Anyone Else Running Two Systems?


Sorry if this topic has been covered, I did a search and only found a little bit.

I have two systems in my house.  In the main one I have a Pink Faun Scion as the source, McIntosh MCD 12000 DAC/CD, McIntosh MA 12000 integrated Amp and KEF Reference 5 Meta Speakers.  Tai Hang power enhancer.  Plus it is a treated room.  Cabling is expensive too.  It sounds fantastic.  

My second one is a bedroom system, way simpler and cheaper. Source is a  Blue sound Node going into a Vincent SV 228 integrated amp.  The speakers are Wharfedale Lintons.   This system is not as good as my main one. It doesn’t have the expansive stage or weight/3Dness and detail of the main system, but even so it is a whole lot of fun, very very enjoyable in its own way.  If this system was all I had, I could seriously be content and happy with it.   By the way, I have had a lot of integrated amps go in out my systems over the years.  I must say from my listening experience, the Vincent SV 228 is underrated and a pretty good value.  

Anyone else have two systems with one being "better" but still taking some listening time to enjoy a second less expensive system?

kclone

If audio is your hobby then the odds are good that you have more than one system. That's what hobbyists do -- they acquire and experiment with things! There are different ways that plays out.  Some focus only on a single system, constantly looking for upgrades to get the ultimate experience.  Others have multiple different pieces of kit which they rotate through their one system with the unused items sitting in the basement, waiting their turn.  Or, as others have noted, they have multiple systems in different rooms, each with its own charm.   

And the above is not a black or white choice. There's a continuum and one can land anywhere along the line as to how you approach your hobby.

I have two "serious" systems with speakers, one in the living room and another in a sunroom off our bedroom.  Then there are several headphone setups (great when I want to listen and the wife doesn't want to be disturbed).

1) My 2 channel system here on Audiogon. https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11787
 

2) 5.1 channel HT system in my basement consisting of Rotel pre-amplifier and power amplifier, Wharfdale speakers, Velodyne sub, and an Oppo BDP 93 blu-ray player. 

3) Office system with Marantz HD-DAC1 headphone amplifier and DAC, Project Amp Box DS2 power amp, and Dynaudio Emit 20 speakers.

4) Marshall Kilburn III portable speaker for streaming music outdoors on my patio. This has been getting the most use as of late with lots of cold wine and beer. smiley

I’m assembling a 2nd system using all Japanese gear. Still researching and getting things together so it is not in final form, but right now I have the following set up:

  • Denon DCD-SX11 SACD Player

  • Marantz NA-11S1 streamer playing FLAC files from a USB drive

  • Concert Fidelity DAC040 D/A converter

  • Nakamichi DR-2 cassette deck

  • Luxman LX-380 integrated

  • Esoteric MG-20 speakers

Sort of a random assortment I realize, but each piece is Japanese and interesting in its own way. Up until now cables have been a mix of older Acrolink and Furutech mid-range models that I picked up 2nd hand a while back. Just added a new set of Tiglon TPL-2000SP speaker cables which really opened things up. I need to get a power conditioner at some point but finding a Japanese model that works with voltage in the USA is a challenge.

I also run two rigs. The main rig is at my primary home and the vintage rig is at my cottage. I've found that albums that I really love but just don't have the fidelity/awesome pressing get demoted to the vinyl collection with the vintage rig. If i obtain a better pressing of an album that I really like, I'll take the previous main rig pressing and bring it to the vintage rig as well. 

I've found that the vintage rig's coloration is very forgiving with inferior vinyl pressings.

I enjoy both rigs equally even though the main rig is 20 times the value of the vintage rig. I think it's about the experience of playing the music that I love with each rig equally. 

@vuch I've found that the vintage rig's coloration is very forgiving with inferior vinyl pressings.

I’ve been somewhat enamored with the looks and sound of vintage Sansui 9090DB and Marantz 2270 (vintage brand known to be musical). Likely someday, but got a lot of other audio gear purchases to do before considering. So many rabbit holes