Advice on building a good HIFI system. How you should ask for help?

#hifi #DACs #audiophile #stereo #audioreviews #highfidelity
/ thomasandstereo
If you have not seen the Q acoustics concept 500 video : • The best Q Acoustics h...
Gear mentioned in this review
----------------------------------------------------------
Reisong A12 tube integrated amp
Mcintosh MC352
Mcintosh MC452 poweramp
Mcintosh MC302 poweramp
QAcoustic Concept 500
Focal Sopra 2 Speakers
B&W 804, Monitor audio Platnium, Focal Kanta 2
-----------------------------------------------------------

[@donalddeorio2237]

The advise I've always followed from stereo review from years ago. Go listen to speakers even ones you can't afford. Find out the sound you like then get as much of that sound you can afford in your budget. But you need to know what you like in sound.

[@skipgordon5382]

Good advice. There are some of us that don't have the luxury of shops to visit or even a "Best Buy" option to listen to gear. I'm a 67 year old audiophile that started on my journey soon after college with a Mac 2105 power amp and C28 preamp, B&O turntable and ADS 810 speakers. After living in Vietnam for over 10 years I started to rebuild a system. Trying to review gear here is not easy if you don't live in the big three cities. I chose to rely on a combination of reviews and company heritage. My current system is all PrimaLuna EVO 400 (mono power and pre amp). Analog through EAT C Sharp and EAT E Glo S phono preamp. My digital is Denafrips Terminator plus Jay's Audio and Soundaware D300. The speakers are Turnberry GR plus REL S/5 SHO subs. My room is 14 x 22 with treatments with bass traps and diffusers. I also have Plixar balanced power conditioners. Overall I'm very pleased. I consider my speakers the weakest link. This is a perception because I can't compare many others. I envy your opportunity to listen to so many different speakers. I would love the chance. I'm happy with what I have but all audiophiles are curious creatures. Thanks for what you share with us.

[@markd4292]

Thomas, you out did yourself with this video. This is Great! You gave me LOTS to think about! Bravo.

[@flemdoghd]

Thanks for this episode Thomas, it was very useful and much appreciated!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad to hear it!

[@wiebl5266]

this is another great video, makes so much sense! Thanks Thomas!!! I can definitely use what you said here.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davep2945]

Great advice as usual Thomas. My advice when asked what speakers should I get is simple. I tell them go listen to as many speakers as you can and see what you like. I'm lucky in that I live in an area that withing two hours either way I can find more than two dozen manufacturers to demo in high end audio shops. I also have a small Paradigm, Monitor and Golden Ear dealer here in town. My next piece of advice should someone not be willing to travel is to tell them to order speakers from someplace like Crutchfield where they have a generous return policy. But, if I'm being honest, someone who won't drive two hours to compare products side by side especially when those products are many thousands of dollars are either not serious in the first place or too lazy and/or ignorant to help. As you said, they are not ready for any of the speakers they covet if they are unwilling to learn their preferred sound.

[@brucermarino]

In a finite world there can be no best only better for now :) Thanks Thomas!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Lol, there is always something better out there.

[@brucermarino]

@@ThomasAndStereo From hobby to obsession!

[@TorToroPorco]

"To this day I am still traumatized by this comment", LOL. I'm worried for Thomas, he is too sensitive to be on social media. But seriously the best thing to for anyone to do is to audition the equipment for themselves. So I wonder if this video is subtle attempt to reduce the volume of his emails. First he educates the viewer, then he concludes that if the viewer follows his process they don't really need his advice. Then he ends the last minute of the video with an empty chair as if to reinforce that point. You're good man Thomas to offer up your time and experience, I hope people appreciate when you offer your help.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Hehe, you read my mind. 😁😁😁 I do enjoy helping people whenever I can.

[@Scottlp2]

@@ThomasAndStereo now that people know you reply, you are going to get more, possibly a lot more, emails.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

@@ThomasAndStereo 🤗 VERY GOOD ADVICE AND A VERY EFFECTIVE MIC 🎙 DROP 😍😍😍

[@russmaleartist]

Thomas is not too sensitive to be on social media . . . because he has learned an important thing -- he cannot control the words or actions of others, but he can his own . . . as well as whom he chooses to entertain or rather waste with his expertise and time.

[@bikemike1118]

@@russmaleartist what Thomas said is true: if someone did his homework and put in his time, heart and mind (together with his money) and gained (listening) experience he actually doesn’t need his advice anymore as he knows already where he wants to go with his the sound of his system and can make the decisions y his own ears (and purse).

