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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
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.

grislybutter
2,293 posts
 

@vonhelmholtz 

I guess the vinyl components of the the rig can cost twice as much as its digital match. I have no idea, to be fair, that's just what I read.  

bikeboy52
184 posts
 
  • @markny2011 Happy Father’s Day if that applies! Yes I am an avid cyclist after giving up running (knees). My upgrade started with the idea of just adding vinyl playback to my old system (pics on profile) started with a P3 and an inexpensive phono stage, don’t know if you’ve researched the Rega turntables yet but they are known to present ground noise problems for some and they did for me.The dealer that sold me mine let me swap it out for P6 which still presented ground hum but ultimately I was able to trace that down and eliminate it. After that I upgraded the phono pre amp to a Gold Note with it matching linear power supply, huge improvement in SQ there. That should have been the end of the story there but then I discovered streaming. Originally I purchased a inexpensive Marantz streamer with the notion that it would be used for daily music while puttering around the house or whatever. Well it didn’t take long for me to become completely hooked on the ability to be able to pull up any song or album that popped in my head that day , I’ve got unusualy diverse taste in music, I,d have to hit the lottery to buy all the music I like to listen to. It’s rare now that I spin or purchase vinyl since I’ve gotten my streaming SQ near or equal to that of the vinyl but you may have a different goal or experience, good luck with your endeavor it was both fun and rewarding for me (and the sellers) Enjoy!
markny2011 OP
25 posts
 

Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for the input thus far ... it has already had a big impact on my thinking. I felt a bit overwhelmed with all the choices I had to make, and this has already put me into a prioritized direction.

I will put off the expansion into vinyl for now. It seems from all those with good experience in vinyl that it is a long journey, and expensive ! I have no vinyl now, so it means a focus not just on equipment, but building up a collection of vinyl - which seems like its own full time job getting this right. So I will deal with my digital upgrades first.

 

I will start auditioning speakers to the best that I can. I was still intrigued with Zu from what I have read, and the suggestions above on Harbeth seem very good based upon my research into the brand just now. There is a dealer not far from me who handles Audio Note, which also seems to be a solid choice.

A QUESTION ABOUT STREAMING ... If I am now streaming from Qobuz through the Bluesound Node, should I expect that source to be as good as the Apple lossless files on my Mac? If they are both high res digital bits coming in to my DAC, is there a reason they should sound different - one better than another ?

Also - why would a high end streamer sound better than a Bluesound Node ? Again - if 2 different streamers are pulling a digital stream from Qobuz - and both are feeding the same DAC - would the streamer affect the sound ?

PMM SUGGESTED GETTING MY LEVINSON CHECKED BY A TECH. As long as it is playing well, what could be needed if it hasnt been used for several years.

And finally - the power regenerator replacement I will also make a lower priority as I focus on the speakers and digital source. I will also try to get some ideas on cables - but obviously - that comes after a speaker change !

Thank you all - and would still appreciate any input based upon my comments here and what I suppose will now be my first priority of looking into speakers, and whether the Bluesound Node (although new) should be replaced with something better.

Really appreciate all the help !

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