Need Advice on Downsizing :-


Recent tech layoff may force me to downsize my system in a couple of months, so I'd value advice on what two or three components I could give up in exchange for cheaper but acceptable performance. My system is as follows:

Audio Physic Virgo II
Blue Circle BC2 Monos
Sonic Frontiers Line III with upgraded tubes and extra tubes
YBA CD1a
2 sets of Nordost SPM Interconnects (1m, 2.5m)
FIM Gold Speaker Cable (8')
Pioneer DV09 DVD player
Cardas Golden Cross (1/2m)

Two potential options I see would be to sell the CD player and make do with the DVD player for a while. Another would be to sell the preamp and power amps and get an OK integrated.

Anyway, let me know what you think on what I might get rid of and what may work well in its place. I guess I'm looking to raise somewhere between $1.5k to $3k overall. Thanks in advance!
John.
128x128outlier
I would sell the Nordost cables first as there are many good cables for a fraction of their cost. Same with the Cardas. I'm not familar with the speaker cable, but that may be a good item to sell as well. Your system does not appear to have much need for the DVD player unless you have invested in a lot of music DVDs (you're not using this system for HT are you?). Of course you can play CD's on the DV-09 so you might keep it and sell the YBA unless the YBA is that much better and you own mostly CDs. I agree with the above posts that you should keep the amps, preamp and speakers. Good luck with it and finding a new job. I too am looking for a new job and it is unfortunately not the best time to be looking.
Keep the speakers and CDP. Sell all the cables, amps and pre amp and buy Magnum Dynalab 208 receiver Kimber PBJ cable and Audioquest Midnight cable. You wont even notice the difference. Stay strong!
Hi Outlier, I am very sorry to hear of your job situation. The same thing happened to me. I sympathize and understand your situation. I have owned the Nordost Q and the FIM Gold speaker cable. I had no problem selling the Nordost or my FIM speaker cable. I would sell these first. That was easy for me after hearing the Sakura OTA cable Kit. IMO, the OTA is a much better IC than the Nordost. I must admit, selling the FIM PCs almost broke my heart. I have yet to hear a better PC. Please read the Sakura OTA Cable Kit thread. You will get enough wire to out fit your system for $600. You will get 160 feet of wire and enough of their special RCAs to make up 3 pair of ICs. I like their IC better than the highly praised Vahalla, Valhalla, or whatever it's called. For the selling price of the SPM, this will buy you the OTA cable kit. IMO, you will get a better wire, and some cash to put in your pocket. Better times are ahead. You will be back in the saddle in before you know it.

Best regards, Bruce
Thanks everyone for the good advice and kind words. I'm leaning towards going with the cable change option first - sounds like the least drastic option, although I've been so happy with the cables - very noticeable upgrades from what I've had before. Fingers crossed I can land a job soon and be asking you all for upgrade rather than downgrade advice :-) Anyway, thanks again.
John.
And you will... (land that job -- or better!). Been there before. Don't sell everything -- as I did!

May I second Bruce & Sugar's advice for the SPM, the FIM, and any expensive chords you may have. Replace all with OTA for now.
The only further option is the CD1a, which is expensive & should have a good resale value: one option there would be a reasonable cdp used as transport & a ART DI/0 (only suggesting this from hearsay)