You get one do-over in your Audio life...what is it?

[Mike]

We've all made mistakes. Bought something we shouldn't have (and lost money), sold something we wish we later had not, sold off an entire system to go in a totally different direction, only to realize later it was a mistake, purchased an expensive turntable only to realize later you're not up for all the fuss & muss, switched to tubes only to realize you prefer solid state (or visa-versa), etc.

If you got one do-over in your audio life, what would it be?

Mine would be:

* Not to have sold my McIntosh 2301's

[joeinid]

Probably should have never purchased the TAD CR-1's. If I'd been a little smarter, I would have bought McIntosh MC2KW's when I had the chance and really been done.

[Audio 1]

The single most disappointing component I ever purchased was a Simaudio 700i integrated amp. I still wonder if there was something defective with it.
After reading glowing reviews and others touting the synergy with Dynaudio I was prepared to be impressed. Honestly there was nothing impressive about the performance. Bass was lacking and the sound was sterile and bright. It sounded very lackluster and the stated power output did not reflect as such. After inserting a different amp I quickly confirmed that this was not the product for me and sold it soon thereafter.

[Ritmo]

Should have kept my vinyl collection - which I sold back in 1998. I'm now re-buying many albums I once owned.

A second item, selling the Salon 2s. Even after 2 years, I still miss them. I know, I bent the rule of 1 - but just by a bit!

[Paul]

I missed it so much on Harbeth M40.1 so I bought it again. Next one would be the Tannoy Westminster.....Some time.


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[KeithR]

Selling my Mac 601 system to flirt with SET amplification. My first pair of 845 amps basically blew a channel in the first week and subsequent purchases never worked out including one that arrived, new, with shipping damage which the distributor blamed on me. I had Melodys fine 845 amp in for demo last year and finally called it quits and stuck with Dart. Push/pull tube for me, only.

[BjornW]

The thing I regret is selling my Micro Seiki DDX1000 back in the early 90's.


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[joeinid]

Welcome BjornW, thank you for joining.

[BjornW]

Welcome BjornW, thank you for joining.

Thank you for having me


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[Mike]

The thing I regret is selling my Micro Seiki DDX1000 back in the early 90's.


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Welcome BjornW.

[tube-vds]

interesting topic.

i've made a lot of hifi mistakes (buying tons of cd's that i don't listen to anymore, sell complete hifi systems or components very cheap from frustration, losing a lot of money etc. etc.) - but i've learned from the mistakes. (i hope)

i guess i'm one of these persons/ignorants that must make a lot of mistakes in order to learn and come further...

but i'm pretty happy now with my system - no changes planned ;-)

[Shadowfax]

I have to agree with an earlier response, selling off or giving away all my vinyl back in the 80s when CDs first came out. Still kicking myself for that as well as selling my old Fretless Rickenbacker.

[Melbguy1]

The one do-over I wish I could change was buying a pair of lemon Infinity Renaissance 90 speakers from a cowboy seller Larry Schwartz ('lwschwartz' on forums). That guy sold me a pair of speakers with textor repairs to cover chips, as well as damaged unobtanium grills he failed to mention to me in the ad or any of our conversations. Long story short, the seller washed his hands of it and stopped responding to my emails. And since the grills on the Rens are integral to the sound of the speakers (like Avalon), I decided to cut my losses and sold them at a heavy loss (taking into account o/s shipping). That guy is the reason I no longer buy used gear .

[Dr Tone]

I wish I hadn't purchased my Devialet D200.

[tube-vds]

please tell us why - thanks.

[Dr Tone]

please tell us why - thanks.

Their upgrade prices are ridiculous. They charge the same amount for a D120 -> D220 upgrade as the D200 -> D220, instantly devaluing my D200. They spent years doing nothing about the AIR issues while promoting the R2D2 speakers. It took a mass public outcry to get them to eventually admit that existing customer issues with AIR weren't a priority to them.

I wish I had spent more time and auditioned other gear specifically Ayre. SAM in the Devialet helped my Focals immensely but do almost nothing for my current Wilsons.

[the professor]

Buying Accuphase in the USA. No resale whats so ever.

[tube-vds]

Thanks for the info Dr. Tone.

[mauidan]

Should have never sold my Futterman OTLs.

[hiro100]

If I had one do over, I'd probably not have spent sooooo much time trying to create a hybrid HT and 2 channel system. It was always a compromise to one or the other or usually both. Choose one and maximize it for that purpose or get a bigger house so you can have one of each

[KeithR]

Selling my Mac 601 system to flirt with SET amplification. My first pair of 845 amps basically blew a channel in the first week and subsequent purchases never worked out including one that arrived, new, with shipping damage which the distributor blamed on me. I had Melodys fine 845 amp in for demo last year and finally called it quits and stuck with Dart. Push/pull tube for me, only.

One more- was eyeing used Magico M5s for an entire year when the Q series came out. People were pretty much giving them away during 2009. If I wasn't scared of the amplifier requirements, should have done it. Gorgeous speaker with much better tone than its replacement.

[Mike]

One more- was eyeing used Magico M5s for an entire year when the Q series came out. People were pretty much giving them away during 2009. If I wasn't scared of the amplifier requirements, should have done it. Gorgeous speaker with much better tone than its replacement.

I know one purchase you'll never regret: that gorgeous Brinkmann Bardo!

