Could you keep your current (or favorite) gear for 10, 15, 20+ years?

Dpod4 said:
This was my bad and I apologize - i reread my post and my opening statement was sweeping and arrogant. I should not have made a value judgement but instead just described what I heard, noted the differences and what was most pleasing to me. Having listened to just one piece of Vitus gear without full Vitus loom puts my commentary in the "take with a grain of salt" category. Also, I should have stated - by liking other amps more it doesn't take away from the Vitus from being a great amp. I actually was going to keep it for my second system (integrated vs separates) but sent back to seller since it needed warranty work. Again, sorry if my comments were disrespectful ... And I deserved the comment back - good reminder to be careful how I phrase my opinions.

It's all good.
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Darrin, I appreciate your comments. I've been guilty of throwing a cat amongst the pidgeons myself in the past by being too blunt or dismissive. We all make those mistakes. You live and learn and become a better person for it. I'm learning to keep my feet on the ground, but it's not easy when you've got so much passion for this hobby. And I don't always get it right, but i'm getting better at it & enjoying the hobby so much more as a result. Remember the music I tell myself? Anyway, I don't think i've ever read a more gracious apology as yours, and of course all is forgiven and forgotten.

Cheers,
Bodhi
 
Bodhi said:
Darrin, I appreciate your comments. I've been guilty of throwing a cat amongst the pidgeons myself in the past by being too blunt or dismissive. We all make those mistakes. You live and learn and become a better person for it. I'm learning to keep my feet on the ground, but it's not easy when you've got so much passion for this hobby. And I don't always get it right, but i'm getting better at it & enjoying the hobby so much more as a result. Remember the music I tell myself? Anyway, I don't think i've ever read a more gracious apology as yours, and of course all is forgiven and forgotten.

Cheers,
Bodhi
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Thank you!! [emoji445][emoji445][emoji445]
 
Bodhi said:
I have bought a few Japenese SHM cd's recently. I would like to buy a lot more audiophile discs, but don't want to compromise my system development. Congrats on your new spinner. Which player did you go for?
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Symphonic Line Belcanto with separate power supply and optional 24/96 DAC. Just picked it up at the airport tonight and got it set up within the past hour. I've got the SHM-CD of Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys on (speaking of SHM-CDs), and...

OMFG...the bass is MASSIVE. Dynamics are HUGE. And a big jump in detail, depth, and tonality. This thing is something else! Totally embiggened my system's sound. I'll post a pic when my post count hits the magic mark.


Bodhi said:
, you have a very nice rig there...congrats :thumbsup:
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As do you! Mine just took a big leap forward tonight; I foresee sitting here until dawn...
 

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Huh, guess I can link to pics. The power supply is under the pre-amp (and the pre-amp power supply is under the CDPs).

Obviously parking the thing on top of the Ayre - which I intend to keep for its SACD and DVD-A playback capability - is not the ideal long-term way to go, so some racking is in my future...
 
p59teitel said:
Symphonic Line Belcanto with separate power supply and optional 24/96 DAC. Just picked it up at the airport tonight and got it set up within the past hour. I've got the SHM-CD of Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys on (speaking of SHM-CDs), and...

OMFG...the bass is MASSIVE. Dynamics are HUGE. And a big jump in detail, depth, and tonality. This thing is something else! Totally embiggened my system's sound. I'll post a pic when my post count hits the magic mark.

As do you! Mine just took a big leap forward tonight; I foresee sitting here until dawn...
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Big congrats on your new Symphonic line amps & cdp Pete!
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They gave them big wraps over at WBF. I heard the mono's have good bass, and obviously well mastered cd's help as well. I have a bunch of Platinum SHM & 24kt gold cd's I plan on buying to help me evaluate my new Vitus SCD-025 which is due to ship out soon. That, together with my new Jorma Statement sc's, Furutech GTX-D(G) wpo & Stillpoints Ultra 5's (which we're installing under my S5's) should be a big leap forward for my system as well :cool:.
 
Joe's thread is interesting from a financial planning point of view. Many expenses decline in retirement. Increased leisure time for listening means that many may want to spend MORE on their audio in retirement. I advise you to plan accordingly with your financial planner. Just as car refreshes are priced into the plan, so should audio refreshes.
 
