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Post by MartinT on Sept 11, 2024 4:53:54 GMT
Please copy these questions and answer them in your own post:
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
What sources do you use?
How satisfied are you with the system?
What would you like to upgrade next?
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
When will you stop upgrading?
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Post by MartinT on Sept 11, 2024 5:02:14 GMT
How much do you listen to music?
Until I stopped working it was an hour or two every evening as far as possible plus some time grabbed in the weekends. Now that I'm retired, it's every day at random times throughout the week and around twice the time in total.
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
One which achieves quite realistically a sense of scale and energy in the music. It reproduces voice particularly well and I really value the midrange which just gets out of the way, putting communication above all else. Bass is potent and tight, always hard to achieve in any given room and a bit of a compromise with passive room treatment. At the volumes I listen to, the system has seemingly limitless headroom and great dynamics. As improvements have been made, it has moved away from becoming an overly analytical 'showroom system' to becoming a tool for musical insight. Fatigue and sibilance are at an all-time low, so I know the direction I've taken has been successful.
What sources do you use?
Exclusively streaming with Qobuz Hi-Fi, in hi-res wherever possible. For a very few albums not available on Qobuz, I play CD ripped files from OneDrive through the same setup.
How satisfied are you with the system?
I am very satisfied with it since my final power supply purchase for the router/EtherREGEN. The system has settled on reproducing the essential visceral energy in music and made everything sound vibrant and exciting. Classical music has improved noticeably, having lagged when I moved to streaming and only just caught up quite recently. Ease of use is excellent, with music ready to play within seconds of powering up.
What would you like to upgrade next?
Nothing is 'needed' but I do have my eye on the forthcoming Uptone EtherREGEN Gen 2 and am on the wait list. The advantage will be in the ability to use it right-way-round with an SFP cage on the 'B' side for maximum possible noise reduction.
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
My system has settled to an insurance value of £75k, which is less than it once was. I don't have a specific budget per annum for upgrades but the system is mature and it should reduce to less than £5k per year. Since I will be moving in 2025, it's hard to say how things will turn out next year.
When will you stop upgrading?
Possibly never. I will stop when it's no longer possible to achieve an improvement within my budget allowance. Anything from this point onwards is bonus incremental improvement, I have no intention of making any further major upgrades and it would be hard to achieve without upsetting my carefully achieved sonic balance.
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Post by John on Sept 11, 2024 6:49:58 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
I used to listen to a few hours daily, these days if I come home early I will listen as want to ensure I give time for my girlfriend each day.
What kind of hi-fi system do you have?
A headphone system. One that has a open and realistic sound. A system for me needs to be open, non-fatiguing, dynamic, have a bit of clout and a sense of effortless. It needs to do justice to the music I enjoy. I would say the sound has been influenced by my crazy speaker journey and my love of live music.
What sources do you use?
I stream and listen to rip CDs from the hard drive.
How satisfied are you with the system?
To be honest I miss hearing music on my speakers. For me music is just not something I hear, but also experience in my body. Technically the system is better via Headphones, but it is that physical experience I miss. I have no idea if I ever get it back again.
What would you like to upgrade next?
Not sure, it will depend on where I end up living. Ideally back to the Goldnotes with a better amplifier and sell the headphone system. I would keep the A15. Otherwise try out a few more Electrostatics with my system.
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
This year been quite expensive and not a typical year at all. I have chosen products that if I do sell keep their value quite well. So this year about £21K. Total value of the system new including speakers etc is about £27K.
When will you stop upgrading?
I want to get to a point I do not upgrade. I was their with the speaker system, but now I am not sure.
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Post by palace on Sept 11, 2024 8:20:08 GMT
Being retired I listen 3-4 hours a day Monday to Friday.
I have a quite comprehensive valve based system, dedicated to work with with Quad 57 electrostatic speakers.
I love my Turntable, I also use CD/transport, DVD, TV for YouTube source all via a DAC + Tuner & Cassette.
After extensive efforts to remove RFI/EMI this past year with help particularly from people on this forum & the recent addition of speaker & equipment isolators extremely satisfied.
My next unforced upgrade will be having a new high quality volume control on my pre amp, whilst the case is open, a dear friend Mark Manwaring-White whilst replacing the defective 4 way source switch will also fit the new volume control replacing the one fitted.
I do not have a budget as such, over the years when something becomes irreparable, & only when I have thoroughly researched any replacement, before the purchase, as with the preamplifier in 2013 & power amplifier also in 2013 both bought used face to face from a forum. I needed a DAC in 2021, I bought it new & had the dealers subsequent modifications, & my wife bought me a new 15v UK built & designed LPSU for Christmas.
Until this year only the very occasional upgrade, normally due to replacement ie 2016 when my valve power amp needed new output caps my dear friend Mark Manwaring-White fitted upgraded ones along with HQ 2% resistors, so it's never say never to upgrades though other than the volume control nothing else is on the horizon.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 11, 2024 8:57:51 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
As much as I can. Main system in living room and second system in kitchen diner when preparing food, having breakfast
Many hours a day
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
Mostly TAD. High end
What sources do you use?
Switching over to streaming on Qobuz with the occasional YouTube and the odd CD
How satisfied are you with the system?
Amazed it sounds so good
What would you like to upgrade next?
Anything that reveals more music, but nothing planned
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
No budget. If something appeals I will try it out
When will you stop upgrading?
Never, as there are constant discoveries that give more music
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Tobias
Rank: Quartet
Posts: 275
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Post by Tobias on Sept 11, 2024 8:59:17 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
At least one album per day but often 2-3 albums, when i am at home.
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
Near field (small room) focused on one digital source only.
What sources do you use?
Streamer (Qobuz and Spotify Premium)
How satisfied are you with the system?
