Tour the Audiophiliac's system + Bonus Episode

Part 1: Steve shows off each piece of his reference system.
Part 2: Steve wanders down memory lane, his favorite turntables.
#audiophiles #vintageturntables.

[@mopput]

Love this episode! My wife questioned why i need 5 pairs of headphones...I showed her this episode...nuff said. She's gone very quiet now...

[@brianh6736]

Hi Steve can you confirm again the date of your upcoming garage sale 😊

[@nunsandcanssailingadventur9951]

Thanks for the glimpse and the insight. Your love for toy-dog walking passers-by in the park at 9:26 via some of the best nyc side-eye I’ve ever seen had me rolling with laughter.

[@DonHamlin]

Fascinating , possibly the best episode yet!

[@Mr.Rude.]

'Everything is a work-in-progress really, in Audioland'. Steve G, 2020. How right you are. Maybe the best episode yet.

[@therealistic1z]

Great episode. the one thing that comes across is your love for it all...the pass labs the CD's the old headphones...its fun to watch you because you're an addict like the rest of us. keep'em coming!

[@ScottsLifeOffGrid]

Such a great video and yes I realize it was done over 2 years ago but I appreciate you sharing your setup.

[@ValentineLuke]

Fantastic setup, Steve. I really enjoy your videos, and thank you for sharing!

[@lynnpoole7830]

Yum...Pass Lab goodness! You have a very impressive system. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnolson4977]

Thanks Steve , that was fantastic...it’s was good to see how normal you are.

[@JL-qo7cs]

Enjoyable. If I showed my wife she might think she doesn't have it so bad.

[@BrendaKay62]

Cornwall's arrive from Hope this afternoon!!! Dream coming true for this life long Arkansas native! Gravitas! I'm giving the neighbors your name!

[@coletrain4121]

“Find something else to worry about” My man 👊🏼 I admit I wonder when I see records on serious tilt in the VC. Thx for clearing that up all while giving me a chuckle. Thx for the tour of Candyland as well. 👌🏼

[@chelle12368]

I have a suggestion Steve.. Out of your love and appreciation for your nearly 100k subscribers, maybe you would consider giving away one of your headphone tree headphones that you no longer use. Many of us have yet to even hear a great set of headphones. Thanks for all you do Steve! You are truly appreciated!

[@chelle12368]

@Pete is never wrong thanks! Now corrected.

[@BIGLOS___]

I was Going to say the same thing haha

[@fredkinneary7829]

Steve thanks for the tour. I've been curious about your system and listening space now I have my answers

[@peteg6118]

Love these chances to see other people's rigs. Thanks for the tour, Steve. I love my Pass Labs amp too.

[@Audfile]

I was there from your first video with my newly shattered foot, bed bound long term. You were extremely reliable good company during those endless months.

[@mikem4214]

great video, THANKS for the peek behind the curtain.

[@slidetek]

Anybody that makes _me_ look like an OCD neat-freak gets a hearty handshake and a virtual beer.

[@Teachering]

LOL

[@goldenears9748]

Wow Steve. I could spend a few weeks there just listening and playing. ☝️

[@mytime2700]

This is so so cool now I know how I should live as an audiophile thank you thank you very much. I was hoping you would do this video. I met you at the Stereo Exchange event in NYC and begged you to do this cool video. I knew I would love it and I do. Thank you!

[@HareDeLune]

Thanks very much for the tour, Steve! Great to finally have a look at your system. I just had to laugh at that "tree grows in Brooklyn" remark. You got me there! XD

[@dksculpture]

I agree about the Linn LP12. My friend had one in college and it was eye opening. Front ends matter!

[@grahamstrahle4010]

Ditto. I've kept hold of mine from the 80s and love it still.

[@cirenosnor5768]

Same here, I’ve had mine near 29 years and it was what first graduated my system to true high end status. B&W speakers and tube CJ gear would follow. Finally upgraded the Linn with the Cirkus mod and was a huge improvement. Know there’s possibly better out there but it’s engaging and the last table I’ll own. Same can be said about test of my gear. Seems that’s what we should all strive for. A system that allows us to get lost in the music. Then stop buying gear and get on with enjoying music

[@misterchuck6866]

Steve needs a visit from Marie Kondo

[@speedingpenguin]

mister chuck even she might have a heart attack... His setup reminds me of an uncle of mine, his house was so packed with music gear it was hard to move around. Guitar cases, amps, P/A speakers, keyboards... it may have been a mess, but there was so much cool gear, and he was happy. As another comment said, this makes me feel like an organized neat freak 😄👌

[@LaLuneEstJolie]

But I think it all brings him joy…

[@str1xt]

100 k. Yay. Well done. Your cable management is the same as mine😂the ocd crowd won't understand

[@HiFiInsider]

nice tour. thanks for sharing.