BayStBroker said:
Joe's thread is interesting from a financial planning point of view. Many expenses decline in retirement. Increased leisure time for listening means that many may want to spend MORE on their audio in retirement. I advise you to plan accordingly with your financial planner. Just as car refreshes are priced into the plan, so should audio refreshes.
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Pretty spot on Bay.

I really enjoy reading about members system upgrades and the enjoyment they receive from these upgrades as this tickles my audio upgraditis. When I retired other interest took hold which leaves me in a quandary relating to any upgrades in my audio equipment. Sure I need a newer turntable, pair of speakers and a amp but I also look at the bucket list of things I want to do with my wife while the wife and I are still able physically and mentally to accomplish some of those goals together in lieu of me setting at home alone in a chair listening to audio. Can I afford it, sure, but a man has to know his limitations and he needs to keep his priorities at the forefront. Great thread.
 
Bodhi said:
Big congrats on your new Symphonic line amps & cdp Pete!:congrats:They gave them big wraps over at WBF. I heard the mono's have good bass, and obviously well mastered cd's help as well. I have a bunch of Platinum SHM & 24kt gold cd's I plan on buying to help me evaluate my new Vitus SCD-025 which is due to ship out soon. That, together with my new Jorma Statement sc's, Furutech GTX-D(G) wpo & Stillpoints Ultra 5's (which we're installing under my S5's) should be a big leap forward for my system as well :cool:.
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Thanks! The SHM-CDs are usually very good. And much much cheaper than the SHM-SACDs of my favorite titles that I'd been buying to use in the Ayre player (3 SHM-CDs cost the same as 1 SHM-SACD). The SL is such an improvement in CD playback that I won't be missing SACD, and any future must-have hi-res titles can await the time when I am set up for computer audio playback through the included DAC.

And the Furutech WPO stuff is excellent, you will notice an immediate jump in performance. I have the gold FP-*SWS-*D
(G) duplex Schuko outlet for the monos that are supplied their native 240V fare, and the 120V rhodium GTX-D(R) duplex outlet for source and pre (FYI you can safely ignore some of the nuttier threads elsewhere on gold versus rhodium; the differences amount to seasoning, not meat or fish as some are claiming). I already have an unused not yet connected dedicated line run from the circuit breaker in the cellar into the wall behind the stereo, so am thinking of getting another GTX-D(R) to terminate that line, along with another set of RCAs, additional Telefunken E88CC, power cord etc. so I can connect and use both sources without having to swap out cables.

Hmm...the post below BayStBroker has me starting to think I'd better get this right at my present age, not only while the financial means to do so are available, but also while I'm still compos mentis enough to think it out!
 
MDP said:
This is a fun thread Joe, I'll play.

Speakers: Salon 2's are staying, I could be happy with these for the rest of my days. If I ran into some money, and they came out with Salon 3's, I'd be tempted.
Amps: The Hegel H30 is staying, period ! It's the best sounding SS amp for me, and I've heard a lot of good ones.
Preamp: Classe' CP 800. This would look like my weak spot for people that haven't compared it to 20-30 thousand dollar preamps as I have. Until I hear something better,that I can afford, it's staying.
Digital: Lumin A1 is staying, period.
Analog; VPI Classic. I love my Classic, if I had some extra money I'd upgrade in the VPI family. But for now, It's staying too.
Cables: The Kimber Select 6063 copper sp cables aren't going anywhere, best damn sp cable I've ever had. IC's are up in the air, I've got Shunyata now, but I'm willing to experiment.

It's no wonder that you,Mike, and Bruce call me the "Turtle". I do move slow.
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Great to read that you are very satisfied with your system, Mark.
 
Thank you all so far for your responses. Seeing everyones thoughts in black and white is really making me think. More on that at some point.

I think I've found my retirement system. Some of you guys will think I'm nuts, so be it. I'm still trying to get a handle on what I am hearing but for the most part, I am delighted.

Mike is aware of what I am listening to and both of us are totally amazed. I'm listening to my Devialet 400 monos and I am blown away at what I am hearing. Not all music is reproduced at the same level, I am not feeding it the best at all times and I'm still in the break in stage, but damn, I could easily live with this incredible system.

I will start a new thread on this so as not to derail this one.
 
still-one said:
I will keep this short. There may be some tweaks to my digital sources but the price of any amps/speakers etc that might interest me have risen to the point where the SQ vs Cost is not worth if for me. High end audio pricing no longer makes sense to me.

