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One Component You Would Never Change One Type You Would Return To

You are given an opportunity to revamp the system. Is there one component you would never change, and one you would want to return to?

 

For me my SOTA Cosmos Eclipse with Origin Live Agile tonearm is an end game table. It will not leave. I might put a different cartridge on it, and have been considering moving my Kiseki Blackheart to it. I would like to try the Audio Technica ART20 on it also. 

What I would return to is SET amplification and tube preamp. I have loved the sound of SET gear, and left because speakers I bought meant I needed different amplification. 

 

That is the rub. To return to SET I would need something other than my JBL 4365. They are expensive, large, and hard to sell. Also I would never get them back, as nice a shape as mine are or as affordable a price. 

For SET I would need something like the Pure Audio open baffles. Or possibly a pair of Klipsch Belle where I would retrofit a modern horn like the Fastrax or something equivalent

 

What would yours be?

neonknight
knotscott's avatar
knotscott
1,389 posts
 

My Sterling Acoustics Acumen II speakers are here to stay, and the current amps not only play really nicely with them, but one the Dynacos was built by my uncle in 1964, so that's here to stay as well. 

I have no desire to upgrade my Miida T3115 TT/Nagaoka MP150/500,  or my modified SMSL C-100 DAC, but neither are very far up the high end ladder, so if you insist on buying me a replacement, pick one of those! 

dover
2,498 posts
 

@neonknight 

I am curious about your tonearm - the Origin Live Agile.

Because it has non offset bearings, and the cartridge is offset, every time you adjust VTA the azimuth goes out. How do you get round this.

I have some vintage arms FR64s, SME 3012R and this aspect drives me nuts.

Using a small bubble level on top of the headshell you can see how small changes in VTA alter azimuth quite visibly, which are a pain in the butt to adjust.

mapman's avatar
mapman
23,600 posts
 

Never change from Ohm Walsh. 
 

Would return to old Nakamichi car stereo with MB Quart speakers. 

kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
418 posts
 

I thoroughly enjoy my system. I really don't have that serious a connection to my components. I have changed my system many times and continue to do so, but have never gone back. Every change I made was to improve the sound of the system.

There's one exception. I did a rebuild on the 1980s Paragon System "E" preamp that I purchased new back then. It sat gathering dust for more than 40 years. I am now retired with plenty of time on my hands. I chose to rebuild the "E" and I'm glad I did. I fixed all the old problems (mainly a noisy pot and the whole power supply).

Compared to the refurbed SP-6B, the "E" holds it's own. I was very surprised by the sound. I rotate both regularly. Both use 12AX7/ECC83 tubes.

dwette
538 posts
 

If I redid my entire system, my Boulder 1108 phono-stage would have to stay. There is nothing from the past I want to return to.

Given that I really like my system as is, but if I ever put significant money into it again I'll swap my Naim 252/SCDR/300DR electronics for Boulder 1100 series.

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