Let's see... Optimus 3400 CD Player + Sony EX70 headphones
LOL... but it would not too bad anyway!
I love to read all those setups. I have been wondering about the Highest-End systems, though...
Some people seems to think the more you invest in audio, the more music satisfaction you get. Perhaps it is right , perhaps it's wrong, but clearly it is not a linear relation. When you advance more and more in the quality scale, you get less and less for each $100 excess you pay.
In a respected audiophile site, someone said the absolute reference to judge High-End audio is the real sound itself. Except for absolutely electronic music, I think it is right. Then, every time you go to a piano concert (in a good seat!), every time you hear an acoustic Spanish guitar concert, etc..., you are hearing the most absolute High-End sound in earth.
I admit beeing in a live concert with a good sound is really enjoyable BUT I hardly know someone who gets a "religious" experience listening it, or his/her life transforming because it. Sometimes, if the performer is not very good, I get boring, and I begin to think my $ payed was an error. All the sound quality is nothing if the music itself is not worthy (and the music is not worthy for you if you don't like the performer)
Personally, I have had more ecstatic hours listening my home CDs with great music than in live concerts (but obviously I have been in incredible live concerts too!). I think a really good home system with a really wonderful set of YOUR preferred music is the goal.
Anyway... I admit I enjoy all that about new equipment and audio reviews and dream quality...
It's a sort of addiction in itself!
My minimalist great music system would be: Senheisser HD600, NAD 521 or maybe 541 CD player, and about HP amp,I'g go tube, maybe Wheatfield, or maybe I'd choose Grado RA-1... I love headphones, more than speakers even. I think I would enjoy that system more than a $6000 speaker system... well I really don't know
LOL
Regards to everyone and sorry for the long and winding... sermon