Bragging rights.....


I recently conducted an experiment and ended up moving from a very good sounding system consisting of separate components that I carefully assembled over time to a "future fi" system. Only part of the  phono rig, old speakers, their setup within the rooms, and speaker wires remain.

A Cambridge Evo 150 all-in-one replaced 9 different components including interconnect wires. I held onto all the old stuff until I reached the point where I was convinced they were no longer needed and recently have started to sell some of it to others.

The new streamlined system sounds really good! I’m not missing all that older stuff nor the work that went into assembling a good sounding system myself. ALso the flexibility to listen to music in many ways utilizing many different sources as desired is incredible!

So I think I lose some bragging rights.... it was easy to buy that one unit, hook it up, and deliver the good sound I always crave. Anybody could do it!

Also I think I no longer would lay any claim to being an "audiophile" anymore having made things so relatively simple. I will call myself an "audio enthusiast" now, however I still will always want to keep an eye on what else is out there...especially the latest and greatest innovative applications of technology that might still move things forward. "Future Fi" is the term I have read that seems to describe these kinds of transformative products these days.

Thoughts?

 

128x128mapman

I have never heard the Cambridge Evo 150 but it is great to hear that it sounds so good. I just bought a used Cambridge Evo 150 for my nephew in Canada. He hooked it up to my old KEF LS50s and starting a path towards good sound.

Yep… My Folks had the same idea in the 60’s with our Magnavox Console TV / Stereo Unit…LOL 

Funny What’s Old is New Again… Separates at one time were thought to be the “Leading Edge”

As for me… Too much under the hood ! Just ditched my NAD C658 after a week of ownership being it was so buggy requiring numerous factory resets to unfreeze the unit. Heck, spent more time fussing with the thing than listening. Until the Mfg’s trying to be more profitable stop jamming all this stuff in to one chassis with the barest of power supply’s with app’s that you’re their beta tester on, Thanks but No Thanks… I’ll stick with my separates.

@mapman: I look at that move similarly (in a way) as moving from an amp and preamp to an integrated unit. Nothing wrong with that especially if you are happy with what you hear. I would definitely want to hold onto my separate components for a long while, just to be certain what you are truly hearing, and/or you don't get the hankering again for separate components or to assemble another separate system. It's funny how that can happen over time.

mapman,

Welcome to future-fi.

I bought my Evo 150 about 6 months or so ago, traded a Cambridge receiver for it, so my system wasn't high end to begin with. I wasn't all that happy with it, the Evo, Roon and Tidal, until recently when I purchased the Ethernet Media Converter from Small Green Computer $350.00 plus 14. shipping, Now I listen tapping my toes and a smile.