Random musing and gratitude on a Saturday evening in the PNW-
With the addition of a well-matched preamp to my two-channel system and a plan to buy “one last headphone” in a few months, the ZMF Caldera Closed, and pair it with a lovely Norne Audio cable, I cannot wish for more gear. What I have gives me so much joy.
Yes, I realize it’s a foolish statement. I’ve made a similar comment before.
But looking at what I’m fortunate enough to have in my cabinet and use for hours each week- I never listen to music anymore and think “it just needs a little more [insert inane audiophile term here]”.
I simply choose a pair of headphones, turn on the amp I feel like listening to (or have time to spend with- gotta let those power tubes warm up and quiet down!), and pick the album I want to enjoy.
End of story. And as much as I’ve learned from you all, as much fun as the journey is, it’s a great place to be.
That does mean my posts will likely start sounding like broken records about the virtues of OTL tube amps coupled with R2R ladder DACs and ZMF headphones. And, of course, Norne Audio cables and the magic Trevor Goldman conjures up in his workshop (like Zach and Co do at ZMF, too).
But hey, that gives me more time (and budget) to spend on a steady flow of new albums, artist discoveries, and genres explorations. I’m really, really OK with that.
So- any new and interesting artists with decent- or better recording quality in the genres of rock, pop, folk, funk, jazz, or electronica that any of you all would like to share?
With the addition of a well-matched preamp to my two-channel system and a plan to buy “one last headphone” in a few months, the ZMF Caldera Closed, and pair it with a lovely Norne Audio cable, I cannot wish for more gear. What I have gives me so much joy.
Yes, I realize it’s a foolish statement. I’ve made a similar comment before.
But looking at what I’m fortunate enough to have in my cabinet and use for hours each week- I never listen to music anymore and think “it just needs a little more [insert inane audiophile term here]”.
I simply choose a pair of headphones, turn on the amp I feel like listening to (or have time to spend with- gotta let those power tubes warm up and quiet down!), and pick the album I want to enjoy.
End of story. And as much as I’ve learned from you all, as much fun as the journey is, it’s a great place to be.
That does mean my posts will likely start sounding like broken records about the virtues of OTL tube amps coupled with R2R ladder DACs and ZMF headphones. And, of course, Norne Audio cables and the magic Trevor Goldman conjures up in his workshop (like Zach and Co do at ZMF, too).
But hey, that gives me more time (and budget) to spend on a steady flow of new albums, artist discoveries, and genres explorations. I’m really, really OK with that.
So- any new and interesting artists with decent- or better recording quality in the genres of rock, pop, folk, funk, jazz, or electronica that any of you all would like to share?
Your feedback seems very consistent with what I've been hearing!! I'll have to walk into a local dealer one day and have a real listen.
