What were your favorite gear additions in 2024?

Cdc,  I chose the Teac because they build so many drives for other companies and because it is a VRDS mechanism 

It sounds great  I'm using it with a Lab 12 DAC 1 reference and find myself reaching for a CD often.   

The build quality is excellent,  completely silent drive.   Not too many good players being built today which was the main reason.    I think you'd have to spend a lot more to better it.  

@oddiofyl 

I'm really enjoying my Teac VRDS 701t Transport.   

Can you describe why you like the Teac? Is it sound quality or features?.

Sumiko Starling cartridge, replacing Ortofon LVB 250. The Starling is my first dive into MC. The LVB was good, but the Starling makes the music more present. Everything jumps off the needle a little more, in a good way.

@musicaddict nice to see Odyssey Audio still going strong!

Bought a used Odyssey Audio Kismet stereo amp for my Raidho D2s and liked it so much that I bought a pair of Kismet monoblocks for even better sound. No looking back; they are wonderful.

A few major changes for me last year:

Revisited Denafrips and bought the Ares 12th-1 pre-loved just out of curiosity. I loved it so much so then tried adding the Denafrips Iris DDC, which was a really nice addition, so much so my x3 more expensive DAC didn't make it back on to my rack.

Impressed by this I ordered the Pontus II 12th-1, but actually received the Pontus 15th unexpectedly (I started a thread on this in the Summer). 

The Pontus with the Iris, to me is lovely.

Last year I also scratched an itch to try tubes, so ordered the Heaven 11 Billie Mkii - absolute game changer for me. I don't think I could be without tubes again.

I used to own an Atoll IN200 Signature integrated, and kind of regret selling it, so bought an Atoll AM200 power amp I found as ex-demo stock, so now use this with the Billie Mkii in pre-amp mode. Although the Billie was able to drive my ATC SCM 40's, the AM200 seems to handle the ATC's with more conviction, if that makes sense 😊

Other than these changes, I also went with Zavfino Prima Mkii speaker cables which won't be going anywhere 👍

Rebuilt my headphone setup:

• Focal Utopia Headphones
• McIntosh MHA200 Headphone Amp
• Schiit Audio Mjolnir Headphone Amp
• Bluesound Node X Streamer
• Moon Audio Silver Dragon Cable for Utopias
• Straightwire RCA interconnects
• Furman Elite - 15 Power Factor i

Sounds pretty good for my office system.  I use the Mjolnir as a preamp to control the MHA200.

Deeper more meaningful visits and listening events with w widening circle of friends

Got my reference room 75% “ there “ with Core Audio diffusers and ATS absorption, better home run power… and AC in the room ( mini split )

Second system welcomed TAD ME-1 speakers.

Best to all in music in 2025

Jim 

Every time I post, the system shows two. If I delete one, they both disappear.

I really wanted to share.

Post edit:

The list is now showing! 

Ideon:

EOS

Sigma Wave

Absolute Time(purchased a second on New Year’s day)

Isoclean:

806A and transformer

Dartzeel:

NHB-18ns

NHB-108B

Zeel cables(2 pairs)

Cardas:

Clear Rev. 1

Constellation:

Pictor(kept for two weeks and sold it to a good friend who bought a matching amp).

- Mola Mola Tambaqui

- Grimm MU1 (Roon server/streamer)

- Nordost cable and power loom

- Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables

Radical change in 2024 (and moderately expensive)

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)

Vandersteen Treo CTs, Hegel H390 Integrated Amplifier, Analysis Plus bi-oval cables and Humminguru NOVA

No new gear, but some fine records. Cheers!

I used to near live Morrow Audio

I also visited the shop couple times a week.

Buchardt S400 Mk II’s (sold my S300’s and should have just kept them)  The

S400’s are great but show how good the S300’s are.  Silent Angel M1T digital transport.  Major upgrade from my laptop with USB going to the
 

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

Hello and Happy New Year,

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

https://HSURESEARCH.COM

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!

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.

Now for a streamer...it's always something.

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.

Furutech NCF Clear Line AC Power Supply Optimizer 

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.  

Hard to decide between them, but these 3 were the best upgrades in 2024

(1) Aric Audio Motherlode XL tube preamp

(2) Aric Audio Transcend "Push Pull" EL 34 tube amplifier

(3) CODA S5.5 solid state amplifier

My upgrade is coming in Jan 2025. A pair of Mur audio SP1 speakers.  Can’t wait 

I changed a VPI table for a Dr Feickert Volare and I am very pleased.

I also added a 2nd Plinius SA102 amp that feeds my Canton Ref 3K speakers.

I think I am done.

I added five new WyWires Platinum power cords, a Furutech GTX-D Gold receptical and a Snake River Boomslang digital cable.   

N

Vivid Giya 2 v2 speakers...love them!

Shunyata Denali 6000 v2 w Sigma v2 XC power cable...really opened up one of my systems...

I have 2, pair of burmester 218 amps and the airtight opus 1 cartridge, my main system is now complete

SIM audio 861 amplifier, huge difference from my SIM audio w8 even as good as it is.

PS Audio Stellar Gold preamp,  Cambridge EXN100  streamer.

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 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.  

That would be the only gear I bought this year, Modhouse Tungsten DS headphones along with the Enleum HPA23 RMH headphone amp that went with it.... 

A bought, on Audiogon, an empire 698 turntable in mint condition. I love everything about it.!
steve Girko

Playback Designs MPD-8 with USB-X4.

Hifi rose RS130, almost got the Aurender N200 but I’m one of those that enjoy the esthetics as much as the sound. I’m very happy with my choice 

LAIV Harmony DAC

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

The EQ app made the sound a bit richer.

Very impressed with the unit and the price

Upgraded mc901 mac mono small tubes to nos telefunken from brent jesse. Otherwise quiet year.

Van Den Hul - The Grail phono. Absolutely wonderful. 

Got the MSB Digital Director for my Premeir DAC. Great unit. Really glad I got it. 

The main two were: Antipodes K21 streamer/server and Innuos Phoenix USB.

Then ASUS RT-AX86U Pro router and Stack Audio SmoothLan

KORG DSD 10R for FINALLY completing my LP, Cassette, and Reel to Reel archiving project...

(I hope)

Started the year with

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. 
 

Triangle Magellan 40th Anniversary Duetto speakers. Fabulous speakers!

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.

Several things for me.

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.

Antipodes Audio Oladra music server and the Trinnov Altitude 16 AV preamp.

Some nice gear in this thread. ...    i should add a great accessory,  Sofabaton X1S Remote.