2. best-of
  3. 1078077118

Best Downgrades you've done

Like many in this hobby, I've learned (the hard way) that more $ doesn't necessarily translate into better sound. On a couple of key areas, I have traded in the "hot" product for a "sleeper" replacement and was very happy witht the result. Here are two examples:

1. Exchanged a PS Audio P300 for a Balanced Power Technology BPjr. The latter provided a smoother, darker background, and just let my gear do its thing. And it's less than half the size. Net savings: $350.00.

2. Exchanged Acoustic Zen Reference Matrix MK-2s for an older pair of Nordost Red Dawns. Connected b/n the CDP and the pre, this combination provided a much more balanced sound with a lot less "in-your-face" presentation. Net savings: $100.00.

All of this gear was used, purchased here on Audiogon.

Of course, I realize that "individual results may vary," but I'm curious to know if anyone else has had success with actually spending less money for particular components. Thanks!
crazy4blues
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
For me it was my speakers, previously owned Avalon Eclipses and down graded to Magnepan 3.6's with minimal regrets. I do miss some things about the avalons and would like to own another pair for a second system at some point, but in the mean time the 3.6 is a much more enjoyable speaker for my musical/listening tastes. Comparing retail to retail a net savings of $4000.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
It's hard to call it a downgrade when it sounds better. Here goes though. The best actual savings I had was to use Discovery Essence interconnect between table and phono stage. It replaced a pair of Transparent Reference MC phono interconnects and netted me about a $300 savings, and sounded better in every way.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention a ODL amp thats currently in my system. It probably doesn't qualify, because I don't own it. I just sold my Threshold T400 in search of a tube amp. It sold quicker than I expected, so I not quite ready for the new amp yet. My friend Larry lent me this ODL, which is supposedly similar in design to the Odessey Stratos. While I won't claim that it's better than the T400, I will say that it is surprisingly close. The T400 was a little more refined in the treble. The ODL reminds me a lot of a Classe CA-200 which I owned before the T400. Larry only paid about 25% of what I sold the T400 for, but I would say it delivers over 95% of the performance. Quite a impressive little amp for around $500. I don't think I've heard a SS amp that sounds better that has a list price under $3K.

Cheers,
John
jameswei
883 posts
 
I replaced Red Rose R3 speakers with ProAc 1SCs, which cost less. I had originally had the ProAcs in this system and upgraded to the R3s. While the R3s had deeper bass and a more delicate treble, the ProAcs really were better in the midrange. This system also had a subwoofer which covered the low end, and the room was relatively lively. I eventually felt I missed the ProAc midrange too much and swapped them back in. C'est la vie.
Post removed 
chams_uk
159 posts
 
A couple in my case:

- I also replaced a PS Audio PP300 with a BPT Jr., similar effects as described above

- Moving from several different interconnects and speaker cables to Gregg Straley's (Audiogon user greggstraley, fancy that :^) interconnects and speaker cables. At $60 and $120 at the time (newer IC goes for something like $100), they rivaled some IC's costing upwards of $500+.

I use Gregg's cables, Aural Thrills Gold Force (another downgrade in price with quality upgrade, but not as cheap as the GS), and Tritium UHV Gold IC's (not inexpensive, but the best I've heard). All do better as a whole than whatever I had before, at $500-$1000 for 1M IC's.
More to discover