I got married last year- Feb. It was a love marriage. So, my wife knew me to be a nut for good music.
What she had not bargained for, was me being a nut for good gear as well. But I guess one lives and learns!
Just until a little before I got married I was into mostly mid-fi/vintage gear. Did my rounds of the Hand-me-down Sansuis and Technics, pre-owned NAD, etc, etc... The source would be the mass market DVD player and my trusty Technics SL 1300 turntable (yeah, its seen me through many parties, breakups, a divorce and two marriages!)
Then something started changing. I was just not satisfied with the teeny-tiny upgrades (in retrospect I wouldnt call them upgrades...)
Hence, one by one, every piece of equipment has seen several upgrades. Much to my wifes amusement, she still doesnt believe it that this is the final rig! (Give or take a phono-amp, cdp or a restored Thorens TT or two!)
Most of the journey has been quite well documented here. The last year has been quite enlightening in many, many aspects.
But, one lesson that I have learnt very well is: Never take a shortcut on the component!
Beg, borrow, steal, but get only that component that you can live with.
It took me a long time to come to a conclusion about which speakers to finally go for... But once I found them, it took me less than a trice to get them.
In some cases, I found a lot of friends helped me in choosing the right components. As many a time we cant audition the components being recommended. One can only trust your friends judgement.
Like in the case of my pre and power amps...
I had not heard both the items and there really was no way to either! But, with a giant leap of Faith in what my dear pal was saying I just went ahead and bought the Audio Research LS2B pre-amp.
But when it came to making a decision on getting rid of perfectly lovely Bryston 3 BSST power amp to bring in a KRELL FPB 200, I had to really work things in my head and heart.
Things like Its too expensive.
I havent even heard it.
What if its a gross mistake?
But, is it realistic to travel all the way to Vellur (from Mumbai) and lug a 45 kg amp what??? Its 55 kg when box packed???
But then, what the heck one says t himself. Lets do it!
When all is done, one sits back with a nice red wine music pulsating loud, sounds permeating your soul and the heart thanking the friends who guided me through this journey...
Special mention here goes to: Arup (A_E), Gaurav (Shaizada) and Dinyaar (Dinyaar!).
Now, as Chris Rea bottle necks his guitar and croons, I say its (upgrade) over!
And Mr. Rea sings: Fool if you think its over... Its just begun!
What she had not bargained for, was me being a nut for good gear as well. But I guess one lives and learns!
Just until a little before I got married I was into mostly mid-fi/vintage gear. Did my rounds of the Hand-me-down Sansuis and Technics, pre-owned NAD, etc, etc... The source would be the mass market DVD player and my trusty Technics SL 1300 turntable (yeah, its seen me through many parties, breakups, a divorce and two marriages!)
Then something started changing. I was just not satisfied with the teeny-tiny upgrades (in retrospect I wouldnt call them upgrades...)
Hence, one by one, every piece of equipment has seen several upgrades. Much to my wifes amusement, she still doesnt believe it that this is the final rig! (Give or take a phono-amp, cdp or a restored Thorens TT or two!)
Most of the journey has been quite well documented here. The last year has been quite enlightening in many, many aspects.
But, one lesson that I have learnt very well is: Never take a shortcut on the component!
Beg, borrow, steal, but get only that component that you can live with.
It took me a long time to come to a conclusion about which speakers to finally go for... But once I found them, it took me less than a trice to get them.
In some cases, I found a lot of friends helped me in choosing the right components. As many a time we cant audition the components being recommended. One can only trust your friends judgement.
Like in the case of my pre and power amps...
I had not heard both the items and there really was no way to either! But, with a giant leap of Faith in what my dear pal was saying I just went ahead and bought the Audio Research LS2B pre-amp.
But when it came to making a decision on getting rid of perfectly lovely Bryston 3 BSST power amp to bring in a KRELL FPB 200, I had to really work things in my head and heart.
Things like Its too expensive.
I havent even heard it.
What if its a gross mistake?
But, is it realistic to travel all the way to Vellur (from Mumbai) and lug a 45 kg amp what??? Its 55 kg when box packed???
But then, what the heck one says t himself. Lets do it!
When all is done, one sits back with a nice red wine music pulsating loud, sounds permeating your soul and the heart thanking the friends who guided me through this journey...
Special mention here goes to: Arup (A_E), Gaurav (Shaizada) and Dinyaar (Dinyaar!).
Now, as Chris Rea bottle necks his guitar and croons, I say its (upgrade) over!
And Mr. Rea sings: Fool if you think its over... Its just begun!
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Nice ! The way you described it, I like it. 
