This is easy, I added a Synergistic Research Ethernet switch, transformed my all digital system.
Products you added to your system in 2021 that made most impact to your music enjoyment
As 2021 comes to an end, just thought it would be cool to share some of the most impactful audio upgrades in your system this year?
Here’s my top 5 list…
1. Pass Labs XP-12: Upgrade path was from Rogue RP-1 to Rogue RP-5 and then to Pass XP-12 that was the final touch. Huge improvements across the board. Mates well with my Rogue ST-100 tube amp.
2. Phono Cartridge: Goldring E3 MM to Hana EL MC. Clarity, presentation, dynamics in spades!
3. Phono Pre: From the built in phono pre in RP-1 and RP-5 to MoFi UltraPhono to Sutherland KC Vibe MkII. Lowered noise floor, increased resolution, dynamics. The KC Vibe MkII is almost double the cost of the MoFi and it’s the one of the few upgrades where an improvement was proportional to the cost difference. At least in my system. Records that seemed noisy become more listenable. A great little phono pre.
4. Audience AU24sx speaker cables. These speaker cables are a clear window into a recording. Nothing hidden, nothing exaggerated.
5. Power Cords: Acoustic Zen Gargantua for preamp and amp. Lower noise floor, increased resolution, natural sound, expanded soundstage
Honorable mentions:
1. Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper interconnects. In my opinion the AZ cables don’t get the respect they deserve on these forums anymore, overshadowed by some of the “flavor of the day” newcomers (without going into specifics on brands).
2. Puritan PSM156 power conditioner.
3. Supra Cat8 Ethernet cable.
4. Lumin U1 Mini
5. MoFi LP#9 Stylus Cleaner. Better than the Onzo ZeroDust although I still use the Onzo between the sides.
217 responses Add your response
Two major upgrades this year. The first upgrade I moved from an Onkyo receiver to a Raven Nighthawk mk3 and that made a massive difference in everything. A more well rounded sound overall. Much more detail yet more lush at the same time. the second upgrade I added a pair of Rythmik subwoofers and this also had a major impact. This upgrade allowed for a much more intimate listening experience at low volumes, but when cranked makes me feel like I am sitting front row of a live concert. |
I totally agree with the original poster acoustic Zen cables don't get the respect they deserve any more on here, and I don't know why you didn't try the acoustic Zen speaker cables cuz they're just as good as the audience but a lot cheaper single-crystal is single Crystal just some companies charge more for it but OCC single crystal wire is the best wire for audio and it's been proven for 40 years now |
This was the year of complete change from a system we thought was wonderful and had been in place for decades. We retired and sold the vintage Technics SL-120 with its Mayware-Polk Audio arm and Micro Accustics 2002 cartridge. No more LPs. We sold the HK Citation 11 that had been in our closet for 10 years. We replaced the 45 year-old Quad 405 amp and Parasound Zpre2 with an Audio Note Cobra integrated to run our Quad ESL-57s. We purchased a custom made-to-measure digital cable from the Jolida JD100 CD player so we can use the Cobra's MUCH better DAC. (We will replace the Jolida for a CD transport next year.) Then purchased custom made-to-measure Audio Note Lexus LS speaker cables with banana plugs. Finally, because of our unpredictable electric grid, we purchased a Dectet AC Power Conditioner and their hospital-grade electric outlet. The result? With every addition over this year, not just small increments, but dramatic improvements were experienced. We now have a system that is a total joy to listen to and will probably last us a few more decades. Who knew? The only thing we didn't replace was our 47 year-old Quad ESL-57s. For us and the music we listen to, there are no better speakers. This has been a VERY good year. |
Big upgrade year for me on multiple counts: Went from Rogue RP-1 to and RP-7. The level of quiet this piece is and the musicality when it's making sound are incredible. Have changed to some NOS tubes that have made it even better too, currently running amperex bugle boys in the front with Mazdas in the rear. Analog front end got a major upgrade from clearaudio performance DC with tracer tonearm and Hana 1200 (no slouch) to brinkmann bardo with 10.5 arm and ortofon cadenza black. Whoa. The detail retrieval, channel separation, and frequency response are nuts. Also on the analog side went from musical surroundings nova iii to a Rogers High Fidelity PA-2. Incredible Soundstage and clarity. The airy-ness is hard to beat. I feel like I cam hear the room things were recorded in. Additional tweaks that get some props are herbies audio lab tube dampers, tenderfeet, and supersonic stabilizers really quieted down the Rogers even more. |
2021 was a major revamp for me.
