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Burning question regarding upgrading paths

Thanks visiting my thread!

While you are here, please ponder on the following queries and answer to the best of your abilities. Each of these questions is designed to upgrade my state of mind. You ability is timed and will be weighted against the answers given by people who are the same age as you.

1) What is the best way to upgrade existing system "A"?
(upgrade=more clarity, dynamics and better soundstage)
(you only have $2000 to allocate)

A= Cal Audio Delta-AQ Emeralds
Meridian 518-Mapleshade ultrathin
Cal Audio Sigma-AQ Emeralds
Aragon 8002-AQ Argent/Midnight double biwire
KEF 103/4
LAT International on all electronic components

A) Upgrade DAC
A dac with tube output is prefered.
B) Purchase preamp
A tube preamp is prefered.
C) Upgrade cable between amp and speaker
Silver cable is prefered.
D) Digital cable
Make me a believer.
E) None of the above
Sell system A and start over
F) I don't care.

2) What is the fundamental utilitarian purpose of Zen Buddhism for the self and for the masses?

A) By fulfilling nature, man is fulfilled.
B) By acceptance of thought, man becomes congruent.
C) By meditating, man negates yin and yan from consciousness.
D) Meditation is good cardiovascular exercise.
E) Zen is derived from aryan caste systems designed to enslave the masses.
F) None of the above. (prove short essay answer?)

Stop, your test is finished.

Thanks for helping me sleep easier,
Etane
viggen
dbw1
173 posts
 
Question 1) B - get yourself a good preamp.

Question 2) F - none of the above. however, you may satisfy both questions by actually upgrading the speaker cable instead of getting a preamp, as long as you buy acoustic zen, of course (they do have a mostly silver cable). actually, the proper answer to question 2 is probably, "no,' since the question itself violates a few zen principles.

this took me 26 years, 6 months, 20 days, 5 hours, 53 minutes, 27 seconds to complete.
caterham1700
271 posts
 
1)low mass/rapid dissipation support($100-$500) & new music to listen to(remainder of budget)
2)I don't care
sean
6,231 posts
 
I hate to become a cheering section for specific brands, etc... but i have to second Audiotomb's recommendation of the EVS Millennium II. I have CAL Alpha's, Sigma's, 18 bit and 24 bit versions, etc.. and think that there is NO comparison. It will amaze you how good this DAC is for the money. All the smoothness, warmth, body, air, soundstage, etc.. of tubes with the speed and clarity of SS. Ric can even build you one with several volts of output without using an extra gain stage AND include his "Ultimate Attenuators" ( passive volume controls ). This would give you the increased drive level that you might be looking for, added versatility of volume controls AND give you the best DAC that you'll get for anywhere near the price. Sean
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3728slingshot
102 posts
 
1 - Start over. I am in the middle of this answer right now. The desire to sit and listen has become a central part of our lives again. We have dusted off parts of the library that have been untouched for years.

2 - Beginner's mind is an elusive state. Peace and balance in life are difficult in our new world. I think that a majority of modern Western society practicing Zen miss the point and fall into the trap of escapism.
dlr
201 posts
 
I. You might want to try one of the Rogue tube preamps.

II. I think the main purpose behind Zen Buddhism is to take people`s eyes off Jesus and what He did for us on the cross and to put our eyes on ourselves instead.
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