"Vintage" high end gear vs new and upgrade path?


I'm pondering a couple issues that relate to each other.  Let's start with vintage vs new part.   The system is ripped straight from the 90's but was pretty much a Stereophile "A" class setup in its day.  Here it is: 

  • Rega P3 with numerous upgrades & Exact 2 cartridge (new)
  • Threshold FET10/pc phono preamp,
  • Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 => Assemblage D2D-1 ==> SFD-2 Mk3
  • Krell KBL preamp (recapped) ==> ML No. 332 amp  (recapped)
  • Maggie MGIIIa's (recent factory rebuild)
  • Music server (repurposed HP server) w/ Asus Xonar card feeding D2D-1
Issue 1:  Have >>analog<< electronics really improved much in the last 25 years?  My sense is that the lower and midrange gear is better, but does that translate to the high end?  This stuff sounds pretty damn good and I'm skeptical that I'd be able to make much improvement without spending vast sums of $$.  What would the weak link be here?

Issue 2:  Despite improvements in digital I'm also skeptical about how much real sonic improvement there has been in high end DACs, especially when it gets beyond 24b/96khz source material (system above is good up to 24/96).  I'm also skeptical about the claimed improvements from DSD over PCM, so I'm ignoring that for the time being.   Obviously connectivity, music servers, the digital audio chain and computer anything has improved greatly and is vastly cheaper than in 1995.  But how far does that actually extend to the sonics?  My sense is not so much.

At the end of the day I'm interested in any upgrade(s) that would create a real, hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck improvement without spending $10k.  But I've convinced myself that so much of what I read about would be only yield an incremental sonic improvement, and maybe even a downgrade.  I need a strategy - which might just be "leave it alone and just enjoy."  Any comments welcome, thanks.
raueda1

Showing 2 responses by iopscrl

Your current system has potential to be much better, without spending $10k.

Weak links are the c1990 Rega P3 combo and your digital setup.

If you want to improve the Rega in the most cost effective way, then look into having the arm rewired, install a new endstub and underhung counterweight, and purchase the P3 upgrade package.  I would also investigate MC cartridges....$1500 will get a great cartridge and SUT.    

You mention that vinyl is not a primary source for you.  In this light, upgrades to your Rega would be best.  If vinyl becomes more important, I would look into a better table and arm.

Vintage MM cartridges are another value oriented improvement.  A new (used) body and replacement stylus will cost less than a brand new cartridge.  A TOTL Empire or ADC can be found for less than $200, another $200 for a stylus assembly (or $3-400 if you commission a custom rebuild) and you have a cartridge that would cost $1k+ if purchased new today.   Many have praised the JICO SAS styli.  Understand that JICO no longer makes this profile, but has announced they will again in the future (when?).

Digital has improved substantially.   A better DAC will make a very audible improvement.  In fact, over the past few years,  price to quality ratio has moved more quickly in digital than in any other area of high end.  Advancements in electronics certainly help, but also the success of the headphone industry.  Economies of scale in this area have enabled companies to offer outstanding DACs at great value prices.

Hardware (preamps, amps and speakers) have not advanced very much over the past 25yrs.  Improvements have been in quality of parts, and in execution.  Passive parts can be upgraded.  Some say older high end equipment may be inherently better because of more robust power supplies, and discrete rather than encapsulated or IC parts.  Careful upgrades of caps, resistors and wiring can deliver a lower noise floor and greater transparency.

You have the foundation for a great system that will last you another 25yrs.  But like a classic automobile, it requires periodic maintenance to perform at its best.
Older DACs may sound better when reproducing 16/44 resolution for reasons outlined above.....better power supplies, discrete vs encapusulated circuitry etc.   But that is where the comparison stops.  Once you get to higher resolution files, then no matter how good the older DAC may be it will not sound as good as a newer DAC playing high res files or disks.   

Have you compared your SF digital gear to anything newer ?   You really can't determine the answer until you do.....

My digital experience is Marantz CD63se, Audio Alchemy DDE, then Meridian 200 2 box Dac, then Phillips SACD 1000 (while it worked), now Pioneer Elite DVi79 for discs and Bluesound Node 2 for files.   I heard improvements with each successive upgrade.  The Meridian did a better job with Redbook than the SACD1000, but I purchased the later for hi res duty.  The Pioneer Elite sounds as good (sometimes better) than the 1000, while the Node 2 does redbook files and everything else as good as I have heard.