|
|
#1
12-02-2016, 09:06 PM
|
||||
|
||||
Best Upgrade(s) This Year
As the year draws to a close, I thought it would be interesting to find out what upgrades members made this year that have had the most impact on the sound quality of their systems. For me, there were a couple. First, putting Stillpoints Ultra SS under my speakers and second, plugging a Furutech Flux-50 filter into my P10 regenerator. I was floored by the dramatic improvement in sound quality resulting from these two relatively simple improvements.
The wonderful service provided by Ivan in facilitating these upgrades was icing on the cake! 
|
|
#2
12-02-2016, 09:14 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
My system has gone through some changes this year. I would say the best upgrade this year has been moving from Ayre 5 series to Ayre R Twenty series followed by adding the Aurender N10. I'm installing Stillpoints Ultra Mini's under my gear and Ultra SS's under my speakers in the next few days, so I'll see what improvement that brings.
__________________
Glenn Aurender N10 / Ayre QX-5 Twenty / Ayre KX-R Twenty / Ayre MX-R Twenty / Wilson Sasha DAW / Isotek TITAN and EVO3 / Transparent Reference / Meze Empyrean
|
|
#3
12-02-2016, 09:32 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
This took a bit of reflection and I am not sure I have recalled it all. For 2016 the best part has been the friendships with many of you on this site. I especially enjoyed the visit at Audio Classics and staying with Craig (crwilli) and playing golf with Craig and his cousin. Craig and Debbie are the best. I appreciate Dan for the Crown tuner and of course Ivan for making the best parts of my system possible. As for equipment, for the main system it has been the VPI Classic Signature, Ortofon Cadenza Black, and Synchronous Drive System, the addition of two JL Audio Fathom F113V2s and Barry Ober of JL Audio coming to the house to set up and also the full set of Stillpoints for the speakers and electronics. Also the complete refurbishment plus new front glass for the vintage (1976) office system by Audio Classics. I am enjoying music in each room more than ever. I am thankful and blessed. But most of all I am thankful that after a few years of searching, Carmen and I have joined a Church that we love. I wonder what will happen in 2017?
__________________
Two Channel: McIntosh C2300 preamp, MC601 amps x2, MR88 tuner, MEN220; Esoteric K-03X; Aurender N100C 4TB; B&W 802D2 Diamonds, JL Audio F113V2 x 2 on Sound Anchor Sub Stands; VPI Classic Signature Piano Black, Ortofon Cadenza Black, VPI SDS, periphery ring, StillPoints center weight, Gingko Audio ClaraVu Dust Cover CT, KAB SpeedStrobe, Dr. Feickert Analogue Protractor; Sonos with W4S digital modification to W4S Remedy to Esoteric; W4S PS1 Linear Power unit for the 2x Remedy and Recovery w/ W4S PS1 Power Cord; Torus RM20; Wireworld Silver Series 7 Electra/Starlight/Eclipse cables and WW Platinum Power Cord for Amps and Platinum USB for Aurender; KLAUDIO RCM; Steve Blinn Designs extra wide three shelf rack; GIK Acoustics panels and bass traps, StillPoints Ultra Minis under all gear and Stillpoint Ultra SS under amps and speakers. Home Theater 7.2: McIntosh MX150, MC452, MC207; B&W 803D2 Diamonds, HTM2 center, CWM7.3 surrounds; JLAudio F112 x2 subs; Panasonic TC-P65ZT60 65" Studio Master Plasma; Oppo 205; Crown FM Two Tuner; Sonos with W4S Remedy; Apple TV; Furman Elite 20 amp PFi x2; WW and AQ Cables/Cords; Salamander Synergy Four Bay Cabinet Office 2ch with McIntosh vintage refurbished gear: McIntosh MC275V6 x2 tube amps; Klipsch Cornwall I vintage speakers (1982); AQ Dragonfly Red DAC/Jitterbug/cables; PS Audio Dectet Power Center; Mcintosh C28, MC2105, MR78 (with mod), MQ101, each with original walnut cabinet and panloc (1976), MCD7008 (1996), ML1C speakers (1976); Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4002 turntable (1976) with new SoundSmith SMMC20CL cartridge (2015); Salamander double rack
|
|
#5
12-02-2016, 11:28 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Best Upgrade(s) This Year
Adding Jim's (Weirdcuba) MC2301's, placing my Strads in THE spot (Mic drop) and adding a P10 along the WW Gold Eclipse 7 speaker wires to complete the 'loom'. Oh and I added a Furutech Flux 50 into my PPP for all sources but not sure it really was an upgrade.
And having Dave (Mikado463), Ari (AJDO) and Jim (jameslrock) visit my room and each offer helpful tidbits that have made it better.
__________________
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack Last edited by crwilli; 12-11-2016 at 12:05 PM.
|
|
#6
12-02-2016, 11:35 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
At least a positive ending. 
__________________
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
|
|
#7
12-03-2016, 01:32 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Upgrading my speakers this summer from SF Cremona Auditor Ms to Amati Futuras has taken my system from very nice to giving me goosebumps. Adding a couple of strategically placed acoustic panels and a nice Persian rug with a thick pad were icing on the cake.
__________________
Tony D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2
|
|
#8
12-03-2016, 01:58 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Best upgrade for me - and it was FREE. The new Torreys OS for my DirectStream DAC.
__________________
AcousSignThunderTA5000PurpleHeartNS WandMasterPearwoodII PSA DSD BHK ThielCS3.7SS2.2
|
|
#9
12-03-2016, 02:58 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Shunyata Sigma power chords replacing WireWorld Silver Electra 7. I would not have believed they would make this kind of an improvement. I am shocked.
__________________
Home Theater: Sonos->MCD1100,Oppo 105D,Cary 306/200,MVP-871->SP3->C500T->MC501x3+MC402x2+MC252->PL300+F113x2+PL350+4xPL InWall+PL100,PL100 in games room,VPL-VW500ES, Shunyata Sigma HCx3, Shunyata Analogx2, Alpha HCx2, Alpha Digital, Wire World Silver Electra x8 Great Room: BDP-09FD,Sonos->MCD500->MX119->MC501x3+2xMA700s->PL200+PLC150+GRFX+F112,PRO-141FD Kid's Room: Sonos,Oppo 95->MX119->HCA1200mkii+4xMA700s->GR20s+FB210+GRLCR+2xGRFX,PRO-101FD Home Gym: Sonos->Oppo 105->MC252->GR10s+FB210,TC-P55ST60 Office at work: Cary 306/200, Michell Gyro SE w/TechnoArm+Meastro Wood->6900->GR10s+SB12-Plus Cottage: iPod,Oppo 95->Marantz SR7009->PSB Silver+ GRLCR+Silver FXi, MA700+PSB Mini in sunroom
|
 |
|
|
| Audio Aficionado Sponsors | |
|
AudioAficionado Subscriber
 Inspire By Dennis Had
 Harmonic Resolution Systems
 Wyred4Sound
 Dragonfire Acoustics
 GIK Acoustics
 Esoteric
 AC Infinity
 JL Audio
 Add Powr
 |
Accuphase - Soulution
 Audio by E
 Canton
 Bryston
 WireWorld Cables
 Stillpoints
 Bricasti Design
 Furutech
 Shunyata Research
 Legend Audio & Video
 |
Linear Mode
