Are you happy with your system?

[DiggyGun]

A few years ago after changing to streaming only, I had a bad case of Upgraditis.

Continually looking for that “Holy Grail”. Changed to exotic cables, audiophile switches, network filters, Fibre Media Converters and isolation feet. Looking for that improvement.

Thing was, I never got there. So after a while I stepped back, stopped and thought, “What am I doing, chasing dreams and getting nowhere “.

I went back to basics. Stripped out the exotic cables, the switches, the filters, the converters, the isolators and went back to basics using the supplied cables and feet.

Run this for a while, then slowly introduced back into the system, the exotic cables, the switches, the filters, the converters, the isolators to see if they made improvements.

Basically, No. There was a difference, but not what I would call “improvements”.

So they all came out again. After that FTTP was installed with new router, etc. As this was in a different location, (due to logistics), I took the opportunity to change the Ethernet cable I was using. I needed some longer lengths, so exchanged the Amazon ones for some longer CatSnake ones and added a Cisco C2960 switch, (NOS from eBay).

That did change things for the better, improvements generally. Better presentation, detail and bass.

So tried the exotic cables / switches, etc. again, listened for a while and no improvements, no Wow factor.

Changed back to the CatSnake and Cisco switch, which is where we are now. System is nice and relaxed, detailed giving us much pleasure.

All the exotic Chord cables, (Chord power cables and streamer cables), EE8 switch, EE1 network filter, TP Link FMC and Stack Audio Auvas were sold on via eBay. And got back most of the money as a lot of the stuff had come from there originally.

In answer to the question, yes, we are happy with the system as it was. But, it is now all in storage at the moment as we have relocated to Wroclaw from the UK.

Looking forward to setting up the system in the new house when we move in, in a couple of months or so.

 

[record_spot]

Yes, very, though I will continue to tweak the source gear for fun from time to time. Been doing that for years, but I think the amp and speakers are pretty set.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Yep. No more changes here.
3 systems all configured. 4 if you include HP setup.
All 3 sound different and are all ideally setup for their locations.
Tempted to buy a DAC for the study system, but it’ll wait. That’s all I’d do now.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Having proclaimed total fulfilment, I will say that the idea of a CD Transport is still fairly tempting.....

I've just been reminded (thanks cookies) about the Mission 778CDT and that sort of half-width design would slot rather nicely into my system. However, I need to remind myself that I can just stream stuff (though that same reminder doesn't stop me buying records.....)

EDIT: The lack of a DAC in the Naim NAIT 50 fortunately should curtail that slight urge. Unless of course, I look at CD players with inbuilt DACs. The rumoured new Rega might be of interest if it isn't a top-loader.

 

[DCarmi]

Answer no.

• House not detached.
• Room shape is wrong,
• Speaker placement is wrong.
• Sound is a bit flat.
• Room shared with primary TV.
• Access to my vinyl and CDs usually hampered by other people stuff.
• Slightly awkward access to TT and CD player.
• Cash availability too limited due to demands by others in the household.

Solution is to divorce and disown the kids and then win the lottery.,, or just put up with it.

I do have my own little table to put remotes, headphones , glass of wine and other necessary paraphernalia on. So it is not all bad. 🙂

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Currently satisfied as all listening positions are compromised. Will make some tweaks in due course ... but nothing major until a dedicated listening space can be obtained.

 

[Witterings]

How would you describe your current relationship with your system?

Really happy with my main listening room, it took me 2 years and lots of trial / error to get there though.

My secondary listening area is still going through changes, the final bit I'd like to do is try a different pair of main speakers to see how they compare to what I currently have.

 

[Cricketbat70]

This is my problem, I'm always second guessing, myself after I've bought something, whether it's hifi or a new car. I do like my system but always wonder "if I'd spent just a little bit more could I have got a lot better". The component that I probably wonder about the most is the speakers. Little Eltax monitor III with the downward firing base port and Eltax bipole surround speakers. Although having said that watching a film at the weekend the receiver and those surrounds did a good job of placing the effects.
Then I wonder about using my AV receiver just in stereo mode for music, I know its a compromise but I do think the YAMAHA does a good job in stereo.
I've had to teach myself over the years to stop worrying and just enjoy it.

 

[matthewpianist]

Having proclaimed total fulfilment, I will say that the idea of a CD Transport is still fairly tempting.....