[KeithR]

I know one purchase you'll never regret: that gorgeous Brinkmann Bardo!

ha! read my mind.

speaking of which, now at $7k it is an absurdly good deal which Jeff mentions in the newly posted review:

http://www.tonepublications.com/anal...rdo-turntable/

[a.wayne]

We've all made mistakes. Bought something we shouldn't have (and lost money), sold something we wish we later had not, sold off an entire system to go in a totally different direction, only to realize later it was a mistake, purchased an expensive turntable only to realize later you're not up for all the fuss & muss, switched to tubes only to realize you prefer solid state (or visa-versa), etc.

If you got one do-over in your audio life, what would it be?

Mine would be:

* Not to have sold my McIntosh 2301's

Same here regret selling my MC3500's .....

[a.wayne]

Probably should have never purchased the TAD CR-1's. If I'd been a little smarter, I would have bought McIntosh MC2KW's when I had the chance and really been done.

Done .!!! Yeah , right Joe .....

[joeinid]

MC2KW's are like no other amp, for sure.

Done .!!! Yeah , right Joe .....

[Dpod4]

One more- was eyeing used Magico M5s for an entire year when the Q series came out. People were pretty much giving them away during 2009. If I wasn't scared of the amplifier requirements, should have done it. Gorgeous speaker with much better tone than its replacement.

Totally agree. Had a mint pair a block away I could have bought for next to nothing.


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[BjornW]

Reading about "ridiculous" upgrade prices on the Devialet D200.

For €3500 you'll get a complete new amplifier ( except for the chassies) all electronics are exchanged and a 5years warranty included. The amplifier performs even better than before on every level - all this for a price tag less than half the price of the new model...


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[BjornW]

Reading about "ridiculous" upgrade prices on the Devialet D200.

For €3500 you'll get a complete new amplifier ( except for the chassies) all electronics are exchanged and a 5years warranty included. The amplifier performs even better than before on every level - all this for a price tag less than half the price of the new model...


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[a.wayne]

So nice he had to say it twice .....

[Dr Tone]

Reading about "ridiculous" upgrade prices on the Devialet D200.

For €3500 you'll get a complete new amplifier ( except for the chassies) all electronics are exchanged and a 5years warranty included. The amplifier performs even better than before on every level - all this for a price tag less than half the price of the new model...


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I think you meant: For 70% of the price I paid for my D200 new, I get a new one that is marginally better in many peoples subjective opinion.

[BjornW]

No, I meant what I wrote. The price of the D200 has since introduction been ca €7000:- - if you had a discount -hooray for you.

And there are people who actually have listened to the upgraded versions (me included) that feels that the upgrade is worth every pennie.


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[BjornW]

No, I meant what I wrote. The price of the D200 has since introduction been ca €7000:- - if you had a discount -hooray for you.

And there are people who actually have listened to the upgraded versions (me included) that feels that the upgrade is worth every pennie.


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[Deafone]

I'll probably get slammed for this, but buying something without hearing it first. I just saved myself $18K today by personally hearing some highly regarded cables in my own system. They were a total mismatch for me and my system. Cables are a pain in the neck to audition, but I'm glad I am doing it. ymmv

[CPP]

I'll probably get slammed for this, but buying something without hearing it first. I just saved myself $18K today by personally hearing some highly regarded cables in my own system. They were a total mismatch for me and my system. Cables are a pain in the neck to audition, but I'm glad I am doing it. ymmv

so you were going to pay $18k for cables ?

[Deafone]

so you were going to pay $18k for cables ?

You wouldn't believe how much better my Acoustic Research speakers and Pioneer receiver sound with top-notch cables.

[bzr]

so you were going to pay $18k for cables ?

Not enough is it Chris!

[bzr]

[aardvarkbark]

Do not buy any Ayre product. I've had prolapsed hemorrhoids that have been more pleasant to deal with than the staff in Boulder.

[joeinid]

Ayre has treated me exceptionally well. I'm an Ayre lifer now. No regrets and adding more when I can.

[Mike]

I picked up Ayre because I love it. Sounds so "tube like", relaxed and smooth. The company is old school and has been first class to deal with. They are very methodical and professional from a dealer standpoint. I love their business model too. Their entry level products are sooooooo good. Ayre lifers are real.

If people don't care for a brand for whatever reason, that's cool. Just voicing things from my perspective.

[Dpod4]

Last weekend I listened to the new magico s5 mkii at Pearl Audio in Portland. John the owner had them driven by mxr20 amps. First time I have heard Magicos sound smooth with ease and liquidity. I think the Ayre amps had a lot to do with that.


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[Mike]

Last weekend I listened to the new magico s5 mkii at Pearl Audio in Portland. John the owner had them driven by mxr20 amps. First time I have heard Magicos sound smooth with ease and liquidity. I think the Ayre amps had a lot to do with that.


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Darrin - I'm thinking the exact same thing and its one of the reasons I'm bringing in Ayre. You don't hear a lot of talk about this combination, but I have a good feeling about it (for some people's tastes).


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[aardvarkbark]

Wow. Maybe I mis-read the thread title. Maybe rename it 'defend the brand that others regret buying.'

[joeinid]

No worries, I guess that's why Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors.

Wow. Maybe I mis-read the thread title. Maybe rename it 'defend the brand that others regret buying.'

[Kuoppis]

Ayre has treated me exceptionally well. I'm an Ayre lifer now. No regrets and adding more when I can.

I must say I am absolutely with Joe, really enjoy the gear.

Anyone read Marc Mickelson's review?

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipmen...vx5_twenty.htm


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[Mike]

I must say I am absolutely with Joe, really enjoy the gear.

Anyone read Marc Mickelson's review?

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipmen...vx5_twenty.htm


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I'm in agreement! Loving my Ayre combo.


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