THE Dream System

[MusicMan77]

Howdy y'all. So, let's hear it. List your no-limits system. 2ch. Full home theater. Distributed audio. Desk/work. Mobile. What is your absolute dream system for any and every application. We all love this stuff and I KNOW we've all thought about it. Let's hear it for audio, video, etc etc etc. Let's hear it.......cost doesn't matter......what is your best-of-the-best system?

 

[JeffS7444]

Pursuit of The Best of Everything seemed like a big deal to me in my 20s and 30s. But now, I'm more interested in putting $$ where it actually makes my life a bit better.

Computer and 2-channel speaker system: Perhaps Genelec, Neumann, JBL pro or Linkwitz LX521 DIY.

Computer monitor: 10-bit, color-calibrated. HDR?

Room correction, if not incorporated into the speaker system: Dirac Live or Audyssey XT32 ought to do nicely.

DAC: Dunno, depends on features, connectivity, etc. Ideally it'd also handle headphone EQ, crossfeed, source selection and what-not.

Cinema: Already got my 4K/HDR/Atmos. Denon receiver with XT32 would be nice, or maybe I could try a "Dirac-ready" JBL. Passive speakers and receiver here because I'm lazy, don't want power and signal cables everywhere, even if it's tucked neatly away. Not going to go too crazy on Atmos height channels, as actual value seems minimal. Built-in speakers might be an attractive option.

Furniture: Design Within Reach has got some nice stuff (Shell chair designed by Hans Wenger!), USM modular furniture intrigues, as does Vitsoe.

Easy access + good lighting for the back of the equipment for reconfiguration and maintenance!

Multi-room/whole-house: No real interest.

Mobile: I already got a MiniDSP headphone amplifier and JBL IEMs and they're fine.

Dedicated media room: Nah, I'm a multi-tasker, so give me a multi-purpose space.

Random what-the-hecks: Technics SL1200G-K, Parksaudio Waxwing DSP phono, Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge. Why not Technics SL1000 flagship? I'm thinking it's just too big, too heavy and too cluttery, and we're talking vinyl after all, I have only a modest collection, and don't plan on greatly expanding it. I value vinyl for the access it gives me to music I might not otherwise experience.

NAS: Another QNAP? 100% SSD storage might be fun.

Climate control: Ideally some sort of passive system for noise-free comfort year-round.

 

[Holmz]

Howdy y'all. So, let's hear it. List your no-limits system. 2ch. Full home theater. Distributed audio. Desk/work. Mobile. What is your absolute dream system for any and every application. We all love this stuff and I KNOW we've all thought about it. Let's hear it for audio, video, etc etc etc. Let's hear it.......cost doesn't matter......what is your best-of-the-best system?

Someone to sit next to on the sofa who’s company one finds enjoyable.
After that, who cares?

Bye the way, I am most of the way towards a dream system.
But “dream system” is highly dependent upon the room, so it can change quickly from one room to the next.

What is your dream system @JeffS7444 ?

 

[dualazmak]

Now, I assume that I have almost achieved "my" (so far) dream system by my present/latest setup which would fits within your request of "2ch stereo".

- post #1 on the thread "Let's share diagrams (and photos) of our total physical audio system and the whole signal path, with a few words and/or links" #1

- The latest system setup of my DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active audio rig, including updated startup/ignition sequences and shutdown sequences: as of June 26, 2024: #931

OP @MusicMan77, you are cordially invited to participate on above "Let's share diagram..." thread.

 

[Fledermaus]

Final, ultimate iteration of DIY speakers with directivity made just right, no distortion and unlimited 20-20k dynamic range with good enough electronics in pretty cases, and bespoke room with fine-tuned acoustical treatment, liquor cabinet and sea view (snowy mountains will also do).

 

[Sokel]

It's not the "what",it's the "how" .

