My $32K 2-Channel Audio System： Is it TOO MUCH For Me To Handle？
United States of Analog | March 2, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is Bob from United States of Analog reviewing the most expensive 2-channel audio system he’s ever had in his home, totaling $32,345. He’s assembled what he calls an “all-star system” using various high-end components he owns or has received for review, and is sharing his thoughts on whether such an expensive system is worth it or perhaps “too much” for him to handle.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- MoFi Studio Deck turntable with Master Tracker cartridge – $2,000 (owned since pandemic, features 10-inch tonearm, wide plinth, Microline stylus profile)
- Black Ice Audio F-159 tube phono preamp – $1,125 (Jim Fosgate design, adjustable crosstalk with test disc)
- Moon by Sim Audio North Edition 681 network player/streamer DAC – $13,000 (four DAC chips per side)
- Moon by Sim Audio North Edition 641 integrated amplifier – $11,000 (125 watts into 8 ohms, Canadian-made)
- Klipsch Heritage Forte 4 speakers – $5,000 (host’s own speakers)
- REL subwoofer – $1,200 (previously reviewed, host bought it)
- Panasonic SACD/Blu-ray player – $20 (from Goodwill)
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:00:05] Bob expresses ambivalence about owning such expensive equipment, saying “I don’t know if I want that kind of pressure”
- [00:00:56] He describes himself as “a simple man” who drives “a simple van” and is “always looking for value in audio”
- [00:02:14] The Black Ice phono preamp is “a little overkill” for him – his most expensive phono preamp before was around $200
- [00:04:43] The Moon equipment is “heirloom stuff” that’s solid enough to “pass on to the next generation”
- He appreciates the mechanical nature of the MoFi turntable and how it connects him to the analog process
Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- [00:02:53] Bob warns about “the second pitfall of being a reviewer” – always wanting to buy the really good gear you review
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:00:02] “If you’ve got the budget for this kind of equipment, number one, send me the name of your broker”
- [00:00:46] “I heard you in the Netherlands, Bob. I’ve got speaker cables that cost more than $32,000” (acknowledging wealthy audiophiles)
- [00:01:47] “It’s nostalgic and it reminds me of the good old days, if there ever were any”
- [00:01:58] References to “Rockford Fosgate, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday. Car audio shows, big woofers, big sound”
- [00:03:59] “That’s disc jockey math” (after adding up the system cost)
Summary
Bob from United States of Analog introduces viewers to his most expensive audio system ever assembled, totaling over $32,000. Despite the impressive price tag, he expresses genuine ambivalence about owning such costly equipment, positioning himself as a “simple man” who typically seeks value rather than luxury. This self-deprecating approach creates an interesting tension as he acknowledges that while he can appreciate high-end gear, the pressure and expense of owning it might be beyond his comfort zone.
The system consists of a mix of his own equipment and review items, including a $2,000 MoFi turntable setup, a $1,125 tube phono preamp that he admits is overkill for his usual preferences, and an impressive $24,000 worth of Moon by Sim Audio components that he acquired somewhat serendipitously during a trip to his local hi-fi store. He rounds out the system with his beloved Klipsch Forte 4 speakers, a REL subwoofer he couldn’t resist buying after reviewing it, and humorously, a $20 Panasonic player from Goodwill.
Throughout this portion, Bob demonstrates his characteristic blend of genuine enthusiasm for audio equipment and down-to-earth perspective on the hobby’s potential excesses. He seems genuinely impressed by the build quality and sound of the high-end components, particularly praising the Moon equipment as “heirloom stuff” built to last generations, while simultaneously questioning whether such expensive gear aligns with his values and approach to audio. This sets up what promises to be an honest exploration of whether extreme high-end audio is worth the investment for someone who typically focuses on value and practicality.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion:
- [00:04:57] Macintosh (compared to Sim Audio)
- [00:05:14] Moon equipment (Sim Audio brand) – $24,000 total system cost mentioned
- [00:05:41] $1,100 integrated amplifier (appears to be reference to entry-level comparison)
- [00:05:55] Sim Audio streamer – $13,000
- [00:05:57] Tidal Connect streaming service
- [00:06:00] Klipsch Forte 4 speakers
- [00:06:23] REL Classic 98 subwoofer
- [00:06:34] Panasonic SACD Blu-ray player
- [00:06:53] Bluesound Node streamer
- [00:06:55] Josheli Labs DAC with AKM DAC chip
- [00:07:28] $11,000 amplifier (Moon/Sim Audio)
- [00:08:18] MoFi turntable
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions:
- [00:04:57] Views Macintosh as “the Sim of America” with equivalent quality
- [00:05:16] Moon equipment prioritizes solid engineering over features
- [00:06:07] Strongly defends Klipsch Heritage Series against critics who call them harsh
- [00:06:51] The $13,000 streamer price seems extreme to him
- [00:07:06] Concerned about being locked into expensive DAC/streaming technology that changes rapidly
- [00:07:28] Personally wouldn’t spend $11,000 on an amplifier
- [00:08:23] Takes a holistic approach to system evaluation rather than isolating individual components
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described:
- [00:07:56] The $32,000 system provides exceptional resolving power and resolution
- [00:08:01] Felt like he was hearing everything in recordings
- [00:08:26] Described outstanding soundstage performance
