Whart, my earlier post was actually very serious. I think, based on what you say, that you would seriously regret giving up on vinyl completely. I would suggest that you cull the collection for the move, and that you could probably replace just about all of it easily in the Austin area. There are quite a lot of great used record stores. I also seriously doubt you will have to downsize your system as much as you seem to think. I would wait to do this until you know for sure exactly where you are going to live and see what space you have.
Changing from Vinyl to Digital in Brave New World
This is bound to provoke some reactions, and I purposely posted in the analog forum since the digital forum is probably preaching to the converted.
(Maybe I don't want to make the change but enough self-analysis). I've owned and played vinyl since the mid-60's and have had numerous good to great rigs over the years, currently running something that is state of the art, big Kuzma table/Lamms/Avantgarde horns. I still have an old pair of Quad 57's which need restoration and a pair of Crosby Quads that haven't seen a charge since I bought the Avantgardes. And, anywhere from 6-8 thousand records.
Here's the question. I retired recently, and am planning to move (to Austin) where I will continue to work at what I love (ahem, it's music business, but that doesn't have anything to do with quality reproduction, I'm sorry to say).
Chances are, I will go from a big dedicated room to having virtually no space, and while I could store all this equipment and records, I'm just not sure it makes sense. (No this is not a subliminal ad for my record collection, not yet, anyway).
So, I'm struggling here with what to do, systemwise. Let's assume that I want small, in the sense of not taking up physical space, and I don't have room for all the vinyl, so I have to go 'digital.' And, to make it really challenging, I'm not going to do a complex system- maybe a very good pair of stereo speakers that don't take up much room, a good integrated (I've been using tubes since the early 70's but if I'm willing to go this far, wouldn't rule out something solid state) and a digital source- everything I've read seems to suggest that good digital sources are in a state of flux, and the standards for hi rez digital files are not fully settled. So I guess the main import of the question has to do with sources other than vinyl- i never really liked CDs for the home but could cope with computer audio if I don't have to spend my time reformatting files. Lastly, I could (and still plan) to refurbish the old Quads at some point, just because they are so iconic and could run them with the ML 2 Lamms, some OTLs or something less esoteric (Atmasphere 60's). But would be interested in views, from the analog crowd. (Let's not use this as a dump on digital thing since that won't help me sort out my thoughts).
TIA.
Bill hart
(Maybe I don't want to make the change but enough self-analysis). I've owned and played vinyl since the mid-60's and have had numerous good to great rigs over the years, currently running something that is state of the art, big Kuzma table/Lamms/Avantgarde horns. I still have an old pair of Quad 57's which need restoration and a pair of Crosby Quads that haven't seen a charge since I bought the Avantgardes. And, anywhere from 6-8 thousand records.
Here's the question. I retired recently, and am planning to move (to Austin) where I will continue to work at what I love (ahem, it's music business, but that doesn't have anything to do with quality reproduction, I'm sorry to say).
Chances are, I will go from a big dedicated room to having virtually no space, and while I could store all this equipment and records, I'm just not sure it makes sense. (No this is not a subliminal ad for my record collection, not yet, anyway).
So, I'm struggling here with what to do, systemwise. Let's assume that I want small, in the sense of not taking up physical space, and I don't have room for all the vinyl, so I have to go 'digital.' And, to make it really challenging, I'm not going to do a complex system- maybe a very good pair of stereo speakers that don't take up much room, a good integrated (I've been using tubes since the early 70's but if I'm willing to go this far, wouldn't rule out something solid state) and a digital source- everything I've read seems to suggest that good digital sources are in a state of flux, and the standards for hi rez digital files are not fully settled. So I guess the main import of the question has to do with sources other than vinyl- i never really liked CDs for the home but could cope with computer audio if I don't have to spend my time reformatting files. Lastly, I could (and still plan) to refurbish the old Quads at some point, just because they are so iconic and could run them with the ML 2 Lamms, some OTLs or something less esoteric (Atmasphere 60's). But would be interested in views, from the analog crowd. (Let's not use this as a dump on digital thing since that won't help me sort out my thoughts).
TIA.
Bill hart
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- 24 posts total
That's what I'm talking about! By keeping your favorite records and using a reduced and efficient equipment scheme, you can balance your needs and ease into this whole thing. Trying to maintain a truly high-end system with fewer components will also be a challenge in selecting just the right stuff. I was envisioning tall, slender speakers and using a multi-shelf equipment stand with a small footprint. I, too, have space restrictions, and my SOTA Cosmos TT sits on the top of my 24"x22" Billy Bags stand. The suspended SOTA tables have a smaller footprint than most others, AND they look like furniture! One more thing: Unless you sell all your LPs, I don't see any way for you to avoid going through them all to decide which ones to keep! |
Another thing on the downsizing: high quality small monitors sonically have a lot in common with panel speakers--lack of box colorations, excellent imaging, fast transparent midrange, not much bass below 50 Hz, etc. Actually, if you want a small room-filling speaker with excellent bass extension and articulate mids and treble, look into the Neat Motive 2 or Motive SE2. The standard 2 uses a titanium inverted dome tweeter. The SE2 uses a circular ribbon tweeter similar to the one in the Genesis. I've heard the Motive 2's. They're only about 30" tall, no stands required, and have real bass down into the 30's. |
Whart, Another turntable to consider, though adding active air isolation is a essential is the Brinkman Bardo. Direct Drive and no bigger than an LP. Or the Grand Prix Monoco, though I have never heard it. I prefer the SME tables to the Bardo. For small speakers, I suggest the Magico Mini II, (which I own). They are wonderful at used prices and sound very full range and large in a small room with the right power. Also the new Magico Q1 or the Raidho C1.1, neither of which I've heard, but reviews and reputation are good. The Raidho is more efficient, so something like a Pass Labs Class A integrated with their one box XP-15 phono stage would be an excellent combination, IMO. One rack, three or four shelves and you're set. There is a lot out there and you could have a great time in retirement, slowly sorting it all out. You can send some of your duplicate LPs to me. |
Hi Bill, nice discussion here and great points all around. If you want to hear a top class vinyl and digital setup, feel free to private mail me and swing by my house in Austin. It's hard to beat my vinyl set up and even harder to beat my digital setup. This allows for easy a-b comparisons on the format... My only point of contention on the posters above is a killer good sacd transport still beats hi rez computer, at least in my system. SACD's are plentiful if you listen to classical or a bit less plentiful on jazz. Some of my Jazz SACD's that originated from master tape are my best sounding sources. I've heard a lot of great mini monitors...I don't think small speakers, if good, really hold you back much. However, if you're going to use a speaker stand you might as well consider Wilson Sasha's or maybe the Rockports along with the Magico's. If you haven't heard the newer Wilson's, you're in for a nice surprise... Also, I made the move from tube amplification to solid state about 2 years ago. In Texas, the heat from my former BAT VK150SE's was a lot in the summer (actually any time other than dec-feb), and went to Ayre MX-Rs. I did loose a bit of tube magic, but gained a bit of resolution/control and they always on ready to play-so I listen more. Isn't that what it's really about? Good luck to you, it's been a great thread and I bet more to come! |
- 24 posts total