2019 - How did it shape up?

UltraFast69

UltraFast69

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It was a supposed to be a do nothing year, but looking back it could have not been farther from the truth.

Overall I benefitted getting more out of my system by addressing power, and adding new sound with analog.

It’s amazing what ones system can do if you pay attention, and it does not need to cost a small ransom.

The new decade, 2020 is consideration towards R2R tape [emoji23][emoji1787][emoji23][emoji28][emoji28][emoji28]

Highlights:

Grounding and cabling:

-6 AWG copper wire from the switch to cold water pipes

-Grounding Subpanel (thanks KingRex)

-Audioquest Dragon Ethernet cables from the modem, to the switch to the Gigafoil V4 to the streamer

-Nordost Reference tonearm and XLR cables supporting analog, and power cables

-Furutech 12 and 10 gauge from dedicated circuits to receptacles

- Shunyata Venom feeding ADD-POWR

Power:

- Keces P3 and P8 power supplies

ADD-POWR: Electra Clear, Symphony Pro’s and a Wizard

Maybe the Gigafoil, but that could have been 2018, I forget.

Analog:

- U Turn Orbit Special

- Kuzma Stabi R, 4point and 40 cartridge

- Boulder 508 Phono

Isolation:

Adona platform

Visits:

- Shunyata
- Dan D’Agostino
- RMAF

There’s sadly more according to my bank account and will have to edit.

What did you do?







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
A few things:

- Lumin X1 (replaced S1)
- AQ Diamond Ethernet
- VPI Fatboy Gimbal 12" (replaced the JMW 3D 10")
- Ortofon PW TI (replaced Ortofon Cadenza Black)
- D'Agostino Momentum Pre upgrade to HD
- Music - Lots of vinyl and some digital files

Shows:

- Florida Expo
- Axpona
 
The year went pretty much as I expected.

-Traded in my original silver Momentum pre-amp for a new black Momentum HD version.
-Updated my AES/EBU cables for AQ Diamonds.
-Moved my Shunyata power cords to my digital gear and replaced them with Transparent Opus for my amps.
-Added a switch and optical module from Small Green Computer and replaced a long ethernet run with fiber optics.
 
I had a fun year

Started out experimenting with PCs
Pangea, PS Audio, Cullen and recently Shunyata
Wife gave me a Rega P3 for my birthday
Luxman 505uxii I bought as my Xmas present
moved my Dynaudio 82s back into the main system
bought, played with and rolled a few pairs of vintage speakers
 
I only bought one shotgun this year and after a 45 plus years in railroading I'll be retiring next year ......................
 
After 25 years, sold my IT consulting business since the audio biz is occupying all my time. I remember when I left the closing, I don’t even know how I got home. It was a bit of a shock to the system. But it’s all good! Just hard to believe my baby is gone.

Between the store, the show and more, I’m maxed out now and as busy as ever.

Made a wholesale change in my system. Got myself a new turntable and Phonostage.

Family wise, all is good, as good as it can be with a teenage daughter. LOL. Still playing hockey three times a week and got out a few times to golf this year.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
At age 70, I retired this year. April 30th was my last working day. Since then I was just kicking back, and wondering how to spend the rest of my life. Around the end of October I developed an intense, unbearable pain in my side. It was so bad I called an ambulance and went to the hospital. Other than a motorcycle wreck, that was the first time I went to the hospital since I was eight. Turned out to be a kidney stone. WTF! Where did that come from.

Anyway, I hope that is all behind me now, and I need to again start thinking about what to do in the future. Yesterday I received a $310k inheritance, so that was a pleasant surprise.
 
MSB Discrete
Roon Nucleus
Gigafoil
Keces P3
A couple of AQ Hurricanes and completed the loom.
 
Home theatre is fully operational now. Can't spend enough time in there. I just love it.
I'm down to one hockey game week.
 
What hasn't changed during 2019 is my general preference for tube amplification and analog sources. Having owned Kii Threes over the past year gave me a newfound appreciation for DSP and active speakers when done at this level. I'm on a horn kick now (quasi-horn, to be exact). Another eye-opener coming from direct radiators and 'stats. Jump factor in spades opening another dimension closer towards 'realness' or 'live' sound like I've not experienced in my own system. In 2019 I also discovered the joys of transimpedance phono amplification via B.M.C. and Channel D.
 
only one major project in 2019... i completely migrated the digital front end from a computer to a purpose built audio transport whose only function is to run roon ROCK. part of that project was to revamp the ethernet network supporting the digital source chain which included installing optical fiber. when complete, this made a huge impact on the SQ of my system which can be attributed to the drastic reduction in electrical noise achieved.

now for 2020... so many project from which to choose:

> add an analog source
> repurpose the basement rec-room to an audio listening room with a HT as well
> add a second integrated amp to the stable -- maybe a SS, class-A
> improve power supply to the system

hard to decide!!
 
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