How many of you keep it simple? At least fairly simple?

CD player (Naim CD5si) > integrated amp (Tandberg 3012a) > speakers (B&W Matrix 2, Series II)

 

Nice. I'd recommend a Bluesound Node 2i.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely check it out.

 

Until the Leema Stream CD player arrived a few months ago, my system was a pair of Quad actives and a Cambridge Audio 752BD universal player.

 

I have gone to separates so I’m probably not in the “simplicity” category as you defined it. I just want to weigh in and say for pure musical satisfaction my first serious stereo delivered far beyond what it cost in financial investment. I’d say it gave me more joy than any system I’ve owned besides my current set up.

It consisted of a Pioneer SA-9100 integrated amp, Thorens TD 160 Turntable with a Grado cartridge and a pair of AR-14 speakers. It was strung together with lamp cord from the hardware store and the basic interconnects that came with the system. That set up was totally involving and all I did was play albums one after another and bask in the music.

I guess I got greedy and wanted something more.

 

Currently listening to my bathroom system …….Apple I phone , donated by Granddaughter ,Google Audio Chrome $20 , Denon Mini System c 05, $50 [ great bargain from a thrift store , speakers pretty good but I picked up a pair of Yamaha's for $10 a few months ago [ don't make me get out of the bath to look at the model number!] Total cost $80 plus Tidal subscriptions.
Yes , I am a tight …….. old beggar and am rightly proud of it !

 

The "bathroom system"-- I love it! Remember whatshername in Holmby Hills with the gift wrapping room?

 

Glad you quoted my post …. What is Holmby Hills ! and don't you all have a bathroom system !

 

It's sorta fancy Beverly Hills-Bel Air- Holmby Hills. Think of the Beverly Hillbillies and you got it. Anyway, it was Aaron Spelling's daughter- remember him?- big producer- she had a gift wrapping room.

 

LM211ia, LM215CD, RP6, FonoMM, Cornwalls. That simple.

 

CD Player, Integrated, Speakers

 

Still simple but upgraded:
Cambridge Audio Topaz SR20 stereo receiver
Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary Speakers
Bluesound Node 2i
Sonos Connect

 

My recently created bedroom system is simple compared to the main one

Bluesound Node 2i
Pioneer Elite universal player
Proceed AVP2/AMP5
Totem speakers

 

Let's go back a couple more years....

 

90's Denon 50w receiver, Denon direct-drive table, w/ DL-110 cart, Hagerman Bugle pre-amp. 30 year old Klipsch Heresy speakers, nice stack of records = ROCK AND ROLL!!

 

Simple in basics but I've made it complicated. I use only Red book CD.

So, CD Transport, DAC, Power Amp, Speakers. No pre-amp, the DAC has a volume control.

I've made it complicated by adding a power regenerator and fancy cables from which all the gear gets it's electricity; room treatment and a digital equaliser (sitting between the transport and DAC) for correcting the room; a sophisticated rack with isolation shelves and feet for all the gear.

In terms of finance, three fifths on the basics, two fifths on what some might call tweaks.

 

Next to my audiophile system I have a vintage AM-FM tube radio.
My son has Bose 201 series III wood cabinet (not plastic cabinet) speakers with an Axiom tweeter upgrade, a 10" Dayton sub and a SMQL Q5 40 watts per channel Class D amp with sub out a built-in USB 192 kHz/24 bit DAC input for digital downloaded music. Simple, sounds good.

 

I like to keep things simple as well. I've had enough of all the wires, humming and radio frequency interference that go with more complex systems. I will never buy another amp without a decent built in phono stage.

My main system consists of a Rega Planar 6, Oppo 105 for digital formats, a Rega Elicit with a built in phono stage and 2 Gemme Audio speakers.

 

I'm gonna start a glossy coffee table magazine called Balls Deep Audiophile.

 

I don’t see how that could fail.

 

Worked out ok for Schiit

 

Of course, simplicity is my mantra.

 

Marantz 2225 receiver
Technics SL-1200 mk2 turntable with Shure M97xE cartridge
Bose Acoustimass 3 speakers (circa 199o)

My CDs get played in the car.

 

Most of my music listening is done in my Jeep GC to and from work. I paid extra to get the best factory system available. It is a decent sounding system.

At home, half the time I listen to music on 2 bluetooth portable speakers linked in stereo or on a Bose SoundDock 10 while doing chores and the other half playing vinyl over my 9.2 HT system from the family room while cooking so not in the same room as my system.

The system is basic, at least compared to others here, just a HT receiver, turntable, vintage Stanton/ Pickering cartridges and (hated here) Bose speakers.

No MC cartridge, tube amp, esoteric speakers, expensive cables or wall sockets.

I will admit that if I had the discretionary income I would try tube gear and fancier speakers but this works for me for now. At least until my daughter's grow up and are self sufficient.