First was a pair of Klipsch Forte IV, a great improvement over my Heresy III which I liked a lot. The Forte are awesome I just replaced my preamp with a Zesto Leto and the improvement in sound quality was so pronounced that it sounded like I got new speakers .... it was not subtle Fantastic preamp ! Its unbelievable how good it sounds . They build great stuff over at Zesto. It is voiced PERFECTLY, it sounds true to life.
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Collectively, it was a huge improvement. The most noticeable improvements came when I added the GAIA footers and spikes, and started using Sense. I'm amazed at much better the music sounds with Sense, as are my friends who are hearing it for the first time. |
2021 was a year of major investments in my system. Here are a list of all my upgrades for the year:
Bluesound Node 2i tremendously improved my streaming enjoyment and SQ when paired with the Pontus II. Hifiman Arya headphones replaced my Beyerdynamic DT1990s. I prefer the sound of magnetic planers for long listening sessions. Topping D90 headphone amp pairs very nicely with the Aryas. Morrow Audio SP6 speaker cable was the icing on the cake.
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PBN Montana XPS speakers to replace Ascend Acoustic sierra towers with raal speakers. Never in my wildest imagination did I expect such a huge improvement. I learned the importance to get the biggest speakers your size room can handle in order to properly fill it up with a live like sound. For me and my music preferences anyway. |
Upgraded from Bowers and Wilkins 702 S2 speakers (nice speakers) to Legacy Focus XD speakers (in another world - Wow) Added Mini dsp with Dirac Room correction (another very noticeable improvement) And now here is where I will lose you all; and its too bad because until you do it, you will have no clue of the absolute pleasure I get from this: re-incorporated my vintage 1980's, $200 Carver C9 Sonic Hologram Generator into the system as I have done with every upgrade and still..... consider it my most important piece. There..... I said it!!! Thank you Bob Carver from my home state of Washington. Genius! |
I think two changes were most important, added a second dedicated line for my amp (as opposed to the original which now just powers the rest of my components). And a Silent Running Audio Ohio++.2 isolation platform for my Linn LP12 Turntable. Also at MC’s glowing reviews added Nobsound isolation springs under all other components. The sum of all of these have noticeably improved my system. |
Biggest upgrade change this year was upgrading my turntable to a Schiit Sol and went total overkill and put a Benz Micro Zebra L on it. Holy shnikey that thing is good. Like I said, complete overkill but I really wanted to see what the difference was in skipping a good level cartridge of a 2M Black or Hana SL vs jumping up another tier. Now I get to slowly upgrade the rest of the system around that. |
Many changes this year: Replaced: 1. MacBook Pro with Project Stream Box Ultra 2 2. Mad Scientist 'Black Magic' USB Cable 3. Halide Bridge SPIDF converter to M2Tech Hiface Evo 2/Clock/Supply 4. Black Cat Silverstar coax cables 5. Modded Beresford SEG Dac to modded LKS DA-004 Dac 6. Black Ravioli Big Pads for Dac 7. Akiko Audio USB Tuning Stick 8. Recapped/updated Perreaux R200i amp
To Arrive: 1. SR Orange fuses to SR Purple for amp and Dac 2. Meicord Opal ethernet cables 3. LPS for modem/router 4. LPS for M2Tech Hiface Evo Supply 5. Upgraded DC cables for LPS |
Applied for grad school class to learn how to insert photos on Gon. Balanced Power Transformer- Lowered noise floor REL Sub T5x. Awaiting 2nd one. -Big enhancement Audio Mirror DAC upgrade from Oppo-Huge Difference- Sold the 205. Innuos ZEN mk 3 Streamer/ripper/storer- sold Roon Tannoy XO upgrade by Danny Richie-1988 parts were crap. Pass Labs INT25- sold XA25 and went to INT.
It was a very good year for audio.... Thank you HiFi Gods |
Schumann Resonance generator. I paid under $20 including shipping from China. It has acrylic housing, without it it was near 10 bucks. Now that completes my quest. All I have left is to enjoy music. Special thanks to @mahgister whose writing inspired me to get another generator on top of my 20 year old unit. |
Just bought a TriPlanar tonearm MkVll with all the factory upgrades . Most of my upgrades were done in 2019-20 consisting of CJ CT5 preamp Don Sachs Kootenay 120 amp Pure Power tech filter & mats Core power 1800 balanced power conditioner FWIW, The Pure Power Tech filter and mats were as much an upgrade as the components themselves. But it all works cumulatively. IOW the system is no better than its weakest link |
