Guys and gals, another day another thread.
This one is inspired by Microstrip's and Al M's responses to a Lampi thread, and esp ongoing heated arguments I have w/non sentimentalists on this forum.
After a lifetime of being inspired by music, 30 years of being interested in this hobby (from the days of Linn/Naim UK dominance in the pre-cd 80's), and 20 years of upgrading, I've pretty much got to a point that I'm REALLY content with.
My digital itch finally got scratched by my Eera Tentation cdp purchase in 2013, after spending 30 years dissing the medium.
My pro analog stance has veered into digital-like accuracy and neutrality w/a rim drive tt/air bearing linear arm Trans Fi Salvation/Terminator front end, hence meeting in the middle w/my Eera cdp.
My move from bog standard ss to Hovland tube/ss, to Audion all tubes, to Nat Audio 211s SETs 75W/ch has got me to a point of ss-like power/grip w/the texture and transparency of tubes.
My move finally to Zu Audio Definitions 4 spkrs w/no x'over, full range drivers at 101dB/1m eff has allowed a brilliant synergy w/the Nats, and recent Duelunds and Lundahls in-house mods to the Zus is moving them a massive step fwd into what makes panels and horns so addictive.
Just as critically, going fully into Entreq grounding, Westwick 8kVA balanced power, Sablon Reservas cbls w/US plugs, semi dedicated lines, Symposium Acoustics Isis isolation and tentative Shun Mook vibration control, has maxxed these gear changes more imho then spending a fortune ripping up the blueprint and starting from scratch.
OK- big preamble - this isn't meant to be a beauty pageant for my gear, more background as to where I am.
My contention is that I have a lot of devotion to this gear, but those non sentimentalists in the hobby feel this is an irrational attitude. Drop the love affair, view purchases/choices/upgrading purely unemotionally, and better choices can be made.
Relevant to me because out of left field, a US based set of horns has homed onto my horizon, and I am deliberating whether ditching a piece of gear I've always felt v.connected to (the Zus) is right, esp since recent changes have really made them sing, and this purchase is full of potentaial pitfalls (no home trial for a $40k pair of spkrs for starters).
For me, I'm firmly in the camp of finding gear that works/synergises, not dumping it for the sake of upgrading, work on system tweaks and get the very most out of it. Non sentimentalists say just drop the devotion, drop the gear when indicated.
My next journey will be more Shun Mooking, and room acoustics after my house move next yr.
Or these horns...
This one is inspired by Microstrip's and Al M's responses to a Lampi thread, and esp ongoing heated arguments I have w/non sentimentalists on this forum.
After a lifetime of being inspired by music, 30 years of being interested in this hobby (from the days of Linn/Naim UK dominance in the pre-cd 80's), and 20 years of upgrading, I've pretty much got to a point that I'm REALLY content with.
My digital itch finally got scratched by my Eera Tentation cdp purchase in 2013, after spending 30 years dissing the medium.
My pro analog stance has veered into digital-like accuracy and neutrality w/a rim drive tt/air bearing linear arm Trans Fi Salvation/Terminator front end, hence meeting in the middle w/my Eera cdp.
My move from bog standard ss to Hovland tube/ss, to Audion all tubes, to Nat Audio 211s SETs 75W/ch has got me to a point of ss-like power/grip w/the texture and transparency of tubes.
My move finally to Zu Audio Definitions 4 spkrs w/no x'over, full range drivers at 101dB/1m eff has allowed a brilliant synergy w/the Nats, and recent Duelunds and Lundahls in-house mods to the Zus is moving them a massive step fwd into what makes panels and horns so addictive.
Just as critically, going fully into Entreq grounding, Westwick 8kVA balanced power, Sablon Reservas cbls w/US plugs, semi dedicated lines, Symposium Acoustics Isis isolation and tentative Shun Mook vibration control, has maxxed these gear changes more imho then spending a fortune ripping up the blueprint and starting from scratch.
OK- big preamble - this isn't meant to be a beauty pageant for my gear, more background as to where I am.
My contention is that I have a lot of devotion to this gear, but those non sentimentalists in the hobby feel this is an irrational attitude. Drop the love affair, view purchases/choices/upgrading purely unemotionally, and better choices can be made.
Relevant to me because out of left field, a US based set of horns has homed onto my horizon, and I am deliberating whether ditching a piece of gear I've always felt v.connected to (the Zus) is right, esp since recent changes have really made them sing, and this purchase is full of potentaial pitfalls (no home trial for a $40k pair of spkrs for starters).
For me, I'm firmly in the camp of finding gear that works/synergises, not dumping it for the sake of upgrading, work on system tweaks and get the very most out of it. Non sentimentalists say just drop the devotion, drop the gear when indicated.
My next journey will be more Shun Mooking, and room acoustics after my house move next yr.
Or these horns...