The TOP 8 HiFi Audio Systems I Have Ever Heard. Number 1 is NOT what you think! What is YOURS?

Fun review.

NAt Audio HPS using GM70 tubes with Cube Audio Nanaphar speakers was a step up that I truly enjoy. As for cables as yet I have not managed to put anything exotic use the standard cables that you have recommended for now and it still sounds magical.

My current (and favorit) System: Elac Concentro S507 Loudspeaker, driven by the Luxman class A L550AXII. (Turntable: Dual CS721, Cambridge cxc and cxn v2, Naim Musik-server uniti)

No Diablos?

I have very fond memories of my old ProAc system - ProAc Studio 140, Simaudio i-7 integrated amp and Marantz SA11S2 cd player with Cardas Golden Reference cables. It's kind of like you describe some of your systems - warm, detailed, big soundstage. Since then I've gone quite a bit upscale with Revel Studio 2, Simaudio P8 pre-amp, Simaudio W8 amp and Simaudio 780D streamer/dac with Cardas Clear cables. It's definitely an improvement in sound in all aspects and I really enjoy it but every now and then I miss the magic of that simple ProAc system.

why no mcintosh ?

Thanks for sharing. So much of this is the room interaction also and its cool to see how things coalesce into systems!

what about Mc gear ? -I understand your focus is on Speakers , as it should be.. I also understand that Mc speakers are not highly acclaimed .. but amp, pre-amp wise they’re hard to ignore ..?

My NAD 3020B and AR speakers and Rotel CD player sounds fantastic viz the law of diminishing returns 😀

A preference for integrated amps over separate preamps and power amps? Turntables were never a part of these systems?

Totally agree that synergy plays a huge factor.

What's with the constant mindless smiling?

only 8k, lol.

Utter rubbish I worked in a hi fi retailer for 20 years , a £3000 hi fi could be beaten by a £400 system just a preference to the type of music being played and your preference

His ears ..... his preference ........... his room .... be a LOT different in ANY other house or room.... and listener !!!

Devialet… 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

count your blessings, friends. the vast majority of people on the planet never get to experience the delightful illusion of having real musicians gathered around their living room playing real instruments

I said "Get a Rel" out loud before you said you were thinking about a Rel sub... LOL

My favorite system is my current version: Klipsch Belles powered by VTL 100 monoblocs, two VPI HW-19 turntables (v.3 for mono, v.4 for stereo), phono preamp by Krell, DAC is a vintage Anodyne Adapt tube output unit.

A bit odd that your number one isn't your current.

Why wouldn't you have the #1 system now vs what you got?

On my computer desk i have: Elac Carina BS243.4 (on 6 inch high speaker stands) + one REL T Zero MK III + SMSL A300 amp and SMSL SU-9n dac. I have the REL downfire subwoofer at the table behind the monitor. I love the "big nearfield sound" from this little setup in my small room! For music it sounds better than my Klipsch RP 8000f II in my livingroom.

I have Infinity Interlude IL50s, IL10s and IL25C driven by a Carver AV 705x amplifier and Marantz AV 7005 pre-processor. Great sound have had the Speakers and Amplifier since 2003 and got the Marantz in 2018 for my 60th Birthday.

My system is the Elipson 1303 Foster tweeter driven by the Duson A10 class A amp. (former Adio Analyse A9). Preamp the Duson C1000. Interconnects Carbon and loudspeaker Cable Vandenhul hybride. This system makes the sound real live. The music comes not out of my speaker but stands in the middel of my room. It is right here. With an LP it becomes even more realistic.

My favorit loudspeakers are the Manger.I do not know why they are not so famous than others,especially because they are build like the eardrum.

My Current system has some components from the 1980's that I've had since new.
Bryston 2BSST amplifier
Apt Holman preamp (all original)
Oppo BDP-105 universal player (replaced a Mission DAD 7000 CD player that I still have)
Yamaha PX-3 Linear Tracking Turntable w/ Grace F-9E cartridge
Yamaha T-1060 Am/Fm Tuner
Polk Audio LSI-15 Tower Speakers
Ultralink Excelsior 2.4 MkII Bi-Wire speaker cables
Ultralink Ultima Mk II Interconnects
The addition of the Oppo player elevated the system to a higher level, especially when playing SACDs and DSD files.

