My sound system is the center of my house. It s been that way for 20 years. Just about every weekend, my friends and family come over for good food, a few drinks, and experience the sound system (usually in that order). My goal was to put together a system that captures the impact and emotion of a live performance.
I have thousands of CDs on my server and will find a song on Napster if I dont have it and then later buy the CD. At my house each listener gets their turn choosing the song. I honestly love most types of music and believe there is genius in each. Depending on the crowd the music can switch from Classical, to Swing, to Soul, to Rock and anything in between. My wife is Latin and her family are great dancers, the night can also turn into great Salsa and dance into the wee hours of the night.
I bring this up because my stereo is all about entertaining, family, fun, great music and escape. People come to my house with songs they have heard elsewhere and want to experience the full spectrum on my system.
The biggest change to my system was buying the Montana KAS-2s. The sound is just amazing. The speakers use the high-end SEAS Excel line. But the magic is in PBNs crossover design and craftsmanship. The cabinets I proudly display like a Steinway. What I like most about these speakers is their ability to play all types of music superbly. These speakers do convey the full intensity and emotional impact of a live performance.
OMG I love these speakers. They completely disappear despite their size and the sound stage is just immense. They have a natural sound with the full impact of a live performance. My best equipment purchase, transformed my stereo system to an exciting musical event.
Upgraded my Ayre QB-9 to DSD version; for $700 it was well
worth it; more clarity, musical separation, depth, air with no added harness. I
really liked the QB-9 before, with the DSD upgrade; it was like a veil was
removed that I did not know existed. Spooky clean sound, but still musical.
Youre very perceptive; the visual impact of a system means a lot to most people and adds to the whole listening experience (IMO). I have friends who tell me they love to hear music and Ill have them over for a listen. Once they walk into my music room and see the size and beauty of the handcrafted Montanas, the heft of the Pass radiating its warmth through its fins, the gorgeous elegance of the Hovland glowing in blue with its large dials, and the retro looking Shanling with its tubes a glow, people just get excited and settle down for a full scale music experience. Also, I took a lot of time to select the components and I love the sound and the synergy between them. I can live with this system for the long term.
I agree the Hovland and Shanling are jewels. They have a very uncanny natural musical sound that brings you closer to the music with no harshness whatsoever. They are also lookers.
I see that you have the Legacy Audio Focus Speakers; great choice. Ive heard them at the CES show and was very impressed with their dynamic musical scale, deep tight bass, neutral midrange, and smooth highs. Great speaker!!!
The Shanling T-100 is truly a wonderful piece. It plays regular CDs as well as High Definition CDs (Hard to Find) and up-samples to 24/96 on the fly with a push of the remote. But the real magic is in the sound. The Shanling has a tube output stage that sounds warm and human (with great detail) with no brightness or mechanical artifacts very involving.
Currently I have all my CDs (AIFF - lossless format with no High Resolution Recordings Yet) on a hard drive and even when played through the Ayre QB-9 (Stereophile A+), I prefer the Shanling slightly playing the same CD. Im using the generic ITunes software but hoping to upgrade soon to Amarra which might change things.
I see the T-100 on AudiogoN selling for about $1,000 and its a great deal. The piece looks stunning and sounds wonderful competing with CDs players well beyond its price.
Hi Art, to say you made my day by commenting on my system is an understatement. To me, your system is one of my favorites on the site.
When I chose the KAS-2s, I also heard the WAS-2s; they both sounded unbelievably good (natural, unlimited dynamics, engaging) but the WAS-2s did have more authority and impact. However, I though the KAS-2s would work better in my size room.
You system is just amazing; The WAS-2s make such an authoritative statement and has to excite the waiting listener. The Walnut face and black peal body are stunning but also inviting like a handcrafted piece of furniture. I love your choice of amplification, the VAC Tube combo running in bridge mode has to produce fast, rich, full, involving sounds with the authority of 300 watts; great system synergy for the speakers. Your room is just off-the-hook, I love the way your incorporated room treatments as art which makes the room more inviting.
Thanks Jeff, for the kind words. I must say most of the inspiration for my system (Montanas, Hovland, Pass, Ayre, and music server) has come from you.
