The Best System In The World

What strikes me is that three of the four guys, Mike Lavigne being the exception, with the top systems seem to have put all their money into gear with no money left over for records and CDs. Makes wonder whether they have more of a passion for gear than for music. Not that I want to knock that as such but it leaves me very unimpressed.

FYI, when they refer to top systems at the Audio Club of Athens, they refer to 'hits' on their web-site.....not performance. it is a popularity or curiosity measurement and shouldn't be confused with best or worst.

i have been in Winston Ma's room (he lives a couple of miles from me) and it is easily the best room that i have been exposed to.....although i prefer my gear. most of us are limited to a real room in a real home.....he created from scratch the ultimate room....and it shows.

i'm sure there are other ultimate rooms and systems that meet or exceed those on the Athens Audio club site. it has been fun for me to connect with many audiophiles i would never have encountered without posting my system on that site......it does give us entertainment and fodder for discussion.

In some ways I agree with some of the postings here, in that really it's all about balance in the end! I have also heard many many WAY OVER THE TOP $$$ systems. And like anything else, that still won't get you necessarily world class results! The gear is maybe half the equation, while the room acoustics/design, system set up, speaker/seating placement, tweeking and calibration, all make up the rest. these are the areas most fall very short on doing well too.
That said, I agree with the statements that suggest you don't get necessarily the best sound because you throw money at a system. I could tell you that the horn system mentioned here is at least LOUD AND DYNAMIC cabability wise. but that's not the entire equation.
I will agree that most hi end systems error in the way of dynamic transparancy and ease. But you gotta balance it all out to do an ULTIMATE SYSTEM in my experience! And certainly digital SS amps and horns don't come to mind when I think of audiphile purity...in my experience...but then I've not heard that system.
As for the system for the "Asian" gentlemen, I hope he enjoys that too. But I know I could get as good a sound for less I bet you with a lot less $ out-lay that that one as well!
It's all good though...

Mike- Speaking of rooms I am sure you have spoke with Bill E. about his 'super' room, do you think that us east coasters will have a truly great system in our neck of the woods upon completion of his room? If nothing else his speakers should be impressive!

And Sean how does one post with those wonderful links which you are clever enough to include so often???

Tireguy, if Bill (Lakefrontroad) can think about something besides his 700hp Lola GT race car, then yes, his room has the potential to be as good as it gets. also, he should stay away from the Armangnac during set-up. of course, with enough Armangnac his current room will sound just fine.

but seriously, from what i have heard about the design and what i know about his gear.....it might be as good as there is. those Grand Exquisites, 300 watt hybrid Tenors (bi-amped??) and the Meitner are all world-class.

here is the Athens web site; http://aca.gr