Changing to less expensive gear.

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.

I wish this was true. There is lots of expensive stuff I don't like the sound of but generally if you pay more you get more. One exception was the B&W dealer who had little 303's with an Arcam Delta 10 ( something like that) integrated. We listened to that while waiting to hear Thiel 2.3's / McIntosh.
Wow, the Thiel was a big letdown. Harsh, bright, downright unpleasant to listen to in comparison to the $1,000 special. Set up correctly I think the Thiels could win.

I have done this successfully with cable, as you can often find a much cheaper alternative which suits you and your system better.

It is much more difficult to do this with components or speakers, but it is possible.