My Current HiFi System 2025 – Updated November 13th 2025.
Audio has been in my life since I was a kid. I started listening to my mom’s records at age 9 on a portable all in one crappy turntable. I bought my first “system” at 15-16 and every week I would buy a new album. I would listen to that album all week until it was time for the next purchase or sometimes wear out the grooves! I still own some of those original albums today though they do not get played anymore. These days I am 100% into digital streaming as this brings millions of tracks right to our fingertips and the sound can be unreal with the right setup.
I get emails from time to time asking me what the state of my system is. It has changed often, usually every few months in the past as I get new pieces in that I fall for. I am a HiFi addict after all, lol. Just because I change a piece doesn’t mean what I had before is bad or no longer loved, I just like to keep things fresh for the videos and to experience as much as I can. I do this to learn, to compare and to understand what makes some gear cost as much as it does.
MY SYSTEM IS CHANGING for 2026 as I have found some Incredible pieces I could not live without.
Lucky for me my wife is into this as well. While I listen daily, she sits with me on the weekends and we both enjoy it. Here we are on our weekend “date” at a local brewery. After this we went home to listen to some music. Fun Fact, my wife and I met in kindergarten and went to grade school together. Now in our upper 50’s we enjoy the simple things in life above all else.
This is my current system:
Speakers
I have chosen some new speakers for 2026 for my system and I will showcase them here soon. Not what you may think!
Amplification
I have chosen all new amplification for my system for 2026 and will soon feature it here from a flagship reference to other pieces I will keep on hand for comparisons.
Streamer
New streamer will be in service soon.
DAC
My long term DAC choice will be revealed soon. After hearing over 100 dacs have I chosen an old fave or something new?
Network Switch
After hearing what one did for my system, I decided I had to have one. Details soon.
POWER CONDITIONER – Puritan Audio PSM 156 NFR + GroundMaster City Ultra
This replaced the awesome Vinshine Audio Tai Hang power conditioner for two reasons but will be my power conditioner going forward.
In regards as to what this replaced the Tai Heng…
#1 it has two more outlets than the Tai Hang, and I needed them. Sure, I could have bought another Tai Hang as they are priced so right but when I heard the new PSM 156 NFR with its upgraded premium Furutech GTX series connectors I was hooked instantly.
#2 With the new Groundmaster City added, the performance is unreal and I prefer it to the stand alone groundmaster. It has cleaned up my electricity so well, even better than the Tai Heng. I hear instruments and voices easier now, as the system has taken on an even more effortless flow. Zero noise, grunge, buzz or hums at all. This setup costs alot but power is the foundation of our systems and so many disregard it, but again, not everyone may need a power conditioner. I feel almost any great system can benefit from one.
I have tested conditioners from the “best” such as Audioquest (up to Niagra 5000), PS Audio (PP20), Shunyata (Denali) and a few others as well but I even preferred the $1500 Tai Heng to those due to cost vs performance. The new Puritan NFR is end game for me and my power needs just as my Icon 12 speakers have been. I will review this before end of year…but yea, it does what I need and takes the system up even higher. I would recommend this Puritan 156 NFR for high end revealing systems, and the Tai Hang for starter to mid end systems. These only two power products I recommend.
With the Puritan NFR I have never heard my system sound this silent and when it is this silent, details seem to emerge with a more free flowing vibe that allows us to hear more than we have before. Amazing what it has done, and I knew it in an instant. The Tai Hang is excellent of course and the Puritan would be at home in a $200k system. This one is a level up from the standard 156 and offers a bit more solidity and smoothness while still making everything sound clear and clean with a slightly expanded soundstage. I use all Puritan power cables in my system as well and have 5 of the Ultimate cables. The 156 NFR comes with an updated Ultimate cable.
Review Soon
You can get this from Jaguar Audio HERE.