So you want to be an audiophile? Venting is allowed!

[Pete H]

Good Evening To All!

This will be like a book, not a short read, but a series of questions, that I'm sure many of you have asked, researched and may still be searching for the answers. I'm so happy to be back in the hunt for the perfect sound, that after I bleed out, I'm sure all of these questions will be answered..LMAO with the sharp piece of glass laying on the coffee table, just kidding. The following is a list of questions that just confuse me, as well as drain the bank account, that I just can't seem to get a solid answer to, so please feel free to give me the answer or just add to the list as we are all on the same journey.

1. How can an amp be worth 5 or 10 or 20K, what are you freeking nuts, look at the components.

2. Should I go tube or ss? If I go tube; should I build my own, or buy from China so I don't speand the 5 to 20K and get really stupid.

3. Should I combine the tube and solid state to drive the lower(ss) and upper(tube) end of the speakers?

4. How can Emotiva, produce such wonderful amps (ss) for so much less than everyone else?

5. Can 20 watts of clean tube power really drive my RF 7's better than (ss); and if they can, why in the hell can't someone make these ratings compatable?

6. How can a cd player cost 11K? It's just the stupid creaping in again?

7. Is there a digital media player that will convert cd, sacd, mp3, dvd and any other combo, with finess covering the demads of the audiophile and HT nut?

8. Are silver wires really worth the money?

9. Why would you purchase a tube cd player if the digital to analog conversion takes place in the receiver or pre amp? What do the tubes do?

10. Should I buy a quality DAC and where do I put it?

11. I found a tube conditioner that can be placed in multiple locations to smooth out the digital signal for 200.00, sounds like a deal, I should buy 2 of them.

12. Is Dean G. really a god? If you read this Dean, I really mean that with all the respect in the world and will be sending you my crossovers from the RF 7's.

13. If I buy Kevlar, composit, crystal, graphite, super secret material, isolation feet that are configured in different geometric shapes, will the world stop spinning on its axis and the sound be better?

14. I want to have a digital (audiophile quality) hard drive jukebox so what should I use? (there's about 2 million opinions on that one Helter Skelter)

15. Why didn't Youthman (You're a good guy and this is just for fun), put a vibrating bed in the movie room for porn?

16. You're still laughing so go to question 17

17. Why do people tend to pay more on E-Bay for used equipment then they can buy new stuff for?

18. Why don't more people go with 6.1 and hang a really big speaker on the rear wall?

19. Why did Klipsch stop building the RF 7 line????????????? Wanted to change the look?????????????????

20. If you have read everything to this point, you are either a true audiophile or a wannabee, and in either case, your input is appreciated.

21. Jamison Irish Whisky is really good on the rocks...................................Rock On!

[mike stehr]

1. How can an amp be worth 5 or 10 or 20K, what are you freeking nuts, look at the components.

Well, if one has mega-bucks and money to burn......

2. Should I go tube or ss? If I go tube; should I build my own, or buy from China so I don't speand the 5 to 20K and get really stupid.

If you want my opinion, build your own tube amp. If you happen to go the tube route.

3. Should I combine the tube and solid state to drive the lower(ss) and upper(tube) end of the speakers?

I would you use two similar amps to bi-amp, IMO.

4. How can Emotiva, produce such wonderful amps (ss) for so much less than everyone else?

I have no experience with Emotiva.

5. Can 20 watts of clean tube power really drive my RF 7's better than (ss); and if they can, why in the hell can't someone make these ratings compatable?

I guess as long as the amp can handle the lower impedance of RF 7.

6. How can a cd player cost 11K? It's just the stupid creaping in again?

Probably....

7. Is there a digital media player that will convert cd, sacd, mp3, dvd and any other combo, with finess covering the demads of the audiophile and HT nut?

I dunno.

8. Are silver wires really worth the money?

They are worth their weight in silver.

9. Why would you purchase a tube cd player if the digital to analog conversion takes place in the receiver or pre amp? What do the tubes do?

Most tube CD players are converted to analog at the digital to analog converter. The tubes are used as a buffer circuit to soften the digital nasties.

10. Should I buy a quality DAC and where do I put it?

You can use either the optical digital output or coaxial digital output from the CDP, into the DAC. It bypasses the CDP's internal DAC, and uses it as a transport. You can buy one if you want.

11. I found a tube conditioner that can be placed in multiple locations to smooth out the digital signal for 200.00, sounds like a deal, I should buy 2 of them.

