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I hope I made good choices with new gear. Comments?

(Subtitled: Rabbit holes can run deep)

Synergy and such. It always worries me as I don’t have time for much trial and error.

Some of this appears in a recent thread elsewhere but it was getting off topic.

This all started out by me wanting a new TV. So I bought an LG 77" C5 OLED model. Well, then I decided I might as well redo the room it’s going in so that’s almost done.

 Gee, then I figured I need a new DVD player, a 4K one. I bought a Panasonic DP-UB820-K for that. It reads like it’s a pretty good unit for picture and sound. Of course with the long cable run from the TV to the rack holding the audio gear and DVD player, I would need a 30’ or so optical HDMI cable. Also long audio cables from the TV to the rack.

  My main audio system is also in the same room the TV is in. It’s mostly equipment I bought 36 years ago, save for the CD players. The amps are getting old and nobody around here works on them. So I purchased a pair of Cambridge Audio Edge M monoblocks. I figured I would use my old Harmon Kardon Citation 25 preamp with them. It’s compatible and still works. Nah, I ordered a Parasound Halo JC 2BP preamplifier today. Hey, those new components have XLR inputs and outputs! I bought some Audioquest Red River XLR cables for that.

 No way am I going to just plug all of this stuff into wall outlets. I bought a pair of APC BR1500MS2 uninterruptible power supplies to protect against power surges and brownouts. These do not provide enough battery power to run for any length of time but we have an emergency standby generator that kicks in in less than 10 seconds so it’s not an issue. 

 With all the new gear, I need someplace comfortable to sit. I found a good set of wing chairs on sale on the ’net. Also got a nice small narrow table to put between them to hold remotes and a drink. My new gear also needs a nice place to sit so I also purchased a Salamander Designs rack for it. 

 New and much longer SP6 speaker cables are currently on the burn-in machine at Morrow Audio. 

 All of this started with wanting a new TV and it just kept going, LOL! Oh well. Did I miss anything? Did I get anything that’s not going to work well together?  I did as much research as I could and it was quite a bit. Ya never know though.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated! Thank you all.

toddsyr
toddsyr's avatar
toddsyr OP
229 posts
 

@cooperdude6  I appreciate your input but I already ordered the Benchmark Media DAC. It will do everything I want it to and last for decades. 

I do already have Sirius XM for something different but it's very rarely used. When I do have the time to listen to music, I generally already have a specific album I want to hear. It will also take me quite some time to amass all of the CDs I could ever want. Something will pop into my head that I haven't heard in forever and I'll buy it. Next up, Hot Tuna.

sls883
1,055 posts
 

It will be interesting to see how it all comes together.  When does everything deliver? 

Over the past 3 to 4 years, I've replaced everything in my system.  I've been building my system for over 40 years.  I started young. 

The last piece to be replaced was my preamp. My new preamp is much better. 

I didn't think I'd ever upgrade my speakers. They were highly regarded Von Schweikert VR-4s.  Really good speakers (I saved them for my son), but their replacements are a lot better....  Unfortunately, the new speakers were a lot more expensive. 

toddsyr's avatar
toddsyr OP
229 posts
 

@sls883 The Cambridge Audio monoblocks arrived a couple days ago.  They're heavy! Parasound preamplifier came yesterday. Benchmark Media DAC should be here Tuesday.  Shanling CD transport by end of next week. 77 inch LG OLED TV has been here for a few weeks. Morrow Audio speaker cables on the 14th or 15th. Other assorted interconnects, cables etc. Some are here, rest by end of next week.  Downstairs room where everything is going should be all set early next week. I am learning to be patient! 

New speakers? Let's see how all this comes together.  Yes, that would be a major expense!

sls883
1,055 posts
 

I think you'll be pleased. It seems like you've made good choices. 

With your new gear, you'll probably hear differences between cables where maybe you hadn't previously. 

buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97
943 posts
 

@toddsyr , +1 on your DAC, now you’re cooking with gas. Random question. Does your new CD transport and your DAC both have USB? If so down the road try USB over coax ( not trying to fire people up ) in my stereo with my Innuos streamer and Schiit Yiggy DAC it was an improvement over coax ymmv. Also does your new Shanling include a streamer or is that a different model ? I think overall you’re pretty much off to the races. Happy Listening, Mike B. 

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