[@tanachip]

Thanks, Thomas. This is a great video! For someone who is just starting out this hobby, and don't know what my preferences are yet, what would you recommend I do to understand what my preferences are? I am currently using two Sonos Fives in stereo pairing, streaming Amazon Music HD. I also have a Project T-1 Phono SB to play old records that I inherited from family members. I want to dip into building a system, and I don't even know where to start. The sonos are current in my living room, so I likely will use the system either in my office or bedroom. For the record, I do like the sonos, but of course, I have never heard of any "high end" system. Also, your video really resonated with me, as I'm deep into collecting wrist watches (and I know exactly what you are talking about in terms of you need to establish what your preferences are).

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Start by going to best buy and listen to as many speakers as you can. No amount of theory will replace expereince.

[@maureenwassermann767]

Very well done. Thought provoking.

[@tassostsoutis601]

Hello Thomas! Great insight. I am looking into a set of speakers. I have 3 vintage amps. My favourite is a Sansui 551. I use it with a set of vintage JVC speakers. 95% I listen to streaming music. I have heard the KEF LS50s and don't like them, I find them tiring. Where I live (Greece) it is difficult to audition equipment before you buy. I emphasize on midrange and bass and I think I prefer warmer sound...I think. After researching, I was between the the Wharfedale Diamond 11.3, Diamond 11.4 and Q Acoustics 3050 or 3050i although I may have a missed a better choice. The room is 20,6ft by 26ft with a corridor opening on one 20,6ft side and the other 20,6ft side consists pf a 4 pane aluminium glass sliding doors. I have no curtains and during summer those doors are open. The walls and ceilings are unpolished lime based mortar. a kind of adobe, unpolished, so it is porous and has a high mass. Floors are satin finish marble. As it is my living room/kitchen, I would prefer the speakers not to work only at the sweet spot. I read about Ohm Walsh and maybe they fit the bill, but they are over budget and not available here anyway. My budget, I am sorry to say, is up to 1000Euros. As funds become available I will upgrade in the future. Also in my future plans a chifi integrated tube or tube pre and class D combo as I find them intriguing, Thank you so much, irrespective on whether I get an answer or not.

[@tassostsoutis601]

Also, looking forward to the purifi review

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Maybe even the cheaper Wharfedales would work for you.

[@tassostsoutis601]

@@JohnDoe-np3zk thanks for your feedback.

[@mr.george7687]

Well said, Thomas. This is the reason I own multiple speakers, & amps. Which sounds best? None, they all sound different. tube amps for acoustic, solid state for rocking out!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

All audiophiles should own one tube system and one solid state. 😁😁😁

[@Waitaminutesilly]

Great video. I am quite happy with my current setup but if I had to do it all over again, be open minded and spend a lot more time listening to actual HiFi systems at different stores and shows to discover the type of sound I am after.

[@anybodyelseNOW]

The only Hi-Fi KZbinr you can take seriously

[@tausha46]

great video thanks

[@cdgee6399]

Ive been selling hi end audio since 1990. My advice is to be realistic. If you already own nice gear, but desire to improve your sound by changing a component, and your room isn't treated, you will only SLIGHTLY hear the difference.

[@kylejohnson1945]

Thomas do you own the Classe ca-101? What pre-amp have you found works best with that amp? I do own several amps and it seems to be my amp that I keep going back to. It has detail that I enjoy. Thanks, keep up the great work you do!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I never had that amp. Sorry.

[@colanitower]

"There are six speakers I'm looking at, which is the best?" - I guess it's best to stop looking at them and start listening to them 😁😉

[@lamluu6822]

Hi Mr Thomas , I bought Polk LSIM 707 speaker according watch on your KZbin channel and also because that on sale 50% off and I happy for that sound very good to me. Thank you very much for that. I have a question that needs you help an idea : Do you think Yamaha A-S2200 with 90 watts per channel that enough power to drive that speaker. I feel that speaker are power hungry . I am looking for an amplifier can handle Good for it . I am pointing to Yamaha S-A 2200 and Rotel with 200 watts per channel . But I still like Yamaha over the Rotel because of it sounding and it integrated that more convenient to me. But if it not enough power to drive that speaker so I will have to go with Rotel , I see you review A-S 2200 and LSIM 707 that so that means you do know that both , please help me on that , thank you very much and have a good night !

