Slightly off topic here but I thought I'd respond, as I feel it's worth noting.
Many thanks to Thedudeabides & Stump, and to the numerous PM's I also received after those comments made by G-man (Addicted to hifi).
Those initial comments made by him as follows:
1. The gear that I have is entry level...
2. I don't know what good sound is...
3. That I need hearing aids! and the list of degradation goes on...
Similar comments were made on Stereo Net to other members systems here in Aus and as a result he was banned from the site.
There were several of you who messaged straight away asking me why on earth am I even talking to this guy. Just drop him was the final comment. I clearly understand your advice.
Although this would be anyone's initial reaction, I actually thought about it and took it in stride. Afterall, in the past he has helped, believe it or not? G-man pointed out that using the Thor power conditioner was inhibiting the systems true potential. So I discontinued it, and the systems improvement was stunning! G-man also introduced me to the FIM labels and although I heard improvements through the Mac sacd player, it was decent but I was not fully impressed. Then more recently when I moved onto the Esoteric gear, oh wow! Now I understand the FIM labels and those real high quality mastered ones, truly spectacular!
So, I called upon three professionals who specialise in open plan designs to address any specific issues with the sound and also an Esoteric chap who knows how these things work.
After three to four days of repositioning the CLX's and tweaking the connections, placing the Iso Acoustics Gaia II's on the CLX's, relocating the listening position and properly warming up the Esoteric gear for few days and reassessing on the fourth day, all I can say is a massive wow!
In addition to the fine level of playback, I also upgraded the CJ monoblocks to the full SE version, which took nearly two years of completion, since I did it in several stages... That level of performance from these particular monoblocks has taken it to the standard of the original ART amplifiers, only difference is they're half the power. The Class A bias and Vishays made such a difference, the only upgrade path from here that I can possibly think of are CJ's top of the line ART300's. However, the CLX's nor does the room require that kind of power.
So, those comments made by G-man on a public forum, after being invited to my house with a very warm welcome, was my last straw. I've moved on...
At the end of the day, I did learn a lot and continue to learn more about how different gear works in specific types of rooms and get the best possible layout. It's a bit difficult to try all this out alone, and when help is offered it's a beautiful thing!
I'm not upset or angry or anything, in this day and age when the world is actually a crazy place... nothing seems right anymore, no responsibility, not much of a future for planet Earth, and senseless things going on... life is definitely far too short to be angry or upset on a hifi issue!
Just enjoy what you have, learn as much as possible from others and be true to yourself, and most of all don't be carried away by reviews! Your ears are the final judge.
Cheers to all, and be well.
Enjoy those fine tunes! Big woof!!!
RJ