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What component to hang on to?

Hello all,

So - the search for a new truck and house infrastructure needs make me consider selling off my main listening system. Having said that, I remain a consummate audiophile who knows I’ll eventually rebuild my system. However, I;’m thinking I should hold onto ONE element in the chain to serve as a building block for my future system. Any advice on what component to hold on to would be appreciated. Or sell all of them?

Components:

Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers (sold)

Hegel 160 integrated

Oppo 105 BDP

VPI HW-19 MK4 turntable with SAMA with Benz Micro Ace SH cartridge and Sumiko FT-3 tonearm

Jolida JD9 Mk 2 phono with Mullard tubes

AZ Tsunami IC’s

Decware Styx cables
128x128simao
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,044 posts
 
I third that!  Keep the VPI.  If you want to sell it, please get a hold of me.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
A great TT! Don't sell it!
donvito101
278 posts
 
Another here for the VPI. In todays dollar, a replacement for that table, arm and cartridge would be in the ballpark of about $5000 !
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
Agree with all the others, keep the turn table.  I would also retain the cables and phono amp. Sell the rest.
trelja
3,224 posts
 
As @rhljazz mentioned, I don't see any reason to sell the cables at this point.  Since they take the sonics in a direction this way or that way reflecting your system and your personal tastes, and you don't know where you will end up, it makes sense to hold on to them.  Who knows, they may fit in perfectly in the end.

Likewise, I'll go along with @rhljazz not just with the cables, but also the Jolida phono stage.  It may not suit where you ultimately wind up, but it definitely works for now.

Next, since the Oppo plays any silver disc you want, has functionality beyond physical media, could become a better digital platform if you mod it someday, always has a lot of market demand, and could even appreciate if folks develop that nostalgia sort of pricing for all things Oppo, it also looks like a keeper.

I also lean toward keeping the Hegel integrated at this point.  It definitely has a richer character, but lends more than enough flexibility to allow you a broad path in terms of assessing both your next pair of loudspeakers and if you go with a new analog front-end.  Once they both get sorted, you may feel happy enough to keep it, you may want a more muscular solid state amplifier, or even try tubes.

Speaking of analog, we all know most components appeal to some folks and not others.  VPI tables veer strongly towards warmth, richness, lushness, and elasticity.  If you want a snappier, tighter, faster, more exciting and lively presentation, you should absolutely sell the table.  So here I am going against everyone else who already spoke up, and say sell it, sell it now.

The best news is you've already dumped the component I REALLY dislike, the AZ loudspeakers
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