[@roberthart9886]

Life Lesson 101. Good luck with that. Too bad people are lazy, AND ignorant of the whole hi-end audio mystique. As someone who has owned a hi-end company I understand it. Some 20 years later, Im still learning. That said, I have a PS Audio GCC 250 modified as new (~ 15 -20 years ago) from Chris Johnson and a pair of Swan Diva Mk II speakers (purchased used), which is hard to beat to this day, but in my TV system. My current dac/pre (these should be abundant, but the dac module portion should be plug in/plug out) is an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 power supply, connected to an Oppo 105 with PS mod. Both sound vg, but lack I/Os for latest cables. I can't use USB, or AES/EBU, and Coax is stupid expensive over optical

[@barneyjones5174]

Thomas is the best.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I completely agree. 🤣🤣🤣

[@nanduullegaddi628]

Hi Thomas, love your channel. I have a question I have a Luxman L590AXii class A amplifier, Luxman EQ500 phono stage, Acoustic Signature high mass turntable and cables by HiDiamond and power conditioner by Puritan. I was running this system on two sets of different pairs of speakers. First pair retailing at £3500 , Audio Physics and second Kef LS50 Meta. Now for a system that retails in excess of 22k minus the speakers mentioned above, the Kef’s sound remarkable , as result the floor standers from Audio Physics are gone. ‘My question is the cost of the individual units out way the cost of the Kef’s , would you say this is the best way or should the speakers in terms of price reflect the rest of the system Thanks

[@lawyer1165]

It’s too bad that people cannot take an in-person course in which the instructor demonstrates all of the relevant audio characteristics that you and other KZbinrs discuss. Dealers probably fulfilled this function years ago, assuming they carried a wide enough variety of equipment, but not everyone wants to feel pressured by a dealer to buy something.

[@jamesdwright]

Just send us that spreadsheet Thomas. I'll have it filled in and sent back to you in a jiffy!😉

[@FlyGuy457]

Can you describe the difference between the Elac UniFi versus Elac Debut Reference? Both around the same price but I can find no one that describes the differences.

[@LaGataNegra3073]

Thomas. Whats the best arcade game to have in the background of a video?? Jk. Good video. Heck even i get annoyed by such general comments in the comment sections. How will this work with this? Whats your take on that? Etc. like dude, go research. Go listen.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Street fighter 2 turbo is the best game to have!

[@angzander8536]

Hi Thomas, I just get my kef ls50 wireless 2 speaker. I need help, how to listen to high quality music from the speaker? I am still new in the audio world and still learning. Your help will ne much appreciated.

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Maybe a Bluesound Node 2i streamer? I bought a Yamaha CD changer the C600 with 5 CD capability for 329 bucks usually 399 that is a pretty decent unit if you want to listen a long time. Sounds pretty good on my pretty expensive system. I have the KEF "regular" LS50 and frankly they can be a bit fatiguing to listen to IMO but your mileage may vary and you have the powered type. They do sound good with tubes.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Well, your source needs to be high quality. The LS50 should be able to decode high quality files.

[@jazzlover6192]

Does the sound stage come from the amp or speakers? a newbee

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Both and the placement of the speaker which is the most important. Even more than the speaker and amp.

[@nancright1352]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYunfHmNgaihp5I for you !

[@cruzgallegos5071]

And step 6: you need lots of $

[@roberte.andrews4621]

The best systems derive from research and development unrestricted by budget constraints and are aggregates of many years of investigation. The human ear has been around for ca.150,000 years. Audiology has been pretty well codified over the past 100 years. I reference Bell Labs' exhaustive experimentation, as well as the input from Western Electric, Altec Lansing, JBL as the data from the most investment in learning what sounds best to the most ears in the widest range of voice or instruments. I don't discount the contributions of Electro-Voice, Jensen, RCA and others in this mix. Given that assumption, I have made my choice from recent products from these sources. Specifically, Altec's Voice of the Theater branded line. They seem most accurate for the type of music I enjoy listening to. I count important the voicing of speakers for classical, jazz, vocals, big band sound and massed chorale groups. For my ears, in my listening room, I get a remarkable semblance to live performers, seated before me, with a sound stage which enables me to pick out each individual performer or, at least, section of the ensemble in its original place on the stage. The efficiency of my system allows the vintage receiver to work within a comfortable range without gross harmonic distortion or clipping. I believe a realistic playback comes from the sound engineers using accurate monitors when they mastered the source. I am sensitive to dynamic ranges you get from live instruments or voices. Therefore, the speakers must be capable of moving a lot of air. Air molecules haven't gotten any smaller, so larger speakers ,for this task, are required. This has something to do with the laws of physics. In the final analysis, all audio is a compromise, but the least realism you have to give up, the longer you can live with your system. Pleasure is subjective, which is why tastes vary widely. This is my hobby for 80 years.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

wow, thanks for sharing. 80 years? Amazing!

