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Have you ever downgraded deliberately?

At the start of my Audiophile journey i had a Marantz PM8004 with a Proton D1200. Klipsch RF-82 Speakers and Marantz CD player. I had entry lv Cardas speaker wire. The system sounded very good and very musical.

If i’m honest i still miss that pre amp - amp combo. At the moment i have 2 Higher Fidelity 138 monoblocks and a black Threshold fet 10HE modded. Wadia 9 classic dac and Wadia transport. Soundwise it’s much better than before. But still i think about that suberb Proton and Marantz. Maybe i’m becoming a bit jaded with the hobby..... I sold Both components with a heavy heart. And wonder what would happen if i downgrade to a similar system (better speakers ofcourse).

I want to hear some downgrade stories of fellow Audiophiles. Why they did it, where they came from system wise. And if they are more happy with a lesser system.

PS
A couple of months ago i heard some Apogees "Duetta sigs" It rocked my world. Because most speakers are ugly, and sound mediocre. This was totally different from a design and sound point of view. It was perfect in my book. Never had that before. I'm trying very hard to scrounge up the $ to obtain it.

My gf also liked the Proton D1200 looks. What if i sell most of my stuff downgrade and Buy that Apogee with the Proton amp and a cool looking CD player? Looks are very important in my living room i guess. Maybe more than audio nirvana


128x128jouri_knegt
gary_c
46 posts
 

I have deliberately downgraded my system, and it wasn't long before I found myself not listening to music as much as I used to; not happy with SQ and lack of PRaT. I now have the same brand of integrated amp and speakers as I did before the downgrade, although different models. My power conditioner and half my cables are also the same brand as before.

If you can downgrade (but not too low) and find a balance that suits you, perhaps it would work for you if you were able to keep some of the sonic virtues that you currently enjoy. But you will hear the difference; whether you care for it is something I can't answer.

If you decide to try it, I recommend not parting with your current system until you know the outcome of the downgrade; unless you're comfortable with putting a good system back together, and the selling/buying involved with it.

jouri_knegt's avatar
jouri_knegt OP
39 posts
 
Thanks for the advice Gary_c!
mahler123
3,312 posts
 
I once had some one make me an offer that Godfather like, I couldn’t refuse.  It was for an Ayre preamp that was over two years old and I was offered what had been my purchase price.  I still had the previous Pre Amp, a Cary SLP 05, laying around so I thought what the heck, this makes monetary sense and the Cary wasn’t so bad.  I was instantly sorry that I had done this, as reinserting the Cary made me remember why I had wanted to upgrade from it in the first place
astelmaszek
125 posts
 
I've got multiple systems. One around $50K or so retail, another $5K or so. The $3K system puts the $50K system to shame in some areas. It's a pair of Focal Shape 65s connected to Chord Hugo 2 fed via Chromecast Audio.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
682 posts
 
First off, what amp was on those Apogees?  Something very serious like a Krell, Threshold or Levinson?  The store I worked at back in the day sold Apogees running with Krells, it was the only thing that would run them.  They need lots of current, I don't think the Proton could handle them as they drop down very low in impedence.

Secondly, speaking of downsizing, I've done several times over my almost 40 years in this hobby.  The most significant time was in 93, when my daughter was born.  The hobby just wasn't important anymore and I went from nice tube separates to a lowly receiver.

Right now, I like to try out different things, keep them for a while, then try something different.  I'm a tube guy at heart, but don't always have tubes in my arsenal.  I have found out that when I have SS gear, I'm always changing every so often, but when I have tubes, I tend to not make changes for a much longer period of time.  Tubes just sound right.  I'm also a giantkiller type of person in that I can be perfectly happy with gear that is on the budget side that competes with gear that is much more expensive.  Lastly, I'm very much into vintage gear from the 70's and 80's, reliving my youth I guess :)

Have fun,
Lou
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