But I never say never.
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Agreed. I have a hard time participating in the high end of this hobby. Weird thing to say given my total expense this far, but, my goodness, who can really afford to roll boxes of these premium products anymore. How often can you flip 20-40k amps and pres and 60k speakers. What the heck are you chasing?!? A few thousand, ok, there's fun in the chase. But I want to retire. I want to maintain a home. Go on vacation. Save for college for me 3 kids. Audio ain't life. It's part of it. Fortunately, I'm in a happy audio place where I can say that.

To Joe's question, though, I'm happy with my system and can see myself living with it for some time. I'm tempted to think about changing amps for a change from time to time, but I'm not chasing upgrades or improvements and, to me, that's an important distinction. Put another way, I have no audio neurosis.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
p59teitel said:
Thanks! The SHM-CDs are usually very good. And much much cheaper than the SHM-SACDs of my favorite titles that I'd been buying to use in the Ayre player (3 SHM-CDs cost the same as 1 SHM-SACD). The SL is such an improvement in CD playback that I won't be missing SACD, and any future must-have hi-res titles can await the time when I am set up for computer audio playback through the included DAC.

And the Furutech WPO stuff is excellent, you will notice an immediate jump in performance. I have the gold FP-*SWS-*D
(G) duplex Schuko outlet for the monos that are supplied their native 240V fare, and the 120V rhodium GTX-D(R) duplex outlet for source and pre (FYI you can safely ignore some of the nuttier threads elsewhere on gold versus rhodium; the differences amount to seasoning, not meat or fish as some are claiming). I already have an unused not yet connected dedicated line run from the circuit breaker in the cellar into the wall behind the stereo, so am thinking of getting another GTX-D(R) to terminate that line, along with another set of RCAs, additional Telefunken E88CC, power cord etc. so I can connect and use both sources without having to swap out cables.

Hmm...the post below BayStBroker has me starting to think I'd better get this right at my present age, not only while the financial means to do so are available, but also while I'm still compos mentis enough to think it out!
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Pete, it is great to hear your new SL cdp has atleast matched, if not bettered your Ayre playing (comparatively) much cheaper SHM rbcd's. Before I pulled the trigger on my Vitus player I was offered a CH Precision D1 which my Dealer had briefly demo'd for about the same price as the Vitus. Yes, it is an SACD player, but I reasoned the SCD-025 would have better synergy with my SIA-025 (both sound-wise and on my rack) & the CH was essentially designed as a 3 box player, whereas the Vitus was optimised as a single box rbcd player. I also thought it would be a good idea to buy the latest spec player, and my hunch paid off after Vitus just completed a heavy upgrade of my player. So I have here a supreme rbcd player which can play SHM Platinum, K2HD Gold, XRCD24, MFSL Gold, FIM/LIM DXD, Decca Ultra HDCD, LIM/FIM pure analog 24kt gold cd's & all other high res rbcd formats...who needs SACD? :dunno:

Thanks for your feedback re: the Furutech GTX-D(G) wpo. I am excited to see how this change improves the sound of my system. Yes I have tried to be a voice of reason on another forum explaining that the difference between the GTX-D(G) & (R) version is a slight shade, vs night/day difference...it was as useless as telling a parakeet to stop chirping. I quietly left that forum. With that said, yes I agree with your choice to use the rhodium version with your tube gear, though you might want to try connecting your amps to the rhodium wpo & your front end to the gold to see if you prefer that arrangement (if you haven't already tried that)

We don't really need dedicated 20a lines in Australia as we have standard 10a (50Hz)/240v mains power. With that said, I use a Gigawatt power conditioner which does a great job of cleaning up the power (as I live in an apartment building), isolating low and high current components, improving impulse response, providing true equi-potential grounding & delivering extremely robust over-voltage and surge protection.

Re: your last comment, we're on the same page there Pete. I'm 44y.o and i'm working hard to finish building my "medium term" system in the next 12 months so I can move on to focus on more important things like study, travel and saving for another property. What? Shock horror!...high end audio isn't the most important thing in the universe?? :panic:Lol!
 
CPP said:
Pretty spot on Bay.

I really enjoy reading about members system upgrades and the enjoyment they receive from these upgrades as this tickles my audio upgraditis. When I retired other interest took hold which leaves me in a quandary relating to any upgrades in my audio equipment. Sure I need a newer turntable, pair of speakers and a amp but I also look at the bucket list of things I want to do with my wife while the wife and I are still able physically and mentally to accomplish some of those goals together in lieu of me setting at home alone in a chair listening to audio. Can I afford it, sure, but a man has to know his limitations and he needs to keep his priorities at the forefront. Great thread.
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Great post...as Dirty Harry said "A man's gotst to know his limitations..."