I’m from the Uk Have you ever heard a linn/Naim system?The linn sondek is the best turntable I’ve ever heard.

Sonus faber speakers most of line is awesome , Macintosh amps , Denifrips dac

I’m blown away at your number 8 pick. I thought for sure it would have been one of the top best sounding systems you’ve reviewed.

People can get get over analytical and forget just enjoying simply relaxing and chilling to music there is a limit to obsession

Harbeth SHL5+ 40th Anniversary, Gato Audio Amp 150 AE , Gato Audio CDD-1 AE, Ansuz Acoustics Speaker Power Cables and Mains Block. Audioquest XLR.

What size is your room? Mine is small and I've already made the mistake a couple of times of overpowering it, and I need to better manage its evolution.

Genesis car audio is the best I heard.

Can eview the audio research i50.

Currently I run NAD C-372 stereo amp with QED XT40i cables to Klipsch RF-7 III with Bluesound Node 2i streamer and MiniDSP 2x4HD with Dirac Live as my stereo listening setup. I do like it. I do have some room issues that I notice when walking around, but I'm happy with the sound.

Aoshida D7->Kenwood KA-1400B/Kenwood KT1300B->Beovox S45-2 (QED cables). Under 1000$

Just love Sonus faber speakers. I owned a pair of the first Electa Amator’s and currently I have the Guarneri Memento’s.
Krell KPS-28c CD player, Krell pre-and power amplifiers, Transparent cables and power isolators…

I would love to see a review of the DeVilles with a Rel sub! :)

Wow your not short of a dollar or two to have owned all these high end systems....!

My synergy:
Klipsch Forte 1 with crites xover & titanium mid & tweeter
Quicksilver mid mono amps el34 tubes
Audio Refinement Pre 5, yes shocker. Using in preamp mode, very neutral. Highly recommended. Great price in the used market if you can find one.

edifier 1280 :)

WE just added the SF Maxima Amatar 2-way floor-stander , to our system and we have finally heard what we have: Pass XP-17 Phono and XP-22 pre, Pass XA160 mono blocks (the originals, from 2005), Bryston CD player, Linn LP 12 with Audio Ogami Arm, and Ortofon Cadenza black cart, Kimber Kable through out, and, off for repair, our 1983 Nakamici Dragon. I waited 15 years to buy these speakers and the entire system sings. Last upgrade will likely be the Pass Amps replaced by Pass XA60.8 - next year, maybe. I really like your videos and your approach to reviewing.

Mine is my own inexpensive multi-room (and outdoor) system. When the music is playing and the system is balanced correctly between rooms, it always sounds as if you are getting true stereo… from another room. It is always full-range and fully present, yet it always seems to be ‘above’ you in such a way that you can hear it with total clarity. And for all that, it somehow never interferes with normal conversation.

I guess if you use Spotify, a great setup is pointless or not?

Was hoping to see some Paradigm representation in this list 😎

Phillips CD960,,as a transport,,running through a 563 Dac by Meridian,,into a passive pre amp,,into a QUAD 606 power amp,,and out through RTL 3 transmission line speakers..SUBLIME...

I recall you also praised the Line Magnetic LM219 integrated amp. I guess it no longer makes your top 8. It is one of the amp I use to drive a pair of Avantgarde and the soundstage is HUGE. It is still one of the favourites.

Synergy, thank you.

I love our Cornwall IV’s! Feeding them with a Yamaha AS-3200, Technics SL1200G + 2M Black LVB250, Chord signature cabling. For digital we have a Technics cd/streamer /DAC which is awesome too but also a Sony Blu Ray and a D-BOB for high(er) res DVD’s Blu_rays etc. Really happy we can enjoy really close intimate sound or full on Rock Concert vibes with this set up.

why would you get rid of the best system you ever had?

Interesting that most speakers were two way.