Where do I go from here?


We finally moved into a home that allows me to unbox the remnants of a system that I boxed up almost 20 years ago.  After two decades, I'd forgotten what I had until I unboxed a pair of Martin Logan Class, a pair of Acoustat 1+1s, a Robertson 6010.  At one point I owned a BAT VK-60, butsold that and an Audible Illusions preamp around  2008...a decision that I regret today.  I also uncovered new replacement panels for the CLSs.  Since this stuff has been boxed-up I've been away from audio completely.  That's about to change.  I plan to continue enjoying the CLSs and plan to return to tube tube amps.  I loved the VK-60's sound and it looks fantastic.  

My question is more about streaming.  My sense is that I get away with a streamer, subscribe to a service, and use it as my pre-amp connected to the power amps. ..  Is it that simple?  I don't want to deal with  CDs or vinyl.  I want to simplify my life.  I'm looking for feedback.  Is my plan viable? 

patrickalston

Wow….. you are in A Viking takeoff in an F-15 full afterburner…

Breathe a bit…..

Quads, good as they were / are ( sold them / owned them along w Apogee, Beveridge, Sound Lab & Acoustat ) were never as reliable as ML or Acoustat. Age has and will take a toll. I think you would be better off w new Maggies under warranty w high pass filters and subs. Just my $.02

On the LP front, the VPI from a friend makes perfect store of value w good sonics. Again, get a trusted dealer w setup tools to sort it out based on your tastes and synergy w system 

Sell the  1+1 as is, coordinate troubleshooting / repair of the  CLS w ML… tgey are STILL in business for a reason….

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@elliottbnewcombjr - The room is roughly 16 x 28...and thank for the link to the Acoustat article.

@ghdprentice wrote, "I had a pair of Acoustat 2 + 2’s in the late 70’s that simply put me permanently in the audiophile camp and began my lifetime pursuit."

I got started by listening to Spica TC-50s that I purchased in the mid-80s from a shop called Opus One in Pittsburgh.   When I finally head electrostatics for the first time, I was hooked. 

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The Acoustats seem fine after all of these years.  They were put away in custom boxes.  One of the transformers has a loose part on one of the boards.  I suspect when I have it checked out, it'll be fine.  The CLSs are a different story. One speaker, which has a replaced panel, isn't coming on.  So, I need to recheck the connections.  As it stands, I dusted off my trusty old Boston Acoustics and those are what I'm listening to now.  

It may be time to look for something new.   Quads ESLs in some form are at the top of my list.

The wife surprised with with an Eversolo DMP A8 all-in-one streamer/DAC/preamp.  So convenient.  At under $2000, it's a bargain.  After living with it for a few days, it's making me rethink my priorities with regard to the order that I build my system.  (I say this as I look over the top of my monitor at the 10 or so boxes of vinyl shipments that I received from Acoustic Sounds and Blue Note over the past few months.)  I'll still purchase a turntable and continue to purchase more records (I like looking at the boxes), but I suspect new speakers will come first followed by a second vk-60, a preamp, then I'll get a turntable. . .and I forgot to mention that I spontaneously purchased a Revox B77 Hi-Speed Reel-to-Reel just because I've always wanted one.  It's price and condition were right. I couldn't resist.  I also still need an equipment rack or furniture instead of the cardboard box that I use now:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XjLdflpd1BFl4t44qTUYbQJ6Lx622uiU/view?usp=drive_link

@tomic601 - I know I should slow down and breathe.  My brother, who just purchased MLs and plans to purchase Maggies for a 2nd system told me the same thing, but I only have so many summers left.  So, I hope to bring this system together in 2024.  With regard to the Acoustats, I'm not ready to get rid of them.  

I love the CLS and have not written them off yet.  I unplugged them several days ago and plan to disassemble them this weekend to see if there's a loose connection.    

I've heard others describe reliability issues with the ESL-57s, but I'd like a more modern model.  I've seen folk who make them more robust.  So, I'm exploring that as an option. 

. . .and, yes, I'm going to get the VPI.  It won't be too long.  I need to also understand how to select a cartridge.  Working on that too. 

 this ’all in one’ came up in another discussion,

 

 

the discussion

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/i-m-looking-for-an-sleek-integrated-amp-under-15k

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I, and others linked several options, some with phono, one with cp player option, one with 3 optional cards

seems many exist for far less than $15K