None of "this my stuff sounds as good or better than what I heard." This place blew my socks off!
My friend and I only spent about 45 minutes there. The hardware was all BAT (Balanced Audio Tech?) from the phono stage to the amp. Oh, I didn't get the brand of the pre. The source was a modified VPI TT with what looked like a thicker platter and linear arm. Cables were Synergistic Research, the speakers were bookshelf Totems.
We sat in a room that was configured for both two channel and rear projection theatre.
The BAT amp put out 75wpc and the Totems were 83db effecient. Not what I expected. The guy powered everything up and I sat in awe.
The Totems were about ten feet apart. The soundstage was unreal! The sound? Airy. Solid. Tight.
SK's system sounds about the same except the shop's sound was louder. I asked him about SPL and he admitted it was over 90db.
My friend looked at me and said "we should be paying him to listen to this."
I guess I should explain: There is a certain air that I cannot explain. Like a white noise that is there but not there. Both my systems sound compressed compared to what I heard.
I figure I was listening to about $25,000 worth of equipment. Did it sound better than SK's rig? Yes. I think SK has about one third of that in his system and it sounds as good. Point of diminishing returns?:rolleyes:
I gotta say though: there is a sound I am after. Haven't quite found it yet. I know it is all about synergy in your system. I just hope it doesn't make me broke;)