The value in modded updated gear!

[ehoove]

While I do not have the vast sums of $$$ tied up in my gear that many of my fellow members do, I do have the same investment of passion for our hobby. Back in the early 70's I had a system that many coveted. That went the way of a new beginning, and I rediscovered my passion for 2 channel audio about 7 years ago. My two daughters were going off to college and I was investing in a new business venture so funds were very limited. I went the vintage route searching for that "sound". You know the one I'm talking about, the one that brings a smile and says- oh yeah now we are getting somewhere. After going through tons of equipment (bought, upgraded and sold) I have ended up here.
My system consists of updated gear, DIY interconnects of Mil spec silver cable, modified Magnapan MG III's actively tri-amped, fed by solid silver woven speaker cables powered by Acurus amps using a Beheringer DCX 2496 crossover off to be modified by Engler Electronics, a modified Thorens TD160 turntable and the list goes on and on. The system sounds wonderful and draws me deep into the music. I enjoy reading everyone's posts and thoughts on gear, and especially music, and enjoy the lack of attitude in response to any of my posts. There is no snobbishness, nor the reverse snobbishness found on other forums.

I guess what I'm saying is thanks for allowing me to take this journey with you gentlemen, and all the best to AA in 2011.

Regards,
Jim

[Still-One]

Jim
Great post.

We are all just chasing that "sound" you describe. There are many ways to get there and there is no one correct answer, just a lot of great options. I have no doubt that your Maggie's are giving you hours of enjoyment.

Jim

[ehoove]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Jim
Great post.

We are all just chasing that "sound" you describe. There are many ways to get there and there is no one correct answer, just a lot of great options. I have no doubt that your Maggie's are giving you hours of enjoyment.

Jim

Thanks for the kind words, it is appreciated.
Regards,
Jim

[AudioNut]

It looks as though you have spent a great deal of time, effort, and thought putting together a system that probably meets or exceeds the musical enjoyment of a lot of our systems that have been put together piece meal by trying to "upgrade" our stuff one component, or one piece at a time.

I know that I have shipped out many great components and replaced them with things that may or may not have been any better, if as good, just searching for improvement that sometimes, just doesn't happen.

I've made many mistakes, sold speakers to replace them with new ones, and when they came in, I was greatly disappointed. Same thing with amps, preamps, integrated amps, cd players, wires, etc. etc. etc. And, the worst thing is that I have spent a great deal of hard earned cash with a lot of meaningless trades.

I wish like heck that I could just get a system, decide that it is "good enough" and quit trying to make it better.

Congratulations on a well thought out, well designed and I'm sure, great sounding system.

My advice. . . . Don't change a thing

[ehoove]

The quest has been a long but interesting journey with the chance to hear and experience a lot of gear. It is interesting just how much synergy comes into play in a system. The one draw back to tri-amping is the expense of updating 3 amplifiers! I'm very happy with my rig as it sits and the longing to try new equipment has really subsided for me as my attention has turned to aquiring new media, especially Classical.

However a friend is bringing over his McIntosh MC275 MkIV to insert in the system on the ribbons after the first of the year which should be very interesting indeed.

Yea I'm saving my funds as we speak!

Happy Holidays,
Jim

[bradleyc]

Originally Posted by ehoove

...However a friend is bringing over his McIntosh MC275 MkIV to insert in the system on the ribbons after the first of the year which should be very interesting indeed.

Yea I'm saving my funds as we speak!

Happy Holidays,
Jim

Danger, Will Robinson

[Robert_Anderson]

You have a wonderfully musical system to be envied.

[JSCC]

As well said by "jprice", somehow, sometime, we made mistakes along the hifi journey.

I just did a reminiscing of what I used to have, sold and sorely missed. And oh yes, I have been trying to buy back these vintage beauties of yore (in excellent condition if possible, but so far, none turn up available).

You really have a well thought out collectable system. Indeed they will make wonderful musical enjoyment for many years to come.

Congratulation!

[Alberto]

Cool system Jim!

We not only have similar audio goals (chasing a particular vintage sound (I call it "Delicious Sound"), but I've owned a few of the components you do (e.g. the Acurus amp (and pre-amp) - great value, Magneplar speakers, the Behringer EQ, and the mythic Thorens). I also found DIY cables to suit me better - not because I'm cheap (I still have $2K of cables in some closet) but because I know what sounds I like and often times expensive components move the system in the wrong direction.

I know some people (none in this forum) are often puzzled by my choice of components: "What's a 30+ year old Thorens + SME tonearm doing in a system with MDA1000, MC501s and Sonus Faber Guarneris???"

As you, I've discovered that more and more expensive does not necessarily mean better. In the end nothing is as satisfying as putting together a system your way and with care and passion. Be it MasterLu's awesome set up or one of our more modest ones.

Alberto

[Mighty Favog]

I recently bought a used pair of 84' Klipsch Cornwall 1.5's and gutted the cabinets of all drivers and networks since they were sounding pretty dead and dull. I contacted Bob Crites and his shop sent me all the needed parts and quite frankly I think I have a better sounding speaker with better parts than if I just updated the networks alone.....

.......and for less than half the total cost of a new pair!