I am interested to update my 15 year old system !


Hi everyone,    I have recently started following these discussions and find them very helpful.  Thanks to everyone who contributes !

I built my audio system about 15 years ago, and moved overseas in 2013.  I packed my system in boxes and put it into a climate controlled storage facility.  I expected to be overseas for 2-3 years, but ended up being away for 9 years !  I came back last year, and having been using my system now for a year, I have decided to make some changes.  I am in serious need and would appreciate very much some advice and input.   It seems now after 10 years, there are far fewer audiophile "stores" to visit for advice, and of course things have changed a lot !

My Old System:

I was only into digital at the time, and of course quality streaming was in its infancy.  So what I did was record about 1,000 CD's onto a dedicated Macbook, and sourced the music from there.   Music was stored in Apple lossless format (full CD resolution) and I could bypass the Mac sound card  directly to a DAC (which you could not do at the time on a pc).   I played the digital stream through:

Musical Fidelity X-Dac v8,   into

Levinson 383 integrated amp, into

Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home floorstanding speakers

Speaker cables were Transparent Music Wave Super

Everything was powered by a PS Audio original Powerplant

Current situation:

The PS Audio unit did not work when I set up the system.  Apparently the capacitors dried out.  PS Audio said they could not get the exact replacement parts and would not fix it.  I tried to get it fixed locally with charts and schematics from PS Audio.  The local electronics service place I went to could not get it working.  I threw it out.   I am now powering from a wall outlet !      I need to get something, and would prefer a power regenerator, to a conditioner - but I am extremely upset with the lack of service from PS Audio and dont feel good about buying from them again.   I have seen many, many complaints about this and PS Audio lack of service.  Suggestions welcome.

I purchased a Blue Node streamer, and using Qobuz, greatly simplifying my streaming.

My DAC - its more than 10 years old but the shop where I bought the Blue Node said to keep it as the tech has not necessarily improved greatly.  I dont know if this is an accurate statement, but I always did like the DAC and still do.  Dont feel a need now to change it, but interested in any views on this.

The Levinson - still runs great.  If I change it, it will be the last thing to change.

I am planning to also go analog and thinking to buy a Planar 3, using either a Planar phono stage, or maybe a tube preamp (Vince 701?).   Any thoughts on TT and phono stage ?   

Speakers - still sound good, but thinking to change as I have been intrigued by Zu Soul speakers.  Not sure about this.

Speaker cables - a friend told me to change out of the Transparents no matter what I do.  Is there some negative view on these in the market now ?

Current Objective:

I listen to alot of vocalists like Sinatra, Krall, etc. and also jazz, blues, etc.   I am not looking for high volume.  In fact, I feel my Sonus Fabers sound fabulous at higher volume, but at lower volume do not sound as good.  When I say low volume - I dont necessarily mean background music, but not so loud that you cant speak to someone else in the room !

There is alot here and I do not expect anyone to answer all questions !   If you have a view on just the speakers, or on the turntable phono stage - just your views on any one item would be very welcome !  Hopefully, I will get some input on everything - but it doesnt all have to be from one person !

Many thanks in advance to everyone for reading this far down !

Mark

 

markny2011

I have been a Vinyl as the Source System owner for approx' 40+ years. I added CD as a Source a few years past and have a 2 Source System that has the capability to present very attractive replays. I enjoy both sources 'equally', even though my being wed to Vinyl is my first love.

I never feel I am being sold short when using CD.

A 1000 CD's are already owned, concentrating on a Digital Source along with the kept Power Amp, will certainly assist with your hitting the ground running, for the finding out where changes are to be made with the other ancillaries. An alternative Source can be worked out for what is most suitable over time.

If you are looking for a streamer, check out the Eversolo DMP-a6 streamer. For a extra $260 it is a way better choice over the Bluesound Node2.

I suggest you look at a Puritan PSM 156 to replace your PS Audio unit.

Very positive reviews and experiences. So much demand, they have had to significantly increase production. I have one on order.

http://www.puritanaudiolabs.com/products/master-purifiers/psm156/

Thank you to everyone for the added comments in the last 2 days.  For one thing - I clearly have learned and accept the good advice that I cant do this all at once !

The least important change I believe is my amp.  While I may decide to change in the future to a tube amp - I cant argue that the Levinson is probably excellent for anything else I do now.

Based upon the suggestions - I have started to listen to some speakers.  I found a place to go hear Audio Note (E's and J's) and listened to them with an OTO amp.  It was fabulous.   I will try to hear some other speakers, including Harbeth.

To my surprise, I thought there would be a great deal of comparison blogs between these 2 speakers - but I have only seen 1 or 2.   Even from the writings, I dont have a feel for what users feel are the differences.  I a also a bit intrigues by the Soul 6 by Zu.  The reports are all faboulous.  The physical size for me is excellent, and the price is right around my budget (6k) (which is also where I can get a solid pair of AN or Harbeth)

For now I am relatively new to streaming - so I will keep the Bluesound - but it sounds like a better streamer will help - but I also think that can wait until after I finalize the speaker choice.

Thank you all again for your invaluable help !   Any thoughts on my speaker comments above will be of course welcome !

 

I've owned several pairs of Harbeth's over a 14 year period... and while I obviously enjoyed my time with them, I feel they've become over priced, especially new ones.  The beauty of Audio Notes and Zu's are they pair nicely with low powered tube amps, particularly SET amps.   I encourage you to continue down that path (Audio Note and Zu)!