Favourite Audio Equipment that elevated your audio experience

[Solo man]

Just wanted to hear some input on what is your favourite piece of equipment that made your experience more enjoyable. I thought it be great to spark some interest in conversation and to hear some great stories. The ultimate goal here is the music and movies that can make the experience more enjoyable.

For me, it was my tube preamp and it's definitely my favourite piece. I went into my local AV store and was talking about music when the person I dealt with started to talk about Preamps. At first, I thought it was snake oil but then I started to listen to different preamps with the same amp and speakers. I decided to try some different tube preamps and liked what I heard.

I listen to CD's, high res files on MacBook pro and SACD. IMO, the tube pre took the harshness way from the digital sound and the sound was more natural with some clear air.

[crackinhedz]

For me it is the subwoofer.

Something about bass just reals me in. Not hurt your ears bass, but smooth effortless bass. Which has in turn led me down the path to find acoustical bliss with overall sound quality, not just bass (car audio mainly).

Pretty dam expensive habit though.

[Johnny Vinyl]

The elevation in time of better turntables and cartridges. I'm ready for the next leap now!

[Solo man]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

For me it is the subwoofer.

Something about bass just reals me in. Not hurt your ears bass, but smooth effortless bass. Which has in turn led me down the path to find acoustical bliss with overall sound quality, not just bass (car audio mainly).

Pretty dam expensive habit though.

Yeah I agree that a subwoofer adds to the HT experience and also agree that a nice smooth sound is preferred by me over, one that just takes over the sound.

I was gonna guess your brand new receiver but I was wrong.

[Solo man]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

The elevation in time of better turntables and cartridges. I'm ready for the next leap now!

I could of guessed yours no offence just by your forum name. IMO, I feel your 2 channel setup is already out of this world including your turntable and vinyl collection. But that is funny about being an audiophile or audiophoole like me who always wonders if there is something better out there. Hence why I am contemplating a SACD player.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Solo man

I was gonna guess your brand new receiver but I was wrong.

Nah. It just has two HDMI outs that I need and got a great deal on it. Have not heard it yet...gotta figure a way to sneak into my setup without notice.

Always been wanting to try out Denon though...my biggest gripe back in the days I would collect user manuals, is that Denon's always seemed the most complicated. I hope they have progressed!

[Solo man]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Nah. It just has two HDMI outs that I need and got a great deal on it. Have not heard it yet...gotta figure a way to sneak into my setup without notice.

Always been wanting to try out Denon though...my biggest gripe back in the days I would collect user manuals, is that Denon's always seemed the most complicated. I hope they have progressed!

Lol, I had a nice laugh with the sneaking part but find my half always finds out sooner or later.

Yeah, my Marantz receiver which is the same company was a lot easier to set up than my Denon 2808. I know exactly what your talking about because when I setup my 2808, it took me some time and reading through the manual. The newer ones are user friendly and was such a breeze to set up. I still read the manual front to back though because that's me.

[rpatt]

My Marantz AV8801 took my system to a new level that still amazes me. The combination of high quality components and Audyssey XT32 blends the channels into a seamless sphere of sound.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Solo man

Lol, I had a nice laugh with the sneaking part but find my half always finds out sooner or later.

Yeah, my wife uses the Pioneer iPhone adapter to listen to her music while cleaning...she will notice when her phone has no cable to connect to anymore.

...that's when I'll spring the Airplay app on her.

[Solo man]

Originally Posted by rpatt

My Marantz AV8801 took my system to a new level that still amazes me. The combination of high quality components and Audyssey XT32 blends the channels into a seamless sphere of sound.

Everytime you say this, I am always entices to looking at a new receiver with XT32 or a new pre pro. But nice, I am glad to hear you are enjoying your elevated experience with that pre pro.

@crackinhedz, very funny, lol, yeah I could just see that happening.

[Badas]

Originally Posted by Solo man

Just wanted to hear some input on what is your favourite piece of equipment that made your experience more enjoyable. I thought it be great to spark some interest in conversation and to hear some great stories. The ultimate goal here is the music and movies that can make the experience more enjoyable.

For me, it was my tube preamp and it's definitely my favourite piece. I went into my local AV store and was talking about music when the person I dealt with started to talk about Preamps. At first, I thought it was snake oil but then I started to listen to different preamps with the same amp and speakers. I decided to try some different tube preamps and liked what I heard.

I listen to CD's, high res files on MacBook pro and SACD. IMO, the tube pre took the harshness way from the digital sound and the sound was more natural with some clear air.