You can do the same thing with a tube CDP, or tube DAC.

12. Is Dean G. really a god? If you read this Dean, I really mean that with all the respect in the world and will be sending you my crossovers from the RF 7's.

You have to pray to him and send him your money.

13. If I buy Kevlar, composit, crystal, graphite, super secret material, isolation feet that are configured in different geometric shapes, will the world stop spinning on its axis and the sound be better?

Some things just have to be tried to find out......

14. I want to have a digital (audiophile quality) hard drive jukebox so what should I use? (there's about 2 million opinions on that one Helter Skelter)

The best one can afford.

15. Why didn't Youthman (You're a good guy and this is just for fun), put a vibrating bed in the movie room for porn?

16. You're still laughing so go to question 17

17. Why do people tend to pay more on E-Bay for used equipment then they can buy new stuff for?

So they go on their favorite audio message board and brag about it.

18. Why don't more people go with 6.1 and hang a really big speaker on the rear wall?

I wonder why people even bother to go 6.1.

19. Why did Klipsch stop building the RF 7 line????????????? Wanted to change the look?????????????????

Time for a new line I suppose.

20. If you have read everything to this point, you are either a true audiophile or a wannabee, and in either case, your input is appreciated.

I'm just bored........

21. Jamison Irish Whisky is really good on the rocks...................................Rock On!

Nummy.

[fini]

1. How can an amp be worth 5 or 10 or 20K, what are you freeking nuts, look at the components.

The components are only part of it. It's the circuit, man.

2. Should I go tube or ss? If I go tube; should I build my own, or buy from China so I don't speand the 5 to 20K and get really stupid.

For God's sake, don't be stupid. Buy Pcats.

11. I found a tube conditioner that can be placed in multiple
locations to smooth out the digital signal for 200.00, sounds like a
deal, I should buy 2 of them.

Only buy tube conditioner if you are just trying it out. Once you decide you like how it makes your hair feel, buy it in 32 oz. bottles. Yeah, there are multiple locations you can use it.

14. I want to have a digital (audiophile quality) hard drive
jukebox so what should I use? (there's about 2 million opinions on that
one Helter Skelter)

Josh's Olive server sounds wonderful.

[soundbound]

17. Why do people tend to pay more on E-Bay for used equipment then they can buy new stuff for?

I've come to the conclusion that as far as vintage, which sounds good, there's new that can be bought for the same cost and you're better off. It just takes some of us time to figure this out. I'm amazed with how high vintage audio sells for on eBay. If you have that much $ to spend, why not buy new?

[edwinr]

Gee, Pete. You must have a lot of time on your hands! Hey, I've got it! You can't sleep at night. You just lie there and torture yourself with all these unanswerable questions!

What I reckon you should do is have another glass of your Jamison Irish Whiskey (on the rocks), then slip another disc on your disc spinner of choice and veg out. Then start focusing on what member of the Heritage family you'd like to buy. Maybe a pair of La Scalas, or my speaker of choice, a pair of Belles. I guarantee that listening to your favorite CD through a pair of La Scala/Belles will blow all the cobwebs out of your brain. You'll feel a lot better for it. []

[Phaseone]

1. How can an amp be worth 5 or 10 or 20K, what are you freeking nuts, look at the components.

Sound is subjective to each listener. I have 'friends' who can't tell the difference between Ipod ear plugs and my Heresy's. Should I reevaluate my willingness to hang with them? Then there is the gf who crys because she can feel the emotion in the singers voice and is overcome with the dynamic range of the Heresys.

2. Should I go tube or ss? If I go tube; should I build my own, or buy from China so I don't speand the 5 to 20K and get really stupid.

Again quite a mouthful of personal preference. IMHO, I'v not heard anything better than the ss 1977 vintage Philips 572/578 and still feel that an amp with ample headroom and power supply negates the need for subwoofers.

5. Can 20 watts of clean tube power really drive my RF 7's better than (ss); and if they can, why in the hell can't someone make these ratings compatable?

Never heard the RF7's, but would like to. Anyone around the Carmel IN area wish to demonstrate these and other K products? I'll bring the brews. 20 W not only gets my neighbors attention, but those across the street as well from the kitchen Hi Fi.

6. How can a cd player cost 11K? It's just the stupid creaping in again?

Why not just use the home PC? Check out http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/manufacture/1208/index.html

7. Is there a digital media player that will convert cd, sacd, mp3, dvd and any other combo, with finess covering the demads of the audiophile and HT nut?

See above.

