I have to second Rives' response. Not to sound like a shill, but I have become a firm believer in the "room-as-component" school.
I am biased, of course, as I am a client of Rives' services. I can say that it is the single best upgrade I have ever done, and I only had the level one service performed.
Too many people overlook the issue of acoustics in their listening room, and wind up spending upgrade after upgrade, and thousands of dollars only to continue to be disappointed in the result. For the cost of a component upgrade, I invested in Rives' consultation, and went with the acoustical treatments they recommended and have been amazed (as have my friends in my listening group) at how great music now sounds in my room. Notice how I said how great the music sounds and NOT how great the equipment sounds?
Many other AudiogoM members have far more high-end setups than I do and have spent far more money than I did with their Rives designed rooms, so I don't think I am alone on this one.
I am biased, of course, as I am a client of Rives' services. I can say that it is the single best upgrade I have ever done, and I only had the level one service performed.
Too many people overlook the issue of acoustics in their listening room, and wind up spending upgrade after upgrade, and thousands of dollars only to continue to be disappointed in the result. For the cost of a component upgrade, I invested in Rives' consultation, and went with the acoustical treatments they recommended and have been amazed (as have my friends in my listening group) at how great music now sounds in my room. Notice how I said how great the music sounds and NOT how great the equipment sounds?
Many other AudiogoM members have far more high-end setups than I do and have spent far more money than I did with their Rives designed rooms, so I don't think I am alone on this one.