This is more a collection as opposed to a true system and was accumulated over 30 years with a big gap of probably 25 years where I didnt really get anything new. I got back into audio 5 years ago and the 2 CDPs came since then as all I had was a changer. Same for pretty much everything other than the SAE stuff. ATI was because I liked the SAE stuff and this was a successor company and various parties recommended it plus I got a great deal on B stock off Agon. I had prior OHM speakers and had always liked the Walshes but had no money when I heard them. Got off Ebay and had the factory upgrade them. I had initially been interested in Gallo 3.1 speakers but I could never get to the store when the dealer had stock or even a demo. I got the Spendors cus a friend had original Spendor LS3/5s and I liked those and again it got good reviews and came off Agon. The Yamaha stuff just came free. Acurus and YS Audio came off recos either here or on AudioKarma. I had not heard any of this stuff prior to buying as I live in HI and its pretty dry for audio shops. One very high end place doing Mac, AR, Sonus Faber. There was another small place but he never had much in stock and was HT oriented. Most of this stuff works reasonably well together although I do think there is some brightness with the ATI amp. I am using it with the Acurus right now and its decent. I have been told the Acrurus can be modded and become a really good preamp. One option assuming I can find someone to do that.

Much of this was attractively priced and I was sort of trying to get a feel for the sound of things in the modern day high end. I was pretty much in a mid-fi world before. I have been better at buying than selling, i.e. havent bothered to sell anything. At this point, my interest is in getting a strong, consistent, reliable musical pre/power combo or an integrated. Curious about tubes but not sure how they work for Hawaii. I like my CDP, speakers etc. I dont have a dedicated room or special setup so the OHMS work for me given their omni-directional nature. I would like to get the Spendors back into the mix as an alternative for late night listening, acoustic jazz, etc. I AM curious about the KEF LS50 because I did hear KEF REF 201/2 in PA on vacation and loved them. Kind of tired of the "merry go round" and would like to get to a system that is satisfying and where I can focus on the music.