Frugal - by necessity!

[John72953]

Although it wasn't always so, the last few decades have taught me that a person can still be an audiophile, regardless of the expenditure made. By doing some research, and it doesn't have to be in depth or take months and months, it is actually quite easy to assemble a rig that lets you hear your prized music collection in full glory. I know I can confidently say that if Steve or Mike or Gary had an opportunity to listen to my setup they would be pleasantly surprised at its level of performance for the little amount I have invested, provided they listened to MY system without comparison to theirs. And that is a key point to remember.

I could say (because they are only words) that my $5,000 investment sounds better than some $10,000 investments, but I won't as I quite frankly don't care if it does or doesn't. What I do care about is the enjoyment I get from it and the satisfaction in knowing that I've assembled something to be proud of. There is no doubt that hearing Neil Young - Massey Hall 1971 on Mike's system would be amazing, and maybe even revelatory, but I wouldn't come home and now appreciate this recording any less.

In addition to my meagre investment I have tried as best as I can to tweak where I can tweak with placement, room treatments, vibration/isolation and the like. Hanging wall-to-wall curtains behind the system, adding a throw-rug, creating some DIY vibration/isolation devices, inexpensive foam sidewall treatments, and a sturdy component stand have all helped to maximize my investment.

From a component perspective, I also think I made some solid choices. The Pioneer SA-9500II is a kick-ass Integrated unit with plenty of power for a small room (11x10). I can grow with this by adding a power amp or preamp should I have the good fortune to afford a step up in the chain. My Nottingham Analogue Horizon SE is fully upgradeable, so if wanted an upgrade on the vinyl side I could so. Those were considerations when I bought them.

While it would be nice to afford a true audiophile system, and I hope (in complete honesty) that one day I may be blessed in acquiring such a thing, my system gives me great pleasure and there is nothing I enjoy more than sitting back in my comfy leather listening chair and hearing the magic that is music!

[flez007]

That's all that matters John, that you are happy enjoying music....thumbs up!

[cjfrbw]

Wine corks make a great, economical vibration tweak for light components. My neighbor left the detritus from his daughter's wedding in or garbage pails, including dozens of wine corks and some nice wood cases. I rescued the corks and took the cases to Santa Cruz for stands.

I started using the wine corks, two at each end and two on the side to restrain rolling, under small tubed components. Works extremely well for frequency re-assignment and roller blocks.

[John72953]

That's all that matters John, that you are happy enjoying music....thumbs up!

Thank you my friend , and I do! I suppose it helps being a music lover first though.

Wine corks make a great, economical vibration tweak for light components. My neighbor left the detritus from his daughter's wedding in or garbage pails, including dozens of wine corks and some nice wood cases. I rescued the corks and took the cases to Santa Cruz for stands.

I started using the wine corks, two at each end and two on the side to restrain rolling, under small tubed components. Works extremely well for frequency re-assignment and roller blocks.

Sometimes the simplest things make for unexpected pleasant suprises...one just has to be open-minded. In my case "frugality is the mother of invention".

[Mike]

There is no doubt that hearing Neil Young - Massey Hall 1971 on Mike's system would be amazing, and maybe even revelatory

Thanks, John, but, if truth be told, my sytem is a little over-rated

Nice post!

[garylkoh]

Nice post, John. When I get up there for the TAVES or to visit Angie, I'll try to make some time to come visit you. I'm glad that you are hearing the magic that is music and I have enjoyed our discussion of tweaks. Frugality is the mother of invention indeed!

[John72953]

Thank you Gary! And it would be a pleasure to have you in my home for a visit!

[Thf99]

John, that's exactly what everyone should do...enjoy the music. After all good music is what we are all after. It's not about cost. Being able to enjoy the music is the key. We should be music lovers rather than hifi lovers. I find that a lot of owners of high end systems spend a great deal of time trying to find faults with their systems instead of enjoying the music.

[NorthStar]

--- Yes, it's all 'bout the Music; sweet sounds for the ears and emotional strings.

...And same with Movies; the Cinematography, the world locales, the people, the story, the acting, and the sound too, the Music.

* All vibrations of the Soul.

>>> Good quality music recordings that we like, and Movies that we love, is 90% of the full recipe.

[tomelex]

Yes, and I think for the younger generation, the next step is to go to a headfi event or other headphone show and listen to what those so called high end, (but afforadable) phones sound like, and then instantly you are in audiophile territory as far as getting quality sound anyways.

Tom