This is my first attempt at wireless streaming after two years of cd listening. Right now i am using a Sonos Connect (formerly ZP 90) as a wireless streamer for aiff files on my office mac and then fed via coax to the w4s Dac1. The panels on the back are some basic Ats acoustics and under the amp and cd are some Herbie's Tenderfeet.
Nice, simple system beginnings or not. It is very similar to mine in terms of setup. I have been using Sonos for over 10 years for my whole house audio. I recently changed from using a ZP90 to a dedicated PC streaming music wirelessly from my NAS. I was very impressed with the improvement in sound. Also, by using JRiver Media Center software on the PC I could rate songs and do other music library management tasks that the Sonos interface does not offer which always frustrated me.
System edited: Just updated my integrated amplifier from a Rotel RA-1520 to the Rega Brio-R. I am floored by the way it sounds. Very musical and with a beautiful balance between very detailed and a smoothness that is very uncommon in solid state amplification.
Thanks Edgejazz. I like almost all ECM, post-rock, some Swans, Scott Walker, Low, Tindersticks, Mogwai. I also like some electronic, stuff from Warp Records. Lately been listening a lot to Anouar Brahem and Tomasz Stanko (soul of things). Love Sonic Youth and Earth. I like it a little bit dissonant, dark and out of tune.
Rob, You should have seen my rig about 35 years ago - a Radio Shack receiver with two naked drivers pulled from two different console stereos! A LOT can change in a few decades of diligence and work/time/$ put in consisently. Perhaps in time you could do exactly as I have done by building a room yourself. You also can work your way up by investing a set amount each year and conducting upgrades regularly, as I have.
If this is your first attempt, you are light years ahead of where I started. You can have a fulfilling time in audio by staying relatively pat with your rig, as many do, and focusing on media. Or, you can do as I have and become a gearhead, flipping and acquiring different speaker systems for variety. Either way, a good time.
If you wish for it as a long term goal it is certainly not out of the question for you to have a lovely dedicated room and rig in time if that is your passion! :)
Your choice and matching of components and cables are excellent! The listening space is clean and well organized. Love it. What's your musical interests?
My god heaven could be your listening room and system Douglas. What? Really? sheeez Fantastic. I feel like the proud owner of a boombox after seeing yours. It's like peeing next to Dirk Diggler from boogie nigths. Lol.