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Much of my system is already 10 years old or older, though in some cases I have not owned the pieces for 10 years. First, my speakers, Avantgarde Duos and Cary 2A3 Signature amps are well over ten years old - I have owned both for over ten years and bought them both used. The amps have gone through several sets of tubes, however. Several old pieces I have relate to the playback of tapes, which essentially require them to be old. The oldest piece that I bought new is a Nakamichi Dragon cassette player, which I did get overhauled by one of the Nakamichi gurus, who happens to live about a mile from me. I bought it new about 25 years ago. Doesn't get played much. Another tape player, a Technics 1506 was purchased completely redone by Bottlehead, including completely new electronics - 5 years ago when I bought it from them, but the tape recorder itself is probably about 30 years old. It gets used a lot. My other R2R, an Otari MX5050 BIII is probably about 20 years old, though I have only had it for about 4 years.

The oldest piece of equipment which gets the most use is, perhaps surprisingly, digital. It is about 14 years old, although I have only owned it for five. I paid about what the original retail was ($15K) and I get occasional inquiries asking whether I would be willing to sell it. It is a Pacific Microsonics Model Two, and it is on 24x7 and is being used about 15 hours a day for my ripping project, all done at 192/24.

As I am getting toward the end of my ripping project, I am currently looking at the not yet released N series Aurender server which has dual wire capability (like the W20) so it can be used with my Model Two. I have seen the prototype in operation working with a Model Two and I am quite impressed. I hope to have the prototype in my home in a few months to put it through its paces.

Larry
 
Larry, you should consider remote backup of your ripping project. I'm sure I can setup a VPN to the hard drives at my house for just that purpose. Just sayin'...:)


Great thread, can't believe I haven't read any of it until this morning!


With the Magico S5s properly positioned in my room, I can't imagine any other speaker taking their place, save for another Magico speaker. I've recently been rotating through some gear but as far as speakers go, I am done!

As far as the rest of my system: I've recently fell in love with the vinyl format. I'm in the middle of changing my system from a digital centric system to an analog centric one. So much of my system will be in flux until I find the proper pre/phonos for my system. Once that happens, stick a fork in me, I will be done (or at least my wallet hopes so!).:audiophile:
 
Very interesting and fun thread Joe! Well, I'll share my perspective...

Speakers - I'm very happy with the Wilson Alexias. They do a lot of things right. Not looking to replace them.

Amp/Pre - Using the D'Agostino stereo amp which looks and sounds beautifully - not going to change this anytime soon. The pre is the ARC Ref5SE which I would consider replacing for the D'Agostino pre in order to have audio and looks synergy. I'll confess, in a conversation with Mike, he had me seriously thinking about the Pass Xs. And, also, after listening to the Wilson XLFs recently with the ARC GS150 I would add this amp as an alternative.

Digital Front End - This is where I'm making changes "pronto". The ARC DAC 8 will be departing soon. What's coming? More than likely the Lumin S1. Also considered the Berkeley RS DAC. If I go with the Lumin, the Bryston BDP-2 will exit my system (a terrific music server for the money). I don't see keeping digital equipment for more than 5 years. This space is changing too quickly.

Analog - Used to have a Linn LP12. Would consider an AMG TT but not part of my plan. Mark (MPD) keeps working on my to do this. :D

Cables/wires - Using Shunyata (different flavors) across the system except a Wireworld Optical. I'm very pleased with Shunyata. Open to try others for specific applications.
 
I'm not in the habbit of swapping out gear because something new comes along. A lot of my gear I have had a long time. Of the gear in my signature I purchased the 1st Paradigm Servo 15a in 2002 along with 5 lengths of the Ixos speaker cables, the Lexicon MC-12 was in 2004 along with my Kimber PBJ's, Tonic's and PK10 as was the Furman IT-Reference. The 2nd Servo 15a was somewhere between 2004 and 2006. The Bryston 6B-SST along with a 4B-SST I still have were purchased in 2006 and the Paradigm Sub 25 was purchased right around this time as well as was the Furman SPR-20i. My Kuro was purchased in 2007 along with my Denon DVD-A1 (I think).
 
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