Something like invisible ATC SCM300ASL soffit-mounted at the far sides of the a great view terrace,with acoustics kept in check so to create the 3D stage they have to.
Yep,only in dreams,25 m² of glass are not forgiving,at all.

 

[JeffS7444]

Another random what-the-heck which could be fun are these Klipsch x Ojas things:

What is your dream system @JeffS7444 ?

I wasn't trying to be mysterious, I simply don't have more specific ideas in some areas. But if a cheap item pleases me, then that's probably what I'll get.

 

[Martin]

Stereo
Von Schweikert Ultra 9 speakers
Benchmark AHB2 bridged amplifiers
Benchmark HPA4 preamplifier/headphone amplifier
Benchmark DAC3 B DAC
Something for digital playback
My current analog setup

Home Theater
Give @CINERAMAX an unlimited budget for a MicroLED wall: https://wallscreen-skylounges.com/

Martin

 

[kemmler3D]

The dream "system" would really be a purpose-built room. Maybe soffit-mounted mains or maybe something over the top like Genelec 8381, definitely a double bass array that's flat to 15hz, and a lot of good acoustic treatment - lots of diffusion and a perfectly even, short decay time sounds good to me.

 

[CINERAMAX]

Not unlimited budget. Sub-$200K for a 16-foot-wide, 2.37:1 aspect ratio 4K MIP that LED pros continue to confuse as having .6mm pitch whilst being 1.2mm, but fitted with the bleeding-edge XM 11206G driver chip (as to be seen in 2016 Samsung's the wall), or sub -240k 2.13:1, 11.5-foot-wide, 0.93mm bleeding-edge MIP with XM 11206G chip refreshed in 20 scan for ultimate image solidity and converting the 120 out of the madvr to 240 fps. Includes anti-flicker at sub-nit gradations via rapid flashing below 0.01 nits. Using Colorlight’s upcoming CA series, still under development, which will support 4K@120Hz 12-bit RGB444 or 8K@60Hz 12-bit RGB444 and frame upgenerate it to 240.

 

[Holmz]

Another random what-the-heck which could be fun are these Klipsch x Ojas things:
View attachment 429204

I wasn't trying to be mysterious, I simply don't have more specific ideas in some areas. But if a cheap item pleases me, then that's probably what I'll get.

IME one should start with the speakers.
While the amplification is largely solved, some speakers are just horrible loads for amplifiers.
Others may start with some esoteric low powered amp and then search for super efficient speakers.

If it is a mixed 2-channel and HT then it gets more complicated, especially on the speaker side… but the whole electronics side can have some nuance.

If cheap pleases you, then maybe don’t look too hard at speakers.
Aside from the cosmetics, better drivers and crossovers make better speakers generally cost more. There is some expensive junk as well.
There is not a lot of great and cheap speakers (available new).

Many good systems are put together over time rather than all at once.
Certainly going from 2-channel to HT can be staged.

 

[alex-z]

Storm Audio ISP Elite MK3. Each output channel feeding a MiniDSP Flex + 3 channels of Hypex NC500x amplification.

In-wall mounted coaxial drivers from KEF R3 Meta flanked by 6.5" Purifi woofers. 9 bed channels, 6 overheads.

8 of the Purifi 10" subwoofers in sealed cabinets covering down to 30Hz, 4 HS-24 from Stereo Integrity for below 30Hz. Hypex UCD2K monoblock for each.

Christie Griffyn 4K50-RGB projector.

32x20x14ft room with 3 layer CLD walls, double doors, suspended floor, etc.

Hire Anthony Grimani to pick out all the acoustic treatment.

 

[jhaider]

Basically what we already enjoy but with Dirac ART in every system. Maybe prettier cabinet finish for the JBL 708i’s in the immersive system too.

 

[OldHvyMec]

Well to start a retired nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a fresh fuel supply. A complement of 50 or so should be fine for me.

What ever it takes to keep the thing running and clean is a must also.

A few helicopters and 2 or 3, 15-20 passenger jets. Learjet would be fine.