[@daleswanson1784]

Your quest for the next big thing reminds me those who are serious pipe smokers. The search for the best pipe and tobacco never ends. Pipe officialdos have dozens of pipes if not more. Different types of wood, Ivory, stone, man made materials and everything you can think of is used to get the smoothest, coolest most flavorful pipe experience. Tobacco is the same and they both are accompanied by a gazillion accessories that can contribute to the ultimate pipe smoking experience.

[@Infidelio]

And yet, a simple corncob can be great.

[@b.r.richardson1014]

Thanks for the tour ,Steve. I too sold high end audio in the late seventies early eighties. Still have my Linn LP12 .

[@bobbyd7948]

Loved the episode. Watching your show makes me happy.

[@daleromney6062]

Just got my first LP12. Brand new. My floors are bouncy, but it plays so beautifully. Nice to hear you say nice things about the Linn.

[@marcdavis8842]

Ohh my Steve you have one seriously awesome apprtment... 👍 😍 Very cool indeed. I just love the whole episode bits here.. Bits their.. Some Cds here.. Some records their.. Hi-fi staggered all. Over now that's my idea of Hi-fi heaven.. As with the others possiblely your best episode yet!!! Steve you are most definitely deserved of that 100K subscribers.. Peace ✌️ out from London - UK 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧

[@mikecambridge5493]

Cor! What a set up. I could loose myself in there for a couple of weeks.

[@pauldemara7633]

That was fun. Thanks for sharing Steve.

[@petrlizatko1794]

Love your set up!

[@kennethiman2691]

Loved the outdoor shot. Would love see your stomping grounds.

[@bnfl23]

Yup. We are all in it for the long run when it comes to audio, it's ever changing. Sometimes it's a fizz or dud moment; and other times, it's a spiritual awakening that keeps you going.

[@linnemeyerhere]

Thanks for the show of your current equipment. Nice to see you use the same bosch tool to measure your listening distance. I bought the Aries II off your recommendation of the series I and can only imagine the extra sonic stage of your Terminator.

[@Sigmatechnica]

You have so much music, how can you ever decide what to listen to? :D

[@justingriffin2546]

111k, congrats Steve, you deserve it. After seeing your headphone tree, you really do deserve the title Audiophiliac.

[@liamo4]

Steve I also had the Linn turntable, Grace arm and Supex cartridge combination and then upgraded to the Ittok arm and the Asak cartridge. Amplification was the Naim Pre and 250 amplifier. Speakers were Gale with the chrome end plates. I really enjoyed that system. I would return home for lunch and before going back would stand in front of the system and listen to something like Dire Straits Sultans of Swing at high level and that was my 'fix' for the afternoon.

[@512bb]

Your turntable story Steve, is amazing & so familiar. In 1982 I had aThorens TD 160 & I finally was able to buy the table I was lusting over & low & behold it was the Linn LP 12 with a Well Tempered arm. Here is the truth, it was probably the biggest advance in sound that I had ever experienced, then I realzed Ivor was right about how important the source really was. The truth is that the leap from the Linn to any of the world class tables I had or have was smaller.. That includes a Versa Dynamics 2.3, Basis Debute Vacuum, 2500, Ovation Rockport Capella, SME 30.2, Roksan Xerxes , Sota Cosmos , VPI 19 mk IV ( worst TT I ever had ), Well Tempered Classic, Denon DP 80 & RPM. I know it may be hard to believe that the Linn after 40 years has the potential to still be a world class table. I still love looking at it as much as when I bought in 1982. And your right about John Curl, a brilliant phono stage designer indeed.

[@midnitematador6249]

Your system layout reminds me of my days when I was studying electronics... My breadboard circuits always looked messy but performed!

[@chrisvinicombe9947]

Thanks for the tour it's a real cave of wonders in there.

[@MrTennisgolf]

It was nice seeing pictures of those old turntables. I remember them. Back then I was buying Dual 1019, Dual 1219, Perpetuum Ebner PE 2020, Remember those? A Yamaha, and the last one I regret selling, my AR with the beautiful wood finish with an upgraded arm (Grace?) can’t remember, and Denon moving coil. Audio Technica works well enough for my purposes today.