[@craigpaske9351]

Quite possibly your best video and one of the best from any reviewer. Outstandingly useful information. Superbly logical and well structured presentation.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Man, I really appreciate the encouragement.

[@athathsonty2925]

Best HiFi Advice Ever. (But sorely missed the iconic - 'Let me tell you a story ...)

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Next time!

[@thomass.9167]

You’re not suggesting grown men with money to spend on a hobby are in any way insecure, indecisive, and needy, are you??

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Me? Never!

[@thomass.9167]

@@ThomasAndStereo Phew

[@ThomasAndStereo]

😁😁😁😉

[@appliedmechanical8790]

I feel directly attacked by that comment. Lol 😂

[@stopthefomo]

I need to start emailing you questions about your favorite audiophile shoes when speaker shopping

[@spark7516]

Great video, Thomas. I am what most would call a new audiophile. My journey is only about 2 years old. It’s taken me this long to know what sound stage, detail, listening fatigue, or top-end roll off even is. And while at my budget I can’t have it all, I just need to know what I do want first. No, there is no best, but you can get what’s right for you.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

You learn that in 2 years, that is quite fast actually.

[@gtric1466]

Thomas that could possibly be the most educating vid I have seen on KZbin in regards to Audio. And I have been watching them for over 2 years. Well Done....

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Support me by becoming a Patreon. Thanks! www.patreon.com/thomasandstereo If you have not seen the Q acoustics concept 500 video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmfIoaaiiLd-j6c

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

“I’m not buying to appreciate, I’m buying to love.” What a nice quote 💪

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I should put it on a mug.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Nice Job Thomas , You have no idea how much you have made my audio journey so much more fun ! Thank you Thomas.

[@edholmwood]

Great video. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and honesty. Thank you.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks for watching!

[@mrpositronia]

People forget that one person's junk is another person's treasure and vice-versa.

[@qqsrx]

So true. I just returned a pair of JAMO C97 II, with no hesitation. Too detailed and sounds thin and lean. They were highly praised by a KZbinr.

[@russmaleartist]

I think that it may come to be able to at least differentiate the difference between a hoarder, whose obsession will treasure everything for the sake of having as opposed to quality merchandise that happens to be also controversial. It is true that opinions are common . . . some backed-up with knowledge, wisdom, and experience . . . while some others are just opinions backed-up with plain hot, smelly air.

[@hushpuppykl]

Buying based on KZbin sound demo is like playing Russian Roulette 🤣😂

[@marc-andregagne6826]

I love the ending Thomas, very subliminal: You don't need to email me (waving hand). Thanks for all the videos. Edit: Where is that Model 5 review? They are currently on sale 500$ off at electronics 4 less. I'm guessing they want to clear the mahogany before the walnut arrives.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

The speakers are currently at Mr Kanta place, they just left Mr Jazz place. The distributor told me best time is July 1st because they will have stock by then. No point for me to make a video and people having a hard time buying it in Canada.

[@trekjudas]

I think it’s important to know what you DON’T like as much as what you do.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yup, very true. That is deep!

[@trekjudas]

@@ThomasAndStereo I had to learn from personal experience that i don’t like bright and aggressive speakers like B&W, KEF and Focal, even though they are objectively high quality speakers.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@trekjudas Yes, a question of taste.

[@mr.hansen5195]

"Which stereo system is the absolute best within a given expence frame?" - It's not necessarily the most revealing system. It's the one that you keep on turning on again and again for pure joy and love to music, as opposed to the one where you continuously try to find all faults: Love its beauty spots ;-)

[@jp93309]

I suspect a few of the questions are to confirm the purchase bias where the person just wants validation for what he/she had already purchased.

[@Chapterrifik]

I couldn't agree more. But as people grow older the taste for speaker's change as it changes as in wine. Me for example, developed a hearing loss in May 2020, began having a beep sound in both ears. I thought it would go away. One year goes by, I've noticed that my Elac uni-fi ub5 sounded way smother then before, keep in mind I had them set straight out to the room. So I decided to tow them in towards me, voila they sounded good again as I remembered. Then I decided to go get a hearing test, so I was given the result, sadly if I'm listening to music I can no longer hear anything from 2000hz to 2100hz under 3db so that's roughly the mid range. That's why my ears are constantly ringing 24 hours a day because my brain is trying to correct the loss of frequency. My point is, if it wasn't for the ringing (tinnitus) I would've never found out I had hearing loss, I would've just say I don't like my speaker's anymore and would go ditch out more money and probably lose the sound stage I love so much. Try different set-up if possible... Everyone gets older and everyone loses some frequency as they age. Go get a hearing test it's worth knowing what you can hear. Your syra won't taste as good as it use to when you were 23 you move on to a Cabernet Sauvignon things don't change in some cases we change in most cases. I'm ok with that but my neighbors are going to dislike me now, especially I have to bump the volume 3db more...😂 that's why I love this channel because it's not always about the gear it's about the people who appreciate and love HiFi and the enjoyment of the music it bring to us. Stay happy my friends and enjoy the ride. 😉🤜💥🤛

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks Carlos for sharing your story and really sorry to hear about your situation.

