2022 Audio System Wish List and thoughts about streaming


I've been doing this at the end of December for years for a number of years now- so here goes one more time-

What is on your audio wish list for the coming year? 

For several years I anticipated the need to replace an aging (close to 20 year old) phono cartridge- I finally did that in 2021. I also changed the power supply for my turntable. I'm extremely pleased with my turntable. A friend gave me a slightly damaged but fully functional McIntosh subwoofer as well. All other gear is unchanged and with no desire to change anything.

I also bought a Bluesound Node which I am enjoying quite a bit. My ultimate goal is to use the Node in a bedroom system and go for a different streaming transport in my main listening area. I'm looking at the "usual suspects" - Aurender, Auralic, Lumin, etc. 

As far as adding new music, getting into streaming (I use Qobuz) has caused a musical explosion! Since getting the Node in September I've built a library of about 90 new to me albums. 

128x128zavato

1. Diy from scratch high end server, putting parts list together, $2.5K in parts alone

2. Need to bring my analog side performance up, way down on digital at present, so Audio Technica ART-9xa cartridge, VH Audio Odam caps in Modwright phono pre.

Summary:

Volumio Premium OS for existing Raspberry Pi based streamers

Qobuz

New MM Cartridge for recently purchased Pioneer PLX-1000 TT

Details:

For a couple of years, I think I replied with "streamer". A couple of years ago I built a couple of Raspberry Pi based streamers, running Moode Audio OS. I was never happy with them and a purpose-built streamer has been on my list ever since. However! A couple of months ago I downloaded and installed free Volumio OS on the 2 existing Raspberry Pi based streamers and I am now very happy with my 2 streamers. 

I cancelled my 1-year trial priced Tidal subscription due to not being particularly happy with the user interface, etc. I've had Spotify Premium for a few years and love the user interface and the discovery algorithms. Hope high-res arrives soon. 

So, for 2022, I'm going to trial Qobuz and upgrade my Volumio subscription from the free version to the premium version so I can get native Qobuz support, as well as the other features that premium brings. 

Additionally, I stumbled upon a near give-away priced Pioneer PLX-1000 TT late this year. It came with a lowly Ortofon Concorde mkII MIX DJ cartridge. However, even with this lowly cartridge, it surpassed my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB w/ Ortofon Blue cartridge in most respects. Based on this epiphany, I sold the Pro-Ject and I'm on the hunt for a cartridge for the Pioneer here at the beginning of 2022.

Happy (Audio) New Year to everyone!