I've just been reminded (thanks cookies) about the Mission 778CDT and that sort of half-width design would slot rather nicely into my system. However, I need to remind myself that I can just stream stuff (though that same reminder doesn't stop me buying records.....)

EDIT: The lack of a DAC in the Naim NAIT 50 fortunately should curtail that slight urge. Unless of course, I look at CD players with inbuilt DACs. The rumoured new Rega might be of interest if it isn't a top-loader.

I would counsel caution on the 778CDT. Whilst it's good in all other respects, it can be quite noisy - audible during quiet music at the beginning of a disc, and quieter as the disc progresses. I have read similar reports about the Audiolab 7000CDT, which uses a similar (the same?) drawer loading mechanism. I never had any noise from the Audiolab 6000CDT.

 

[matthewpianist]

Box swapping has been a dreadful never-ending habit of mine, and the number of times I've said I'm finally settled only to embark on another round of changes is ridiculous.

I have wanted a pair of PMC DB1i for a long time, having heard some back when they were a current model. I couldn't afford them then, and they rarely come up on eBay. A pair recently became available at a fair price and in excellent condition with a one-year warranty at the same dealer I purchased my P3 from, and they had been traded in by their original owner who purchased them new from the same dealer, so I jumped on them. I haven't been disappointed - in fact they're even better than I remember. They certainly show up the difference between the Mission 778X and Audiolab 6000A Mk2, the latter clearly being the superior amplifier. Few 'budget' amp/speaker combinations are so good at resolving so much of what's in the recording whilst keeping you completely hooked into the music, and few relatively affordable small speakers handle the sound of a piano so well. They're superb across everything I throw at them, and unless I find myself with a lot of expendable money, they're going nowhere.

I don't see any need to change the amp either. I think it's impossible to beat without spending money on moving well up the Audiolab range, or by moving into mid-Rega, mid-Hegel or Sugden territory, and that's out of the question in the forseeable future. Given my comments about the 778CDT above, I'd like to buy a new 6000CDT to replace the one I stupidly sold when I can (from Moorgate, where I bought the P3 and PMCs), and again, I don't see reason to stretch beyond that. The DAC implementation in the Audiolab amp is excellent. The only thing that might tempt me is the new Rega Apollo, because they usually turn out to be the best affordable CD players, but let's see.

I've tried many different streamers, and the Mission 778S is superb in every respect - much better than the Eversolo A6 Mk2 I had. Its internal DAC, and the upsampling, work extremely well across a full range of music, and the Qobuz Connect and Tidal Connect implementations are both very stable. There's no screen showing artwork, but I've come to the conclusion that's a novelty anyway. I do also still have the Bluesound Node N132 with Presto Music integration, so all told, there's no point in any movement there either.

I would eventually quite like a lower-spec LP12, and I know Moorgate will be able to build me one, but that is quite some way off with some life changes to negotiate and settle into first, but I'm more than happy with the P3 for as long as I need to be.

I do still have the 778X, I'll hang on to the 778CDT when I do get a 6000CDT, I still have the Fyne F301i's and some other speakers (MS10i, Rogers LS2a/2, JPW Sonata) and the NAD 3020A, so there's plenty to mess around with in a second/home office system.

 

[Entrigo]

As a pretty latecomer to "real" hifi (and with a penchant for obsessing on hobbies and impulsive spending) I am still very much in the refining stage.
I am quite happy with my turntable - though I expect I will chop and change carts. Pretty happy with the Vertere Phono-1 phono stage but, in view of above chopping /changing and getting another MM cart in the mix eventually, have been thinking about the Gold Note PH5/10 with its easy adjustments.

I am actively researching speakers upgrade - having now almost outgrown my Focal Aria 906, which were my first step into the audiophile world 3 years ago. Still very much in market research and shortlisting stage, considering quite different beasts like PMC and Spendor, most likely small floorstanders.

And, as much as I love my Rega Elex-R, after the speakers, I would most likely look at moving up the amplification chain as well. And just as likely with a "better" Rega amp.

 

[Entrigo]

That'll be mostly people who buy without listening, who use reviews and other people's opinions rather than their own to make their choices. Some just like to play with something new every month.

I'm in both camps. As I like to play with something new regularly (and don't have unlimited funds) I buy almost exclusively second hand, which limits greatly your ability to listen before buying - notwithstanding my long-held belief that, unless you listen to something in your own room and with your own gear, you might as well buy based on "on-paper research"...