[@Chapterrifik]

@@ThomasAndStereo thank you Thomas I appreciate it. It's life and we have to make the best of it. I still enjoy my music, I'll just have to adjust the volume to hear my frequency lol 😉😂 thank you for all the awesome videos

[@jackbarnard1781]

You know Thomas. Our hobbie is a wonderful journey. There's so many variables on good sound. & there's always comprises. In some form or another. The room is so important. My current system works beautifully in my listening space. Ridiculously small. 8 x 8 x 8. That's small. But it works beautifully. In a bigger room. No. My biggest criteria for speakers is listenablety. If I could listen for 24/7. Without a headache. Bingo. My last pair Polk monitors killed me after an hour. It made not want to listen. It's all about personal tastes working together w/ the room. & you don't have to break the bank doing it

[@olegpa]

Hi Thomas. The first question has to be what kind of music do you listen to and what is the quality of records. No any reason to spend $$$$$ if you listen to mostly Spotify (my case 🙂) or if the record is recorded in 70s and digitized. The same no reason to build expensive system if you don't listen to classical music. Sorry, but what we listen to from radio now, the hits 🙂 you can listen to even on boom box, this kind of "arts". The second question has to, what kind of system do you want : Hi Fidelity that try to play what is in records even if the CD is recorded with harsh high frequencies etc. The people that build such systems ignores highs, bass etc and try to preserve any emotions in records. Or you want that your system works like Photoshop : Add non-existing big stage or will warm sound etc. IMHO these 2 questions has to be the first and main before you build your system. The goal is the base of expenses.

[@queen.luiz3387]

Hey Thomas I'm a beginner at listening to music. I'm planning to create a system and I'm mostly interested in musical performances rather than details. But I need to hear the instruments as well. I'm planning to put this in my living room which is double-height and my budget is 2500 USD. I'm pleased to hear about your suggestions. Thanks.

[@siriosstar4789]

A man went to a rabbi for advice on a personal problem , crying out, " rabbi what should i do about this situation ?" Rabbi- " Take my advice , do what you want "

[@ranelime]

Thank you for that Thomas! I always get confused with some terms, especially when listening to different reviewers. Does soundstage refer to all of the following; scale, depth, separation and instrument placement? Also, what property makes a speaker "fill the room with music"? Is it low frequency response with emphasis on base, or an equation of cabinet+drivers size vs room size? I'm asking because the Buchardt S400 does throws a huge soundstage (scale) but somehow still sounds like a small speaker to me. Thanks for all your lovely content. I really like this new format where it is more about the hobby itself :)

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

The question begins and ends with "how does the speaker radiate or disperse into the room"? Dipole speakers such as the Magnepans do this by definition, the speaker radiates both forwards and backwards. As to its bass response, it/they can reach relatively low frequencies, but do very little in terms of "room shaking". Anyway if you get something like a Bryston 4B or better yet 7B, maybe look at the Magnepan LRS + two REL T5i. That's what I have been playing with, and just added the RELs yesterday. Low bass with air moving is something else, and the downward firing of the T5i I think adds to the integration of the LRS which basically means (pun intended) that you end up with the RELs directly behind the LRS and off all walls by 3 ft. to the LRS minimum. Now you are getting your "sound stage" along with your thump.

[@backrack01]

To help someone find their sound...has anyone made a list of.the 3 best speakers for each kind of signature sound? I say 3...because a lot of us don't have multiple dealers around us selling different things. I'm sure theres a list out there lost in a audio foreum somewhere. Idk... I find many people just have Best Buys and stores like best buy around them. Which is great if u love Kef and a few others. ..the whole thing of not being able to hear different speakers and what they are capable of before buying is extremely frustrating. Even if your lucky enough to have dealer's around u...what may sound great in their showroom may sound like trash in your home. People are walking blind through a dark tunnel and they are desperately looking to find a flashlight. To quote marvin gaye... Makes me wanna holler. Reviews are helpful to many. I bought my amplifiers based on reviews. I had no idea what neutral was but if I was going to find my right speaker...I thought it'd be best to get a as close to a neutral amplifier as I could afford at the time...as best a I think I understood neutral. Not sure if it was a smart move or not but it made logical sense to me at the time.