[@legrandmaitre7112]

Steve, I'm in the UK and have quite a large detached house. How do you manage to enjoy your music and system with such close neighbours?

[@christianmani1730]

Lol, why do you think he has so many headphones?

[@MUSLHED999]

Thanks for sharing. I love your vids. However the lack of cable management was putting my OCD into overdrive. LOL

[@krisprojection2433]

Nice to see your setup Steve!, Look forward in seeing part 2.

[@alexandergourlay9501]

Finally someone reviewing Tannoy ! Excited to hear it

[@allenfields9058]

Excellent episode. I really enjoy that the Klipsch Cornwalls are your current reference and favorite speakers. I have always loved the sound of Klipsch since getting into audio in 1974. A smile came across my face when I saw the cable mess snaking around your equipment. I've long felt many audio enthusiasts spend far too much time and money worrying about how their setups LOOK instead of how they SOUND. You don't appear to be concerned about "cable risers" and how they improve sound, nor keeping cables away from one another. Speaking of cables, it would be interesting to see what you use. The never ending debate over the need for $10,000 cables still rages. Another raging debate is over the need for power conditioning equipment. I did not see any of that gear in your setup or hear you talk about the products. What say you about this issue?

[@bshah4831]

I bought my Linn in 1987 and still have it, only the cover and plinth remain unchanged from upgrades! Very happy now and won't be replacing it.

[@dreddguy6454]

Digging the tree Steve. I'm up for an episode for each branch.

[@gregoryjolly1734]

Great video Steve! My cables behind my stand have a similar look lolls long as the sound is right thats all I really care about. On another note, when you were in the park, that Carriage House on your right with the White Doors looked a lot like Don Garbers House! I used to stop by his house when he was working on my amps or if I was in the area and he had time to just chat. Keep dem videos coming!

[@jlmain5777]

Nice system tour. I’m glad I’m not the only person with a lot of stuff.

[@redstarwraith]

Most enjoyable! Since you ended on the topic of turntables, I wonder if you've any plans to review the (relatively new) Shiit Sol? I am sort of on the hunt for a good 2nd turntable. I love my Rega Planar 8 but, it isn't the most - shall we say, "forgiving" 'table? - especially when you spin records that are in less than perfect condition.

[@bhob666]

Very cool... I have a suggestion for a episode- Audiophiles who have to have everything immaculately setup so everything is pristine and look like you need white gloves to touch anything and audiophiles that look like things are all over the place (and well used). I've noticed some of the listening setups either fall into these 2 categories. I'm probably somewhere in the middle, but things look like I actually use them.

[@audiophileandy1092]

Love your work Steve. Any chance you can tell us a little bit about your speaker cables interconnections.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I use Cardas, Analysis Plus, AudioQuest, and Nordost speaker and interconnect cables.

[@mdcoomer67]

Interesting to see the pieces that you've put together in your system. I would love to see you go through a Craigslist search and tell us what equipment you see that you like and think is a good buy.

[@ttownscott]

That's a good suggestion!

[@pranadistribution6033]

Nice tour Steve. Loved your 'heavy rotation stacks' as i similarly listen. We're designing record storage with a zoom bed behind it. I would think you might be a candidate. atb, Fred

[@mikenorris812]

Get Steve to 100K! He deserves it

[@kevin-vt7dw]

If I were to go through your albums would I find seeds from the 80's

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Nelson Pass is an big factor in where you have landed after all these years. High praise for Papa Pass given all the gear you have experienced. I have enjoyed most Pass amps but the SIT3 is special IMHO. Have not heard the J2, but also seems to be well regarded.

[@chrislafollette6176]

That gold Empire TT's sound with Pioneer sx1980 and Bose 901 series. IV, set the standard for everything else gong forward.

[@thiscorrosion900]

SOUNDS! OMG! The late, great record shop.

[@dormanfifty]

Dear Steve, can you put a rough worth to your audio collection? Well done it’s fantastic

[@carlosbauza1139]

Fascinating tour of the equipment! The SME 15 is my dream. The SME 309 is a g-r-e-a-t tonearm which I've used for 20 years on my VPI. Will take them with me to the next dimension! The SME V m-a-y be an improvement (?) because there are fewer breaks/connections in the signal path, and refined bearings, apart from the headshell break. Regardless, I am rabidly keeping mine (with the optional / defeatable fluid damper).

[@gr8fulhiker785]

Inventions and Dimensions...What a fantastic album!

