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Returning to audiophilism after 20 years: a little guidance would be nice :-)

Hello all,
I’m Pieter, a dutch intrinsic music lover that has been sucked up by family life for the last 20 years, leaving little time to do what I liked most while I was still unattached. I sold off most of my equipment back then (2002) and haven’t done any serious music listening since.
Now that my kids are around 15 y/o I dug up my nostalgic Thorens TD126mkIII TT just to show them the concept. I never could have dreamed it would suck me right back into the good old days when I was enjoying music on audiophile equipment and being able to hear the soundstage depth, lively pianos and guitars, well, I suppose I don’t need to tell you guys how fulfilling such could be.

What am I looking for here? Well, in twenty years time technology must have progressed (especially digital) so I am looking for some guidance where and how to start over. I’d like to find the approach that suits my situation best.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask "what is the best amplifier for under $5000" kind of questions. But I am interested in the current vinyl vs digital discussion (has digital/streaming earned its place compared to vinyl, does it hold its own) so I can start exploring in a good direction.

Is this the kind of question that fits this community? If so, is this a good subforum?

All I kept when selling my stuff back then are my Thorens TD126mkIII (still in good shape) and Triangle Meridien speakers (French brand). So I’m in the market for a more than decent amplifier, phono preamp and a digital source such as a streamer or CD player. Might go the Tidal route, along with playing records. I still have around a 100 CD's. I just got a MoFi StudioPhono to connect the TT to my low tier receiver amp.

Can’t wait to hear what you might say.

Kind regards to all,
Pieter
pieterkadijk

Showing 1 response by tonydennison

tonydennison's avatar
tonydennison
409 posts
 

I was a diehard vinyl guy for many years. After my young daughter and several of her friends destroyed three Benz cartridges in the span of 7 months I decided I had to make a change. After several months of study I decided on a PSAudio Direct Stream. It was a scary idea, but I couldn't enjoy my vinyl without the numbers as to actual cost per side running through my head whenever I dropped the tone arm.

I sold everything I had but a set of quicksilver mono blocks. This included a full function tube preamp,  step up transformer, VPI Classic TT and whatever.

First I purchased the DS Jr. and at first it sounded awful, but after 750 hours or more running 24 hrs a day it changed dramatically, but not perfect.

I purchased an AR pre (can't remember which one) but there was an issue with a ground loop that apparently was caused by the Jr.'s output. I returned both the pre and the DS Jr. and PSAudio gave me a super deal on a DS Sr. To this I added a Quicksilver 12AT7 pre and again it sounded awful for a very long time, but once again it bloomed into a sound I found almost indistinguishable from vinyl regardless of what anyone says. 128DSD output sounds like vinyl. PSAudio's  firmware release "sunlight" sealed the deal along with me removing the Bridge from the DS Sr. which allows you to stream straight to the DS Sr. and this improved the sound to its final step. It sounds like vinyl without any of the hassles.

I bought a 2012 mac-mini and turned it into a NAS. Now I research records with Qobuz and purchase DSD files online and I am very pleased. Not saying you have to leave vinyl, but you could if you wanted to, provided you are very patient.

The DS MKII was released a bit ago and the DS Sr. is going for $3,000 straight from PSAudio.

 

Just my 5 cents.

 

TD

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