The money pit is not the records, but the equipment. Digital equipment has a relatively high benefit to cost compared to analog.
I am interested to update my 15 year old system !
Hi everyone, I have recently started following these discussions and find them very helpful. Thanks to everyone who contributes !
I built my audio system about 15 years ago, and moved overseas in 2013. I packed my system in boxes and put it into a climate controlled storage facility. I expected to be overseas for 2-3 years, but ended up being away for 9 years ! I came back last year, and having been using my system now for a year, I have decided to make some changes. I am in serious need and would appreciate very much some advice and input. It seems now after 10 years, there are far fewer audiophile "stores" to visit for advice, and of course things have changed a lot !
My Old System:
I was only into digital at the time, and of course quality streaming was in its infancy. So what I did was record about 1,000 CD's onto a dedicated Macbook, and sourced the music from there. Music was stored in Apple lossless format (full CD resolution) and I could bypass the Mac sound card directly to a DAC (which you could not do at the time on a pc). I played the digital stream through:
Musical Fidelity X-Dac v8, into
Levinson 383 integrated amp, into
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home floorstanding speakers
Speaker cables were Transparent Music Wave Super
Everything was powered by a PS Audio original Powerplant
Current situation:
The PS Audio unit did not work when I set up the system. Apparently the capacitors dried out. PS Audio said they could not get the exact replacement parts and would not fix it. I tried to get it fixed locally with charts and schematics from PS Audio. The local electronics service place I went to could not get it working. I threw it out. I am now powering from a wall outlet ! I need to get something, and would prefer a power regenerator, to a conditioner - but I am extremely upset with the lack of service from PS Audio and dont feel good about buying from them again. I have seen many, many complaints about this and PS Audio lack of service. Suggestions welcome.
I purchased a Blue Node streamer, and using Qobuz, greatly simplifying my streaming.
My DAC - its more than 10 years old but the shop where I bought the Blue Node said to keep it as the tech has not necessarily improved greatly. I dont know if this is an accurate statement, but I always did like the DAC and still do. Dont feel a need now to change it, but interested in any views on this.
The Levinson - still runs great. If I change it, it will be the last thing to change.
I am planning to also go analog and thinking to buy a Planar 3, using either a Planar phono stage, or maybe a tube preamp (Vince 701?). Any thoughts on TT and phono stage ?
Speakers - still sound good, but thinking to change as I have been intrigued by Zu Soul speakers. Not sure about this.
Speaker cables - a friend told me to change out of the Transparents no matter what I do. Is there some negative view on these in the market now ?
Current Objective:
I listen to alot of vocalists like Sinatra, Krall, etc. and also jazz, blues, etc. I am not looking for high volume. In fact, I feel my Sonus Fabers sound fabulous at higher volume, but at lower volume do not sound as good. When I say low volume - I dont necessarily mean background music, but not so loud that you cant speak to someone else in the room !
There is alot here and I do not expect anyone to answer all questions ! If you have a view on just the speakers, or on the turntable phono stage - just your views on any one item would be very welcome ! Hopefully, I will get some input on everything - but it doesnt all have to be from one person !
Many thanks in advance to everyone for reading this far down !
Mark
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- 55 posts total
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Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for the input thus far ... it has already had a big impact on my thinking. I felt a bit overwhelmed with all the choices I had to make, and this has already put me into a prioritized direction. I will put off the expansion into vinyl for now. It seems from all those with good experience in vinyl that it is a long journey, and expensive ! I have no vinyl now, so it means a focus not just on equipment, but building up a collection of vinyl - which seems like its own full time job getting this right. So I will deal with my digital upgrades first.
I will start auditioning speakers to the best that I can. I was still intrigued with Zu from what I have read, and the suggestions above on Harbeth seem very good based upon my research into the brand just now. There is a dealer not far from me who handles Audio Note, which also seems to be a solid choice. A QUESTION ABOUT STREAMING ... If I am now streaming from Qobuz through the Bluesound Node, should I expect that source to be as good as the Apple lossless files on my Mac? If they are both high res digital bits coming in to my DAC, is there a reason they should sound different - one better than another ? Also - why would a high end streamer sound better than a Bluesound Node ? Again - if 2 different streamers are pulling a digital stream from Qobuz - and both are feeding the same DAC - would the streamer affect the sound ? PMM SUGGESTED GETTING MY LEVINSON CHECKED BY A TECH. As long as it is playing well, what could be needed if it hasnt been used for several years. And finally - the power regenerator replacement I will also make a lower priority as I focus on the speakers and digital source. I will also try to get some ideas on cables - but obviously - that comes after a speaker change ! Thank you all - and would still appreciate any input based upon my comments here and what I suppose will now be my first priority of looking into speakers, and whether the Bluesound Node (although new) should be replaced with something better. Really appreciate all the help ! |
The albums you have stored on your hard drive as Apple Lossless (ALAC or AIFF I assume) may not always be the same versions of those albums you would stream from Qobuz. Original in AIFF vs. remastered and or high res on Qobuz for example. As to the difference between streamers, some of the driving factors would be better quality of parts, better designed and isolated interfaces, better power supply (linear vs switch mode, type of transformer and filtering, etc.) and a better implementation and integration of firmware and hardware. All these differences between digital sources will very in degree depending on the quality and price range of the source component(s), the rest of your system, synergy and your ability to hear and identify these differences. As far as the amp goes, if your Levinson integrated works and sounds fine, I wouldn’t bother getting it checked out by a tech. Just use it you like how it sounds until you are ready to upgrade.
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- 55 posts total