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Considering simplifying my system... talk me down (or whatever)

I few weeks ago, I turned eighty.  I don't know how that happened to me, but it did, so I suppose I've officially entered Geezerhood.  Although I'm now ancient, I am anything but deaf.  I have been gifted with extraordinary hearing throughout my life and it continues to this day... I love music (my wife is a professional pianist), and I have enjoyed my current system for several years.

That said, I have been considering simplifying my system by selling my current line stage preamp, phono preamp, and power amplifier (Sonic Frontiers SFL-2, Sonic Frontiers SFP, and Audio Research VT-100, respectively), and replacing the three with a single integrated amp.  

To my ears, this system is extraordinary.  These pieces drive what may be among the best Klipschorns on the planet: 1972 K-horns, modified with Martinelli tractrix mid horns with TAD2001 drivers, JBL 2404 tweeters, and Al Klappenberger's extreme slope networks (20db/octave).  I'll be keeping these until I need some nursing home money (!)

The last time I visited the Klipsch factory (in Hope, Arkansas!), they were using a Cayin something-or-other in their listening room... it was glorious, I think one of those would do quite nicely for me.

Perhaps there is no logic at all to this "simplifying" idea.  I've just been thinking that sooner or later we will find ourselves in a different living situation and perhaps simpler might be better.  So, I'm leaving it  to the brain trust here to talk me down.

Have a nice weekend, y'all
128x128pinkyboy
pinkyboy's avatar
pinkyboy OP
11 posts
 
@cat345 :  Thank you for your reply.  When I first put Klipschorns in my home about three decades ago, I was certainly disappointed in the imaging although, overall, the sound was quite wonderful.  My second pair (just a mere 20 years ago!) was no better.  But with my current pair, the imaging is absolutely superb: the soundstage is broad and the "placement" of voices and instruments is excellent.  I never knew that the venerable "K-horns" could sound like these. 

I attribute the improvement to ALK's extreme slope networks (120 db/octave).  Sure, the tractrix mid horn and the TAD drivers certainly do their part, but I'm crediting the networks with the heavy lifting.   
pinkyboy's avatar
pinkyboy OP
11 posts
 
I am genuinely grateful to each one who has taken the time to thoughtfully post here.  You have jump-started my thought processes, and prodded me back to the listening room.  Yep, this is one really good sounding system.  
sciencecop
180 posts
 
@ mtdining
there are two kinds of high end audio companies - those who invest heavily in research and development (think Wilson Audio, Ayre, Spectral) and those who invest primarily in marketing.


There are also two types audiophiles; gullible putzes like yourself, and just putzes like me ;-)
Wilson audio wrote the book on BS, LOL…
actaman
10 posts
 
Congrats on your longevity and superb hearing! As a lifelong musician, my early days in a rock n roll band have robbed me of a fair bit of my auditory acuity, so the following comments should be taken with however many grains of salt might be appropriate. Having said that, you mentioned a “Cayin something-or-other.” This piqued my interest. I am a very satisfied owner of a Cayin A88t integrated tube amplifier. It is currently driving a pair of Martin Logan Motion 40’s (ML haters be damned lol). To my admittedly somewhat compromised ears, this combination satisfies all listening requirements from vintage jazz and classical to classic rock and modern hip-hop, and is a stone-cold bargain for the price (it also satisfies my room size limitations). Add a decent phono preamp, and you’re good to go. Just a little food for thought. Best of luck in your pursuit!
phd
1,324 posts
 
Don't do it, most people that simplify are saying they are giving up on this hobby. You will in the end join the ranks of people that let go of a system that may have taken years to assemble and that was a source of great pleasure to be replaced with something that at best is mediocre in comparison.
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