Being a music lover the concept of owning a great system was a spector in the back of my mind seemingly from birth. Over the years various friends had nice rigs and the seeds that would one day bloom were planted by them.
In my early 20's a first step was taken with a Marantz receiver-based system. Loved it! That era was too short lived as soon after its purchase a burglar decided he liked it (and damned near everything else in the house) more. Though disappointed with this turn of events, the desire didn't die.
A gig selling audio gear immeasureably raised the ante. That experience taught much provided much insight into what level of equipment would begin to quench the still burning fire. It had a bad side in that for years that which fit the budget "wasn't good enough." Only revolution would do, not evolution! But a man can only stand so much and reaching the breaking point a mid-fi system was purchased. While better than nothing, it provided little to feed a musically starved soul.
An impromptu visit to an audiophile store a few years ago broke the dam. That little venture turned into a long series of auditions that spanned several years. The revolution had begun and it would be waged strategically.
This past year, more than 25 years from when the saga began the "dream system" became a reality. It's actually not quite finished and, as others have already said, it may never be. But for now I'm up to my ears in bliss.
So, to answer the question it took 25 years. Yes, 44 years old and I consider this my first "real" system. What's in it is secondary because everything from here on is icing on the cake. Pardon me, it's time to put a new disc on. |
Hey, No_money, don't feel bad. Same person (probably) came and knocked me off with a -2,-2 also. Someone just plain does not like us. This has happened before too. I can only hope the poor sick individual feels better now and I for one am happy if my neg. votes will contribute to their eventual healing process. Oh dear....the cynic in me is getting the upper hand. I should probably leave now. 2 plusses for you though, No_money. |
No money, cant figure why you are getting negitaves. Checked out some of your posts and they are very good. Someone must not like something you said if so so what. Keep posting! This voting is silly as your negitaves prove. |
WOW, maybe I will just stop posting... I didn't think that would get me a -2,-2..... Just trying to help. I retract my posts, go get a second mortgage and buy everything new right now ! There is that better? |
No money spoke for me too; I started 25 yrs ago with a little Philips integrated TT with separate speakers. For years I added to the music collection and, when I could afford it, I upgraded the equipment with used items. I reached my "best" system 5 yrs ago (but had to sell that). Started again, and am moving up again... I can add that some items, such as a TT, could remain in your system for years: you reach a satisfactory performance level you can live with for a long time -- even as you upgrade the rest of the system. My 15yrs old Zarathustra TT has survived many tribulations. It's still there. There are many better TTs out there -- however, other items took priority.
As everyone has noted, the "absolute" component is a furtive concept... many mega components of yesterday are superceded by their replacements of today, etc, building materials quality often improves... IMHO, the fun is in the listening (to music), and how well we enjoy. Cheers! |
Go take a look at the " what does your system retail for" thread. No matter what you have, you all ways want that next little step to whats better. Try to get your system to a level that makes you happy and take your sweet time from there to get to the top dollar stuff. The longer you wait the cheaper that used stuff will be when you get there. Good luck. |
garfish is right. i've been at this 30+ years and have a system most folks would classify in the "dream" range. as for me? i'm about to upgrade my pre/dac and entire analogue frontend. -kelly |
Jorge; Jeff and Snooker (above) have it right IMO. Much of the enjoyment is in the journey. But to answer your question, I seriously doubt that I will ever actually possess a "dream system" as the target is always changing, and sometimes rapidly. In the mean-time continue to build your music collection as you improve your system. The music will never go out of style-- even as formats change. Enjoy the trip. Craig |
Well I started out 8 yrs ago with a very small pair of boston acoustics speakers and a denon receiver, which I thought was the best.Always read stereophile and saw the Levinson gear and said I will never have that!! Well Iam now 31 and I have a Mark Levinson 335 a Mark Levinson 38 a Theta Miles and Martin Logan SL3s and Iam now in the process of buying the levinson 39. It took a long time to get hear and when you do you will appreciate what you have more than the person who had it handed to them on a silver platter. I am dont have a lot of money at all so your not alone. One peice of advice I can give you, As you upgrade get a peice of gear that you now will stay if you dont have enough for what you want just wait or you will be selling what you just bought for a loss and thats something we have all been through. so good luck you will get there. here is one more example, If your budget is low simplify your system like I did I bought a 331 for 2,400 and a theta miles for 2,000 now the theta can be run directly into the amplifier it was designed that way so you cut the cost on the preamp. tkae little steps but be sure they are the proper ones. best wishes Dan |
I also started in my twenties and with very little money to spare. As I was in the midst of assembling my dream system, someone broke into our house and stole the amp, RtoR tape deck, turntable and ONE of the speakers ( go figure ). Today I thank the thief. I got some insurance money, started over and twenty+ years later I realize I will never stop. The fun is as much in the search as in the discovery. Jorge: the only important thing to remember is HAVE FUN!! That's what makes a
dream true. |
I'd like to say it took me 10 years, but just when I got the hardware that I always thought would be perfect, well, turns out some new stuff came long and what I thought was my dream system was merely a stepping stone on the audiophile journey. As a reference, my "dream system" was Martin Logan Quest speakers, Oracle Delphi IV Turntable, Quad CDP, Classe Audio amp, and ARC preamp. Nice system, but really doesn't measure up to my current system nor am I naieve enough to expect what I have today won't change. So, in my case, it took me from the age of 14 to 24 to get my first serious rig, and I've been foolin' around with improvements and changes for an additional 16 years. Enjoy the ride, it's a lot of fun. Jeff |
