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Old 06-06-2020, 01:10 PM
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prepress prepress is offline
Semi-audiophile
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brooklyn, by way of Nashville
Posts: 2,918
Default Revisit post #1

I thought it might be interesting for me to revisit my initial post, to put my current thoughts on this journey where I can see them. Especially now, as I am (in theory) only three years away from retiring and have recently come out from under COVID-19. Things change.

Tuner. I indeed replaced the MD 90 with a refurb MD 102, and it may be a bit of a collector's item: it's the solid state version, but has a tube faceplate (factory error). There was a very mild inner buzz at one point to move up to the MD 105 (the 102's replacement) or even go for one of the internet tuners; of the current models, the 807 is the least-expensive option. But I haven't used my tuner in some time, so unless I decide to really get into more radio listening (internet or otherwise) or streaming, it's a go-nowhere idea.

Power Cords: I still wrestle with the idea of replacing the Transparent HPPCs on sources with either Transparent Premiums or Shunyata Venom NR12s (or even NR10s). I'm guessing the Venoms are less stiff than the Premiums, but the Premiums can be gotten via Transparent's upgrade program, so there's no increase in cable clutter. I still have a bunch of WW 7 and 5.2 cords occupying space, also some PS Audio Jewel ACs. Haven't gotten around to selling or tossing any of them.

Interconnects. Simple: will I or won't I, as an alternative to the PCs, use Transparent's upgrade program to move my two main sources (Blu-ray and SACD) to Super IC from the Plus I have now? The combined cost would come down quite a bit with the trade-in. Neither my tuner nor laserdisc player are major sources, so they stay with Plus UNLESS a move to Super is so incredible on my main sources I can't (don't) resist.

Turntable. The VPI is gone, replaced by a SOTA Sapphire Series VI. I did cannibalize the VPI by re-using my SME 309 arm from it, plus a new Grado Sonata 3 Timbre cartridge. Done.

Speakers. Will ride my Mirages until they die probably, and then get whatever I can afford that suits my preferences best.

Preamp & power amp. I enjoy my C2300 and MC501 combo. However, there is a real but not imminent possibility that I will sell them off in the coming years, more likely so for the 501s. I am contemplating the fact that I am getting older and my ability to manage the 501s physically diminishes as time goes on. Downsizing to an integrated, a stereo amp, or a lighter pair of monos is on the table. I have begun looking at options gently; it's not something I'm hard after at the moment. The Odyssey Stratos monos are the current main contender, and even at 60lbs they're lighter than the 91lb Macs. They would have been my initial choice to replace my B&Ks, had I not been turned off by the supposed long break-in time. Those days are gone.

TV. A Sony OLED is the only option here, as far as I'm concerned. But parting with the still-excellent Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD is difficult, and I don't feel a big nudge to do it. To be honest, I'm lazy regarding what might be an arduous process of selling it or even giving it to a friend or something. As for the Sony, the 55" version rather than the 65" is more practical, as the 55" will allow me to move my speakers closer together and perhaps improve imaging.

Equipment Racks. Planning to keep my Sanus Euros for the forseeable future. The Salamanders might be an improvement, but this isn't a major concern now.

Power conditioning. Same as before, I'd like a Furman IT-Reference 15i to go alongside my SPR-20i voltage regulator, thus replacing the Elite-15 PFi there now. This is for the sheer look, as having the power components match visually is a preference. No other reason.

The above is more about a choice of determined possible moves rather than sheer curiosity. And as before, wallet has the final say, and my maneuvering room may be more limited now, but I made the TT change work, so who knows?
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SOTA, Grado, SME, Van den Hul, Gingko turntable setup; Pioneer Elite LD, BDP; Sony OLED TV; Magnum Dynalab tuner, antenna; MIT S-video cable; Pangea HDMI cables; DVDO video processor; McIntosh SACD, preamp, power amps; Telefunken Black Diamond preamp tubes; Kimber IC; Transparent IC, PC, SC; Mirage speakers; PS Audio, Shunyata PC; Audio Additives RCA caps; Furman power conditioning; Sanus: racks
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