Changing Amps?? Are you Sure??

I agree with you completely !!! I currently own my fourth pair of Jeff Rowland Model 7's, world class Classics by anyone's standards. Every time I sold them for the "newer better" I would always go back to the 7's. I purchased one of the first pair that Jeff built; I currently have one of the last pair that were built. As I am now getting older, poorer, & seemly much harder for hearing, I am sure this pair will be left for my sons to fight over. Great thread & good advise for some of the younger guys with this sickness. I could have saved myself countless hours & lots of money if I would have just stayed with what I started with. My current system is antique by current standards. Rowland electronics & Duntech Sovereign speakers, EAD CD & DAC. All the state of the art at the time of introduction. While everything is top of the line from the past, 1992 to present, I enjoy it all everyday. I am retired now. I think there is certainly a lesson to be learned here. Again, Great Thread !!!

I too agree, but with two caveats. First that certain amps/pre-amps and speakers are meant to go together. Your quads are exceptional speakers, but from what I understand a tough match for an amp. The second thought is maybe even more on point. The products mentioned above are all top flight products. Someone new to our hobby may not be starting out with class A products from the start, and for them upgrading is a must. The trick, like anything in life is knowing when to stop. From your post Frap I would assume the time to stop is when you love what you have. Once perfection in you own ear is found, STOP! I agree, this is excellent advise. J.D.

Hi, guys good thread, good insight......Most people don't know, just how much you can change the sound of your speakers,by changing your amp/or upgrading the source. So, many have thrown out the baby, with the bath water.(sold the speakers/or amp) I can't speak for anyone but me;but the only way "I" can evaluate a product is to have it in my front room.I had cls s 14 years ago;sold them because my dealer didn't want to loose the sale by telling me my amp, and sourse were not nearly good enough. Well, I can't lug my stuff to the dealers/I don't want to pay retail,so I don't borrow from them anymore. So trial and error / Or is that trial by fire?-is the order of the day for me. I have to read what they say about this or that;sift thru the hype and hope I've gotten a little smarter.I think speakers and amps change the sound the most;the other things do affect your sound and improve or degrade it but not to the same degree.

After following Audiogon for awhile, I got the bug to upgrade my current system(includes mid 80s ARC and Spectral). I visited my local high end dealer who carries
Maggie 3.6s, Martin Logan Prodigies along with Spectral
and Classe electronics. After three hours of intensive listening my wife(the golder ear of the family) and I
left. We went to dinner to discuss our findings. There were
some improvements but NOT enough to spend big$$$$. Since we
were not going to spend the money on hifi we ordered
a really nice 1990 Chateau Latour instead.

Best thread in a long while. I think that the point of "Best of the Decade" is great! As a matter of fact, Audiogon, if you are listening, you should develop a data base which list products over the last ten years that have stood the test of time and compare to the best of today. One variable would have to be that the unit has been discontued. It should list reliability, sound, flexabilty and ability to be serviced. This would help your sale of used equipment.

IMHO, anyone who has spent the money on "State of the Art", should get at least 10-15 years of enjoyment, with the exception of front end digital. However, I would only upgrade to ultra high rez when the software supports it.