I had a really great listening session last night and couldn't help but think about how far I have come in just a few years.

I started thinking about how this system was built and who all from this forum were primary contributors.  Not every suggestion I implemented came from this forum alone, but I really think I owe my overall “sound” to this group.  Here is as complete a list as I could assemble (“p” indicates I bought this from a member):

Room Treatments:  QRD7s, QRD13s, QRD23, etc. - Lonely Raven

REW/Measurement Mic – Lonely Raven

OB Speakers/Auggies – Randy, Maddog, Donnie, Lin, & Lonely Raven
(baffle building buddy)

Audirvana Software Settings – Will

Digital Coax – Stone of Tone (p)

Regen USB hub – Lonely Raven

807 Output tubes – Lonely Raven (p)

Input Tubes – Stone of Tone

PS Audio Power Cords – Lon

PS Audio P5 Power Regenerator/Settings – Lonely Raven / Lon (p) / Will

Rachael Amp – Everyone who spent time with me my first Decfest I attended (and some guy named “Steve”)

Torii Amp – Lon / Maddog / Will

Music – Lonely Raven/ Lon / Contributors to the “What’s Spinning” thread

So thanks everyone.  I would not have anything close to this sound without your advice, help, gear, and patience.  And to anyone out there reading this forum, the tips here are well thought out and tested by people who care about music and know good sound.

This forum has been a major factor in the amazing music/dvd system we have in our living room. I check it daily, post a few times a week and refer back to threads all the time. Thank you forum and Steve for all the hard work keeping this going. Happy listening, Chris.

I started out just wanting something that sounded good and looked cool.
With the help of all of you fellow weirdos it has went so much further. For the life of me I hadn't ever heard of open baffle speakers, expensive DACs, or even much about tube amps.
Now 5 years later they are all a daily experience  for me.
Thanks one and all.

I'm greatful for finding Decware and this forum.  Steve, Randy and many others in this forum have been really helpful to me in putting together a system that was reasonable and that sounds amazing.

Hi guys,  thought I'd poke my head in and say hi.  I still lurk and read a lot, but don't add much.  I'm done changing my system.  blissfully content with my ZMA+DM947, Torii3+HDT, and SE84CKC+Trapeziums.  I've learned so much from this forum, that anytime I talk audio with friends, I blow their minds and they end up with that blank stare from too much info.     Someday, I will start building diffusers and keep brainstorming a way to do this cheaply and with low weight, but that's for later.  I'll keep seeing what you guys do in the mean time.

I like to think I partially influenced you into Augies and OB, Pal!  :-). Or maybe I just taught you what not to do lol

Yes, alive and plotting new moves in a new room.  I'm gathering courage (and spousal approval).  I will also be using the forum as a resource.

I miss ProgRob.  :/  

We need more CDAPS members.

Most of what I've learned, I get from Steve and Bob.

When I wanted my first tube amp and went to listen to Steve's setup at his old house, I learned what 1watt could do, what diffusers could do, that high quality audio doesn't have to have high end pricing, and that DIY can do as well if not better than store bought high end gear.

Then in spending time with him, I learned to *trust myself*. Trust my ears, trust my gut, trust my first impressions, trust my subconscious body language . This was huge for me. I doubted that I could really hear like those "golden ear builders and reviewers", and in fact I found that *really* hearing is just trusting yourself (and double checking with another impartial listener LOL).

Palomino has been a big part of my growth in the past few years as well. I feel we trust each other's thoughts, theories, opinions, and work. When we met ProggRob, he was developing his system in a vacuum; he didn't have the trusted feedback that's helped Tom and I develop our systems, improve our listening skills, and grow our music collections (LOL).  I was so impressed with what Rob had done on his own, and after some thoughts from myself and Tom, his work on his system took it to a whole nother level.

From Bob I've learned precision, the beautify of simplicity in builds, and it's good to chase those "what if I tried...."  I can't say how much all of that has made me slow down, enjoy my work, an accept my mistakes as something to learn from.

Then there's all you bastards here in the forum that make me spend money on cool tubes, cables, and feets and stuffs.     Seriously though, we have some of the smartest guys (not in the business - regular joe listeners) poking their heads here in this forum, and I love that we don't get into bickering and drama like so many other forums. I think it's wonderful that we have such diverse opinions and at the end of the day it's "cool - you enjoy your thing and I'll enjoy mine".

Overall, I have to say that Steve, with all his talent and mad scientist skills couldn't have developed as far as he has without listeners, as we listeners couldn't have developed as audiophiles and music lovers as much as we have without sharing with each other.

Yeah, I think we need more get-togethers....

So well put LR (and all other's).

I enjoy reading people "getting Decware" and you can do it affordably, providing you some great sound. I also have learned a lot too and can refer back to posts of others on diverse stuff.

My big Polk's and that whole fiasco I have downstairs is fun and serves its purpose. However, it is not my ZMA and gear.

I have said it before: I got lucky and the timing was right when I got my ZMA in Jan/2014 and the rest of my stuff by late 2015. I could still live with my original signature below/gear. You don't need to spend a lot......as you mentioned.