[@NaveenKumar-uh2gk]

Thomas you have every right to charge for your advise.Go and do that.You are the hero of audiophiles community.my advise is you should tell us your favorite complete systems if you have $3000,$5000,$10000,$20000 to spend.it will be purely on your taste.

[@ranbymonkeys2384]

I'm looking for a speaker that disappears but you can still see it. Well kinda see it they are going to be in another room than I am in. I'm also hoping that the speakers don't make a lot of sound but loud enough to rattle the pictures off the wall. I have around $12 for a budget and I'm saving another 24 to get the other 2. What do you think. Ohh ya they need to be triangle speakers I can't stand round ones, arggg old school.

[@asadraza4697]

Hi buddy.. I love all of your videos and honest reviews. An Audiophile from Pakistan. 😊🇵🇰

[@WinSchutten]

After having seen the video with the 300k system... I wonder at what point it'll be cheaper to just hire the original musicians to perform live..

[@laurentzduba1298]

Thanks Thomas, though I only started following your videos after explainations on what you like about ribbon tweeter equiped speakers and the Magnepan LRS is within the ballpark of what I would consider as very good sounding speakers.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

LRS is great, just need the right equipment to drive it.

[@RedSinter]

Food for thought... Excellent criteria for making a good decision on what is best for your "particular" needs and desires. I have done part if this already lol one hiccup though.

[@themarklar8759]

Great video. I think a lot of questions could be reduced if people would simply watch the videos numerous times to really get a feel and understanding on what the reviewers are saying about a product. Many questions are covered in the reviews themselves, but some people seem to only watch some parts of the reviews. I have found I ask a lot less questions or have a lot less in my mind the more I watch the videos and really understand everything they are (and aren't) saying. I probably watched Sean's KLH Model 5 video review seven or eight times before I was confident this is the voicing and sound I was looking for. And sure enough it was. It was *exactly* what I wanted!

[@bobb.9917]

All good advice. The fun of all this is figuring out what you like and building a system that satisfies that, FOR YOU! It is a very personal experience and evolves over time. We all make mistakes along the way. Look within grasshopper! 🦗

[@erikbarsingerhorn4485]

Thomas what about the type of music you like and listen to the most. Shouldn't that be factored into the choice?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Sure to some extend. There are so many factors to consider but the genre of music is really worth a video to deepdive.

[@erikbarsingerhorn4485]

​@@ThomasAndStereo If you want to make a deepdive it would be appreciated, thanks.

[@Velvet_Torpedo]

LOL I loved the ending!!! After telling ppl how to help themselves and how to ask good questions ... "if you do your homework and narrow it down to three, then you don't need me" hahaha! I didn't see that coming!. Great advice btw, ppl need to at least know what they want!

[@mpw621]

good advice Thomas! One of the most important aspects of a system is that it has to be 'musical. Another important aspect is what type of music does one listen to. what size room. analog or digital or both. its is journey of experimentation. During the journey ones tastes might change.

[@NemoPropaganda]

I’m going to send people to this video 😎

[@fletchermunson6225]

Tomas, I love your videos. Good job and congratulations on your success. Unfortunately trying to help some people is impossible. No good deed goes unpunished.

[@daveycrockett5738]

Lol you didn’t mislead him don’t feel so responsible for these people. We are all ignorant in our own ways I applaud you for how much effort you’ve put into trying to help ignorant people like me out

[@mikrophonie5633]

Thomas, I want speakers that cost under $500, but sound like Wilson Wamm Master Chronosonic speakers.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yup, me too! Remember to message me when you find it!

[@rawangmp8450]

Thomas 👏👏🏻👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾👏🏿 well said. Love & Like that's the point.

[@scottyo64]

Hey if anyone tells you they have 30k cash and want to know what car to buy, tell them scottyo64 has a nice Lotus that would be the perfect car for them!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

The Lotus Esprit in pearl color was my dream car when I was in college.

[@marcuswilson999]

Quality advice, well articulated and presented.

[@richardhernandez7741]

Addressing "The Best", one man's escargot is another man's garden bug.

[@anthonyhopkin]

You're a good man Thomas - with an ocean of experience. Always enjoy your 'rants'. Greetings to you and yours.

[@wilsonlam299]

Very good advice, thanks Thomas! ❤❤

[@aceofspades6667]

Who is the best KZbin audio reviewer? There is no best only a matter of preference 😉

[@cogitoergosumsc5717]

I am not a rich man, not by a long shot. Do your research and by the best audio gear that you can afford.

