I recently went from a Rogue 88/VTL 2.5 pre w/ phono ($2,200 w/ ICs) to a $350 ASL integrated. Well, I also paid another $750 for a VTL phono stage (not a full pre), and I have basically cut my costs in half, but that doesn't even take into acount the cost of retubing, which will also be less than half of the original (8 total tubes now versus 17 w/ my old setup).
I am a lot happier with my result, and I think that I'm having more fun listening.
I have found that you really can't skimp on sources, hence replacing my old Project TT with the J.a. Michell Gyro (HUGE improvement!!!). My modded Music Hall CD25 might be on an even par with the Cary 308 I used to have, but they are apples and oranges; I like them both for different reasons.
System synergy and the vagaries of my listening room seem to have impacted the overall sound/performance than any amount of I have spent on total equipment. Still, I have gone from having laid out $9,000 on my system to about $5,000, and I'm pretty happy.
It's a lot of trial and error, frankly . . . Just remember why you're doing it: because you love the music, not the gear!
Cheers
I am a lot happier with my result, and I think that I'm having more fun listening.
I have found that you really can't skimp on sources, hence replacing my old Project TT with the J.a. Michell Gyro (HUGE improvement!!!). My modded Music Hall CD25 might be on an even par with the Cary 308 I used to have, but they are apples and oranges; I like them both for different reasons.
System synergy and the vagaries of my listening room seem to have impacted the overall sound/performance than any amount of I have spent on total equipment. Still, I have gone from having laid out $9,000 on my system to about $5,000, and I'm pretty happy.
It's a lot of trial and error, frankly . . . Just remember why you're doing it: because you love the music, not the gear!
Cheers