2018 is about done. What did you do for Audio?

[For The Love of Music]

I honestly can’t explain where 2018 went but it was not without it’s emotional highs and some lows, perhaps they call that life...

Anyway, in regards to equipment the biggest addition was my Brinkmann Nyquist MKII DAC, and installing my Furutech GTX NCF receptacle, plus some platforms and isolation.

Also, was able to connect and meet with some new audiophile friends and look forward to building these relationships in 2019 and beyond.

Next year, maybe I’ll reconfigure my room pulling gear recessed into custom built cabinets between the speakers out to the rear side, if so, I’ll ease into Analog.

[2fastdriving]

I went with a gs150 power amp this year and it's a fantastic partner for my ref6. I'm loving it! Also put up some room treatments and that made an even greater impact!

[Cohibaman]

Yep, 2018 went by in a blink. It was a good year though for low frequency for me. I picked up pair of JL Audio Fathom f112v2’s, a CR-1 Subwoofer Crossover and 2 sets of handles for my MC-402’s, all thanks to Ivan the enabler.

[ptman]

Upgraded my Laufer Teknik Memory Player from 16 core to 32 core, added three Stillpoints Apertures (totaling five), placed Isoacoustic Gaia IIs under my speakers, and Stillpoints Ultra SS under the Memory Player.

Always peeling the onion to chase that next level of transparency and realism!

[rushca01]

Finally pulled the trigger on a Schiit Yggy DAC.

[PHC1]

2018 brought the rebirth of an audio system for me. I thought about it long and hard after a 4 year hiatus of not having a system at all to take a break and reevaluate my passion for the hobby. It was an eye opener for me in many ways as it was quite a roller coaster ride over the last 30 years of being into high end audio and many systems/speakers/rooms came and went. I evaluated where I have been, what I experienced, how much I have spent ("investment" is not an appropriate term in audio ) and what I would want to accomplish with another system IF I was to build one.

I realized that chasing lofty goals again was not in my plans at all. I enjoy music and having built a few systems reaching for the upper shelves, the end result was spectacular but not needed for my enjoyment of how I like to listen to music. At this point I will mention that I do not listen to music from the sweet spot or a dedicated listening chair any longer as I do find that boring and confining. Music should be enjoyed in at least my opinion in combination with your other favorite pass time or meals or special occasions, whatever.

So it went that I thought about it long and hard and reminisced over the systems I've had and came to the conclusion that I would build a system over a speaker that brings the most satisfaction in terms of smooth and musical presentation and not necessarily any other attributes of high end speaker and would pair them with a Class A solid state of Tube amplifier. This system from the get go of this "return to audio" journey HAD to serve me for any unforeseeable future and I made a pact with myself there will be NO upgrades, once done, it is done.

Having researched and weighing out my options with different speakers and amps, I settled on Harbeth 30.2 Anniversary speakers (there were other strong contenders for even less money but in the end Harbeth was my choice for long term).

The pairing of an amplifier/preamplifier was a harder choice but in the end I decided I will simply go with an integrated class A as I have always admired the simplicity and elegance of one box solution. Luxman Class A integrated was a natural choice for me and boy was I on target with that one.

The DAC/digital playback was the tougher choice and I experimented with outboard DACS and streaming since I have zero intentions of collecting physical media these days. Not when for the price of one CD, I can have access to millions on demand. Roon/Tidal all the way baby. I will enjoy my collection of SACD and CD on occasion but really find it unnecessary to buy any.

The solution came in the form of a Luxman SACD/CD/DSD solution and when paired with the Luxman Class A integrated they sing supreme together. Great synergy and a match, no surprise there.


The icing on the cake and a special treat to myself was the addition of PrimaLuna HP integrated which allows me to treat myself to Triode EL34 mode of listening as well as being a SUPERB headphone all tube/triode amplifier for my favorite cans. The fact that PL accepts various tubes opens up all kinds of possibilities for future tube rolling if I so desire.

Topping it all off with some WireWorld cable plumbing and reusing my trusty and favorite Transparent Audio speaker cables which I absolutely love for the money and I am a very happy camper with having spent a fraction of my previous systems and I am able to enjoy music all day long as work, do some chores, enjoy my other hobbies with the music serenading me and not being strapped into the listening chair.

2019 and going forward will not bring any more audio purchases and it feels great to have a system in place, enjoy music and never having to think or covet upgrades again. I found the very sweet spot of where I want to be with this hobby. Mission Accomplished.

[Weirdcuba]

More stillpoints, lots more stillpoints - great improvement. Replaced PSAudio P10s with Accuphase 1230s, which was also a big upgrade. Deeper blacks, more space, just more of everything. Those were done in anticipation of the new room I'm building, for which I just couldn't pass up the TAD R1s that SCAudiophile made too good to pass up. Not sure whether those go in next year's list or this year's list, but they're safely in storage now --- just waiting to be unleashed.

Had a great time at Munich Audio Show. Just awesome.

[Masterlu]

Added an Esoteric P02X to my TAD/Esoteric/Bryston System.

Added Canton Reference K1’s to my all Grandioso System.

Refreshed my Accuphase System with the E650, T1200, PS530 and DP750.

Built an all Active Bryston System w/ dedicated room and SilenZio.

Lots of other upgrades including cables, room treatments, and Kaleidescape w/ 100TB storage for my Theater.

[Antonmb]

Good thread, thanks for starting Ed.

I had a great audio year, although not necessarily measured by equipment purchases. I attended several live music events with my wife; two dealer events with AA friend Marc (including meeting Dan D’Agostino); went to RMAF and enjoyed the company of AAers Marc, Steve, Buck, Rob, Freddie, Brian, and my cousin David; and capped off the year with a very nice visit with Marc, Steve (all the way from Oklahoma), and Ed in Seattle.

On the equipment side, I added a SonicTransporter i7 server, a Sonore MicroRendu streamer for a headphone system, a Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse headphone amp, and an Audio Desk Record Cleaner. I also refurbished a vintage Yamaha integrated amp and tuner.

While not added yet, I also have placed orders for a D’Agostino Momentum preamp, and a Boulder 508 phonostage, arriving early 2019. I intend to savor those acquisitions - while I know you’ve all heard it before, I think these will be the last major changes to my system for several years. They will take me to a level of performance I never would have believed I could attain a few years ago.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Good thread, thanks for starting Ed.

I had a great audio year, although not necessarily measured by equipment purchases. I attended several live music events with my wife; two dealer events with AA friend Marc (including meeting Dan D’Agostino); went to RMAF and enjoyed the company of AAers Marc, Steve, Buck, Rob, Freddie, Brian, and my cousin David; and capped off the year with a very nice visit with Marc, Steve (all the way from Oklahoma), and Ed in Seattle.

On the equipment side, I added a SonicTransporter i7 server, a Sonore MicroRendu streamer for a headphone system, a Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse headphone amp, and an Audio Desk Record Cleaner. I also refurbished a vintage Yamaha integrated amp and tuner.

While not added yet, I also have placed orders for a D’Agostino Momentum preamp, and a Boulder 508 phonostage, arriving early 2019. I intend to savor those acquisitions - while I know you’ve all heard it before, I think these will be the last major changes to my system for several years. They will take me to a level of performance I never would have believed I could attain a few years ago.

Sorry Tony...