 11th birthday I got a GE stereo AM/FM 8-track player. It had a phono selection but I never got one. I left it for my brother when I moved out at 19. It had two 5 1/4” full range drivers in each a big box. I played them every day! My Aerosmith, Led Zep, Black Sabbath and more, all sounded good.

Thanks for the great advice and excellent vid as usual, Steve. Now I can’t wait for the 100K sub day to see this special guest! Only 800 subs away! 🎶🔊🙂

I spent almost two years in trying to build up a system as perfect as possible for my means. When I was thinking I had reached my goal, something still was missing. It took some time to understand that my system needed a long warming: that means at least 3 hours and half! At the beginnig the sound is stereo, then it becomes 3D and at the end I fully dive into the music! At that moment, as Steve says, it is almost impossible to stop listening.

Steve is 100% right: try different cables... in a blind ABX test. It's a fun experiment/experience you can share with a friend.

So true good advise there Steve.

My epiphany was when I went from the audio mindset of massive loud, clear, rock concert sound to detailed imaging, sound stage and full frequency at low to moderate volumes. Going from 3 pairs of A7-500 Altec Lansing Voice of the Theaters, powered by Crown DC series power amps, to a single pair of Celestion Model A compacts, powered by an Edelweiss 3 (6wpc) in a near field configuration was the most unexpected improvement in my appreciation of the music. In the 2 years since this happened I have built, with spare components from around the house, a hybrid system capable of 117db (measured) spl, but capable of delicate nuances and the deepest bass (17hz, measured) even at 70 db. I purchased a MiniDsp product but have yet to use it as I am still working with mechanical setup parameters, crossover points and various balance levels between the various speakers themselves. When I have exhausted all the testing and experimenting I will turn finally to EQ and DSP assuming I still have any unresolved issues. But swapping out wiring, moving speakers, seating positions, adding and subtracting room accouterments, adjusting crossover points and levels, and let's not forget just angling speakers both in and out of toe, but also up and down as well as the height of your seating position, will take a lot of time and dedication. You have to spend listening time with each change to get an honest evaluation, even the bad stuff teaches lessons. And having achieved a level of sound that keeps you up late hours not wanting to ever turn the system off again is the just and delightful reward of these design methods. Even yet, I have to try the Tekton 2 10 Perfect Set speakers because I dreamed up virtually that exact array of mid/high drivers and these are already worked out. I'm still 2 months out for delivery but I am so ready. It's the first new speakers I have bought since the first pair of Altec A7-500 kits in 1971. All others were preowned or built by me. Thanks for all your presentations.

Steve - I just subscribed to your videos and I enjoy your commentary. I believe you are in NYC. I am just in the outskirts of NYC. Would love to meet you one day to hear your stories, and possibly swap stories and experiences with your audiophile adventures. Take care !!! Mike

This is a great premise! Thanks.

Truer wors where never said. Speakers, Speakers, Speakers ! ABout 6 yrs. ago, I started rebuilding a vintage stereo system. (I grew up on vintage stuff, before converting to digital, then moved back to vintage 2 channel stuff) After amassing several turntables, and learning to align cartridges, stylus and all that stuff, I turned my attention to the speakers. A set of AR's, I bought back in the 80's, while stationed in Germany. Rebuilt the surrounds, and began the process of speaker placement. After researching several experts, (can't remember who) , I spent the next 6 mos. , moving those 50 lb. speakers in-out and all around, till one day, my test recording, popped into place. Yes, it all came together. Beautiful sound from my records and CD's. All that has changed, was to add more music to my library. I have 2 TT's in daily use and swap out cartridges, that's it. Those old AR's, never sounded so good. If the pressing is good, I enjoy a lovely sound stage, can pick out the individual instruments, in a dark room. KB

I tell ya. This guy has a way of speaking. Really like these vids

When I'm away from home for like a week or two, I really truly miss my system. So I think I'm good at this point. Sometimes I upgrade some basic gear I have.

The idea of changing the place of loudspeakers is a good one. Changing the angle can bring a different stereo imaging. I made this experience a few weeks ago with electrostatic loudspeakers after a period of doubt ! And since I've recovered a peaceful mind !

You forgot a couple of variables...the wife and kids factor. I know my system is good, but my listening time is considerably shorter....headphones are my best friend.

I feel sorry for the audiophiles who don’t enjoy their system. I feel a lot of lack of enjoyment for those who don’t enjoy it, may come down to taking the hi fi press too seriously. Audiophiles who don’t fully understand the technicalities of what’s going on, always end up wondering how their kit compares to what they are reading about. They take the opinions of people they have never met as gospel and often overlook the key things which really do influence sound. I think it’s safe to say that all modern DACs are audibly transparent. A well designed amplifier, is a well designed amplifier. They don’t colour the recorded source material. If they do they are not designed correctly. The biggest influence on what you hear is your speakers relationship with your room. If this is wrong, then no amplifier or DAC or turntable or whatever is going to fix that. Forget about cables, if they are designed for the task at hand then, that’s all you need. Swapping an RCA lead can’t give you more bass or treble, or whatever. Yes speakers sound different and some sound better in certain rooms than others. Seriously get the speaker choice and set up right and the kit disappears. You hear what was recorded, or as close as you’re going to get to that in your home environment. Audiophiles who are constantly swapping boxes of electronics and cables are on a hiding to nothing. I’m 40 and have been an audiophile since I was 13. I have been through the whole cycle and have heard some very expensive equipment. I saw the light years ago. Get your listening environment right, get gear with a flat response and low distortion (not expensive) and choose your speakers to suit your room and electrically match them with your amplifier. Enjoy the music and don’t listen for listenings sake. Being in the mood and receptive to your music gets you halfway there, even without hi fi.

My system (had to sell) sent chills down my spine, and gave me goose bumps when playing certain recordings. That's, how I can tell if a system moves me to a blissful place. My equipment at the time, A McIntosh MC2205, Audible Illusions M3A, Rega Planar 9, and PSB Stratus Gold i speakers.

Brillant video. One thing I missed was powercables. I've been playing with interconnects since mid 70'es but never thought of powercables as an important factor. Just simple powerline, right. Then 4 years ago a guy handled me a small selection of different brands of hifi oriented power cables and a well made powerstrip and said: Shut up and try these. I was shocked by the impact and spend the next couple of years experimenting. To day I will happily claim, that my 15 year old system sound twice as good as before updating 'power-snakes'. To me the most important cable in the system is now the one from the wall to the powerstrip. Never be prejudiced🤓

Well I enjoy my system to the point that when I am enjoying certain songs that I really enjoy it actually brings a smile and astonishment to how well it works. In my younger years I played drums in rock bands so I like music with great drumming and of course good sounding bass guitar. The sound has to be dynamic to the point we're you can feel it not just hear it. My system is around $1100. But man does it bring a smile to my face.

great way to look at things.its right too.if you look forward to listening to it,there must be something good about it that you like.