Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

AnthonyI said:
I gave up on visiting that forum a long time ago, I'm sure there are some helpful people buried over there, some that I know from this forum, but I just don't have the patience for the attitude and elitist mentality that most carry over there. It takes all the fun out of the hobby and just kills it for the new people coming in. Yes, there are bare minimums to what I would deem a "quality" starter system, but that's no reason not to offer advise to anything less, we're not all made of money or have the need to spend thousands on a vinyl rig.
Click to expand...
Agree 100%. I got met with some vitriol for saying that you don't need to spend $5k+ on your first or second set up to be happy with the sound. Everybody doesn't NEED to spend $500+ just on cables to have a sound you're satisfied with. I also strongly disagree with a lot of people over there who say you should just immediately skip to the $5k price range on an early set up...I have tons of friends who wanted to get into vinyl and after a year decided that they just didn't use it as much as they thought they would.

I mostly joined the forum to get access to the classifieds and needed to have 50 posts to do so haha. From now on I'll just lurk and I do think it's still useful for finding what people may consider the best pressings or CD mastering of albums.
 
MikeH said:
Agree 100%. I got met with some vitriol for saying that you don't need to spend $5k+ on your first or second set up to be happy with the sound. Everybody doesn't NEED to spend $500+ just on cables to have a sound you're satisfied with. I also strongly disagree with a lot of people over there who say you should just immediately skip to the $5k price range on an early set up...I have tons of friends who wanted to get into vinyl and after a year decided that they just didn't use it as much as they thought they would.

I mostly joined the forum to get access to the classifieds and needed to have 50 posts to do so haha. From now on I'll just lurk and I do think it's still useful for finding what people may consider the best pressings or CD mastering of albums.
Click to expand...
This is ultimately why I love this forum so much, this is an example of how the world should be, the other place is an example of how the world really is.
 
Mather said:
There are a LOT of insecure dickheads on that forum. The kind of people whose entire identity are based on the perception that they know more than everyone else and cannot possibly learn a single thing that they don't already know. And also that their systems are better than every other system on the planet. It's annoying, and juvenile.
Click to expand...
I can't remember the name of the forum, but my dealer friend told me about another forum that is like Hoffman on crack. Maybe not as condescending as Hoffman can get, but just uber high end. He said they regularly have lengthy discussions around $100K+ speakers and cables that start in the 5 digit range for just speaker cables. And they are usually talking full loom.

He said he tried to get into their world (hopefully gaining a few customers with time) but even as a dealer he couldn't keep up. He'll snag one or two things from there from time to time, but said trying to bring in the stuff these guys hope to A/B test would put him under.
 
displayname said:
I can't remember the name of the forum, but my dealer friend told me about another forum that is like Hoffman on crack. Maybe not as condescending as Hoffman can get, but just uber high end. He said they regularly have lengthy discussions around $100K+ speakers and cables that start in the 5 digit range for just speaker cables. And they are usually talking full loom.

He said he tried to get into their world (hopefully gaining a few customers with time) but even as a dealer he couldn't keep up. He'll snag one or two things from there from time to time, but said trying to bring in the stuff these guys hope to A/B test would put him under.
Click to expand...
Was it Organissimo? That's a fairly large jazz and classical forum and while they do have some good tidbits on pressings like Hoffman does, the nature of it being mostly jazz and classical fans makes it REALLY intense sometimes.
 
MikeH said:
Was it Organissimo? That's a fairly large jazz and classical forum and while they do have some good tidbits on pressings like Hoffman does, the nature of it being mostly jazz and classical fans makes it REALLY intense sometimes.
Click to expand...
I want to say it's What's Best Forum. I took a quick peak and it sounds about right. Some sample topics I pulled from their recently active threads.
  • "A cheap turntable with a mid-centry look for when non-audiophiles visit." - Linn LP12 and Thorens are on the initial list.
  • Speaker upgrade, coming from Kef Blades paired with a pair of JL f113v2s. (For those unfamiliar, that's $42,000K before cables and equipment). Magico M3s ($75K) are on the initial list.
  • A "show us your wine cellar" thread.
  • An active discussion dedicated to the Rel No. 25. Most recent review came from someone who just purchased a pair ($15K)
These guy's systems in the bedroom, guest house, or extra living room usually start at what most of us on this thread might consider end game. Their idea of endgame could purchase a home in most parts of the country.
 
displayname said:
I want to say it's What's Best Forum. I took a quick peak and it sounds about right. Some sample topics I pulled from their recently active threads.
  • "A cheap turntable with a mid-centry look for when non-audiophiles visit." - Linn LP12 and Thorens are on the initial list.
  • Speaker upgrade, coming from Kef Blades paired with a pair of JL f113v2s. (For those unfamiliar, that's $42,000K before cables and equipment). Magico M3s ($75K) are on the initial list.
  • A "show us your wine cellar" thread.
  • An active discussion dedicated to the Rel No. 25. Most recent review came from someone who just purchased a pair ($15K)
These guy's systems in the bedroom, guest house, or extra living room usually start at what most of us on this thread might consider end game. Their idea of endgame could purchase a home in most parts of the country.
Click to expand...