[@brothajoe2139]

Hi, Friend. I am happy to see you have the Hifiman HE1000 and the Susvara. I am currently using a Sony TA ZH1ES DAC with a Macbook pro using 16GB for RAM and Audirvana software to play SACD ISO's and DSD128 Vinyl Rips. I am currently using a HIFIMAN HE1000V2 and Audeze LCD4 both with 16 core silver plated 4-pin XLR cables. I like the HE1000 slightly better than the LCD4 for the clarity and sound-stage. Should I stick with the HE1000V2 or upgrade to the Susvara? Please let me know your feedback, thanks! :-) I love your channel and all the equipment you have!!

[@J.c410]

Currently the susvaras are pretty much the hardest headphone to drive (outside RAAL stuff ofc). To get the full experience of the susvara you would need an amp of the magnitude of a top of the line viva audio amp or some speaker amp. The whole upgrade would cost you about 20K

[@BirdArvid]

OMG, the Audiophiliac and I have the same tonearm for our respective turntables!

[@MrWkendwarrior]

Steve enjoyed your system tour! Your TT stroll was very cool...it would be interesting if u did a followup on how u chose phono stages thru the years....I gotta bring my Denon DP47 and DP52 in the shop for new capacitors, they r due, and tuneup my Thorens TD150 AB , new cart etc...my NY resolution w my daughter is resurrect my dedicated audio den...fix drywall , new floors, new audio gear cabinets/racks...flip old gear i no longer want, keep the gear i like...also setup a surround sound system, which i have, just need a new tv. I am a huge vinyl and CD fan...dabble in cassettes, SACD....started streaming music several years ago for who.e house audio system....gravitating to an audiophile streamer/DAC....something used to save $$$, any thoughts?

[@stevemiller9480]

Very nice system Steve! I'm guessing your Cornwalls never go louder than the First Watt or else everything in the room would vibrate, thanks for sharing.

[@ItalianCJM8232]

I would love to hang out there with Steve! I would gladly pay admission!!!

[@mariosupa4027]

Hey Steve very cool video thanks for sharing your personal current system. And congrats on the viewership growth. Continued success in 2020 my friend. If you're down in Jersey again anytime soon, stop by I'd love to get your opinion on my system and if you think the Cornwall IV would be a good fit in or improvement for me.

[@DocStrangelyStrange]

So great to see that Kate Tempest album lurking amongst the clutter.

[@alibertylover]

My first turn table was a Phillips GA 212 with an Ortofon cartridge ,Tandberg 1055 Receiver & Bose 901 speakers. A lot of money to spend on stereo equipment as an 18 year old. Still have it today...

[@colanitower]

Nice. I got the 312. With Sony TA-2650 amplifier, ST-2950F tuner and Finnish-made National Panasonic SB-39 3-way speakers. A humble looking but fine starter system still going strong today.

[@benpara6478]

So interesting. Best channel on KZbin I think.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Definitely, but I'm biased.

[@nostro1001]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Gold 😂😂😂

[@Modeltrainscarsstereos614]

Good to see your system

[@LP-gs3xj]

Holy Snikes. Headphones galore. Showed to my wife who is always on my case re my headphone collection - only 6.

[@pbarach1]

Thanks for showing us your system! What do you use to play SACDs?

[@gld3gld3]

Love the cable management! : )

[@aorakiboydog]

707 yep great had one on my Rega 3 in the 70’s Sure V 15 sounded great coming through my Kef 104AB

[@saugghos]

I have owned several old (Technics, HMV, Philips, JVC) and new (Project, Clearaudio) turntables. There is always something that I like about the sound from old turntables. I dont know what it is or how to explain. They just seem to render the song better although critical listening may reveal that new ones have more clarity.

[@rbmanb]

As a person with a remarkable experience with headphones, and as someone who probably heard many stories from other people with similar experience, do you have any idea which headphones I might want to look at, about 100 dollars range, for a relatively small head. I've tried the ATH m40x, but those kept falling off my head and causing me a migraine from pressure on top of my head. I'm considering getting the Sennheiser HD 280, as people say those would definitely fit my small head, although I might want to give the sony 7506 a chance too. Any ideas? Cheers.

[@MRPC5]

Love it. If only I could afford one of those First Watt amps...

[@tallpaull9367]

all that Pass Labs, First Watt , and the of the gear is a fortune worth of gear. wow!

[@pblnlpalu]

Great SME player! Congrats!!!!

