Buying AUDIO Gear is DESTROYING MY LIFE!!! Stuff I CAN’T Live Without!

United States of Analog | April 18, 2024

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🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What is this video about?

This video is about the host Bob’s experience with “GAS” (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) after returning from Expona 2024 audio show. He’s discussing specific pieces of hi-fi equipment that caught his attention at the show and that he’s considering purchasing. The video appears to be about building a dream audio system from gear he encountered at the show, focusing on pieces he thinks he might realistically afford.

What gear, products, or brands are discussed?

• Michell Engineering (UK): British turntable manufacturer, family-run company since the 1960s, started making turntables around 1973
• Michell Gyro turntable/Gyro SE [2:55-3:00]: Demonstrated in multiple rooms at the show, described as having a “different kind of form factor” but noted as “a little pricey”
• Michell TechnoDeck [3:15-3:18]: More affordable option in the Michell line, described as “a great way to learn more about the Michell line”

What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?

• He’s very enthusiastic about Michell as a brand, particularly because of his personal connection to the UK (lived there for 8 years as a child)
• He emphasizes the importance of meeting the people behind audio brands, stating it can “cement your decision” and create a “personal connection”
• He’s being financially realistic, deliberately limiting his wishlist to gear he might actually afford rather than dreaming about the entire universe of available equipment
• He values the storytelling aspect of gear ownership that comes from personal connections with manufacturers

What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?

• GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is an “emotional response” that audiophiles need to be “very careful” about [0:56-1:00]
• Meeting manufacturers personally creates valuable stories and connections that enhance the ownership experience [2:38-2:55]
• British hi-fi brands hold special significance, with Michell being “kind of the epitome” of UK audio companies [2:11-2:17]

Any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?

• [0:06] “I still have some serious gas” – playful opening about his gear acquisition syndrome
• [1:27-1:30] “That would be ridiculous. That would be silly. That would be downright idiotic” – escalating emphasis about wanting everything at the show
• [1:54-1:58] Self-deprecating moment where he points to his shirt saying it represents “United States of Analog” but realizes he’s wearing the wrong shirt
• [2:50-2:55] “Super cool and it just makes it that much more of a great experience when you get that component because now you’ve got a story to tell”

Summary

Bob opens this video by explaining his case of “GAS” (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) following his return from the Expona 2024 audio show. He defines GAS as the “desperate, instantaneous need to want to buy something” that musicians and audiophiles experience when encountering desirable gear. Rather than fantasizing about everything he saw at the show, Bob has pragmatically narrowed his wishlist to 4-5 pieces he might realistically afford.

The host then begins building his dream system, starting with analog sources as befits his “United States of Analog” channel theme. He focuses on Michell Engineering, a family-run British turntable manufacturer that holds special appeal due to his childhood years in the UK. Bob emphasizes how meeting the people behind the brand at Expona deepened his connection to their products, noting that personal relationships with manufacturers enhance the ownership experience by providing stories to tell.

While impressed by Michell’s higher-end Gyro turntable series demonstrated at the show, Bob acknowledges it’s outside his budget and instead gravitates toward the more affordable TechnoDeck as an entry point into the Michell ecosystem. His approach demonstrates a thoughtful balance between audiophile desire and financial reality, while highlighting the emotional and personal aspects of hi-fi gear acquisition beyond mere technical specifications.

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⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?

• [00:03:27-00:03:31] Michell turntable from England
• [00:03:43-00:04:59] Cambridge Audio Evo 150 DeLorean edition streaming amplifier (1000 units made, 150 watts per channel)
• [00:04:11-00:04:19] British audio companies: Leak, NAD, Cambridge Audio
• [00:05:13-00:05:52] Ghiselli Labs dual monoblock amplifiers in plexi (one-off prototypes)
• [00:06:04-00:06:10] Wharfdale Linton speakers
• [00:06:10-00:06:14] New speakers from Leak

What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?

• [00:03:55-00:04:07] The Cambridge Evo 150 DeLorean edition is “so beautiful,” “so sleek” with “sharp lines”
• [00:04:04-00:04:11] British audio companies excel at mid-century modern design; wishes American companies would adopt similar aesthetics
• [00:04:45] Considers the Cambridge 150 “another piece of gear I got to have”
• [00:05:18-00:05:35] The Ghiselli monoблocks are among “the sickest units I saw at the whole show” and “just blew my mind”
• [00:06:07-00:06:10] Still wants Wharfdale Lintons and considers them “fantastic”

What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?

