If you were to do it all over again, what would it be?

[glitch39]

Most of us took a path, finding our music genre, deciding between tube or SS, going through a bunch of HP's and a bunch of amps, trying both NOS and non-OS DACs, ridiculous amount of power cables, IC's, digital cables and HP recables, deciding between balanced and unbalanced, and eventually nirvana on the R10's K1000's, Electrostats and whatever high-end stuff is out there.

So here's the question:

If you were to do it all again and knowing what you know now, which system would you go with?

For me, I don't have any ATM, as I am comparatively a newb vs. our seasoned veterans on the board. I'm interested know why they'd choose a specific system and why.

 

[jamato8]

For me it has been like mountain climbing, it is the journey, the exploring the discovery and then to realize there is another summit but enjoying where I am.

I wouldn't change anything. I have learned a great deal from the people here.

 

[yashicaman]

I thought you had said that "If you were to do it all over again, what would you be?" And I was going to say, "A trumpet." But then I re-read your title for this thread. And I was going to say, "A trumpet" anyway; however, I should now reply to your question honestly and sincerely.

I have enjoyed my musical journey. Yes, I wish that I had purchased a pair of PSB Gold Straus speakers. I wish that I had bought an Adcom stereo kit in white to match my AKG 701's. I wish that I had purchased a fine solid body electric guitar (i.e., Fender Stratocaster or Telecastor). But I have had a fine musical joiurney and it continues. I have no regrets. And I have a lot to look forward to (a pair of AKG 340's are winging their way to me as you read this).

Cheers!

 

[Duggeh]

I'd go right to the O2/717 combo, forgetting everything before that.

With regard to speakers, I'd also have tried for Magnepan MMG instead of the Quad 21L. In fact, I see myself doing that within 12 months if theres a viable UK option.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Not much different. I should have jumped on a few more pairs of K-1000s when they were cheap and in production. And I passed over a few Moth amps I should have bought.

Still not done, either. I need to give electrostats a try and some balanced gear, too.

And I'll never be done exploring new musical genres. There's so much music left to explore.

 

[jamato8]

If this were about speakers I would have changed that. I would have gone for some very high quality mini monitors and been happy. Lugging around headphones and some amps is far from speakers that weigh over 100 pounds each, which I have had in storage for 13 years.

 

[Spareribs]

No regrets brotha.


I started out with a portable PA2v2 amp and loved it and it was cheap. Later I bought the Hornet portable amp and enjoyed it too. I then bought a budget Little Dot tube amp for about $174 and also loved it. I also bought a nice solid state vintage Marantz reciever than loved it. Finally, I am finished with a nice Woo Audio Amp and I also love it. It's been a great journey and I am done with my headphone amp search. My journey has ended with an upgraded maxed out Woo amp and now I having fun with tube shopping! No regrets and it was a wonderful journey in the world of headphone amps.

If I were to buy another headphone amp, it may be just a small side amp like a Woo 3 or something similar for my vacation home (if I ever get one).

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Duggeh !!!

The Maggies are amazing speakers. PM me if you want some tips and info on the MMG's 1.2's 1.6QR's...etc..


I'm with Jamato......the continuing journey IS the adventure

Peete.

 

[catscratch]

If I didn't take the path that I did, I wouldn't have what I have now. And if I did, I probably wouldn't appreciate it as much.

You have to take a winding route to the top. Otherwise, if you go straight to the top, you don't appreciate what the top is.

So, I'd probably do just what I did, mistakes and all.

If I could pool all of my expenses into a single system, though, it would be some good source --> BHSE --> O2 Mk1. But, I'm not too far from that already.

 

[Wmcmanus]

If I had to do it all over again, I'm not sure that I'd want to be the Head Elf. Santa's job is not as easy as it looks. He's not just a front man for the entire elf network. Sure, he gets to be there for all of the joy, but he also has to deal with a lot of sorrow. Not every child gets the pony they asked for, and who do you think needs to answer to those sad eyes? Ya, try it sometime, buster! Not to mention those who crap their pants with excitement.

Oh, as far as the audio hobby is concerned, I just wish I hadn't outgrown my house! So many systems to set up, such little room.

 

[FallenAngel]

Wouldn't change much, just would have invested into a nicer source MUCH earlier.

 

[Duggeh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wouldn't change much, just would have invested into a nicer source MUCH earlier.

Ditto. I ignored source for 2 years. Stupid mistake.

Then again, during those 2 years, the chance to buy my current source wouldn't have come up often.

 

[Golden Monkey]

...I would never have worked with glitch39, and therefore would have remained blissfully ignorant and terminally under-fied.

He's full of it...he's no noob, he just doesn't post that much...

But ok, to answer the question...I think there's too may routes to explore. If I stay with dynamic phones, I'd still keep the HD650s, but would have a fully balanced setup from source onwards. My music format would have dictated I stick with a CDP, so that would have to be balanced, then not much more...a balanced amp, top quality ICs and that's about it. If I went electrostats, top of the line Stax. Not a whole lot to change at this point...I've reached equilibrium between my spending limit and amout of return on investment.

I'm with you guys though...the journey and trying new stuff is really the best part. What makes the hobby tedious though is wading through the limitless amount of bogus claims, bad science, disinformation, false marketing, and targeted snakeoil products.

 

[compuryan]

I would have bought a Woo Audio 6 instead of the Cayin HA-1A.

 

[PuffyElvis]

Would have purchased every pair of PS-1's I could get my hands on, that's probably an easy one. Also would have come to head-fi a lot sooner. I was stuck in the Headroom-only-land from '96 until I joined here.

I also would never have invested in a speaker system, I'm really picky about positioning myself in the sweet spot and that means not sitting in front of the computer, which is where I spend most of my time. With HPs I'm ALWAYS in the sweat spot, that's one of the things I like best about HPs.

Lastly, I'd rotate my equipment more- sell old stuff, try out new stuff, keep everything changing. That's one of the great opportunities that Head-Fi provides, a place to get into something new, sell something old and then finance something new again.