I love it! But I am now aware of all my limitations, as i understand more and more. I am in the beginning of my journey and i am focusing on the room acoustics, noise and vibration. The speakers will come lastly (I am thinking).
What would you like to upgrade next?
Isolation for speakers and components (Stack Audio Auva)
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
Can´t see my self spend more than £20.000 in total, probably more like half of that. So far, most of my gear is found second hand.
When will you stop upgrading?
Within a year or two, i hope. But i realize it might be hard...
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Post by nicholas on Sept 11, 2024 14:23:44 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
Varies between an hour to two per day
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
A competent streamer and DAC anchor a system whose components have steadily been upgraded over the years
What sources do you use?
Streamer, local music files and turntable
How satisfied are you with the system?
Highly satisfied, particularly following the advances of the last year or so
What would you like to upgrade next?
The EtherREGEN II when it becomes available
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
Don't really plan a budget but manage as appropriate
When will you stop upgrading?
Thought that I would stop years ago and still going strong
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Post by Slinger on Sept 11, 2024 14:29:19 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
Not as often these days, I quite enjoy total silence while attempting to be creative
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
A good one and a reasonable one.
What sources do you use?
Ripped CDs (Volumio/NAS) Internet Radio, actual CDs
How satisfied are you with the system?
Reasonably
What would you like to upgrade next?
Nothing in particular
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
£0.00
When will you stop upgrading?
Hopefully, I have.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 11, 2024 14:38:28 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
3 to 5 hours of a weekend.
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
l play WAV files via Jriver to my Gustard R26. So it's a,file based system only.
What sources do you use?
Gustard R26 for rendering from my NUC on my network.l don't use any streaming services
How satisfied are you with the system?
Very satisfied, in the knowledge it is slowly improving in the direction l need to go.
What would you like to upgrade next?
Once l have finished on the mains power, l will be looking at some floorstander speakers,probably used. l also need to improve on some isolation feet, so maybe a DIY effort.
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
As little as possible 🤣 Just a case of saving, if you want something.
When will you stop upgrading?
l think lm getting closer to that point, thankfully l enjoy the DIY side
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Post by puffin on Sept 11, 2024 14:40:26 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)? Every day. What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)? Class A or Class D DIY (mostly) Open baffle Lampizator speakers What sources do you use? Streaming How satisfied are you with the system? Very. What would you like to upgrade next? Nothing What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually? Current value impossible to say, but not much on the second hand market. When will you stop upgrading? I don't upgrade I try different flavours from time to time e.g Amps or Dacs. I have enough "good enough" cables to last a lifetime (which is of course much shorter the older you get  |
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Post by rockontommy on Sept 11, 2024 15:19:31 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
4-5 hours per week
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
Modern Integrated amp and speakers, 30+ year old turntable and CD player bought new.
What sources do you use?
CD and vinyl
How satisfied are you with the system?
Quite satisfied. Improvements made to digital coax between CD player and digital input have been a revelation. Turntable needs some improvement, as it now lags the CD
What would you like to upgrade next?
Turntable - eyeing up a Sumiko Rainier cartridge, original K9 is getting a bit tired
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
Don't really have one - will upgrade system supports and isolation, but will make that myself ( I work in industrial vibration control). Cartridge likely to cost around £150, probably £2-300 on new music
When will you stop upgrading?
When I either go deaf or die
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Post by MartinT on Sept 11, 2024 15:33:47 GMT
Some great reading here, you all have such different approaches. We sometimes quote "vive la difference" but it strikes true across our very varied membership.
Keep 'em coming.
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Post by mattspl on Sept 12, 2024 20:47:13 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
-Some days I don’t get time to listen at all with my system being in the living room and people watching Tv, or I could be busy with other things. Other days I might get 6 or 8 hours in.
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
- I’d describe my system as musical and full range with enough scale and dynamics to satisfy, given the restrictions the room and speaker size allow.
What sources do you use?
- I’m just streaming Tidal using BubbleUPNP these days.
How satisfied are you with the system?
- I’m satisfied with the system in general. Obviously if I could afford and fit larger speakers, I would.
What would you like to upgrade next?
- I’ll probably add another Kemp SNS and might look at getting a Xilica dsp to replace my BSS and remove the smps in the Xilica and use LPS into it.
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
- That’s definitely a secret
When will you stop upgrading?
-Never, it’s a form of addiction, the need to find perfection. It’s like being in work to some extent, things have to be perfected.
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Post by speedysteve on Sept 13, 2024 9:59:56 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
ANS: Several times a week, some weeks pretty much every evening.
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
ANS: Hifi oriented Multi Entry Horn / Synergy system/ phase coherent, single point source.
What sources do you use?
ANS: Exclusively Qobuz/Sonore Ultrarendu. Have backups.
How satisfied are you with the system?
ANS: Extremely. This year has seen a different change in my transducer system.
It's very competent across all sorts of music and wows me.
What would you like to upgrade next?
ANS: I will test different compression drivers. I've already purchased a pair of Peerless Tymphany (group buy limited edition) compression drivers.
I will at some point build a 60deg angled Danley SH60 pair of synergy horns.
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
ANS: A few hundred pounds or more. As the mood takes me.
When will you stop upgrading?
ANS: When I'm too old to make and test things.
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Post by daytona600 on Sept 13, 2024 18:45:18 GMT
How much do you listen to music (not background)?
8/9 Hours per Day
What kind of hi-fi system do you have (not a list)?
FFFR Big & dynamic
What sources do you use?
LP & Streaming
How satisfied are you with the system?
9/10
What would you like to upgrade next?
R2R + Room Acoustics
What is your budget for the cost of the system? Annually?
Few Quid
When will you stop upgrading?
45years why stop now
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