I am going with “Dude who plays music”.
Mine is always what I want balanced against what I can afford against what I’m allowed.
‘True’ = ‘level of dedication’ as used in my earlier reply.
Mine is only balanced by what I can afford.
Lucky you
Hmm, contest of the supremes.
Perhaps you are right. I do like music, good sound quality, features, style and most of all beautiful living space for the family.
Not saying this can not be achieved with separates, but I just don’t have the space for it.
Well that looks more than familiar, as a Luxman L-509X powers the stereo system at my wife’s office/condo. It is a splendid integrated, with a fine MM/MC phono stage. As I like to say a single box wonder. With the Luxman digital is not provided for and is handled separately. I do like the retro look provided by the meters, knobs, and case work.
True audiophile, no use for them. For me it is about the music foremost and enjoyment thereof. The equipment is no more than a means to an end. Speaking of integrated amplifiers they have their place in my listening environment as in terms of space utilization they are economical. Having more than one stereo system I can justify two pared down integrated amplifier oriented systems, one with a Hegel integrated, the second with Luxman. I also have a tube based ultralinear amp with a tube preamp system, an SET amp with a solid state preamp, and two Pass based solid state amp with solid state Pass and Coda preamp systems. I should add none of my amplifiers or preamplifiers are PS Audio.
For me, enjoyment of the music is a function of the quality of the sound being reproduced as well as some other functions not necessarily related to sound quality, such as the genre of music, my preferences as to the performers and their performances, etc.
Well said, and I concur, wish I had thought to include it. Yes my mood, the piece, genre, and overall performance are paramount. I just want the equipment to get out of the way. In that regard, at times, I may prefer a slightly less resolving system sound, preferring a relaxed presentation that draws me in to the performance.
i think, perhaps, all things being equal (but are they, ever?), if you were to compare an integrated, a stereo amp separate, and monoblock separates, the “more separated” will generally allow for greater fidelity. Separate power supplies, larger transformers, etc…
And the more “audiophile” one considers oneself, perhaps the greater tolerance for an abundance of gear and the more that person is willing to spend on that gear.
But it’s a matter of degrees and compromises. I’m sure many of us could sell our SUV’s and buy a crappy used truck, and put that money towards an insane system. It might sound “better,” but not everyone, even if we consider ourselves “true audiophiles” have the interest or desire (or support from our partners) to fill our living rooms with gear.
Aesthetic is critically important, even if I value sound quality.
I suppose a true audiophile, if sound quality is paramount, should start out by acoustically treating their rooms. But do they?
Just gets back to what I previously stated: ‘level of dedication’.
that’s the stuff, can’t wait to see what you buy with the extra scratch
Yes sir, you are the true audiophile. I am happy to leave it like that.
Transportation: get’s you to where you need/want to go, doesn’t matter about the peripheral stuff like looks and luxury if all you want to do is get from point A to point B.
But newer vehicles have better stereo systems
True enough, but I would never want the distraction which would be afforded by listening to my audiophile system while driving down the road: too immersive in the sound to be able to drive. Just background music is fine for me.
Even pickup trucks with some “life” on them aren’t cheap right now.