ML owners placing things, such as acoustic panelling on the sides and claiming there systems sound great, well that's great! Others use subs to great effect and are beginning to hear things they've never heard before, that's also good to know.
Marty raises an important point with today's price points and how the new buyer views all this great stuff. Which makes me ponder, so where does it end or begin. 30 - 60 grand spent on speakers alone obviously for the majority is just insane. Add the electronics and ancillary gear, the total hovers around 200 - 300grand or more. And it's still not enough, keep pushing that audiophile reference point, whatever that is and most of us get lost in the gear, instead we begin to compare systems... I know a few who just live for that and nothing else! Constantly changing, upgrading chasing the ultimate, it simply doesn't exist! Regardless of how much you spend.
I've heard them myself, probably the best by far was my experience with the ML Statements driven by Dan D's Relentless monoblocks using the Momentum preamp and Momentum phonostage, Superb!
Then there was another equally superb system that allowed the music to freely flow, Alsyvox driven by CJ's top of the line ART300's (won amplifier of the year) partnered with the GATS2 preamp, superb! at nearly half that cost of the previous system. Hot damn, those Alsyvox ribbons go for around 80grand a pair and that's their entry level...?!
Then there's this one below, which at a fraction of that cost along with no side wall acoustic panelling and absolutely no subwoofer (will never use one), sounds equally superb. Or shall say, at least I'm enjoying the music to the fullest! I cannot possibly think of changing anything, unless I wanted to upgrade the Rega RP8 to a RP10 or some other massive analog rig that weighs more than a couple line backers... Perhaps I should upgrade all the Nordost cables and interconnects to Odin Supremes, then maybe there might be a slight chance of improvement... 30-35% in my experience.
What the heck for? Why even bother to make some other chaps ego soar... Constantly changing and upgrading to me is a sign of insecurity. If your system has reached a level of pristine quality, high definition and a level of realism effortlessly, without the artificial enhancements, then that's about as good as it gets! Tip your hat to yourself, stop complaining and just enjoy the music.
As I've always believed, just enjoy your music in whatever shape size or form that you can afford. There's no reason to go overboard, just like those folks panic buying due to an alien virus...
Just sit back, relax... be satisfied with what you've got. Pour that scotch and light that cigar.
Cheers, RJ
Btw Norah Jones is playing tonight... Superb!