13 years of hifi hunting and 1 house later

by chriswilson on

Description

Since I first purchased new-old-stock B&W's in 2009 (then 22 years old), I have been hooked on hifi and have become an obsessive 2nd hand hunter. Over the years I have built a total giant slayer, and now have three systems throughout the house with four total zones. 

My wife has been bitten by the bug and enjoys hunting gear with me, and has built a system of her own with some components of mine, and some of hers. In 2020 we bought our first house (right before prices took off). We are on 1.4 acres and have much room for privacy and volume. Not to worry though, turns out my neighbor is a total audiophile as well and has a basement 5.1 with Infinity Kappa speakers, a ProJect 'table, and a *very large* SVS sub. The neighborhood has never sounded better!!

Main rig
* listed here *

Wife's hifi 
Wharfedale EM97
Fisher PL-6 panel speakers
Denon 1910
ProJect Debut III w/speedbox
Ortofon 2M Blue
Salamander Design Synergy

Bedroom
B&W DM 602.5
Sony DA7ES
Salamander Designs Archtype
* all the childhood/retro video games hooked up and ready to go *

Backyard
Klipsch AW-650 tied to main system listed here
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Jamo Concert 11
    The single greatest score I've ever gotten and most likely ever will. Found these at an online local sale. There was other hi end gear there that was priced well but over my head. These were however priced *way below* their market value... Im guessing they looked at other models when researching!  I knew Jamo the brand, but didn't know about the Concert series until I saw these. I recognized the Seas drivers and immediately knew they were something special. 

    I am nearly two years into owning them and am still head over heals in all regards. I really cannot imagine replacing them at this point. They really seem to be the perfect size for my room and sound oh so great. Nearly full range (rated to 30hz), and are so open and effortless sounding. The best comparison I can think of is melted butter; warm and rich, but still clear fluid.
    • Martin Logan Dynamo
    Sealed 10" design that really sounds great. These cant be cranked and rattle badly when strained...  but considering the Jamo's bass levels, my room, and volume tastes it never get to that level. Great bottom end weight and fills out basslines well. Lives on a Auralex Subdude which allowed me to use it as a renter for years!
    • Denon POA-5000
    An absolute multichannel monster in Champaign gold. Front channels are rated at 160W into 6 ohms, but is also rated for 6 ohm mono, implying the amp is well suited down to 3 ohms in stereo. Copper chassis, 50+ pounds, and absolute top notch build quality outside and in!

    Front channels power the Concert 11s and rear channels go to a pair of outdoor Klipsch's for the backyard. The backyard is fed a fixed signal, there is an inline volume switch in the garage. This allows the music to continue on into the backyard when entertaining, but not be effected by volume changes inside at the stereo.
    • PS Audio Digital Link 3
    At this point this is the longest last piece in the system, I bought this off of Audiogon in October 2010 and have somewhat built around it. These seemed to be in many great systems over the years and a proven hifi winner. Neat, simple, solid.

    Every upgrade there after has shown through and I have never had a single hiccup out of it operationally. I'm a sucker for the fat aluminum faceplate and just run the optical from the TV. All the gaming/streaming sources are ran into the TV.
    • Rotel RC-1550
    The latest addition, found this in like new condition on Audiogon. This replaced a later-era Marantz stereo receiver that was doing preamp duty for years.

    The 1550 is the last version of Rotel's analog preamp that they have been making forever it seems. A total proven winner at this point, if not the most exciting piece. But I suppose simple and discrete is what you want from a preamp...
    • Sony S7700
    ES-era DVD player with the super cool drop-down faceplate. Used for occasional CD use and comparing recordings/sources.

    Five buck Goodwill score with box and all goodies. This era of Sony is getting cheaper and cheaper and are such great machines. Im always on the hunt for an ES SACD deal local.

Comments 10

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Beautiful gear, done well and with a great story. It really does my heart good to see someone love the building as much as the listening and sharing it with your wife must be fabulous. Jam one for me.

jmalen123

re: Interpunk -- For sure.  In the early 200s I was in college in NH at the time.  If Newbury Comics didn't have the punk or hardcore record I was looking for then Interpunk always came through.

stereosanctity

I also have a s7700 that I bought 20 years ago. The drop-down faceplate for loading CDs is super cool . Don't listen to CDs very often but I do like the CD player.

I especially Love the figurine sitting ever so comfortably on a really nice looking cabinet

jumia

Nice budget systems.

infection

Can I ask where you like to hunt for equipment? I am always switching up and only buy used audio.

smithtj05

Owner
Thanks for the kind words everyone! I've seen a few of your systems posted as well. Specifically mjcmt, I've loved seeing your gear evolve over the years. Your Seas speakers (among others) helped me identify my Jamo's as something really special.

bomd - LOVE interpunk! I remember the early 2000s that was *the* site for punk albums and swag. Have gotten many a thing from them, glad to see some love here on audiogon

It has been a fun hobby, both building the hifi and hunting new gear. It's a bit of a catch 22; it's sad to see more and more hifi stores fade away, but with 90s/2000s gear being so out of vogue in the eye of the general public, it makes prices and opportunities better than ever. But I digress...  time for more music!

chriswilson

Nice simple looking system….enjoy!!!

linnie01

You and I may be the only Interpunk shopper here on Audiogon.  Haha!
Jokes aside love your collection of gear and different systems

stereosanctity

Nice collection of 'bargain hunting' stereo selection. I know the Concert 8 and 11 well since they were conceived w/ Seas Excel drivers. Every so many years Jamo continues the tradition of making audiophile speakers...like the Oriel w/ Dynaudio drivers and the R909 and R907 open baffle speakers.

mjcmt

Nice systems! And your "modest" digs are lovely also very cool that your wife has her own system and is stealing your gear!

jond

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