Wow, what a diverse amount of gear changes! Thanks all for your contributions.
2024 saw a major front end upgrade at my house.
1. Nagaoka MP-500 cartridge
2. Teddy Pardo power supply for my Bluesound N130 streamer - really made a noticeable improvement.
3. Chord Qutest DAC
Also added a Shunyata Alpha HC Ztron power cable from wall to my power conditioner/distributor which made the biggest, most mysterious and most wonderful change in the sound of my system of any cable I have built or bought.
Without a doubt the Raven preamplifier from Spatial Audio. The brainchild of talented designers Don Sachs and Lynn Olson, the Raven is end game for me. I hope my kids enjoy it as much as I do. Also, new interconnects- Paul Speltz level 5.3 balanced XLR AntiCables. These are amazing cables and very reasonably priced. Next up new tube amps to pair with the Raven.
Two iFi Active Power Stations - did a great job at cleaning up power issues and really opened up the sound of my system.
Rolling tubes in my LTA microZOTL pre - took a wonderful preamp to a whole new level. Telefunken ECC801s and CBS/Hytron VT231s.
HumminGuru record cleaner (the latest model) - so easy to use and has me listening to vinyl nonstop. Just love it.
ZenWave DSR 4.2 interconnects - remarkable in so many ways. Imaging, their ability to let my other equipment shine, openness, dynamics. Demoing Dave’s PSR power cable now as well.
Spent this past year focusing on the lower frequency range with the purchase of a REL Classic 98 and Decware ZRock3 (ZR3). The Decware is a simple two slope tube equalizer that I’ve simply fell in love with over the past few months due to the weight (expected) and liquidity (unexpected) it’s brought to my system. The wait was long for the ZR3, but worth it.
Benchmark AHB2 amp, DAC3 and HPA4 Pre.
ATC SCM11 Speakers and Blue Jeans Cables using my MacBook as a streamer.
Ended the year with
Accuphase P4600 amp, MSB Discrete DAC (using it as a Pre as well), Aurender N20 Streamer and Harbeth C7ES-XD speakers and all DH Lab cables. Also a Shunyata Gemini 8 Power Conditioner.
So complete turnover. Results wonderful. Enjoying it every day with no inclination to change anything.
Just bought a Wiim Ultra and set it up. Very easy setup. Great app.
I bought it to replace an old MacBook Pro circa 1012 that was just in the way of my setup set on my LP rack.
Nice looking, seems well built. Using this as a streamer only as I love my MHDT DAC. Via Coax, havent tried the USB yet.
Sound is better than the MacBook which went USB to a Schitt Eitr to the DAC. And i attached a small HD via the USB port on the Ultra and it is a dream to use
I made 2 significant changes. One was my analog setup. I added an EAR MC-4 SUT and Phonobox phono preamp. I never had a SUT before, and maybe the sound is colored, but I enjoy listening to LP's much more with the addition. The bigger change was speakers. A year or two ago I got Devore O96 speakers that I've been very happy with. But I was always curious about single driver speakers, so I took advantage of an opportunity to buy a new pair of discontinued Cube Bliss C speakers at a great price. I haven't gone back to the Devores since and added a REL T9/X subwoofer. It's a more neutral sound and I love the pureness and detail of the sound with single driver speakers. None of the drawbacks I've heard about. Now I'm debating whether to try a lower powered DHT amp like 45 or 2A3 or 300b. Not sure whether they will have enough power to drive these speakers which are 92 db.
Parasound JC5 power amplifier and McIntosh C46 preamp. Now, I have lots of back-up power for low volume listening and then have the ability to tweak sound with that equalizer on the C46. Significant difference from my old amps & preamps!
I already own a Furutech very high end wall outlet. Adding this little device Did make a small difference. Seemed to have help smooth out upper mid range.
Power Supply upgrade for my BlueSound Node N130. I did the PD Creative first and it made a significant difference. Then I saw a picture of the LHY board covered with capacitors and decided to upgrade again. This upgrade also made a noticeable improvement in sound quality. Both upgrades are highly recommended depending upon how much you want to spend.
Prior to the upgrade, I felt that the Node sounded flat and lacking in top end compared to my CDP to the point that I couldn’t listen very long without getting distracted. The Node with the upgrades still doesn’t match my Raysonic tubed CDP, but it is much closer, and I can enjoy listening for extended periods.
I finally retired my 27 year-old bridged Rotel RB-980BX amps and 15 year-old Rotel RC 1580 pre-amp with PS Audio BHK 300 amps and BHK Signature pre-amp (they really make the La Scalas sing). The Rotels served me well for almost 3 decades so the BHKs should last longer than I will.
I returned to the warmth of tubes with the addition of a Prima Luna EVO 400 integrated amp for my music system rig. I added a HSU VTF-TN1 sub primarily for the movie surround to add more low end as an adjunct to my smaller/older HSU VTF-MK 2. For more details on the subs you might check out
I'm fortunate to reside about 30 minutes from Dr. Hsu's facility. He's a brilliant engineer (MIT PHD) designing, building subs for over 40 years and loves to talk subwoofer. Oh and he answers the phone (or his main assistant, Kevin. Enjoy the music!
In my digital only system, my 2024 DAC upgrade was very impactful. Get the very best DAC you can afford and it will be money well spent. HNY and good listening in 2025. Rick N
1. Von Schweikert VR9 SE Mk2, upgraded Masterbuilt Ultra wiring, Foundation 1000w Class D subwoofer amp, new supertweeters
2. Westminster Labs REI power amps
3. Westminster Labs Ultra XLR cable
4. Lampizator Poseidon DAC/Pre-amp
5. Jay’s Audio CDt3 Mk3 CD transport
6. Pulsar Pulse SPDIF cable
Other than gear, the music
Purchased Japanese and 45 rpm 1100 LPs Jazz collection,
Purchased 1,750 CDs in box sets,
Purchased 4,250 classical CDs purchased from a retired collector/listener,
Donated to me 3,750 classical CDs. 600 LPs from a brilliant collector who unfortunately suffered multiple strokes and cancer/10,000 LPs were thrown in garbage (couldn't save)
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