[@truman4956]

Just a quick non audiophile comment...Steve I really like your glasses

[@HareDeLune]

"Oh, don't grovel! If there's one thing I can't stand, it's people groveling! And don't apologize! Everytime I try to talk to someone it's "sorry this" and "forgive me" that and "I'm not worthy". What are you doing now?!" "I'm averting my eyes, oh Lord." "Well don't! It's like those miserable Psalms; they're so depressing. Now knock it off!!"

[@matzeflamingos]

Hi Steve, nice System. Obviously it would be a great show about the headphone Tree. But I'm not a headphone Enthusiast. I want to see a show about the Best records for testing: 1. Bass, 2. Voice, 3. Sound stage,/Imaging. Thx Matze from Berlin, Germany

[@serloinoflamm1119]

Do you actually live in that apartment too? How, where? Do you have room for a bed, or do you sling a hammock between your speakers? 🤔

[@wildbill3006]

He showed you one room. You ever heard of an apartment with more than one room?

[@basspig]

Not everyone can afford more than a one room apartment especially in major city. My apartment in Kamata, Japan is only 200. Sq ft.

[@thiscorrosion900]

I just live in my studio in my coffin (equipped with mini Magnepans), saves space. "Shut up and Drink your blood...and bite mama goodnight!"

[@jlin5459]

@M Pi most of these audiophiles especially in Steve's circle has their own apartments or spaces for their audio gear, so wouldn't be surprised if this is an apartment dedicated only to his audio stuff

[@hippydippy]

@@jlin5459 NOPE. His wife is an artist & lives there as well.

[@MrTennisgolf]

Wow! That must be a HUGE ROOM if you can sit far enough away to listen properly, with all of that stuff.

[@chuckgillespie1]

That was fun - Thanks!

[@markmiller9579]

Steve is one of the few audiophiles I know who's a Klipsch fan. He doesn't seem to have met any Klipsch he didn't like, while I never met one I could like - at least for the long term. I don't hate them, they just don't move me like what I've owned for over 37 years (ADS 1230s) and other transducers I've listened to over the years.

[@stevefick3919]

"The EMPIRE strikes back!" LOL!

[@daleswanson1784]

Just curious - I hear so much about vibration in systems and the lengths to which some folks go to eliminate it. I note in this episode that you have lots of stuff on top of your speakers and other components and, that makes me wonder if vibration is really a big deal or much ado about little? As the Audiophiliac of note, what say you?

[@hifiguy10]

Dale Swanson I’d say he’s not as much of an “audiophile” as he’d like us to believe.

[@lucasmuneton4255]

@@hifiguy10 or maybe he just clear them up when he is going to use them(? just because he has some cds on top of his speakers doesnt mean he is less of an audiophile than you

[@hifiguy10]

Lucas Muñeton that’s not all. He uses no isolation feet under any equipment, stacks components on top of one another, and looks like he uses stock power cords. So yes, he is less of an audiophile than I am

[@RobertD_83]

Gotta love the "audiophile" community.. he uses lesser cables than I, therefore he is lesser! GTFO with your self important judgmental bs. Just like what you like, I guess if you have to label yourself audiophile to feel more special then whatever.. But when you gotta tear others down to feel superior as far as I'm concerned you can shove that audio snobbery right up your rose scented ass.

[@markmiller9579]

Since becoming an audiophile in 1971, I've had only 3 turntables - Dual 1218, Phillips 312 and my current player since 1985, Thorens TD166 mk2, a fully manual thing that hasn't given me 5 minutes worth of trouble. It's outlived 2 NAD CD players. If it does go bad, I'd stick with fully manual, belt-drive unit.

[@trevormartin5248]

love it from east canada

[@RobertDoyle1]

Have you experimented with pro audio gear. I recently tried out a Carver ZR1600 my musician son left behind. Given it's used price point I'd say it's performance is well beyond it's price point.

[@Ferrywijaya30]

Killer system you got there!

[@papapatriot]

I also had the Roksan Xerxes, with a MC30 cart!

[@HistoryAmazigh]

And that my friend is the Ultimate proof that the Absolute WAF exists.

[@revelry1969]

Great video. How best to isolate the turntable from vibration for feedback? The table holding the turn table looks good but not intense with concrete etc

[@terrata1]

Love your channel Steve not in the same league as you but i love audio, my budget only allows for YAMAHA AS701 amp a laptop with a DRAGONFLY RED DAC (FLACS ONLY) and my dads 1975 SANSUI FR3080 TURNTABLE ,with WHARFDALE DIAMOND 230 SPEAKERS for front and 220's for back also SVS SB1000 for bass...but it sounds good to me!