I agree. For me it is also a tube amp. Mine is designed for headphones and my Audeze LCD-3 headphones would be a very close second. However the tube amps has a pre-amp that I got added as a option. So I can get the tube sound in my speakers also.

[Canada]

Do speakers count as audio equipment? I upgraded from a Sony home theater in a box, to B&W 683 speakers, holy crap it was like hearing my favorite movie for the first time.

[Solo man]

Originally Posted by Badas

I agree. For me it is also a tube amp. Mine is designed for headphones and my Audeze LCD-3 headphones would be a very close second. However the tube amps has a pre-amp that I got added as a option. So I can get the tube sound in my speakers also.

Nice, do you mind telling me what tubes you have in that work of art. I always love to see when a piece of equipment is built with quality and precision.

I would of thought you were gonna say your Marantz setup with Atmos as a new feature. Have tried it on transformers yet?

Did you update your gallery because I thought you were the member with black and white screen shots but I could be wrong?

[Solo man]

Originally Posted by Canada

Do speakers count as audio equipment? I upgraded from a Sony home theater in a box, to B&W 683 speakers, holy crap it was like hearing my favorite movie for the first time.

Of course speakers count and they are nice speakers at that. They must sound nice for music as well.

[Badas]

Originally Posted by Solo man

Nice, do you mind telling me what tubes you have in that work of art. I always love to see when a piece of equipment is built with quality and precision.

I would of thought you were gonna say your Marantz setup with Atmos as a new feature. Have tried it on transformers yet?

Did you update your gallery because I thought you were the member with black and white screen shots but I could be wrong?

These are the tubes I'm using at the moment.

Rectifier: Year: 1954. Mullard (British made) GZ32
Power Tubes: Year: 1962. Tung-Sol 7236
Driver Tubes: Year: Unknown 70's. Sylvania 6SN7. Soon to be changed with 1950's RCA Smoked glass 6SN7's.

Verdict is not out on Atmos. It is setup and ready to test. Transformers is on the way to me.

Yes the screenshots were me. I use to have a lot posted. I need to get back to doing that.

[Solo man]

Originally Posted by Badas

These are the tubes I'm using at the moment.

Rectifier: Year: 1954. Mullard (British made) GZ32
Power Tubes: Year: 1962. Tung-Sol 7236
Driver Tubes: Year: Unknown 70's. Sylvania 6SN7. Soon to be changed with 1950's RCA Smoked glass 6SN7's.

Verdict is not out on Atmos. It is setup and ready to test. Transformers is on the way to me.

Yes the screenshots were me. I use to have a lot posted. I need to get back to doing that.

Thanks for that and watched transformers yesterday and thought the sound was incredible. I can only imagine how nice it would sound on your equipment because I don't have Atmos.

[prerich]

I'd say...my PC. I use Jriver for room correction along with a host of other VST's for experimentation (crosstalk cancellation, ambient environment simulations, etc). Experimenting with op-amps, digital crossovers, practicing some of the science I learned as a cryptologist....I didn't do that as much as when I just had gear. If something new came out, I just bought a new piece or envied someone because I couldn't afford it. With the PC, it seems that every upgrade is in reach, hey - the PC even made me practice my soldering skills! So i'd have to say the computer and its associated software and hardware.

[hendersd]

Recently got a pair of the Sennheiser HD600s. I'd been using Beyerdynamic (DT990 and DT1350) for awhile. I still like the Beyers, but the HD600s are becoming my go-to headphones. I'm still getting used to the relatively aggressive mids though. I run them through a decent Pioneer receiver via a PS3. I also listen to music via Macbook Pro / Airplay / Apple TV / receiver. I'd like to eventually get a dedicated amp for the 'phones...

[Scarriere]

Originally Posted by Canada

Do speakers count as audio equipment? I upgraded from a Sony home theater in a box, to B&W 683 speakers, holy crap it was like hearing my favorite movie for the first time.

Me too! I had a Sony HTiB as well and the upgrade to a Yamaha receiver and Paradigm speakers was almost a religious experience!

[ImPulSive]

Since the OP is asking about audio only, I'd have to say upgrading my receiver and speakers (done all at the same time, so hard to say which had the biggest impact). Went from Sony receiver with Infinity speakers to Denon 5308 and Def Tech 7.2 setup. That was dramatic, especially the extra bass.

But the biggest OMG upgrade for me was not audio but video, an Epson 8700UB PJ and a 126 inch screen. That made me want to re-watch every movie I had ever seen on my TV, and my TV is no slouch, a Pioneer Kuro Elite Pro-111FD 50 inch plasma.