Michael Fremer's system

Funny how probably nobody here has met Mike, been to his home, or understands him as a person.  Mike is a music lover, not so much a gear lover.  He probably gets a good price on some gear but it is still not cheap.  The room is his main listening room and yes cramped and small.  Messy yep, and he knows all of that already.  The system helps him evaluate other components which is what he does for a living.  Hearing the system is something special. It may not be your particular cup of tea in all areas but you get to hear what he hears and then you can understand what he describes when he reviews components.  Mike loves vinyl and he knows records extremely well.  He would help anyone who asks him for advice on purchasing recordings.  IMO Mike is a good person and only tries to offer to help anyone that wants to make a good decision on a component.  Happy Listening Mike!

 

He needs to hire Jim Smith to come in and voice his system since his setup defies everything that the experts tell you to do. For example: the Wilsons are close to the back wall, where is the rule of 1/3's. Where is the room treatments? Again, the experts will tell you the room is the most important element in an audio setup.
Maybe it sounds ok, but i'm sure it could be much better. 

Bad feng shui....

Mike states at least a couple of times before you see his room that it is a work space not a social space.  He has that particular equipment because that is what he likes.  I'm sure he gets great deals, but obviously he will spend whatever it costs to get what he wants, so what you see is what he wants.

I've read a couple of  accounts from people who have visited his room and they were blown away by the sound.

I remember meeting Michael in one of the notorious RMAF elevators - and as a Coloradoan, well he felt a bit = well you know... from back there. (anybody who knows Pail McGowan knows a typical colorado audio dude).

BUT, you gotta admit, Michael is a TRUE audiophile. Down to the grit audiophile - textbook. I'm impressed with his approach, it doesn't matter who agrees with anything, that misses the point! He's a fanatic, he's welcome back here anytime. And we'll make an extra seat out here for him too...

And by the way, we're all pretty sad out here for sure. Boulder is in mourning. We've lost some true masters of the field.

:(