I'm done

xcortes · 2288

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Offline xcortes

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on: April 13, 2014, 01:39:27 PM
Ten years ago I got into audiophiliA and diy audio at the same time. It's been an amazing journey through which I've made a lot of friends, discovered new music genres, learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Audiophilia, however, can become obsessive. In the quest for better sound I've spent more time than I care to admit and more money than I dare account. I'm done. No. I'm not done with music or the amazing home theater I've built. I will continue upgrading my systems. Have enough parts for a lifetime. But for the past few months I've lost the obsession. I now enjoy music and movies. I don't have to sit at the sweet spot!

Xavier Cortes


Offline johnsonad

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Reply #1 on: April 13, 2014, 02:24:36 PM
Congrats my friend! I've enjoyed following your journey and sharing in your experience.  I too am slimming down focusing on enjoying the music instead of chasing something that may not exist.  Please don't become a stranger around here!

Aaron Johnson


Offline xcortes

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Reply #2 on: April 13, 2014, 02:37:24 PM
This I posted 10 yrs ago on the BH forum:

"It's time for me to build what will be the system for my new home and hopefully the one I will have for many years 'cause after that I'm afraid I will have to devote time and funds to other purposes (A growing family!)
I've been doing research and thinking a lot about how it should be. I don't intend to deviate my efforts in the front end which currently is (and probably will continue to be):

Project Perspective TT with Shure V15x cartridge
Black Box SE phono stage with PSX power supply
Pioneer CD recorder (might add a DAC later on)
Denon CD player

The new system will consist in:

Foreplay Preamp (with Anticipation and Sweetest whispers)- $319
Marchand XM26 tube xover - already have this one
Paraglows (with TJ mesh tubes and cobalt tranny) - $1,948
Lowther Fidelio horns with EX4 drivers - $1,895
Revel B15 subwoofer - already own

We're talking north of $4k including materials and a nice DIY rack (Flexi table).

Please give me your comments and thoughts. I will deeply appreciate them!

Thanks"


Xavier Cortes


Offline Grainger49

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Reply #3 on: April 13, 2014, 02:39:14 PM
For me it is all about the music.  I have often described my audio obsession as a means to an end.

That is what counts.

Go for it Xavier!  Just enjoy the music.
« Last Edit: April 15, 2014, 02:19:24 AM by Grainger49 »



Offline Jim R.

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Reply #4 on: April 14, 2014, 03:53:51 AM
Xavier,

That original equipment list just makes me chuckle when i know what you have now :-).

I too am feeling like i have too much on my project plate and have got so far from the music that I really just want to thin the herd of excess gear and build one or two more pairs of amps, perhaps get the Bh dac, and then be content.

That may entail selling off most of my headphone gear, perhaps the sr-45, and who knows else. Then it's all back to the music for me though I truly enjoy the building as a sort-of zen practice, but I can also go out and do that in the woodshop..


Take care of yourself and your family and enjoy what it is that brings you happiness. I'ts been great hanging out with you these last several years -- you're one of the great ones here.

-- Jim

Jim Rebman -- recovering audiophile

Equitech balanced power; uRendu, USB processor -> Musette DAC -> 5670 tube buffer -> Finale Audio F138 FFX -> Cain and Cain Abbys near-field).

s.e.x. 2.1 under construction.  Want list: Stereomour II

All ICs homemade (speaker and power next)


Offline Natural Sound

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Reply #5 on: April 14, 2014, 05:52:37 AM
I guess I've been fortunate to be able to strike a balance. Its always been about the music for me. Sure I enjoy tweaking my gear but I've never been obsessive about it. Bottlehead products are so good that I was able to reach my destination rather quick. Now I just venture on to side trips occasionally to see if I've been missing anything.

I have a friend of mine that spends most of his free time collecting music. But he spends very little time listening. Whats the point?

Life is short my friends. Enjoy it while you can.   



Offline Clark B.

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Reply #6 on: April 14, 2014, 09:47:28 AM
Congrats, Xavier.  Putting together a good and enjoyable stereo system, even when some of the very best components are at ones disposal, is still no easy task for a variety of reasons.

The skills behind tuning components together, staying on top of tube quality and singling out factors that would contaminate impressions, and especially to monitor these factors in in order to maintain an even modestly scientific control over most variables while making changes, well it ends up being both a science and an art to cultivate and maintain good sound in the home. And often times there is some hard work involved.  But. The payback is huge.

Its sortof like once a particular level of satisfaction of ones own proficiency at these skills and they start to become automatic, that there is an opportunity for much more time being spent just listening to music, and the work it took to get there fades into memory. 

Cheers to this stage in your journey.  The music is what its all about.


Offline xcortes

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Reply #7 on: April 14, 2014, 11:42:18 AM
All, no I don't plan to stay away from this forum. I still have a lot of boring meetings ;()

Clark, you managed to squeeze a speaker set on one of my systems (which is probably the most listened to just by the time I spend at the office). One sub has not arrived so I went single sub for now. The craftsmanship is amazing. They seem to sound very complete (and reasonably complete without the sub) but can't comment on the sound much as these drivers are harsh for some time and then they soften a lot (had a pair in the recommended double bass reflex cabs before). Of course we can all pray together to get an es version that is a drop in at the orcas right?

« Last Edit: April 14, 2014, 12:51:47 PM by xcortes »

Xavier Cortes


Offline aragorn723

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Reply #8 on: April 14, 2014, 02:00:50 PM
The baby bottles made their way to your office!  ;D



Offline ironbut

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Reply #9 on: April 17, 2014, 08:21:17 AM
The baby bottles made their way to your office!  ;D

Funny, I was thinking "what a dedicated father!".
then I remembered who you work for

enjoy Xavier!

steve koto