When do you stop upgrading?

[bonzo75]

Curious as to what will cause you all to stop buying gear

bankruptcy

 

[thomask]

True audiophile never stops upgrading.

Sometimes inexpensive tweaking also give drastic effect.

Three Furon AC filters that I paid 750$ made my system sounds very clear and vivid but not overetched.

 

[Hilroy48]

The one thing I left till the end that should have been done sooner, was the addition of the dedicated 20 amp circuit with Cardas 4181 outlet. Regardless it is done now, and it made a worthwhile improvement. Nothing left to do now but enjoy the music.

 

[thedudeabides]

True audiophile never stops upgrading.

Depends on your personal priorities and reality and what is a "true audiophile"?

Since I have retired and am 72, my priorities and what is important have certainly changed. You and other dedicated audio types will eventually experience this inevitable progression.

 

[Hilroy48]

Depends on your personal priorities and reality and what is a "true audiophile"?

Since I have retired and am 72, my priorities and what is important have certainly changed. You and other dedicated audio types will eventually experience this inevitable progression.

You have a beautiful system there. I am 60, and have reached my end game. Nothing more for me to chase. I love the sound quality I have and this is what my goal was in the beginning.

 

[hopkins]

I am very happy with my system, and spend many hours enjoying listening to my music collection (mostly digital).

The system I use is very close to a "straight wire with gain" (in fact it is a straight wire with attenuation), and I do not see what I could replace it with that would not degrade aspects of sound reproduction that I value. It also offers high immunity to the source signal, so that side of the equation is solved for me as well.

Concerning speakers, however, I think there is room for improvement, but I am not holding my breath. Current trends in speaker development seem to be going into the opposite direction of what I am looking for - as an exemple, a lot of R&D is currently going towards immersive sound technology, and I have zero interest in that.

 

[thedudeabides]

You have a beautiful system there. I am 60, and have reached my end game. Nothing more for me to chase. I love the sound quality I have and this is what my goal was in the beginning.

Thank you so much. Big sound with a small, unobtrusive physical presence. And I am with you. I also love my system sound and am done chasing.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

After 4 years, I am done. The best decision I made was to trust in one audio dealer and not bounce around in the mid level gear loop. An upgrade is not a lateral move, it is an upgrade. I have 2 great audio systems in the house, and all my leftover gear etc that didn't sell is a third system out in my garage/ cigar lounge.

I am just finishing up adding new power cables to the basement system, as well as a couple of RCA cables on both systems. I am happy with the sound quality etc of all 3 systems. Time to spend money on my model railroad hobby.

It's great that you found somebody you can trust and who likes the same things as you. It makes this hobby a lot easier. Which was your favourite purchase of the year?

 

[Hilroy48]

My Favourite purchase of the year were the Sugden MPA-4 Mono blocks.

 

[Hilroy48]

It's great that you found somebody you can trust and who likes the same things as you. It makes this hobby a lot easier. Which was your favourite purchase of the year?

Well he runs what he sells, as well he is not a pushy type salesman, he won't try to push anything on me. And he doesn't sell the latest flavour of the day. He lets me take things home to try in my listening space, and he doesn't slam other products to sell his. I like his personality and honesty.

 

[Thieliste]

Hi Thieliste,
Great that you’ve managed to find a brand that‘s remained constantly appealing over long periods. People typically have that kind of relationship with classic designs like the Tannoy Co-axial, Electrostatic panels like Quad, Magnaplanar speakers like Magnapan, etc.
One thing I would mention is that most speakers work best with separate pre-power and even better with monoblocks. The format itself isn’t the only factor indeed its not even the most important factor. First and foremost, the amplifier has to be a really good design that intrinsically produces very high quality, natural sounding music with all the attributes required to convince listeners. So the brand of the amp is critical. Its entirely feasible for an integrated amp of a certain design to outperform seperate pre- mono-blocks of another inferior sounding brand. But if you just look within a brand, then its almost rule-of-thumb that separates outperform integrateds and that mono-blocks are better yet and that holds true on practically every speaker. The question for you, as a lover of Thiel is, ”which type/brand of amplifier best synergises with Thiel such that 2 + 2 equals more than 4?” Find the ideal match and that should get you to 2 brands that give you joy.

Audionet Heisenberg

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Well he runs what he sells, as well he is not a pushy type salesman, he won't try to push anything on me. And he doesn't sell the latest flavour of the day. He lets me take things home to try in my listening space, and he doesn't slam other products to sell his. I like his personality and honesty.

Sounds like a great specialist. He exercises what he preaches. I always preferred this laid-back sales style when I'm shopping for something.

Sugden MPA-4 is an amazing amp. That must sound incredible. Are you using a Sugden Pre with that?

 

[Hilroy48]

Yes I am I have the Sugden La-4 preamp. Prior to the mono blocks, I was running the Sugden SPA-4 power amp. I was in love with that amp. When I first turned on the Mono blocks when I received them, I was taken back by their over all presence in the room, they spoke and said we are here now, we own this room. When I sit in my listening chair, and play some Eva Cassidy, that commands my attention.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Yes I am I have the Sugden La-4 preamp. Prior to the mono blocks, I was running the Sugden SPA-4 power amp. I was in love with that amp. When I first turned on the Mono blocks when I received them, I was taken back by their over all presence in the room, they spoke and said we are here now, we own this room. When I sit in my listening chair, and play some Eva Cassidy, that commands my attention.

Oh yes, the Sugden gear has a lot of character in the sound. What is your source? Sugden CD?

 

[Hilroy48]

I am running an Audiolab 6000CDT with a Saturn Audio DAC. I had an Aqua LA voce S3 dac, i found the Saturn to be actually better. I moved the Aqua dac to the basement system, same cdt transfer down there. I am running the Sugden IA-4 amp down there. With Capriccio Continuo ad monitor 311 speakers.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

I am running an Audiolab 6000CDT with a Saturn Audio DAC. I had an Aqua LA voce S3 dac, i found the Saturn to be actually better. I moved the Aqua dac to the basement system, same cdt transfer down there. I am running the Sugden IA-4 amp down there. With Capriccio Continuo ad monitor 311 speakers.

It sounds like a neat setup! Have you tried other CD transport and Audiolab stole your heart?

 

[Hilroy48]

Well my understanding is the DAC is the meat and potatoes of the combo, the cdt is just a transfer. My audio Dealer, suggested the Audiolab, and for $600.00 It is a great little player. Will use it till I replace it.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Well my understanding is the DAC is the meat and potatoes of the combo, the cdt is just a transfer. My audio Dealer, suggested the Audiolab, and for $600.00 It is a great little player. Will use it till I replace it.

It is a great transport, it's true. I encourage you to try a more advanced one if you ever feel the need to upgrade your system again. I believe, there is sound quality to be gained here

 

[Hilroy48]

What would you recommend?

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

What would you recommend?

I'm not that good with CD players recently, but an old-fashioned Sony CDP like a 227/557 are highly regarded by my friends.