8. Are silver wires really worth the money?

Why stop there, gold is the best conductor.

12. Is Dean G. really a god? If you read this Dean, I really mean that with all the respect in the world and will be sending you my crossovers from the RF 7's.

Where did PWK go wrong? Can these actually be made to sound better?

20. If you have read everything to this point, you are either a true audiophile or a wannabee, and in either case, your input is appreciated.

Wannabe

21. Jamison Irish Whisky is really good on the rocks...................................Rock On!

No thanks, I'll just have Beck's

[colterphoto1]

start by doing a LOT of reading here. Most of this has been addressed before.

[colterphoto1]

yes, either but buy, both, dunno, no way, stupid, probably but I dont know what it is, the electrons don't care, what he said, ditto, ditto, a man but a good one, pyramids are the secret, I just use a computer, no idea, ok, ID 10T's, I did 6.1 with a single RS behind me worked great, somebody had to have something to do, I don't sleep, can't touch the stuff.

back to beddies with you, I'm on the road this am.

M

[Coytee]

12. Is Dean G. really a god?

That question is above my pay grade however, I can honestly say that I'll respect any man who checks into or out of a hotel carrying his pink pillow and Cleveland Browns jacket.....[^o)]

[Pete H]

I haven't had the opportunity to listen to either the La Scala's or the Belles, I want to, but haven't found anyone in my area that has them. I'm sure that when I do, I'll just have to have some.

Gee, Pete. You must have a lot of time on your hands! Hey, I've got it! You can't sleep at night. You just lie there and torture yourself with all these unanswerable questions!

What I reckon you should do is have another glass of your Jamison Irish Whiskey (on the rocks), then slip another disc on your disc spinner of choice and veg out. Then start focusing on what member of the Heritage family you'd like to buy. Maybe a pair of La Scalas, or my speaker of choice, a pair of Belles. I guarantee that listening to your favorite CD through a pair of La Scala/Belles will blow all the cobwebs out of your brain. You'll feel a lot better for it.

[Pete H]

You are right, that takes some big stones. Actually, maybe there's a message in the picture; the Brown's should change the color of their uniforms to pink.

12. Is Dean G. really a god?

That question is above my pay grade however, I can honestly say that I'll respect any man who checks into or out of a hotel carrying his pink pillow and Cleveland Browns jacket.....

[Daddy Dee]

Pete,

Great post and questions! Thanks.

BTW, yes, DeanG is divine!

[Arky]

You guy's stop picking on 'ole Dean.

[Pete H]

Still laughing, now that's the type of smart *** response that I was really looking for. I would like to visit the Jamison "Still" because I really think given enough time there I could really find the answers to all of my questions.

[Islander]

8. Are silver wires really worth the money?

Why stop there, gold is the best conductor.

Actually, silver is the best conductor, copper comes second and gold is further down the list. Gold is just used as a coating on connectors because it doesn't corrode.

[pauln]

Why all the questions about equipment? Audiophiles are more distinguished by how they hear and evaluate music, less how they assemble and integrate sound equipment. If you hear music as sound, you may build up the most exotic system and not be an audiophile. If you hear sound as music, it only takes a modest outlay to get into the ballpark of audioplile listening.

[Pete H]

I understand your position to a degree, but I would assume that you played with different gear and speakers to try and achieve better results and that has nothing to do with how you hear and evaluate music, it has to do with trying to improve the experience for you personally. I'm curious, what do you consider a modest outlay?

Why all the questions about equipment? Audiophiles are more distinguished by how they hear and evaluate music, less how they assemble and integrate sound equipment. If you hear music as sound, you may build up the most exotic system and not be an audiophile. If you hear sound as music, it only takes a modest outlay to get into the ballpark of audioplile listening.

[SWL]

Audiophile n. A person who claims to hear the inaudible.

Annoying Audiophile - A person who claims that others may be trained to hear the inaudible unless they are deaf.

With apologies to Jeff Foxworthy:

If it tests good and sounds bad, you might be an audiophile.

If it tests bad and sounds good, you might be an audiophile.

Not mine........took it from BEC's signature. This answered some of my questions about audio. []

[Speedball]

So the man who worked magic on my networks carries a pink pillow ?.........[] Go Dean Go.

[Pete H]

Annoying Audiophile - A person who claims that others may be trained to hear the inaudible unless they are deaf.

I'll drink to that because really when it's all said and done, it's all about me and what I like to listen to, but it's nice to have a place to get some opinions regarding different combo's and past experience.