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I am interested to update my 15 year old system !

Hi everyone,    I have recently started following these discussions and find them very helpful.  Thanks to everyone who contributes !

I built my audio system about 15 years ago, and moved overseas in 2013.  I packed my system in boxes and put it into a climate controlled storage facility.  I expected to be overseas for 2-3 years, but ended up being away for 9 years !  I came back last year, and having been using my system now for a year, I have decided to make some changes.  I am in serious need and would appreciate very much some advice and input.   It seems now after 10 years, there are far fewer audiophile "stores" to visit for advice, and of course things have changed a lot !

My Old System:

I was only into digital at the time, and of course quality streaming was in its infancy.  So what I did was record about 1,000 CD's onto a dedicated Macbook, and sourced the music from there.   Music was stored in Apple lossless format (full CD resolution) and I could bypass the Mac sound card  directly to a DAC (which you could not do at the time on a pc).   I played the digital stream through:

Musical Fidelity X-Dac v8,   into

Levinson 383 integrated amp, into

Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home floorstanding speakers

Speaker cables were Transparent Music Wave Super

Everything was powered by a PS Audio original Powerplant

Current situation:

The PS Audio unit did not work when I set up the system.  Apparently the capacitors dried out.  PS Audio said they could not get the exact replacement parts and would not fix it.  I tried to get it fixed locally with charts and schematics from PS Audio.  The local electronics service place I went to could not get it working.  I threw it out.   I am now powering from a wall outlet !      I need to get something, and would prefer a power regenerator, to a conditioner - but I am extremely upset with the lack of service from PS Audio and dont feel good about buying from them again.   I have seen many, many complaints about this and PS Audio lack of service.  Suggestions welcome.

I purchased a Blue Node streamer, and using Qobuz, greatly simplifying my streaming.

My DAC - its more than 10 years old but the shop where I bought the Blue Node said to keep it as the tech has not necessarily improved greatly.  I dont know if this is an accurate statement, but I always did like the DAC and still do.  Dont feel a need now to change it, but interested in any views on this.

The Levinson - still runs great.  If I change it, it will be the last thing to change.

I am planning to also go analog and thinking to buy a Planar 3, using either a Planar phono stage, or maybe a tube preamp (Vince 701?).   Any thoughts on TT and phono stage ?   

Speakers - still sound good, but thinking to change as I have been intrigued by Zu Soul speakers.  Not sure about this.

Speaker cables - a friend told me to change out of the Transparents no matter what I do.  Is there some negative view on these in the market now ?

Current Objective:

I listen to alot of vocalists like Sinatra, Krall, etc. and also jazz, blues, etc.   I am not looking for high volume.  In fact, I feel my Sonus Fabers sound fabulous at higher volume, but at lower volume do not sound as good.  When I say low volume - I dont necessarily mean background music, but not so loud that you cant speak to someone else in the room !

There is alot here and I do not expect anyone to answer all questions !   If you have a view on just the speakers, or on the turntable phono stage - just your views on any one item would be very welcome !  Hopefully, I will get some input on everything - but it doesnt all have to be from one person !

Many thanks in advance to everyone for reading this far down !

Mark

 

markny2011
grislybutter
2,293 posts
 

I see nothing wrong with analog. I have the smallest budget imaginable of all members here, I find incredible $1, $2 LPs at thrift stores every week, with content and quality nonexistent or just as expensive with a decent streaming service. 

Of course you pay 100s for an album, and call it a money pit.

2psyop's avatar
2psyop
1,503 posts
 

If you like Bluesound, you can purchase a Vault and point the address where your files are on the Harddrive of the Macbook pro. I think you can do that with your Node now. Either will play them on your stereo. Additionally you can copy any new CD into the (Vault) for a duplicate copy. Just a thought...

I have a Denafrips 12 Annniversary Pontus that makes the Bluesound sound great. But I like Schiit DACs as well.

If you want to try something different for vocals, get the Magenapn LRS+. A really beautiful speaker for jazz and vocals that will not break the bank. IMO

As for the rest, just look long and hard before buying and try to listen to anything you might like. I took long road trips to listen to equipment that peaked my interest.

Avoid hype with products, some of the best sound can be found in non-hyped audio gear.

Good Luck..

ghdprentice
6,401 posts
 

I would go out and audition some high end systems. Have your tastes changed? There has been a lot of advancement in each sound type. So first verify the direction. Then you can start thinking about how to get there. Take a trip to a big city if you do not already live in one.

pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,185 posts
 

The efficiency of Zu speakers pair well with low power SET amps which would be a big draw for me.  SET amps when paired the right speakers are very enjoyable in my limited experience.  Your listening taste of Sinatra, Krall and Jazz would benefit greatly from pairing Zu speakers with a Line Magnetic LM845ia, which I was able to demo... the sound that amp puts out is truly sublime with vocals... a real game changer.... but unfortunately not a good pairing with my current speakers.  I would buy the Line Magnetic new in case you need service. 

I've owned two Bluesound streamers previously... both worked well for the cost, but the built in DAC is weak in my experience and I preferred the sound when paired with an external DAC.   DAC age is less a concern than the quality of the DAC.   I use a Weiss 202 that's > 10 years old and it sounds wonderful IMO.  Are there better DAC's?  I'm sure there are, but it all boils down to budget.

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

@grislybutter 

The money pit is not the records, but the equipment.  Digital equipment has a relatively high benefit to cost compared to analog.

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