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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
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
jouri_knegt's avatar
jouri_knegt OP
39 posts
 
The seller was displaying them with a Jadis MC80 Preamp and also a Jadis power amp. He also had JCAT monoblocks laying arround and e-mailed me later that the sound was even better with them. A tube lover as yourself Lou.

Thanks for your input
jouri_knegt's avatar
jouri_knegt OP
39 posts
 
Well my system changed somewhat due to some components were away for mods. Bought a D1200 on the cheap.

Great component, but definitely beneath my regular setup. Nostalgia indeed.

Another great lesson and tons of fun
dougsat
374 posts
 
(Not entirely Amp related but regarding downgrading).

Well this is an interesting thread for sure. 
As a matter of fact I just sold my Kef LS50s.
In place (currently) are a pair of Definitive Technology Studio monitors SM50s that I bought on the cheap on CL. 
At first I keep switching them in and out and thought boy these
DT sound pretty good. Long story short they sound great to me, maybe they are a better fit for my Peachtree 150 or just sound better to my aging ears. Don't get me wrong I liked the Kefs (sound / look and build quality) but ended up downgrading. The Kefs may have responded to a better amp but I am not interested in pursuing that at this time.








dougsat
374 posts
 
Correction SM55s
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