I will check it !
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
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- 55 posts total
In my opinion, before suggesting equipment, a lot depends on two things. 1. The sound quality you want. a. how real and detailed do you want the system (music) to sound? 2. What budget you have for this? I don't recommend replacing everything at once. When one has an already decent system. upgrading one item at a time in my opinion is the way to go. Because the "upgrade" roller coaster is a long trip is you aren't "there" with the system's sound quality. If it doesn't sound real and can drive you out of the room, then we are talking substantial funds. But again, one piece at a time to see (hear) the improvement over that piece you are considering replacing. Aurender music server/streamer/ripper is the way to go if you have a large CD collection. No reason to pay a streaming service to hear music you already have. There is a huge difference between servers. Some will tell you that digital (one's and zero's) are the same and that is actually not true. Just like cables make a noticeable difference, So, my advice, is to try to find stores/dealers that will let you take equipment home or purchase with a no questions asked return policy and hear it in your home in your system. Again, change only one thing at a time and set the listening level with the old piece, listen, then measure the db level of that music, swap the new piece in, adjust the listening level to match the previous level and then listen. Volume/gain level differences, will falsely convince people that something is better, when actually it is simply a gain/volume difference. For example on changing pieces. If you like having an integrated amp, then stay with that and listen to other integrated amps, to see (hear) if the differences are substantive enough to warrant an upgrade. The new Mark Levinson integrated are pretty nice. But, so are several others. Are they substantially better than your current one? Only you can make that determination in your home doing an A/B comparison. Digital upgrades. Find some decent servers to compare with what you have now. Aurender is excellent. There are some others, but $$$$$. Again, bit perfect ripping is what you want. Unless you don't want to rip and want to pay for streaming. Speakers? Wow what a deep rabbit hole that one is. If you upgrade speakers first, a very good pair will reveal the issues with equipment, and the upgrade path will definitely continue. If you are okay with your current pair, then if it was me, I would look into the digital source first. A good streamer/ripper and a really good DAC. The newer integrated amps might also include a pretty decent DAC, so you might look into that also. Anyway, more to come? enjoy
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Bits are not just bits when talking about making sound from them. The bits have to be correctly read, processed and applied to produce an analog signal. Furthermore, while still in the digital domain, anything is possible in regards to how those bits are manipulated either by design or otherwise. Some products are simply more focused on doing it right for best possible sound quality than others. In some cases a particular “house sound” might be the goal similar to other products by various hifi makers. It’s a combo of hardware and software that gets the job done. So pretty much anything is possible. The only way to know is to do your homework up front before buying and then listen and compare.
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and btw if someone gives me relevant advice, I try to do my best to respond. Not a big deal, just to echo @audphile1 in that regard :) |
I have been a Vinyl as the Source System owner for approx' 40+ years. I added CD as a Source a few years past and have a 2 Source System that has the capability to present very attractive replays. I enjoy both sources 'equally', even though my being wed to Vinyl is my first love. I never feel I am being sold short when using CD. A 1000 CD's are already owned, concentrating on a Digital Source along with the kept Power Amp, will certainly assist with your hitting the ground running, for the finding out where changes are to be made with the other ancillaries. An alternative Source can be worked out for what is most suitable over time. |
- 55 posts total