 

[Entrigo]

Answer no.

• House not detached.
• Room shape is wrong,
• Speaker placement is wrong.
• Sound is a bit flat.
• Room shared with primary TV.
• Access to my vinyl and CDs usually hampered by other people stuff.
• Slightly awkward access to TT and CD player.
• Cash availability too limited due to demands by others in the household.

Solution is to divorce and disown the kids and then win the lottery.,, or just put up with it.

I do have my own little table to put remotes, headphones , glass of wine and other necessary paraphernalia on. So it is not all bad. 🙂

Victorian terrace, long narrow room with chimney breasts, radiators, TV and bits and pieces. But unless I win the lottery or move out of London (which I will eventually), I will have to put up with it and try to optimise as much as I can.

Actually - without hijacking the thread - how are people's listening rooms? Have been idly looking at houses in other parts of the country for a while but it seems that room sizes are always a challenge..

 

[Jasonovich]

Victorian terrace, long narrow room with chimney breasts, radiators, TV and bits and pieces. But unless I win the lottery or move out of London (which I will eventually), I will have to put up with it and try to optimise as much as I can.

Actually - without hijacking the thread - how are people's listening rooms? Have been idly looking at houses in other parts of the country for a while but it seems that room sizes are always a challenge..

Grew up in London, got tired of it in my early thirties, moved to Enfield, then to Hertfordshire and currently Bedfordshire.

We're now looking for property in Cambridgeshire, Ely, St. Ives somewhere nice, the posh village Barrington, next to Cambridge is desirable but don't have £million+ for a mortgage free property.

Older properties tend to be less energy efficient but walls are proper masonry, not the pulp type you often see in new builds.
Our current home dates back to 1985, not exactly new build but is of the same ilk.
The 'paper' walling in our house, do a better job in damping and softening the sound.
I recall when we were living in Welwyn garden city, the walls were solid throughout and in the smaller rooms, the sound was bouncing off the walls.

I don't think there is the perfect 'audiophile' house that is tailored to your listening.
Not unless you bring in the specialist and have them treat the room or if you're blessed with loads of money, have the builder build you HiFi friendly house. 🙂

 

[Entrigo]

Grew up in London, got tired of it in my early thirties, moved to Enfield, then to Hertfordshire and currently Bedfordshire.

We're now looking for property in Cambridgeshire, Ely, St. Ives somewhere nice, the posh village Barrington, next to Cambridge is desirable but don't have £million+ for a mortgage free property.

Older properties tend to be less energy efficient but walls are proper masonry, not the pulp type you often see in new builds.
Our current home dates back to 1985, not exactly new build but is of the same ilk.
The 'paper' walling in our house, do a better job in damping and softening the sound.
I recall when we were living in Welwyn garden city, the walls were solid throughout and in the smaller rooms, the sound was bouncing off the walls.

I don't think there is the perfect 'audiophile' house that is tailored to your listening.
Not unless you bring in the specialist and have them treat the room or if you're blessed with loads of money, have the builder build you HiFi friendly house. 🙂

Yeah I guess. I would happily settle for a larger and more regular room - say 4m by 5m, and ideally it not being the living room, so I can treat it as much as needed, no "shared living" and aesthetic compromises 🤣.

Cambridgeshire is a really nice part of the country, good choice! I was thinking possibly Brighton in a few years, though not sure we'd get that much better vfm than London...

That or Italy if I can find a fully remote job. Houses in Italy tend to have bigger rooms, although it's all brick and concrete walls and floors 🤔.

 

[RTHerringbone]

"All" I want is a dedicated room perhaps 4x4m or even 3x3m, probably Dorset / Devon / Cornwall.

Nicely carpeted, good view of some rolling countryside / some water immediately behind the hi-fi on one wall and walls lined with books / vinyl. Comfy chair, perhaps a drinks globe and some nice minimalist art.

 

[Jasonovich]

Yeah I guess. I would happily settle for a larger and more regular room - say 4m by 5m, and ideally it not being the living room, so I can treat it as much as needed, no "shared living" and aesthetic compromises 🤣.

Cambridgeshire is a really nice part of the country, good choice! I was thinking possibly Brighton in a few years, though not sure we'd get that much better vfm than London...

