I wanted to simplify my system, a bit, by retiring my outboard Bluetooth receiver and outboard DAC. I read great things about the Cambridge Audio CX 81, so I took a chance on one. The analog section of the amp is excellent. I also found the onboard Bluetooth to be excellent, especially with HD sources. The onboard DAC is a disappointment. My 20 year old Rotel CD player sounds better through it's internal DAC and my circa 2015 outboard Arcam DAC sounds better as well. It's still well worth the $800 for a factory refurb unit. But for the regular $1400, not with that chipset.
Bragging rights.....
I recently conducted an experiment and ended up moving from a very good sounding system consisting of separate components that I carefully assembled over time to a "future fi" system. Only part of the phono rig, old speakers, their setup within the rooms, and speaker wires remain.
A Cambridge Evo 150 all-in-one replaced 9 different components including interconnect wires. I held onto all the old stuff until I reached the point where I was convinced they were no longer needed and recently have started to sell some of it to others.
The new streamlined system sounds really good! I’m not missing all that older stuff nor the work that went into assembling a good sounding system myself. ALso the flexibility to listen to music in many ways utilizing many different sources as desired is incredible!
So I think I lose some bragging rights.... it was easy to buy that one unit, hook it up, and deliver the good sound I always crave. Anybody could do it!
Also I think I no longer would lay any claim to being an "audiophile" anymore having made things so relatively simple. I will call myself an "audio enthusiast" now, however I still will always want to keep an eye on what else is out there...especially the latest and greatest innovative applications of technology that might still move things forward. "Future Fi" is the term I have read that seems to describe these kinds of transformative products these days.
Thoughts?