• [00:04:25-00:04:27] Highlights the stainless steel construction of the DeLorean edition
• [00:04:34-00:04:39] Notes upcoming software update for digital VU meters for Evo 150 owners
• [00:05:21-00:05:31] The Ghiselli monoблocks are one-offs made by chief engineer Gino “over the course of a few nights”
• [00:05:51-00:05:53] Acknowledges the plexi construction is “probably totally impractical” but “looks sick”

Any memorable quotes or strong takes?

• [00:03:39-00:03:43] “The shirt, the free $5 shirt did not influence my decision” (about Cambridge promotional shirt)
• [00:04:54-00:04:59] “Cambridge, if you’re listening, I’ll trade you this shirt for a 150 for two weeks”
• [00:05:34-00:05:35] “These are sick” (about the Ghiselli monoблocks)
• [00:06:07-00:06:08] “Call me crazy” (about wanting Wharfdale Lintons)

Summary

In this portion of the video, the host continues building his dream audio system, starting with a Michell turntable from England that he hopes to acquire soon. He then enthusiastically discusses the Cambridge Audio Evo 150 DeLorean edition, a limited-production streaming amplifier (only 1000 made) that he’s clearly smitten with, praising its sleek mid-century modern design and noting how British audio companies seem to excel at this aesthetic compared to American manufacturers.

The host’s excitement peaks when discussing a pair of prototype Ghiselli Labs monoblock amplifiers housed in plexiglass that he encountered at what appears to be the Axpona audio show. These one-off units, created by chief engineer Gino, clearly made a strong impression as among the most impressive gear at the entire show. He expresses hope that these will go into production, even though he acknowledges the impractical nature of the plexiglass construction.

Finally, he transitions to discussing speakers, mentioning his continued desire for Wharfdale Linton speakers and noting the variety of options he saw at the show, from exotic expensive models to more accessible brands like Leak. Throughout this segment, the host maintains an enthusiastic, somewhat humorous tone, even jokingly offering to trade his Cambridge promotional shirt for a two-week loan of their amplifier.

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🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

Gear, Products, and Brands Discussed

• [00:06:37] Neil Blanchard Designs prototype transmission line speakers
• [00:06:54] Horn Shop folded horn speakers (owned by host)
• [00:07:34] Wharfedale Super Denton speakers ($1400 price range)
• [00:07:42] Klipsch Forte 4s (host’s current main reference speakers)
• [00:08:18] Solid Steel stands from Italy
• [00:08:22] Host mentions wanting black, raw steel, and white versions of the stands

Host’s Final Verdict or Conclusion

• [00:08:47] The host concludes this is “the whole system from beginning to end”
• [00:08:51] Admits uncertainty about whether all components would work together but wants the individual pieces
• [00:09:14] Expresses confidence about understanding how to approach future audio shows

Final Recommendations

• [00:08:10] Strong buy recommendation for Wharfedale Super Dentons: “Look, I’m going to get them. There’s no doubt in my mind”
• [00:07:17] Wants to follow up with Neil Blanchard about potentially getting a prototype to review

Final Tips, Caveats, or Advice for Viewers

• [00:08:51] Acknowledges that he doesn’t know if all the components would work together as a complete system
• [00:09:16] Suggests he now understands how to properly navigate audio shows

How the Video Wrapped Up

• [00:08:55] Host states he’ll find places for all the gear “right here in the United States of analog”
• [00:09:11] Mentions bringing camera and gear to shoot content
• [00:09:14] Expresses newfound confidence about attending future audio shows

Memorable Closing Quotes or Strong Final Opinions

• [00:07:07] “These speakers sounded phenomenal”
• [00:07:21] “Some of the tightest bass I’ve ever heard without a subwoofer”
• [00:08:10] “Look, I’m going to get them. There’s no doubt in my mind”

Summary

In this final portion, the host enthusiastically discusses several standout audio products he encountered, starting with Neil Blanchard Designs prototype transmission line speakers that impressed him so much he initially thought there was a subwoofer in the room. He describes these as having “some of the tightest bass I’ve ever heard without a subwoofer” and expresses strong interest in potentially reviewing them, though they may not even be in production yet.

The host then shifts to gear he’s actively planning to purchase, specifically the Wharfedale Super Denton speakers at around $1400, which he describes as possibly “the smallest three-way in existence” with a mid-century modern aesthetic. He definitively states he’s going to buy them to serve as a smaller reference speaker to complement his main Klipsch Forte 4s. He also expresses desire for additional Solid Steel stands from Italy, wanting to collect different finishes including raw steel and white versions.

The video concludes with the host acknowledging that while he’s unsure if all these components would work together as a cohesive system, he wants each individual piece and will find places for them in his setup. He wraps up by reflecting on his audio show experience, expressing newfound confidence about how to approach future events and suggesting he now knows how to properly document and shoot content at such shows.

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Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.