How competitive are you with your system?

@rvpiano, as always, I hope and wish you well. No question, that there is a competitive, mine is bigger than yours, attitude amongst many of us here, in this industry, and many other industries. Men, and women. Just reading the posts here tell you that. All of the "know it alls". All of the "experienced". All of the "attitudes". The world is competitive, and imo, many people are struggling, in one way or another. Some monetarily, some physically, some mentally, some socially and, some, many of them. I rely on my system to provide me, and me alone, the ability to hear my favorites musicians, playing wonderful compositions, in my home, through recordings. An incredible technology. My mom would have to go and see Frank Sinatra, to hear him. I have a sizable F.S. collection (I am now looking to get into streaming). The only visitors I have are those responding to my local CL to purchase some audio gear. Of course, they want to hear my system and I will oblige them. Admittedly, I do enjoy their faces, as they all close their eyes. Showing off a bit, I suppose....but I am proud of the system I have put together. People are too much into the "sound" of the recordings, making them unhappy, or search out another band aid for improvements. I come from a "live" background, and you need to know, and understand the differences between live and recorded. I accept recorded "graciously", and my speakers are, and have been, the reason (I am very convinced of this). Yes, I have the best damn system!....Enjoy! MrD. 

Mihorn, I don’t agree.  I can hear the room.  I can also hear a resonance in the room not on the original.  But it is well treated compared to most.

https://youtu.be/lDJP95aZ9L8

As I noted, any variation from the direct cut is a distortion.  But we can choose our distortions to suit our wallets and tastes.

I have a somewhat lively room (~5,000 cu ft) that is untreated, though the windows on two sides have blackout blinds, and when I listen, I choose to move the venue to the room rather than moving myself to the venue.  I use no eq or room correction, either electronic or physical.  When I do a video, the effects of the room become readily obvious when one listens to the direct cut.  Sure it’s a distortion, but not so bothersome.

If I had this track, I would do a demo (dogs allowing of course).  But I don't and I don't stream.

Why do they bother responding to this thread if it didn’t occur to them at some point how others’ systems sounded

because you asked:

Do you try to rank your system with others’?    

@rvpiano - you’re wrongly assuming audiophiles typically have the same “comparison” urges as you do.

With “ranking”, one assumes good/better/best.  But after a lot of demos at audio stores and shows I’ve come to the conclusion that there are many great sounding components/systems, but it’s subjective “personal preference” that we strive for - we are not in competition with others who’s preferences don’t match our own.  For instance, I’ve tried very hard demoing many Wilson speakers, but it never “resonated” (drew me into the music) with me unlike Magico, YG, and MBL.  Comparison to others does nothing to help me further the Sonics I like

I do use variety to change it up: various MC carts, SPUs, and a second flea watt system to check out tube magic, and a desktop system.

You might be right. Tho whether dubbed or live recording, Thiel - FINK sounds really grainy and rough. Listen to  Thiel - FINK for 2 minutes. And listen Wavetouch audio - FINK . I can hear WT forever w/out hurting ears.

toddalin   I don’t agree.  I can hear the room.  I can also hear a resonance in the room not on the original.  But it is well treated compared to most..