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Yes, another audiophile at a crossroads story and request for advice
I find as I’m rapidly approaching retirement that 2 competing thoughts about enjoying music after i retire. First, Im really looking forward to having the time to relax and listen to music any day of the week (not just the weekend now). Second, I don’t expect to be continue any significant investment in equipment upgrades post bringing home a paycheck.
My current system consists of a 30+ year old Linn LP12 with Linn cartridge and Vincent PHO-701 tube phono pre-amp. I only listen to analog when i want to enjoy an album i bought in the 60’s - 80’s.
90+% of my listening is streaming Tidal using Roon via Roon Nucleus, Lumin D2 as a streamer only, feeding a RME ADI-2-FS DAC.
i still enjoy my CD collection (9% of my listening) and still purchase CDs) on a Primaluna tube CD player.
All these are connected to a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated amp with original primaluna tubes from Upscale Audio. My speakers are the original Joseph Audio Perspectives (not the graphene version).
Power and interconnect cables are mid-level grade and power management via Niagara 1200.
i listen mostly to instrumental jazz.
This system is enjoyable, but I’m missing the last elements of sound details that reproduce an accurate organic sense of hearing guitar strings being plucked or picked, drum sticks hitting/tapping membranes or brass cymbals, the sound of a string base wood cavity vibrate. Hopefully that describes what im looking for. I do not like hyper/etched detail especially in the upper frequencies.
I will add that the Primaluna CD player is the most enjoyable source of the 3 I currently. Oh, and i also want to simplify my system.
So, if you come with me this far to the intersection, heres what im debating. Should i chunk the integrated and Perspectives and invest in a top notch set of headphones (like the Focal Clear MG) and dedicated headphone amp? In other words go to a headphone system. Or should i go the route of chucking all but the Perspectives and the Nucleus and invest in a high quality Roon approved integrated amp with built in DAC/Streamer?
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- 47 posts total
@noromance +1! Quads rule! I have two pairs and a pair of Futterman OTL amps. |
Hi OP, I have been retired for five years. Before retirement, I went through the same kind of thinking. I upgraded so I would no longer have to make any more purchases. After retirement for a couple years I realized I could afford another upgrade and did. You can see my systems under my userID.
I am fortunate to have both a very good headphone system and main system. I use them both. I listen to my main system about three hours a day and my headphone system about half the time for an hour a day. But unless you are really unusual, having just a headphone system will not fulfilling and comfortable as a main system. Obviously both would be preferred. Assembling an ideal system is about equally difficult for headphone or main system. As far as the sound quality… I completely understand. Happily my system has the kind of detail, midrange bloom, and rhythm and pace you describe. A system that sucks you in through the upright bass line or the vibrations of low notes from a sax.
I think it would be really helpful to start by hearing the sound you are after. I recommend going and listening to an Audio Research I-50 with some good quality speakers. I remember the first time I heard this unit 6 years ago (?)… I was just shocked how warm and wonderful it sounded. I realize because of the really low sensitivity of your speakers this unit will not drive your speakers. But the purpose is to answer the question is this what you are going for. If this has got the stuff, then you want to be looking at used ARC, Conrad Johnson, Cary, or VAC. Rogue uses tubes, but does not get the sound these other companies do. Some of this tube stuff would pair well with Quads.. which would really send your system towards where you want it to be.
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+1 @inna I had Mystere integrated and replacing original tubes made a big improvement. |
- 47 posts total