Stuff You Tried To Love

I had a McIntosh MC2200 that I bought new. It was the biggest mistake I ever made as an audiophile and I dumped it for a Bryston that a friend still uses.

I had an Aurender N100 streamer, also purchased new from my favorite dealer. The thing was never really stable and support wasn’t helpful. I dumped it for a Bryston BDP-3 and have been happy ever since.

I’d probably still have both of those components if confirmation bias was as powerful as some suggest.

1st comes to mind is a SS McIntosh Preamp C28. It worked fine as a switcher/attenuator, many features I still want, HOWEVER, I did not like the sound of it’s MM Phono EQ.

I actually preferred the dinky optional phono built into my Audio Technica AT120 TT.

Now I use my Fidelity FRT-4 SUT into my beloved McIntosh mx110z Tube Tuner/Preamp’s MM Phono, sounds wonderful. If it was stolen or blew up, I wouldn’t even look about, just find another one, find some money (they have jumped up in price) send it to Audio Classics for check-up.

2nd, more recently: I needed a Phono EQ for my ’new to me’ office TT.

Temporarily I bought a $14 Pyle, compact, out of sight, got listening to vinyl up here for the first time. Better: tried ifi phono zen, preferred the pyle, sent ifi back. Tried Cambridge Alva Duo, preferred the Pyle, sent Cambridge away.

Finally, I bought my Little Luxman 10wpc tube integrated with both MM and MC within. Love/preferred it’s sound (compared Pyle via Line Level into Luxman). kept my Pyle as a loaner for others with problems, or still researching something they might buy.

I always say: anything to do with Phono: have return privilege’s!.

3. I tried a few SS Receivers to replace my beloved Tandberg TR80 in my garage/shop system (had to drive 2 sets of speakers). Nyet, Nyet, ... Finally I got a Yamaha CR-1020 SS Receiver (my 1st ever Yamaha). Great features/sound/looks, couldn’t be happier, except it is heavy, 42 lbs!

4th, I did a big search for a 'new to me' CD player, then realized I needed SACD as well. Asked/received help here, went thru about 9 recommended players (all used) until I tried the recommended Sony Vintage xa5400es, it sounds great.

Daedalus DA 1.1. Great speakers, beautiful build quality, but they were just too much for my small room.  Also, Bryston BCD-3. It's all about the journey, trying and finding what works for you. 

My Jazz albums / CD's. Especially "Kind of Blue" I've never been able to listen to the whole album because it puts me to sleep. I know one must be a jazz or female vocals guy in order to have an affirmed audiophile card but those genres just don't move me.