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I want the perfect home theatre/audiophile pream/procesor

As fast as technology moves, it's hard to always be cotent. Add to that the fact that there is ALWAYS something better, bigger, etc., well, you know what I mean.

Because it makes listening to music a wonderful, exhilarating experience. For the money I've put into it, I think it sounds great. Better than some systems I've heard selling for 3 times the price.

this is neverending aiming to something which is imposibble,for most of us.

You have got to be contented with what you have or else there will be no end in sight. For me, the greatest thrill is to buy mid-fi equipment and tweak them till they sound like hi-end.

I wish I could afford some upgrades... Also, seattle has become a dreadful area to shop for high end eqipment.

After years of agony over the missing or inferior componet, I remembered why it began. Music.

Yes, I am extremely happy. That's not to say that I don't read avidly about and think about getting the latest toys. But when I sit down and listen, I don't (can't) analyze the sound quality of my system because I'm too busy listening to music. I don't understand how people can break down their system's flaws into things like "upper midbass bloat." I am too immersed in music to be able to listen for things like that.

I can hear whatever music I like in my own home at any hour of the day or night. Even Louis XIV didn't have this luxury.

Maybe there should be "audiophiles" and "stereophiles". I do enjoy music but stereo is one of my hobbies. To be a hobby you have to be able to twiddle with it. If you can't play with it what fun is it?

Hey... there's *always* room for improvement!!!

With three little boys and all of their toys sharing my living room with my system, I declared a hardware freeze until we can afford a house. So my newest component is 3 years old. but on a good night, the magic is still there. And by the way, the Classic/RCA Sherezade comes eerily close tho the real thing in several areas. I inadvertantly listened to this record the week before it was on one of our subscribtion concerts (which I don't normally do), and wasn't diappointed with either rendition.

Perhaps the key to being satisfied is to not have such unreasonable expectations. As a college student, I have had to assemble my budget reference system gradually, but the result is a system that didn't cost that much and still manages to make jaws drop. It's not exactly state-of-the-art, but I know that my efforts were successful every time I put on a favorite album and a smile comes to my face. It's all about fun, and I'm having a great time!

Mostly listen to CD's yetI donot have a transport on parwoththe rest of my system. I believe Vinyl sounds better but right now there is to much grain and the motor on my LP12 is not working properly. If these to ordeals were correctedIwouldprabaly be real happy with mysystem.

It's funny---when I listen to my system, I am very often very happy with the quality, but I also often doubt my own happiness, wondering whether I am entirely right in being happy with my Theta/Audio Synthesis/Krell/Transparent/Sonus Faber $15,000 system. Then I visit one of the half dozen high-end dealers in my neighborhood and listen to a carefully set-up system that costs at least twice as much, if not more, just to check my happiness. Nine times out of ten I return home and I am even happier, because I feel that my relatively cheaper system sounds great, better, and sometimes even much better compared to what I just heard. The tenth time out of ten the system is usually too big for my room, and/or far too big for my wallet, so I don't feel too bad about it.

I know that there is only so close one can get to live music. I know the "type" of sound I prefer and select my equipment accordingly, i.e. tube amplification and dipolar planar speakers.

After so many years of reading Stereophile, I finally got enough courage to finally invest in an high-end audio system. I spent close to $15k and got something that sounds disappointing. I think something around $5k would have sound as good or even better and if it didn't, the disappointment would have been far less. The only reason I spent more was because I wanted to get closer to the "music." I didn't. Isn't "music" is what this hobby is all about?

i have a well rounded system

I can't seem to get the same resolution I hear in some similar audio systems.

It works, and I marvel at the ability of silicon and carbon to make music, and your magazine keeps me aware of all the goodies just outside of my "circle of wants." Is anyone ever finished with their system? I Love It! Keep up the good work!

high end CD player drive by 1970's high out put analog receiver.

consists of Naim Audio Components and a Linn LP 12. Have 3 separate Naim Systems in my household.

I've come to accept that often is not the equipment but me! Some days when I'm trying to relax in my "sweet spot" and enjoy my music I sense that my mind and ears are not in the mood. Most of the time however I'm quite relaxed and my Parasound/Rotel/PSB equipment sounds wonderful.

Of course I have an upgrade/trade-in in mind for everyone of my components!

There is allways going to be some piece of equipment or some tweak gaget that really will give you better sound. The quest for 'the next higher level' of sound can become an addiction and a VERY expensive addiction at that. It is a precarious state but I generally go out once in a great while, say every five years, and indulge in some new piece of equipment. In between these brief bank account draining draining episodes I try and generally do reach a high level of musical enjoyment from my admittedly 'less than the best' system most of the time.

Upgrade bug refuses to die. Bankruptcy approaches.

I only have a pairs of vandersteen 1c's so far, why don't you help me with the rest of the system. Anything integrated around the $1000 range? I answer you questions after that. Paul

I am a college student without a lot of money . . . I am just happy to have a system :) !

never heard better but I know it could sound better

Bleah. That's the last time I try to "improve" my crossovers.