A nice onboard tropical garden would be a nice touch. Maybe a nice food garden too.
Definite chickens on board with the price of eggs.

The sound system would definitely be a work in progress.

Regards

 

[GXAlan]

Cinema system
Meyer Sound Bluehorn L/R
Meyer Sound Ultra Reflex Center
8 subs + 6 heights
Trinnov Altitude 32
Sony Crystal LED display

During the pandemic, it was possible to rent out entire theaters for not a lot of money. It’s not that enjoyable to have a giant room that’s empty. So I would like something a bit smaller, maybe seating for 8-12.

Second, a lot of the best content is streaming content. Cobra Kai. Skeleton Crew. Going with a giant projection screen will only highlight the limited bitrate of the source

Third, getting something like a Christie Eclipse will require a chiller and all sorts of dedicated power. Going Crystal LED will let me go big, but in a more simple way. The reflected center will be fine, again since most content is DD+ anyway. The L and R will give me the two channel listening environment.

Just for fun system
JBL Paragon
Western Electric 97A monoblocks x 6
Bluesound Node Icon into a Trinnov Nova

Since the cinema system will provide me with the transparent-to-the-recording experience, the second system needs to be fun. Options include omnidirectional MBL’s or ribbon planar speakers, but I think I’d like the JBL Paragon. I’d swap out the midrange and woofers and then use the Trinnov for a digital crossover/EQ and use 300B monoblocks.

 

[Keith_W]

This seems like a rehash of that what would you do if you won the lottery thread.

 

[GXAlan]

This seems like a rehash of that what would you do if you won the lottery thread.

I started the other thread, but I think with my answers to this thread, I am not looking at simply the theoretical max performance measuring product but my true dream system.

I appreciate the engineering of the ultra clean preamps but my dreams include tube electronics…

 

[JeffS7444]

IME one should start with the speakers.
While the amplification is largely solved, some speakers are just horrible loads for amplifiers.
Others may start with some esoteric low powered amp and then search for super efficient speakers.

If it is a mixed 2-channel and HT then it gets more complicated, especially on the speaker side… but the whole electronics side can have some nuance.

If cheap pleases you, then maybe don’t look too hard at speakers.
Aside from the cosmetics, better drivers and crossovers make better speakers generally cost more. There is some expensive junk as well.
There is not a lot of great and cheap speakers (available new).

Many good systems are put together over time rather than all at once.
Certainly going from 2-channel to HT can be staged.

The Genelecs, Neumanns, JBLs and Linkwitz speakers in question are all active designs, so amplification is already built in, or in the case of the LX521s, it's pretty much one channel of amplification per driver, no passive crossovers.

The cinema side of things doesn't need to be too elaborate, and here, passive speakers might make a lot of sense, particularly if they're built into the walls, where they might be in place for decades. For simplicity's sake, I'd probably keep this as a standalone system, though I expect it would also sound really good playing 2-channel content.

But the separate, 2-channel systems are where I might indulge in more flights of fancy, like the aforementioned Klipsch/Ojas things. Some days, I might want the highest levels of fidelity, while on others, I might enjoy a listening-lounge / jazz kissa vibe, where the standards might be more relaxed as long as the vibe is pleasing.

Despite the theoretical unlimited budget, I got reasons for not wanting to go to greater extremes:

I once had a part-time job at a high end dealer, and got tons of exposure to fancy stuff, even owned a bunch thanks to industry accommodation pricing. And eventually decided that my attention span is limited, and the whole pride-of-ownership thing only lasts so long. You name it, I can probably grow bored of it.

I also worked for years in IT, and am keenly aware that the more "tech" there is, the more ongoing maintenance and updates there will be. And I for one do not wish for my home to feel like a construction site. Updating a lone Denon AVR or Apple TV is no big deal. But an elaborate IP-based A/V system tied in with "smart" home features might get gnarly.