Your reference system?

Interesting to learn peoples thoughts on "reference systems".

It surely has a different meaning to each. Some could care less which is also fine.

"You can’t hit the target until you know what the target is."

I always have a target sound I am shooting for. I also have multiple systems in my house, each aiming for the same target sound and succeeding to various degrees.

Sometimes I listen seriously, other times not. I’m more tolerant of not hitting the target exactly when listening casually.

I’m on lunch break at work now listening to my music server at home remotely via Plex on Iphone with Bluetooth adapter connection to aux input on a very nice mono desktop radio, an older Sangean WR-1 (current model here https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-WR-11-Cabinet-Table-Analog/dp/B001BGGD8A). It’s a nice compact table radio (takes up very little space) with very good sound as table radios these days go, and I am perfectly happy with this as background music. Way off the target of my current reference setup in my house though. Different leagues. Maybe if I added a subwoofer ;^) ....

To me a reference system is one I have heard that is worth trying to emulate.

Details please. What’s in those current reference systems?

Thanks.

My current system is my current reference as well.

ARC sp16 pre-amp->Bel Canto Ref 1000m amps-> OHM F5 series 3 speakers.

Sources are Linn Axis table with Denon DL103R cart, Logitech Squeezebox Touch -> mhdt Constantine DAC or on occasion Iphone to Chord Mojo DAC.

The ones I listed in the OP are the ones that most helped land me where I am.