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Post by ChrisB on Aug 18, 2014 0:32:57 GMT
A question for those who are constantly on the upgrade path. What do you feel your system is lacking in? Is there a specific problem that you are trying to address, or are you just looking for a semi-mythical 'better' state? Do you have a clearly defined path that you want to follow or are you just being opportunistic and trying different approaches as they occur to you, or as they present themselves?
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Post by jammy on Aug 18, 2014 0:47:22 GMT
Chris I have been a hifi junky & box swapper for 30 years now. (I dread to think the cash ive squandered over the years). Not any more though im more than happy with my current set up now....Must be good synergy but the sound is as good as ive ever heard.
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Post by Chris on Aug 18, 2014 4:05:14 GMT
I'm just not happy with the lack of oomph in my hard wired into triode mode 6550/kt88 amp. It is very good but I simply prefer my 6ca7s. The 6550 can be rewired to have U/L reinstated so might give that a go. Pondering selling it.
Aside from that the only other thing I'm not happy with is the sound quality gain over my ANKs and my Tannoys. The price difference is too much to overlook,but I am happy with them both and the ANKs will be easy to sell if I so choose.
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Post by John on Aug 18, 2014 4:10:34 GMT
I am not sure its about something being wrong Chris but as Jammy hints either more of becoming hooked on upgrades or a desire to take your system to another level. I guess for myself once I hear a improvement its hard to go back. If I look at the last year my system has gone through many changes a new DAC moving to battery power and new tweeters all have changed the sound to some degree or other
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 6:13:20 GMT
As a hi-fi fan I'm a total failure.
In 25 years there have been just 3 changes to the main system.
Stereo20 to Firebottle OTL Creek phone to Firebottle Rega RB300 to OL modded RB2550
The changes were made because the opportunities came up, no planning involved at all. Massive upgrades - nope. More enjoyment - maybe a little but the music is the same after all. Even if I won the lottery tomorrow, I doubt very much I would bother changing anything. The controlling sound is the Quad57s and they are not about to be changed.
So really, I am not one of those to whom this thread was aimed as the upgrade path doesn't exist. Why did I post this?
Over the years I have tried all the usual tweaks and they have all gone the way of the dinosaurs.
PS just realised I lied - its FOUR changes. The Pioneer PSD901 CDP packed in and has been replaced with a PD7700.
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Post by ChrisB on Aug 18, 2014 6:34:46 GMT
It's about 8 years since I made a change to a major component in my 'big' system and since then, I've been tinkering with a second parallel, largely vintage set of gear. I've been in a state that I think of as 'at peace' with the main system for quite some time now. No real urge to make any fundamental alterations and far, far more incentivised to spend money and time on music, which must be a good thing.
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Post by John on Aug 18, 2014 7:12:30 GMT
Yes agree spending money on music is good
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 18, 2014 8:04:05 GMT
I was on the upgrade motorway - after being gob smacked hearing Martin T's system. It was night and day compared to mine as was. Everything has gone from 18 months ago except the Isobariks and Exposure cables. (Still have Mana, but different racks to fit)
I'm tinkering around with bits like supports now - only to make drag more music out of the LPs and CDs.
Then - I was unhappy with what I had, compared to what I heard in Martin's system Now - I'm happy but I'll take improvements if they are quite big or cheap !
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Post by danielquinn on Aug 18, 2014 9:23:34 GMT
Depends - If I am tired and relaxing after working , dealing with 4 kids and pain up the arse partner , then nothing . It is a pleasure to sit down a listen to .
If I am in critical mood , then my modified jpw ap2 do not sound as "fast" as my modified diamond 10.3. which are in the family room. They seem to have faster transient attack , dynamism if that make sense . They go from soft to loud , subjectively quicker .
I am currently holding the unformulated and untested opinion , that this is due to cone size [8 v 5.5] cone material, doped paper v kevlar , magnet size and differences in QTS .
I am on the look out for compatible modern 8 inch drivers toput this to the test .
