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Equipment that has made you 'stop' looking?

OK we all know what a merry-go-round audio can be. For those of us who are incessant upgraders, what components have you found that either have stopped or seriously curtailed your search for better?

For me its my Audio Tekne Cables and my vintage Classe DR3 amps (25 wpc high current class A design designed by Dave Reisch in the early days of the company). My Green Mountain Audio Continuum 3s would probably fall into this category, but I would probably buy the next statement models that Roy Johnson builds sight unheard.

Kerry
musicfirst

Showing 3 responses by paul4223

paul4223
7 posts
 
MFA Luminescence Pre, MFA Mono M120 Amplifiers. Chapman T-7 speakers comprise the core of my system. I can't imagine replacing the MFA elecronics. Nothing I've heard under $5K beats the Chapmans for overall musicality, although sometimes I wonder what my old Maggies would sound like powered by MFA.

I may upgrade the Rega P5 someday. The Shanling T1000 SE is a very nice CDP, esp. with a WE Tube upgrade to the tube output section.

I'm very pleased with my Anti-Cable speaker wires and for now, Audio Perfection IC's, but will soon experiment with some DIY IC's, made from 20 AWG magnet wire and 28 AWG solid silver. All into basic Neutrik plugs.

After experimenting with a number of different footers, cones, etc, I've found Herbie's Tenderfeet and IsoCups to work most excellently in my system. I am using some DIY feet under the Rega, made from modified Barry units and they do sound much better than the stock Rega rubber feet. I may try BDR 4's under the table.

Overall, my system is very musical and always a pleasure to listen to. What's next, is a serious look at room acoustic analysis and treatment.
paul4223
7 posts
 


I recently sent my MFA Lumi preamp and M120 amps to Mr.Scott Frankland for repairs and some upgrades. The Lumi was upgraded about as far as Scott could take it. The amps received more modest upgrades. The components now have a significant "wow" factor compared to before the mods/repairs. But wait, there's more....

And, per Scott's suggestion, I replaced the amp power tubes with Genalex KT 88 Gold Lion Reissues, and the amps have improved to yet another level.

Overall improvement is extraordinary. And this, in a system which sounded damn good before.

I've yet to seriously address room acoustics, but that's coming....
paul4223
7 posts
 
I see that this thread is still alive. So:

A couple of years ago I shipped my Lumi and M120 mono amps to Scott Frankland for repair and upgrades.

The Lumi was treated to the most significant upgrade Scott could do. The result? "WOW"!

He also did a more modest upgrade to the M120 amps. Still: "wow"....

Cables are now all from Grover. A very good bang for the buck.

The rebuilt/upgraded Chapman T7's continue to sound terrific.

I do minor tweaks here and there. The latest is using a Mapleshade platform under the Shanling CDP with brass cones under the platform and ball bearing supports under the player.

Still more than satisfied (after all these years) :)

I confess to being lazy about tweaking the room with sound treatment. I have not done so.

Yet.
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