That or Italy if I can find a fully remote job. Houses in Italy tend to have bigger rooms, although it's all brick and concrete walls and floors 🤔.

Love Northern Italy. 37% of my DNA is Genoa.
I was hoping someday we can live in Italy, Brexit messed it up 😂

 

[Entrigo]

"All" I want is a dedicated room perhaps 4x4m or even 3x3m, probably Dorset / Devon / Cornwall.

Nicely carpeted, good view of some rolling countryside / some water immediately behind the hi-fi on one wall and walls lined with books / vinyl. Comfy chair, perhaps a drinks globe and some nice minimalist art.

Ah man... The dream.

 

[Entrigo]

Love Northern Italy. 37% of my DNA is Genoa.
I was hoping someday we can live in Italy, Brexit messed it up 😂

Ha! Didn't know that. Yeah same. And the Italian exams to get citizenship are quite tough. Not sure how it would work for my dear wife, but she needs to get the finger out 😂.

Genoa region is a brilliant place, both mountains and see at your fingertips.

 

[Fandango Andy]

This is my problem, I'm always second guessing, myself after I've bought something, whether it's hifi or a new car. I do like my system but always wonder "if I'd spent just a little bit more could I have got a lot better". The component that I probably wonder about the most is the speakers. Little Eltax monitor III with the downward firing base port and Eltax bipole surround speakers. Although having said that watching a film at the weekend the receiver and those surrounds did a good job of placing the effects.
Then I wonder about using my AV receiver just in stereo mode for music, I know its a compromise but I do think the YAMAHA does a good job in stereo.
I've had to teach myself over the years to stop worrying and just enjoy it.

No matter what you have there will always be a better system out there. The trick is to decide where you are happy. I know people who upgrade because they feel the need, but don't have the hearing to appreciate it. Or even worse don't actually use their system much.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Victorian terrace, long narrow room with chimney breasts, radiators, TV and bits and pieces. But unless I win the lottery or move out of London (which I will eventually), I will have to put up with it and try to optimise as much as I can.

Actually - without hijacking the thread - how are people's listening rooms? Have been idly looking at houses in other parts of the country for a while but it seems that room sizes are always a challenge..

I sadly don't have space for a dedicated room. Mine is in the living room. Room dimensions and acoustics actually aren't too bad!

 

[Fandango Andy]

Grew up in London, got tired of it in my early thirties, moved to Enfield, then to Hertfordshire and currently Bedfordshire.

We're now looking for property in Cambridgeshire, Ely, St. Ives somewhere nice, the posh village Barrington, next to Cambridge is desirable but don't have £million+ for a mortgage free property.

Older properties tend to be less energy efficient but walls are proper masonry, not the pulp type you often see in new builds.
Our current home dates back to 1985, not exactly new build but is of the same ilk.
The 'paper' walling in our house, do a better job in damping and softening the sound.
I recall when we were living in Welwyn garden city, the walls were solid throughout and in the smaller rooms, the sound was bouncing off the walls.

I don't think there is the perfect 'audiophile' house that is tailored to your listening.
Not unless you bring in the specialist and have them treat the room or if you're blessed with loads of money, have the builder build you HiFi friendly house. 🙂

I once visited a house where they had a very nice system. A quick Google after I left go me to an approximate value of £35,000. The room was terrible (sonically, it looked lovely). A cavernous room with tiled floor, big windows, no rugs or curtains. Glass dining and coffee tables. This was compounded by speakers up a corner near side and rear walls.

 

[Cricketbat70]

No matter what you have there will always be a better system out there. The trick is to decide where you are happy. I know people who upgrade because they feel the need, but don't have the hearing to appreciate it. Or even worse don't actually use their system much.

Yeah I've had to tell myself a number of times "stop second guessing yourself just enjoy it"

 

[good_enough]

As @Revolutions has pointed out, my forums moniker says it all. The only thing I've mused over is adding a sub. And I'm a bit Tidal-curious but not enough to rouse me from the sofa.

 

[Noddy]

Yes, very happy. Yesterday I picked up the matching Kef speaker stands, used but like new, for half the silly new price. The top looks metal, but I’m not getting resonances. I still really like my AudioLab 6000A amp, described as very unstylish by one reviewer. I chose it because it was stylish. Most people I know have had their hifi systems for 30+ years. I think some are steam powered, or horse drawn.