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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
hifiguy42
387 posts
 

I recently was trying to decide whether to spend a chunk o' change on a new preamp or just get new tubes for my existing one (old ARC). I even got the green light from the warden on a new pre. In the end I decided to replace the tubes. I know I can improve my system with a better, newer preamplifier, but I would rather spend the extra dough on music. 

Also, even though I will likely change my speakers at some point, I don't think I will move away from electrostats/panels of some kind, I just don't enjoy a box speaker as much, and boy have I tried!

dogberry
960 posts
 

@jasonbourne71 I feel much the same about my Quad 2905 speakers: keeping them is not negotiable. I have replaced all the panels in them and they should see me out. Curiously, while they were out of service for that, I went back to a pair of old DCM TimeFrame 700 speakers that are as close to electrostatic sound as you can get without actually going all the way. The immediate responsiveness for transients is something you can't forget. That may be why I love my other keeper component, the London Decca Reference.

elliottbnewcombjr
7,744 posts
 

my McIntosh mx110Z Tube Tuner/Preamp. It sounds soooo good, and is full featured. (I might have it shipped straight to Audio Classics by the seller).

I hope my unique speakers outlast me (just re-coned the 15" woofers made in 1958 with re-cone kits I had in stock: new identical re-cone kits no longer available), but if they die, I would have two choices (all new drivers and crossovers, and level controls in the existing Rosewood box) (existing or new cloth wrapped face panel) or, back to my former JSE Infinite Slope Model 2’s. I would not confuse myself with any other choices.

elliottbnewcombjr
7,744 posts
 

@hifiguy42 

WARDEN cracked me up! Thanks for that.

You are whom I encourage to get thee a tube tester, some of your good vintage tubes might sound better than new ones. Or, at least you would know which are good to keep for spares, even temporarily.

parkergetdean
1,047 posts
 

Craig doesn't accept returns so there is that.

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