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Need Advice on Downsizing :-

Recent tech layoff may force me to downsize my system in a couple of months, so I'd value advice on what two or three components I could give up in exchange for cheaper but acceptable performance. My system is as follows:

Audio Physic Virgo II
Blue Circle BC2 Monos
Sonic Frontiers Line III with upgraded tubes and extra tubes
YBA CD1a
2 sets of Nordost SPM Interconnects (1m, 2.5m)
FIM Gold Speaker Cable (8')
Pioneer DV09 DVD player
Cardas Golden Cross (1/2m)

Two potential options I see would be to sell the CD player and make do with the DVD player for a while. Another would be to sell the preamp and power amps and get an OK integrated.

Anyway, let me know what you think on what I might get rid of and what may work well in its place. I guess I'm looking to raise somewhere between $1.5k to $3k overall. Thanks in advance!
John.
128x128outlier
outlier's avatar
outlier OP
381 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the good advice and kind words. I'm leaning towards going with the cable change option first - sounds like the least drastic option, although I've been so happy with the cables - very noticeable upgrades from what I've had before. Fingers crossed I can land a job soon and be asking you all for upgrade rather than downgrade advice :-) Anyway, thanks again.
John.
gregm
3,409 posts
 
And you will... (land that job -- or better!). Been there before. Don't sell everything -- as I did!

May I second Bruce & Sugar's advice for the SPM, the FIM, and any expensive chords you may have. Replace all with OTA for now.
The only further option is the CD1a, which is expensive & should have a good resale value: one option there would be a reasonable cdp used as transport & a ART DI/0 (only suggesting this from hearsay)
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
John, I'm a fellow technology victim as well. Brutal downturn has had far reaching effects, the "tech wreck" of 2001 will be remembered as a slice of history best forgotten. I started up a company to address the semiconductor intellectual property niche, take a look at http://www.voyageurtech.com
The CDP you own is terrific, I'd hesitate to sell it unless you really have no choice. The cables and associated accessories can be sold and replaced with more modest stuff without having to resort to selling off the fine gear you've accumulated. Hang in there, the technology business is bound to recover sooner rather than later, it's hard to find a consumer or industrial product that is not using semiconductors (at an ever-increasing rate). Drop me a line if you'd like to exchange ideas on potential job opportunities.
gunbunny
43 posts
 
I'm no expert on audio yet, but assuming your not making monthly payments... keep everything that your happy with. They're is a saying about cars, but it may apply to audio as well... "the cheapest one you'll ever have, is the one you already got".

When you do find another job, it will cost more to move back up to what you already have. So unless there is a piece you would like to replace anyway, I would keep it if at all possible.
gthrush1
241 posts
 
I'd sell everything but the speakers and CD player. Then I'd buy a used Audio Refinement ("budget" YBA) integrated amplifier and Cardas Crosslink interconnect and speaker cables.
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