So - the Hegel 160 is gone, sadly. What a beautiful component and well deserving of all the praise it received.
I replaced it with a forgotten Sony receiver I'd bought from Crutchfield a few years ago. Set it up, made all the IC and speaker connections (still the Adagios - which will be picked up by the buyer in a few weeks) and started with Roxy Music's "True to Life", followed by "More Than This."
Verdict: What you'd expect. Flat soundstage, little instrument separation, somewhat muddy presentation. The Adagios and the Oppo tried their best to present the music well, but were limited. Still, the Sony wasn't especially bad, considering what it was made for.
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Get rid of it all and start anew when you're ready.
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I'm not particularly wedded to any component. I'd be happy tebuilding my system starting with a Well Tempered or a Rega 8 or even another VPI.
But that HW-19 is exquisite. |
I agree, @simao , that the Oppo will be very, very hard to replace at a decent price; so I'd keep it; especially if yuo have a nice SADC/HDCD/DVD-A collection.
I don't know how acute your need for capital is; but it seems there is much demand for the VPI. You'd probably get the best ROI from selling it. Too bad since you really like it. |
I have a pair of ASW 110's waiting to replace the AZ's.
Abd im not stressed too much about making a killing off the other components. Having said that, I'm also not going to let them go to tire kickers, either. I know summer is the off-season for high-end audio sales and at the market might be a buyers market now. So we'll see.
Components, and components go. And I will rebuild the system eventually. |
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In today's market you are not going to realize that much from the sale of your components. If you have already sold the loudspeakers, then replace them with a cheap, say $200, pair. That said, if money is a real concern, then sell everything. You got to do what you got to do.
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@simao thank you very much for the kind words.
It seems you might find yourself in a much better position than you realized? It's a great thing the VPI makes you happy. Given the cabling, Oppo, VPI, and Hegel, I think you may want to just pause a bit, and give things a listen with another pair of loudspeakers. Again, I know some disagree, but the AZ loudspeakers may have thrown everything out of whack, and simply moving to something (as in the vast majority of loudspeakers) that sounds better, you find yourself at the finish line
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Thanks, all. Based on everyone’s advice, I’m going to hang on to the VPI and start shedding the rest. My wife insists I don’t have to because we might not be in the financial position to ever rebuild it, but I disagree: there’s always financing :)
I do like the VPI’s warm sound. In fact, the AZ’s balanced it out quote nicely and the Hegel kept everything glued together. That Hegel is a gem, btw. There’s a bunch on Audiogon now as the 160 is discontinued and being replaced by a new model.
Btw - how about Oppo not making products anymore? What’s up with that? My 105 might be the last component I sell.
p.s. - cheers to @trelja for the most engaging post here.
pps - @instllouis - I'm in St. Louis, too. Would you be up for a listening session before things start going? I still have the AZ's until June.
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Given I was in a position to have to trade audio dollars for living support dollars, I would either sell all the equipment or keep; 1st the TT as it will retain most of its current value over time and most difficult to replace (provided you are smitten by it), and 2nd the cables. Amplification and speakers can be considered towards best synergy and return on investment when rebuilding new system. Cables can be swapped out as complimentary to new system. |
Keep the VPI ... We all have a love/hate relationships with our TT's and when you find one you love .... Keep it !!! |
Personally, unless you are going to make a killing selling off your components at top dollar, I'd keep them all!
I realize I didn't answer your original question however my many years of experience took over unless you have a demanding better half that you have to please ;-) |
@yogiboy "So what’s wrong with warmth, richness and lushness?"
As I always say, that's why they make vanilla AND chocolate.
Along the lines of my beloved Jadis DA60, there's absolutely nothing wrong with warmth, richness, and lushness. I'm a big fan, in fact. However, there's a limit to that for me, and many components go too far in that direction.
Me personally, I'd think about such tables as Michell, Rega, Technics, or SME. I've owned both a Scout and Classic turntable. Audio friends I've known moved from their HW19 to both of them when each was introduced. I heard the change, and they most definitely fell into the camp of upgrade. With my VPIs, I just never could wring the sort of excitement out of them I hoped for. So if anyone also shares those feelings, I'm here to say don't drive yourself crazy, maybe another table would best serve you. But I'm certainly not against another VPI, and think a Scout, Classic, Prime, etc. warrants consideration if the OP prefers a presentation that steers towards that sound
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Your turntable and the opportunity to upgrade your other requirements. |
I would sell all of it and start your journey fresh when applicable. |
@trelja
So what’s wrong with warmth, richness and lushness? |
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Keep the table. Replacing a good vinyl rig is the hardest act to do again. |
Speaking of analog, we all know most components appeal to some folks and not others. VPI tables veer strongly towards warmth, richness, lushness, and elasticity. If you want a snappier, tighter, faster, more exciting and lively presentation, you should absolutely sell the table. So here I am going against everyone else who already spoke up, and say sell it, sell it now.
With all due respect to trelja, that would be a major mistake. But again, I'll take it :-) |
As @rhljazz mentioned, I don't see any reason to sell the cables at this point. Since they take the sonics in a direction this way or that way reflecting your system and your personal tastes, and you don't know where you will end up, it makes sense to hold on to them. Who knows, they may fit in perfectly in the end.
Likewise, I'll go along with @rhljazz not just with the cables, but also the Jolida phono stage. It may not suit where you ultimately wind up, but it definitely works for now.
Next, since the Oppo plays any silver disc you want, has functionality beyond physical media, could become a better digital platform if you mod it someday, always has a lot of market demand, and could even appreciate if folks develop that nostalgia sort of pricing for all things Oppo, it also looks like a keeper.
I also lean toward keeping the Hegel integrated at this point. It definitely has a richer character, but lends more than enough flexibility to allow you a broad path in terms of assessing both your next pair of loudspeakers and if you go with a new analog front-end. Once they both get sorted, you may feel happy enough to keep it, you may want a more muscular solid state amplifier, or even try tubes.
Speaking of analog, we all know most components appeal to some folks and not others. VPI tables veer strongly towards warmth, richness, lushness, and elasticity. If you want a snappier, tighter, faster, more exciting and lively presentation, you should absolutely sell the table. So here I am going against everyone else who already spoke up, and say sell it, sell it now.
The best news is you've already dumped the component I REALLY dislike, the AZ loudspeakers
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Agree with all the others, keep the turn table. I would also retain the cables and phono amp. Sell the rest. |
Another here for the VPI. In todays dollar, a replacement for that table, arm and cartridge would be in the ballpark of about $5000 !
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A great TT! Don't sell it! |
I third that! Keep the VPI. If you want to sell it, please get a hold of me. |
Second the tt recommendation, hold onto that setup for sure.
Decent amps, cables and speakers are everywhere at very fair prices |
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