- [00:08:31] Soundstage extends “way beyond” speaker edges, almost 3D-like
- [00:08:38] Excellent depth and dynamic range performance
Were there any price/value assessments:
- [00:06:48] First “mini caveat” – $13,000 streamer seems excessive
- [00:06:55] His Bluesound Node + Josheli Labs DAC setup costs “easily under $1,000”
- [00:07:29] Personally couldn’t justify spending $11,000 on an amplifier
- [00:08:48] Uses car analogy comparing Kia Soul vs. Porsche to illustrate high-end audio scrutiny
Any comparisons to other gear mentioned:
- [00:04:57] Macintosh compared to Sim Audio in terms of quality
- [00:06:55] His budget streaming setup (Bluesound Node + Josheli Labs DAC under $1,000) vs. $13,000 Sim streamer
- [00:07:36] Notes that vintage Macintosh amps from 50 years ago would still perform well today
Any memorable quotes or strong takes:
- [00:06:10] “Anybody that says Klipsch Heritage Series is anything but wonderful, you don’t need to be friends with them”
- [00:06:18] “Sometimes in this business, we’ve gotta get a little nutso”
- [00:08:03] “I am not one of those fancy pants reviewers”
Summary:
In this portion, the host evaluates his $32,000 two-channel system featuring Moon (Sim Audio) electronics, praising their solid engineering and build quality while noting they prioritize performance over features. He draws comparisons between Macintosh and Sim Audio as representing premium American and Canadian engineering respectively. The system includes a $13,000 streamer, $11,000 amplifier, Klipsch Forte 4 speakers, REL Classic 98 subwoofer, and Panasonic SACD player, capable of handling multiple sources from vinyl to streaming.
The host expresses two main reservations about the system’s pricing. He finds the $13,000 streamer cost excessive, especially compared to his sub-$1,000 Bluesound Node and Josheli Labs DAC combination, and worries about being locked into expensive digital technology that evolves rapidly. He also admits he personally couldn’t justify spending $11,000 on an amplifier, though acknowledges others might find it worthwhile, noting that amplifiers tend to have longer useful lifespans than digital components.
Regarding sound quality, the host reports exceptional performance across all metrics he values. The system delivers outstanding resolving power, making him feel he could hear everything in recordings, with remarkable soundstage width extending well beyond the speakers in an almost three-dimensional manner. He emphasizes taking a holistic approach to system evaluation rather than trying to isolate individual component contributions, and uses a car analogy comparing budget vs. luxury purchases to illustrate how high-end audio equipment invites constant scrutiny of performance.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
- Moon components (mentioned at [00:11:40])
- Michael Jackson’s Thriller album referenced as example of good recording ([00:12:18])
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
[00:10:18] The host concludes “I think I’m a mid-fi guy” and realizes he doesn’t want to be “in the high, high-end game” ([00:11:06]). He describes the $32,000 system as “$32,000 worth of therapy” that showed him he’s not suited for ultra-high-end audio ([00:10:59]).
Final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?
[00:11:53] The host presents several key questions for viewers to consider:
- What’s your budget and pain point?
- How will you handle the equipment once you get it?
- Can you listen relaxedly or will you always be critical?
- Can you handle hearing imperfections in your favorite music?
- Do you want to know if an album is poorly recorded?
How did the video wrap up?
[00:12:43] Standard YouTube outro asking viewers to “like, subscribe, hit the notification bell”
[00:12:51] Asked viewers to share what they paid for their two-channel systems (converted to U.S. dollars)
[00:12:57] Signed off with “I’ll see you next time on the United States of Analog”
[00:13:04] Brief humorous exchange about the market for “audio psychologists”
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?
[00:11:12] “I don’t wanna hear the tape edits inside of a Jimmy Page guitar solo”
[00:11:27] “Good equipment like this, like $32,000 equipment and up will make a bad recording sound bad”
[00:11:35] “Doesn’t tell you how the sausage is made”
[00:12:27] “Good recordings are great. A religious experience, bad recordings on a system like this, well, it irritated me”
Summary
In this final portion, the host reveals his ultimate realization about high-end audio equipment. He compares expensive audio gear to luxury cars, noting the pressure and anxiety that comes with owning something so valuable. The host confesses he prefers to simply relax and enjoy music without constantly scrutinizing every detail or worrying about his investment.
The $32,000 system proved to be overly revealing for his taste, exposing flaws in recordings that he’d rather not hear – from mixing imperfections to tape edits in guitar solos. While acknowledging that well-recorded albums like Michael Jackson’s Thriller sounded amazing and provided a “religious experience,” poorly recorded music became irritating rather than enjoyable. This level of resolution made him realize he doesn’t want to know “how the sausage is made” in music production.
The host concludes by identifying himself as a “mid-fi guy” who values fair pricing for good equipment over the ultimate in resolution and detail. He frames his experience as therapeutic, helping him understand his true preferences in audio. The video wraps up with practical advice for viewers to consider their own budgets, listening habits, and tolerance for hearing recording imperfections before investing in high-end systems. He ends on a humorous note about the potential market for “audio psychologists” to help audiophiles navigate these complex decisions.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
