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Products you added to your system in 2021 that made most impact to your music enjoyment

As 2021 comes to an end, just thought it would be cool to share some of the most impactful audio upgrades in your system this year?
Here’s my top 5 list…

1. Pass Labs XP-12: Upgrade path was from Rogue RP-1 to Rogue RP-5 and then to Pass XP-12 that was the final touch. Huge improvements across the board. Mates well with my Rogue ST-100 tube amp.

2. Phono Cartridge: Goldring E3 MM to Hana EL MC. Clarity, presentation, dynamics in spades!

3. Phono Pre: From the built in phono pre in RP-1 and RP-5 to MoFi UltraPhono to Sutherland KC Vibe MkII. Lowered noise floor, increased resolution, dynamics. The KC Vibe MkII is almost double the cost of the MoFi and it’s the one of the few upgrades where an improvement was proportional to the cost difference. At least in my system. Records that seemed noisy become more listenable. A great little phono pre. 

4. Audience AU24sx speaker cables. These speaker cables are a clear window into a recording. Nothing hidden, nothing exaggerated. 

5. Power Cords: Acoustic Zen Gargantua for preamp and amp. Lower noise floor, increased resolution, natural sound, expanded soundstage

Honorable mentions:

1. Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper interconnects. In my opinion the AZ cables don’t get the respect they deserve on these forums anymore, overshadowed by some of the “flavor of the day” newcomers (without going into specifics on brands).

2. Puritan PSM156 power conditioner. 
3. Supra Cat8 Ethernet cable.

4. Lumin U1 Mini

5. MoFi LP#9 Stylus Cleaner. Better than the Onzo ZeroDust although I still use the Onzo between the sides. 

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jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,610 posts
 

it goes back to 2020 but i must say that by far, by far, the most impactful change i made in my system is going to streamed music (tidal/qbz), and of course, the gear that enables it

completely changed my listening habits (cdp and record players gather dust now), and i am enjoying the music, the discovery, the ease, the whole experience, soooo much more than ever

technology has done many things to our world, much of it is awful in the way of unintended consequences to our society, our consciousness, our being - but streamed music is really wonderful

pcrhkr's avatar
pcrhkr
258 posts
 

2021 was good to me. I enjoyed the old Crown SL1 / PL1

Pre amp / power amp separates for over 40 years. A real testament to quality.

It was time to retire it as the sound was degrading a bit and 

I needed a change.  I looked for quite a while and fell in love with

The Primaluna EVO 100 integrated.  The sound was amazing on my 

DIY speakers. I complemented it with a Bluesound Node 2I, 

And an Innuos mini mk III. I could not be happier.

drewmb1's avatar
drewmb1
66 posts
 

Cat 8 internet cable for bluesound node server.  I had cat 7 and thought I should remove the weakest link from my system.  I ordered cat 8 and was (and am) shocked over the difference.  Originally I purchased (2) Wireworld Starlight cat 8 cables years ago ($100 each).  This was before cat 8 was commercially available.  Imagine my surprise when I saw flat cat 8 cables for $8 apiece.  I was apprehensive until I hear them.  This was transformational.

kavakat1
106 posts
 

Replaced Bowers and Wilkins 604 s2’swith Vandersteen 2wq sub with new Vandersteen Quatro CT’s. Incredible. New speaker cables, dual kinder kable 8tc’s help. But it’s the Vandys that sing.   Even to my wife. 

reubent
6,936 posts
 

@dirgordoncole 

Hey Gordon, did you get the BlueSound Node yet? Just curious if you are enjoying it.

I enjoyed your post. And yes, "This is why we do it".

Happy Musical Holidays to you and your family...

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