If you didn't have the gear you own now, what would you have?

dlb2

dlb2

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I'm curious what others would own if they could re-do things in their set-up. I'm very happy with my current gear. As a matter of fact, my system has never sounded better but there has always been a couple pieces that I've wanted to own. Now before this becomes a "my dream gear" or "if I won the lottery" thread I would like to keep it to a list that you can still afford given your income right now.

Here's my list:

Amps: Shindo Haut-Brion, Sophia Electric 91-01's, Manley Neo-Classic 300B's.
Preamps: Shindo Monbrison, Manley Neo-Classic 300B.
Integrated Amps: Pass Labs INT-30A, Leben CS-600.
Speakers: Devore O96's, Line Magnetic LM755, Harbeth SHL-5.

As for source gear the only change I would make right now is to swap out my Delos for an EMT TSD-15 with an A23 SUT.

What would you guys do?
 
Volti Vitori's with matching subs driven by LA Audio P-845 and matching preamp. Manley 300b amps and preamp for second flavoring. Source would be EAR DACute 4 and matching CD player. Analog would be Kronos Sparta with Graham arm. All Shunyata cabling.


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Doug, that's a great question. So far, I would go with the Salon 2's again, nothing even remotely close to the sound quality for the money. I wish I had the VPI Classic 3, but it wasn't available when I bought the original Classic. Believe it or not, I would buy the Lyra Delos over the Kleos, and put that money somewhere else. I love my Linn DS, so I would stay with that unless the new Lumin can beat it. And I would stay with Shunyata cables.

So, I guess the answer is I'd probably stay pretty close to what I have !!
 
Edit: I changed my mind. If my main system went "poof", I'd say eff it, keep my secondary/PC system - and then do something a bit wiser with my monies! :D
 
Mike said:
Re-do things? I've never done that.
Click to expand...

Yeah I guess I should have just omitted you from this thread!

MDP said:
Doug, that's a great question. So far, I would go with the Salon 2's again, nothing even remotely close to the sound quality for the money. I wish I had the VPI Classic 3, but it wasn't available when I bought the original Classic. Believe it or not, I would buy the Lyra Delos over the Kleos, and put that money somewhere else. I love my Linn DS, so I would stay with that unless the new Lumin can beat it. And I would stay with Shunyata cables.

So, I guess the answer is I'd probably stay pretty close to what I have !!
Click to expand...

There's something about realizing the gear we own is damn good and that few, if any, changes need to be made.
 
Possibly the opposite of all I have now to experience the difference
1)dedicated room at least 20x30 with 12 ft ceilings, not my study, acoustically treated, with advanced cooling and venting for tube gear heat generation, possibly a discreetly located urinal so I could leave less often
2)preamp-VTL 7.5 III
3) monoblock amps-Octave Jubilee
4)turntable-clearaudio Statement
5)no digital, no xlr, only se
6)speakers-Genesis 1.2 system
7)all top of line siltech cabling
Nick
 
veindoc said:
Possibly the opposite of all I have now to experience the difference
1)dedicated room at least 20x30 with 12 ft ceilings, not my study, acoustically treated, with advanced cooling and venting for tube gear heat generation, possibly a discreetly located urinal so I could leave less often
2)preamp-VTL 7.5 III
3) monoblock amps-Octave Jubilee
4)turntable-clearaudio Statement
5)no digital, no xlr, only se
6)speakers-Genesis 1.2 system
7)all top of line siltech cabling
Nick
Click to expand...

Tubes and vinyl. Nice! Rock on!
 
I feel like I did this the past 3 years. Re-do. I would say my air tight ATM-2 and ATC-2 is so compelling and cost effective if I had bought those prior to ARC Ref and Constellation gear I would have been happy and called it a day. If a redo I would simplify and go down to a killer headphone amp and headphone fed from my ARC Ref 2se fed by spiral groove sg1.1 and Goldfinger. A lot less rack space. No worries about room interactions. No center spot on couch.
 
Although PASS and Accuphase hold interest for me if I was starting over from zero the following brands would be considered along with my current D'Agostino/Wilson set-up.

MBL (full system)
Constellation amps/pre
Boulder amps/pre
 
For full system beyond headphones i would buy the Vitus class A integrated with Dac and phono cards and Magico Q7. With my Spiral Groove. That's my less rack and top of the mountain system. 3 components to bliss.
 
I would probably spend less money.

One option would be buying pre-owned speakers. I was always a big fan of the high-end d'Appolito speakers when I couldn't afford it. You can buy them now with still the excellent sound for less then € 2000 in mint condition.
So one of the following:
appolitos.jpg

Of course driven by the excellent Job 225
job225.jpg

And the main sources (turntable and streamer) would be the same except the Akurate would now have the integrated pre-amp (the DSM)
dsm.jpg

The Project RPM 9.2
rpm9.jpg


As an alternative I could also see active speakers instead of the used ones and the Job. In that case the Neumann's
Schermafbeelding_2014_01_11_om_21_33_17.jpg


In both cases I would support by two fast subs.
Neumann has a sub that would probably be superb.
sub.jpg

Or maybe a pair of smaller Velodynes. Probably not bigger than 10" chassis as the speed is crucial.

To compensate the for the absence of the built-in DSP in the preamp as I have now I would also take the DSPeaker.
13395639-origpic-2c4a6d.png

This all would bring me very close to sound heaven. Close enough.
 
Interesting question...

- I would definitely get the Wilson Alexias again
- While the D'Agostino stereo amp is plenty powerful and sounds fabulous, I probably would go for the monos (why not?) :P
- ARC Ref 10 or D'Agostino - love the synergy between my ARC Ref5SE and the DAG
- Would consider the Lumins and Aurenders in addition to the Bryston BDP-2 (which I own)
- In terms of DACs - not an easy solution given the options in the market and the fast movement of this tech - Bricasti, DCS, EMM/Meitner, Playback, MSB
- Cables would remain Shunyata
 
Good condition of Quad ESL 57

6315074729_a37cddb991_z.jpg


Garrad 401 with 12" arm

Img_3616.jpg


Shindo Giscours Preamplifier

ShindoGiscours-1b.jpg


Shindo Corton-Charlemagnne

corton-charlemagne-glow.jpg


And La-Z- Boy recliner :D

1907579_03.jpg


I'm 90% sure Doug would like this system. No ?
 
-Robert Schick tonearm instead of my Michell Techno arm for my mono set up.

-Dynavector XV 1S cartridge instead of Lyra Kleos for my stereo setup.

-Ayre KX-R instead of my ARC Ref 3 line stage to go with my MX-R.

That said I love what I have.
 
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