Changing to less expensive gear.

"The implication is that more expensive gear does not provide better sound".

I think this is not the implication. Rather, I think that the implication is that wise choice is more important than a large wallet, and that more expensive is not necessarily better.

To use a car analogy the Cadillac Escalade is an expensive car, but I think it's a total piece of crap in terms of its engineering. The Honda Civic is much, much less expensive but I think it's a vastly superior piece of engineering. However I am prepared to believe that it is possible to spend $50k on a car and get a car that is substantially better than a civic.

I recently went from a Rogue 88/VTL 2.5 pre w/ phono ($2,200 w/ ICs) to a $350 ASL integrated. Well, I also paid another $750 for a VTL phono stage (not a full pre), and I have basically cut my costs in half, but that doesn't even take into acount the cost of retubing, which will also be less than half of the original (8 total tubes now versus 17 w/ my old setup).

I am a lot happier with my result, and I think that I'm having more fun listening.

I have found that you really can't skimp on sources, hence replacing my old Project TT with the J.a. Michell Gyro (HUGE improvement!!!). My modded Music Hall CD25 might be on an even par with the Cary 308 I used to have, but they are apples and oranges; I like them both for different reasons.

System synergy and the vagaries of my listening room seem to have impacted the overall sound/performance than any amount of I have spent on total equipment. Still, I have gone from having laid out $9,000 on my system to about $5,000, and I'm pretty happy.

It's a lot of trial and error, frankly . . . Just remember why you're doing it: because you love the music, not the gear!

Cheers

Celtic: My question is, were they really "upgrades" and how long did your level of satisfaction really last??? : ) Sean
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I did this last year because I wanted less cluter for awhile,but now I want another reference system after selling mine off last year.

I will still keep my Panasonic SA-XR45 for my HT setup,but I want a seperate reference 2ch. system.

I do not want to pay the high price for a SOTA HT system and want to concentrate on egetting the cleanest ,clearest setup I can for testing components.

I know my speakers are top nitch unless I want to pay $6K plus for new ones.

Plinius, Passive Controller and a DAC are on my list of purchases as soon as I decide which I want I will purchase them.

Just thinking!

Switched from a Rogue Magnum 99 to a Blue Circle Despina, Didn't like either one of them. I tried a AES AE/1 to hold me over until I could figure out what I wanted. I have kept the AES. It is a killer little preamp at any price. IMHO, it blows away the Rogue and the Blue Circle.