[@scottyo64]

Had to watch the end a few times to see Thomas 's version of dropping the mic!

[@Milano110565]

Great advice thank you

[@sabineb.84]

I watched your review on the elysian 4 a while back and enjoyed it a lot. This video was very informational too. I want to get back into high end audio again. Before I had kids, I had a nice set of wharfedales and a TEAC class A amp. The wharedales didn't make the move to the US from Switzerland too well. The TEAC was built for 240V/50hz(useless in US) and since I had kids, I did not want to spend the money only to have little fingers breaking stuff. But now they are older, I would love to get back into high quality audio again. What is your opinion on Bluesound Node digital audio streamer coupled with a nice class A tube amp? And do you think I would like the Elysian 2 or 4(room size is 20ft x 15ft furnished), as I used to have wharedales or is it a totally different animal from wharefedales of 20yrs ago? One of the songs I loved listening too was "Bombay" by A.R. Rahman. The violin and flute were so clear it tickled my heart a bit. I would love to hear your opinion and if you think I may be looking in the right path or not. Hopefully listening stores will start to reopen and especially restock, so I can go in and listen in person. Thanks in advance, in case you see this message

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Bluesound node 2i is an ok budget streamer. Excellent for the price. I made a video on it a while ago. Elysian is a smooth sounding speaker and this is where the key is, some people might find it too laid back while others like that because they are great for long listening sessions. I remember it was not too hard to drive the Elysian but you need the room for it. If you go listen to it, it might not catch your attention like other speakers because it is not 'bright' and forward but take some time to listen to it.

[@scottyo64]

When it comes to speakers I feel variety is the spice of life. Since the late 90s I have not owned just one type of speaker. In my apartment I have 5 pairs and many more in my house

[@nc3419]

Your keeping a speaker harem?

[@nc3419]

Come to think of it...so do I.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Man, you have an amazing significant other.

[@scottyo64]

@@ThomasAndStereo yes she is an amazing woman!

[@nc3419]

@@ThomasAndStereo NSO...collecting equipment is the only benefit of divorce. Once you can afford it again.:>)

[@phonatic]

I am still very happy with my Cayin CS-88A, that I purchased mainly because of your Cayin review videos. And I still use it happily almost 5 days a week, just blew a 6SL7 tube and got a replacement in two days from the official dealer. Great service as well!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Nice, that is the advantage of having a dealer network. Thanks for letting me know.

[@Audfile]

Thomas i discovered a new trick. Most audiophiles will think this is odd, but if you think about it, we agonize over speaker placement for performance and this gave me a real boost. If you look at the instructions (manual is online at Hsu Research) he says to point the ccb8 speaker at an extreme toe in, not just at you, past you, 15 degrees. Toed *in* in. I did this last night with my T zeros and the effect was extraordinary. Imaging and stage was already very good, now incredible. Something to try.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks for sharing. Yeah, some speakers works well with extreme toe in like TAD speakers and even the Pioneer S3EX I had before. Ron suggested to try that with the Buchardt S400

[@popsomniferum]

I worked in high end audio for over 15 years and this is the most sound, (pun intended), advice I have ever heard. I can’t believe, though, that some people could seriously think that the sound coming from a KZbin presentation is in any way indicative of what a product will sound like. I have heard other KZbinrs mention this and it floors me. Awesome advice all round Thomas.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Coming from someone who has over 15 years of experience, this is high praise! Thank you.

[@vladimirpopescu4941]

Thanks Thomas! This is one of the best discussions of Hi-Fi I have heard.

[@howardmims8376]

Great video Thomas and What makes it even harder is system synergy

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

One of the most intelligent advice videos in KZbin.

[@sajihassan]

Because of Thomas I became a focal fan and bought kanta 2. Now I am thinking why I didn’t go for sopra 2 that time. Now I cannot afford one.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Your room might not be able to handle Sopra 2. I personally will take the Kanta 2 over the Sopra2 in my room. Having said that, congrats on the Kanta 2.

[@paulwibb.8944]

What cables are best for $500 please,,😁

[@trekjudas]

I do NOT like bright speakers but I once got a pair of Focals because they sounded so good in the store. They sounded fine there but in my home they sounded like car alarms!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, Focal are very sensitve to gear matching.

[@trekjudas]

@@ThomasAndStereo if your room is bright and reverberant those speakers WILL let you know!

[@VonSinclair]

There is only one way to chose the best hifi for you.........and it is listen in person the hifi system, base on verbal specificacion wont help you unless you understand those specs...in mostly cases youtube watcher dont .....they pretent to be expert but they are not

[@ThomasAndStereo]

KZbinrs are just normal people with a camera. Not like they went to university in audio.

