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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
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.
bemopti123
303 posts
 
$2750 for McCormack DNA 225
$1500 for a used First Sound Presence Deluxe MKI
$2500 for a pair of Gershman X-1+SW-1s

replaced with

$1500 for a 47 Labs Shigaraki
$800 for a pair of Zhorns with Fostex 208 Sigmas

Lost: 3 inputs. About 65 lbs(amp)+50 lbs (preamp)+200 lbs(speakers)and About 180 watts per channel.
Missing: Low frequency.
Gained: 15 lbs for integrated. 80 lbs for both speakers. Immediacy and simplicity to booth.

Talking about audio diet!

PS: changes more extreme if you count my latest amp+preamp, Final Lab pieced, the main amps being just about 3 lbs each.
zspradlin
143 posts
 
A few months back, I sold my Straightwire Crescendo IC's and went with Virtual Image Pile Driver 18's. The V.I. cables cost about 1/3 of the Crescendo's and just flat-out smoked them. Definite upgrade in SQ and a downgrade in price!!
ben954
30 posts
 
Naim 3.5/flatcap to a $59.99 Toshiba SD-3950
subaruguru
1,362 posts
 
Tix to any live acoustic music.
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