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Post by dvh on Aug 18, 2014 9:37:27 GMT
I get 'itchy feet' every seven or so years and do a major revamp (funds allowing). Thus around 2005, I changed tonearm, cartridge, CDT/DAC, power amp and speakers, with the previous CDP and pre/power amps, which I bought in 1998, moving upstairs to form the basis of a second system. I changed amps again last year, and I'm now thinking about bigger/better speakers, but am holding off because the room in which I do most of my listening is due for redecoration and new furniture, so there's not much point getting different speakers till I work out where to place them.
So there's never been anything actually 'wrong' with the things I've replaced, more that I get the urge to try something different every now and then. If I was less lazy, I'd bring the 1998 stuff back down here and see what it sounds like through the 2005-era speakers, but it's up three flights of stairs, and I'm not so young as I used to be.
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Post by Tim on Aug 18, 2014 11:18:10 GMT
I don't think I qualify to answer this post as I'm not a box swapper
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 11:41:00 GMT
I'm just curious to see what I can achieve. As I learn more, I think of more to experiment with.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 18:09:44 GMT
Clarity when the volume gets turned up. It sounded a bit congested being Bi-amped with Arcam 8R and 8P. They have been replaced with an Arcam Alpha 10 to see if 100w makes a difference. A pair of Proprius amps are on their way to me later this week, although I see that there are a bargain set of NVA A70 mk2's for sale on HFS. This is another brand of amp I would be happy to experience, as as far as I have read, they sound pretty good.
After the amps, I'll be looking for a new pair of speakers or adding a small sub to make up for a minor lack of bass in my system.
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Post by Dave on Aug 18, 2014 18:53:00 GMT
Overall I was pretty happy with what I had until I began messing about with the JVC AX-A3 in the main system so I'm off and running again. I now have two systems in the same room, the second being my near-field set up (same front end as the main system but driving a Quad 306 and various speakers (currently a pair of Mission 760i's). Each system has it's own character but both give me a lot of pleasure. I'd forgotten how much fun chopping and changing can be although my wallet won't be happy. I'm looking forward to getting my Inkel MA420 up and running as it is an unknown quantity
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Post by yomanze on Aug 19, 2014 11:13:32 GMT
A question for those who are constantly on the upgrade path. What do you feel your system is lacking in? Is there a specific problem that you are trying to address, or are you just looking for a semi-mythical 'better' state? Do you have a clearly defined path that you want to follow or are you just being opportunistic and trying different approaches as they occur to you, or as they present themselves? I was on the upgrade path for a few years with a very specific aim of having ultra-natural vocal sibilance and as close to zero bass overhang / critical damping at all frequencies and box colouration from my speakers as possible. Once I found Royd speakers the system around them just clicked into place, which sent me flying off the upgrade path.
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Post by puffin on Oct 5, 2014 20:27:30 GMT
Me! Never satisfied. When I think it sounds good, I think Ooooh "could it sound even better"? muck about with it, then not happy and spend months getting back to where I started. Q. Why is it that good sound seems to take months to do and bad sound happens in seconds?!!!
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 6, 2014 7:56:51 GMT
Recent tweaks continue to surprise me
THe system sounds fine with the existing. Try out the new and it sound better - and I cannot go back to how it was as I know how good it can be
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Post by MartinT on Oct 6, 2014 8:33:40 GMT
Long periods of satisfaction but if I hear something in another system that I'm not getting in mine then I strive to achieve it. That happens less often these days.
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Post by zippy on Oct 6, 2014 9:31:42 GMT
Now there's a frustrating thing - I feel that I ought to be able to improve my speakers (KEF reference) but I've listened to everything I can find up to 5 times what the KEFs cost me when new, and none of them sound any better to my ears, and many of them worse.
I know that indicates that I should be content with what I have, but this hifi hobby just doesn't work like that.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 6, 2014 10:25:35 GMT
Sometimes it's not the obvious, Chris. It could be your power amp, for instance.
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