CW: I picked up an Audion Silver Night stereo 300B amp and am running a pair of Reynaud Twins. The CD source is just a CAL player with a Bel Canto DAC. It is a very simple yet musical system and will be all the way there after a few cable changes. When the money starts rolling in again I may build another one with the Audiomat 30 watt tube integrated amp and Renaud Trente's and move the current system into our spare room. I was rolling signal and output tubes in the Audion a few weeks ago and most everything sounded good just different, so there is always something to play with if I feel so inclined.
State of the Art? I don t care anymore.
I appreciate the endless obsessive quest to reach the next level of audio nirvana. But I am starting to wonder if it is really making me happy. It seems that the relationship between cost and pleasure is by no means linear. Some systems I have assembled seem to have had just enough performance and resolution to reveal how terrible a recording sounded, or how badly I needed to upgrade an associated component -- but didn't sound good enough to get me to the next level of reality. While I guess that is all part of the "fun", I just want to enjoy music again. I still love audio and I love reading all of your posts, but has anyone else sometimes felt this way? Could someone suggest a romantically, musically colored component or system where, despite their audiophile credentials and enthusiasm, they have forgotten about the equipment and just listened to music? I don't care about earth shattering volume, the deepest bass, the finest resolution, extended highs, accuracy, rock solid imaging etc. Just want to enjoy music again. I know this is not necessarily a new idea, but I find it very very difficult to achieve.