I currently have Zu Omen Def MK 1b with nano drivers (I will not upgrade nor pay $5000 for their new MK2 with Radian 850 tweeter), Decware MK3 (awesome), Decware CSP2+ (love it)  Music Hall MMF5.1, Squeezebox Classic and Channel Island Audio DAC.  I am interested in buying a Schitt Gungnir DAC and Auralic Aries or getting the Sony Hi Rez Player.  I have to admit I am happy that I am not attending the Audio Shows or have any high-end audio dealers in Virginia Beach VA.  If I did, I probably would have bought something from them that is inferior to my set up, but paid double or triple.  But wait, my system IS just average because I bought it without listening to it.  Yep!  

Dagogo has an article out called, “Are you a beginner audiophile?”  http://dagogo.com/are-you-a-beginner-audiophile   It is a good read, but I don’t agree with everything or most everything.  The article points out, “But if you’re just getting started, the only way that you can possibly make the choices you need to make in order to put together a system that meets your tastes and expectations, as well as pieces that will actually work well together, is with the help of a knowledgeable audiophile and/or a very friendly and knowledgeable neighborhood audio dealer.”  Well I do not have an Audio Society in Hampton Roads VA nor do I have high-end audio stores here either.  I took a chance on Zu and Decware and the marriage is great.  Can I compare or have I compared to anything else…NO.  Is there better…YES.  At what cost.  Amplifier at $35k and speakers at $20k plus the other stuff???  

I don’t know if my system is good or great compared to others.  How can I tell if I have not heard other arrangements?  I have to believe and trust the companies I buy from, the reviews I read and the forums.  I really have no other choice.  There is no way on earth I can hear combinations, let’s just say, 20 amps paired with 20 pairs of speakers and then decide.  Sometimes you just have to take a chance.  But Dagogo or other high-end publications probably wouldn’t agree with me.  

Well I am very happy with my set up, though, I will make tweaks here and there, but not at the $$$ that some may recommend.  

Just my 2₵

You've described the dilemma many of us are in, and the importance of finding excellent, consistent, faith-inspiring designers/manufacturers such as Decware (and in my case also PS Audio, Herbie's Audio Lab, Cryoset and VooDoo Cable). Though in some ways these individuals are enablers that turn our hobbies into obsessions---that's hardly their fault!

Or is it. . . hmmm.  :)

I would add, I was also part of the MN Audio Society and listened to some of the best megabuck Systems from Audio Research, Magnepan and Bel Canto to name a few. I would own these Systems if they could match my Listening Room above....they can't.

I still have a sweet spot for Herron Audio's Preamplifier though and still might end up owning it to accompany my ZMA.
http://www.herronaudio.com/vtsp3specs.html


 However, Steve will match it with the new Pre coming.....because I know how good the CSP3 w/Jupiter Caps is...and I own.

RJR - your post brings back so many memories for me.  My situation held many parallels, albeit I had access to dealers (but didn't/don't like them).  I have much to offer and yet so much to ask.  I'll devise a post tomorrow that delves more thoroughly into our shared experience and my path through; perhaps it can help.

BTW, my mom and sister live in Norfolk, nice area.

Well, I've been meaning to get back to my promised post for a while but kept forgetting, sorry RJR.  I'm sure you were waiting with bated breath at what I'm about too say...

When I first read your post I missed your sarcasm; it was late and I processed that you thought it was, indeed, average.  Now that I see that isn't the case it changes my response slightly, but only to admit that when I first started building my system based on online reviews, I felt it was average!  If you haven't felt that way, bravo!

My experience was, sadly, a revolving door of boxes and cables to finally attain that synergy.  And, due to a character flaw (or whatever), even when I had attained something special it took confirmation from two regulars here to push me into the "satisfied" part of the audiophile spectrum.  Maybe I'm just hard to please?  I know how hard it is to put a system together without having heard a thing prior to purchase, but even still, I'm not convinced that even if you had heard something at a dealer that it will translate in your room, with your equipment, your power quality, etc.  I think it was in Jim Smith's book "Get Better Sound" where he described an individual that heard Jim's system in Jim's home, and was so enthralled that this person set about purchasing the exact system for himself.  When he got it home, it sounded nothing like what he had previously heard.  When I first read that several years ago I didn't understand.  Now?  Yeah that sounds right.

I was writing to my uncle not long ago, and told him that he was primarily responsible for my hobby, then proceeded to explain, at his request, every link in the chain, where I got it, why I picked it, yada, yada, yada... he responded "wow, how on earth did you ever put a system like that together on your own?!?".  He grew up with an audio dealer, prior to all these forums and direct-to-consumer companies and was completely flabbergasted how I could pull this off, and he hasn't even heard it!  Bottom line, I'm sure he and Ray Seda (author of your article link above) have something in common: the paradigm has shifted and many don't understand how it can be done.  Well, it can!