[@dksculpture]

I can’t believe people email you with their personal questions.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Its ok, I like to help people. Just sometimes, it can be overwhelming.

[@shanestephenson8423]

Excellent sound advice that is both logical full of common sense. Why is it then that we just don't take that advice. An answer for greater minds than my own. Excellent video keep up the wonderful work Thomas.

[@jeremyaguilar3805]

I have a question, my amp has bi-wiring capability (rotel 1552) & my speakers don't. Which amp terminals are you supposed to use if the manuel doesn't say? I even called crutchfield tech support & they didn't know

[@ThomasAndStereo]

In theory, either one should give you the exact same sound.

[@jeremyaguilar3805]

If I found your channel 2 months ago I would have purchased different gear. Part of the journey.

[@vladimircepeda380]

Hi Thomas, thank 4 ur videos, wish u could do more. What do you think will work better 1) Heaven 11 & Borea 3 or 2) RP 600m & Something like Willsenton R800i or Cayin 55?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I prefer Cayin CS55a with RP600M if you give me the 2 choices above.

[@vladimircepeda380]

@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks

[@rainman3269]

What is you're all time speaker Thomas ... Kind regards ..

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Silverline Sonata....for now.

[@grahamt3598]

Thomas, Is there a recognised way of splitting your budget when putting together a system? Ignoring cables, stands etc for the time being, if your system is source, amp and speakers only would it be a fairly even split or would you rank the components say, source 50% of budget, amp and speakers 25% each?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I think it depends on the overall budget. If the budget is low, I would not care that much about DAC. If budget is like $10k+ then, the DAC becomes important. Check out this video I made talking somewhat about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmPLhGl_dquanZY

[@grahamt3598]

@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks for the reply Thomas. I recently replaced my ageing pre/power amps with a second-hand integrated. I wouldn't normally have considered the integrated as its cost 'new' was outwith my budget. Based on current price new my CD player accounts for 14%, the integrated 63% and the speakers 23% of the total cost. In your other video your explain the difference an amp can make particularly to speakers. My concern is that the CD player is being outclassed - the old view of 'rubbish in, rubbish out'. I'm using the CD as a transport only - it feeds a Qutest via optical. I'm not unhappy with the sound but, as you know, we always want more. Having listened to four amps before settling on the current one I'm in no hurry to listen to other CD players. Is it simply a case of having to demo others CD players to know for sure or is the source the least important component in the hi-fi chain?

[@giangvu7902]

Dead on Thomas!

[@manfridasbartulis7260]

Thomas,I have Nad M33 for the amplifier and JBL L100 Classic for the speakers and a Rel S8/12 for the subwoofer. Need your advice. Sound I’m getting is dull,I’m missing for a cleaner,higher high… more detailed sound. So should I change the nad m33 or jbl l100 classic? Thanks

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Sorry, I have not listened to either one of them so I don't know what is the problem. On paper, titanium tweeter and NAD should give you clean and detailed sound. Have you ever listened to any Focal speakers? Maybe that is the sound you are looking for.

[@manfridasbartulis7260]

@@ThomasAndStereo focal aria 926 speakers I owned before my JBL’s. 🤔 how can I put it wright,They vocals and tweeters I liked,but I had another issue with them it’s the lack of the bottom end as my room not good acoustically I have 2 walls in glass from top to bottom. So I was thinking at the time that I need a big woofer to get the right sound,still after getting JBL’s I was not happy with the bottom end when listening quietly,so end up buying REL S/812🤦. Clearly I don’t know what I’m doing.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@manfridasbartulis7260 Yup, the 926 are light on bass but fast, the 1038 and kanta is probably what you are looking for.

[@BoBxPaiN]

Hello brother I have 25m2 room and i bought focal aria 5.1 HT system 2 aria 948 2 aria 906 and center focal aria and i need a receiver for the im thinking between marantz 8015 or should i buy à budget av receiver like denon 3700h combined with stereo amp like marantz pm8006 im 50% 50% music movies help me out

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I don't have much experience with receivers, sorry.

[@BoBxPaiN]

@@ThomasAndStereo its ok dude when i decide what receiver i will chose ill tell you my experience so that others can benefit

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@BoBxPaiN Yes please do. The thing with Focal Aria is they are not too hard to drive but they can be a bit on the bright side if there is not enough power to bring out the low end. So your logic of getting an external amp makes sense. In this case, the fact Aria speakers are not hard to drive might means it is ok to go only receiver.