I love people like this. They make me look normal. 😊
 
I’ve recently discovered the audio excellence Canada YouTube channel, I find it interesting because they speak about high end gear which I’m never exposed to and can’t afford but I’m obsessive about music and gear. They seem to be honest and have varying levels of knowledge and time spent in the know so to speak. The thing that keeps me around and puts it over the top is that they constantly acknowledge that what they are talking about is expensive and they don’t take that lightly which is refreshing even though their actual customers obviously can afford the equipment they speak about. They also will break the mold and speak about more affordable components in relation to whatever more costly gear they are reviewing which for someone like me is great, I find great value in someone whom listens to setups that cost more then I earn in two years but then reccomends something I can afford because I have confidence that it is a great value at that point.
 
Last edited:
displayname said:
I want to say it's What's Best Forum. I took a quick peak and it sounds about right. Some sample topics I pulled from their recently active threads.
  • "A cheap turntable with a mid-centry look for when non-audiophiles visit." - Linn LP12 and Thorens are on the initial list.
  • Speaker upgrade, coming from Kef Blades paired with a pair of JL f113v2s. (For those unfamiliar, that's $42,000K before cables and equipment). Magico M3s ($75K) are on the initial list.
  • A "show us your wine cellar" thread.
  • An active discussion dedicated to the Rel No. 25. Most recent review came from someone who just purchased a pair ($15K)
These guy's systems in the bedroom, guest house, or extra living room usually start at what most of us on this thread might consider end game. Their idea of endgame could purchase a home in most parts of the country.
Click to expand...
Will try not to take that LP12 comment personally....sod it, where’s my pitchfork?!!!
 
Bsdmr2 said:
Will try not to take that LP12 comment personally....sod it, where’s my pitchfork?!!!
Click to expand...
Haha, I have no hate for the LP12, I actually think they are quite impressive. It was more that the comment was related to having that as a backup table and used only for background music. I think most people here would be THRILLED if they could get an LP12 in their main system.
 
displayname said:
Haha, I have no hate for the LP12, I actually think they are quite impressive. It was more that the comment was related to having that as a backup table and used only for background music. I think most people here would be THRILLED if they could get an LP12 in their main system.
Click to expand...
Absolutely, don’t worry you won’t be getting pitchforked!
 
The Denmarkian Wonder said:
Anyone have any experience with the Wireworld or Supra power stations and their power cables? I'm looking at either the Wireworld Matrix 2 with the Stratus 7 power cable or the Supra MD06 MkIII with their LoRad power cable.

I'm hoping to decide on one of these before i loose my mind and pick the Ifi Audion Powerstation lol
Click to expand...
I haven't used these exact products, but I can share some opinions.
A friend of mine used the Supra MD06 in his system. He speaks highly of it, especially since it got it around the holidays last year for around $100usd. I kind of regret passing on that sale honestly.

I do like most of the Wireworld gear that I've tried. I haven't put any of their power cables in, but I do dream of one day possibly moving up to a full loom of all Wireworld OCC products. I'm a pretty big believer in OCC for speaker cables, and I'd love to hear my system with OCC everything. That's higher up the line than you're looking, but I haven't heard any negative impressions of the Stratus 7. In states we have the option of Zu ebay sales, so that makes the Stratus 7 a tougher pill to swallow when we have the Zu option.

On the power strips, I will say I would go with the Supra over the Wirelworld, largely based on what inside.
WW has a nice casing, but seeing the wire nuts used in this application is a bit of a disappointment. I would have liked to have seen some stronger connections and soldering, which the Supra has throughout.
1597866782206.png
1597866797081.png
 
displayname said:
I haven't used these exact products, but I can share some opinions.
A friend of mine used the Supra MD06 in his system. He speaks highly of it, especially since it got it around the holidays last year for around $100usd. I kind of regret passing on that sale honestly.

I do like most of the Wireworld gear that I've tried. I haven't put any of their power cables in, but I do dream of one day possibly moving up to a full loom of all Wireworld OCC products. I'm a pretty big believer in OCC for speaker cables, and I'd love to hear my system with OCC everything. That's higher up the line than you're looking, but I haven't heard any negative impressions of the Stratus 7. In states we have the option of Zu ebay sales, so that makes the Stratus 7 a tougher pill to swallow when we have the Zu option.

On the power strips, I will say I would go with the Supra over the Wirelworld, largely based on what inside.
WW has a nice casing, but seeing the wire nuts used in this application is a bit of a disappointment. I would have liked to have seen some stronger connections and soldering, which the Supra has throughout.
View attachment 62157
View attachment 62158
Click to expand...

Appreciate it 🍻

I think i'm gonna go with Supra. It's a bit cheaper and more readily available compared to the Wireworld strip where i have to import the cable from the UK.
 
Anyone have any experience with Vienna acoustics Mozart grand floorstanding speakers? How they might compare to my elac f5.2? There is a pair available at a local hifi shop for $500 usd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top