Is advice from a constant upgrader to be avoided

And there are vintage collectors like me. I'm a Mac collector, BUT my reference system is, Mac, Cary, VMPS, GR, DIY, Sony, Thoren, Nord, and First Watt. I pulled the Decware ZP3 it needs something.. I went back to a Rogers PA-2

There has alway's been a standing army of speakers here. I've made over 100 pairs and repaired another 150 pairs between Infinity, VMPS and a few older JBLs like C45 Ranger, Metrons or Paragons. I had a pair of Paragons. I loved them..

Strange thing most of the time I listen to a Mac MC225, MX110z, TD124 and a pair of 45 year old VMPS QSO 808s monitors.. I put a belt on the Thoren 20 years ago..I replaced one 12AX7 Telefunken, 15 years ago.. Maybe 4 or 5 cart tips. I haven't touched one thing on any of them (50+ years old). I do dust them.. They look new..oh There is a Sony ES777 I use. I did recap that.. ALL DIY cables.

Regards

The one thing I do is stick pretty close to home. Equipment manufactures, speaker design and driver type.. I did that over a 10 year period in my 20s. I went through a lot of gear and found what I liked and kept GOOD notes. I made a  few choices like, Mcintosh, Thoren, Russco/type (TT) Pass design SS amps, SME tone arms, Telefunken valves and great electrical filtering and conditioning. I've used a few, Topaz design always worked for me. Triplite too.. Other than new manufactures making the drivers I use or going out of business, I stick to the same kind of speaker design and philosophy in building. GRs OB servo was an exception. I’m not an OB kind of guy for the most part..

The only new piece in many years was a Decware ZP3. I got it mainly for a RtR preamp. I added Cary to the line up, but it was OLD when I got It.. Then worked it.. I love it.. Betters my VTLs and most of my Macs (not ALL). I added class D 8 years ago, 3 years on and off picking what I liked.. Ncore is just fine for me..

Rogers PA-2 will better it in every way as far as a turntable though.. 3 times the cost too. Actually I have a pair of Mac that are quite a bit better. A C20 and a MX110z. both phono sections were worked over pretty good.. Better than the Decware, a cap change is all that’s needed, though.. (pretty sure).

Maybe just add .01 collection caps.. WiMa are great for that.. for pennies vs GOLD nuggets for payment.. NUTSO pricing on some bypass caps.. Mercy oh mercy pricing. :-) AND nothing seems to be in stock..

If one thing makes sense to me is if I can remember what something DID sound like and keep that reference available, I know when it’s ME not the equipment or the room or anything else. I keep a reference system here, it’s pretty simple too.

I have a FEW buddies that use MY little reference system as a mark in the sand after a gear up grade.. More money than good ears for most of them..:-)

I do have a right EAR thing going on as of late. They changed my heart meds, it’s affecting my ears a tad..

Heads up fellas.. Heart meds mess with the EARS... Water seems to help so far.. More not less. Maybe the NURSE not the doctor was right.. BP is a little LOW.

Regards

At my tender age it’s something I don’t need. My ears aren’t getting better my gear is staying the same.. if it was great 30 years ago what changed?.. MY EARS, 30 years later... LOL A 30K what ever ain’t gonna make them any better..

I talk myself out of spending money every day as I cook my pot of beans and the cornbread just finished up.. Fresh red onions too. Yup chickens like onions too..

AND don't tell me they are vegetarians.. They eat anything.. :-)

Regards