Upgrading or Not?

Erik Tracy
Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
edited April 2011 in The Clubhouse
Where are you 'at' with your rig?

Got plans to upgrade, undecided, never satisfied?

H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
Post edited by Erik Tracy on
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited April 2011
    I have an extreme itch I can never seem to scratch :biggrin:
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited April 2011
    I'm done! I'm one of the few people who is truly happy with what I have. Perhaps a couple tweaks here and there and "maybe" some new tubes for my pre, but other than that, I'm content until I have a dedicated room where the boundaries I'm under are no longer in place.

    I never rolled pieces like some do here. I know what I wanted and saved the money to achieve it. Doing a $20 upgrade was not worth the time and effort to me. Not saying it is wrong or right, just not the path I chose to take.

    Our hobby can be consuming of both time and money. I went down a different path and found it to be to my advantage to find what I liked and saved for that sound.

    Now I spend my money on music, since that IS the bottom line..... or is it?

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2011
    I'm always buying something. It's a never ending journey.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited April 2011
    Hawkeye wrote: »
    Our hobby can be consuming of both time and money. I went down a different path and found it to be to my advantage to find what I liked and saved for that sound.
    Gordon - How was it that you found what you liked without moving gear in and out? Had you heard your exact system (or something reasonably close to it) elsewhere? Just curious...

    Ed
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,270
    edited April 2011
    I hope I have a good plan "I'm on a quest"

    List below is not an upgrade but a second system...with the kids taking over the HT in the game room this will be my own system in the second living room area with room treatments will start these purchases mid year

    Please comment if anyone has suggestions positive or negative

    Cary SLP 98P-Preamp tube
    Audio Mirror 45watt mono tube amps
    Usher Mini Dancer 2 speakers
    JA Michell Turntable: Gyro SE
    Audio Mirror TUBADOUR" Tube DAC Mk-II
    Media server with J Rivers music converted in AIFF
    Pioneer DV-AVi79 DVD/SACD
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • Bababouey
    Bababouey Posts: 129
    edited April 2011
    I spent a ton of money this year upgrading with new equipment.
    I am very pleased.
    It was worth every penny.
    Usher R1.5 Class A Amp
    Usher P307A Pre Amp
    Usher BE 718 speakers
    Dual CS 455-1M Turntable.
    The only items I didn't upgrade were my
    Rega Apollo CD player and my OPPO 83SE Universal Blu ray player.
    Glen
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited April 2011
    Ed, I found what I wanted by going to a place in Bethesda (I'll give the name in a PM if you want). I listened to this system by accident one day and knew it had the sound I was looking for.

    I walked into this place to buy a new McIntosh amp (MC352) to me. It was a used piece but one could never tell by looking at it. Before we did the deal, the owner said, go spend some time playing in the back rooms and see if you still want the 352. I spent the better part of a Saturday afternoon there and met Linda Carter (original Wonder Woman) while I sampled many different pieces.

    I took the 352 home that weekend much to my displeasure. There was a system there which I now have in my house which captivated me. I knew I'd get my money back on the 352 ( which is one of the few pieces I've rolled) when I was ready to upgrade. That may sound like a contradiction, but I've owned a total of two amps in my life. A B&K 2200 and the 352.

    I saved for a couple years to buy the system I heard that Saturday. I disregarded any and all upgrades to have that kit in my house. Some pieces came from that dealer and some from another but it is now in my house, as I heard it that Saturday. Lock, stock and barrel and have no regrets.

    I was fortunate I was able to hear what I wanted at a B&M store. I realize some folks don't have that advantage and have to roll to find the "sound".

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,611
    edited April 2011
    Im extremely content with my rig - but I am always looking for mods to improve them...

    If I dont like the difference I can always change them back!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • IRLRaceFan
    IRLRaceFan Posts: 172
    edited April 2011
    I'm moving towards an all LSi setup in my basement and have been upgrading components along the way. This is only a year after my first round of speaker purchases in over 20yrs.

    My daughter and girlfriend think I now have an addiction; but they sure do enjoy the results!
    They would say I'm an upgrade ****, but they just don't understand that I know what I'm doing... Almost does sound like an addict justifying their behavior:rolleyes::eek::biggrin:
    HT
    Onkyo TX-NR1008 | Magnepan 1.7 | Polk LSiC | Polk VM20 | Polk DSW microPro 2000 | Parasound HCA-2205A | Oppo BDP-93

    2-Ch
    Cary SLP 30 Tube Preamp | Polk LSi7 | Carver M1.5t | Audio-gd Digital Interface | W4S DAC-2 | MAC Mini | Denon DP300f & Pro-Ject Debut III TT's
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited April 2011
    Hawkeye wrote: »
    Ed, I found what I wanted by going to a place in Bethesda (I'll give the name in a PM if you want). I listened to this system by accident one day and knew it had the sound I was looking for.

    I walked into this place to buy a new McIntosh amp (MC352) to me. It was a used piece but one could never tell by looking at it. Before we did the deal, the owner said, go spend some time playing in the back rooms and see if you still want the 352. I spent the better part of a Saturday afternoon there and met Linda Carter (original Wonder Woman) while I sampled many different pieces.

    I took the 352 home that weekend much to my displeasure. There was a system there which I now have in my house which captivated me. I knew I'd get my money back on the 352 ( which is one of the few pieces I've rolled) when I was ready to upgrade. That may sound like a contradiction, but I've owned a total of two amps in my life. A B&K 2200 and the 352.

    I saved for a couple years to buy the system I heard that Saturday. I disregarded any and all upgrades to have that kit in my house. Some pieces came from that dealer and some from another but it is now in my house, as I heard it that Saturday. Lock, stock and barrel and have no regrets.

    I was fortunate I was able to hear what I wanted at a B&M store. I realize some folks don't have that advantage and have to roll to find the "sound".

    Gordon
    Great story! You definitely showed some patience, waiting a couple of years to get what you were after, and not settling for something less. I'm guessing you're at least 1 in 1,000 on this forum! However, reading closely, and a little between the lines, I'd say that from the combined experience of the sound you heard that day, and meeting Wonder Woman... well, let's just say that must have been some sensory overload!

    Sure, send me the name of that place. I'd love to waste an hour or two there if I'm ever in that area. Who knows? Maybe I'll hear something worth waiting for. :smile:
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited April 2011
    Figuring out that spending money on room treatments can make a good system sound great. Unfortunately, upgrading either is not cheap.
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited April 2011
    While she may be getting a bit long in the tooth for some of the younger members of this forum, she is my age and still can..............................:biggrin:

    What a fabulous, down to earth woman. Perhaps ( more than likely) she took pity on me and my drooping tongue to engage in a conversation:biggrin:

    I'll send a PM shortly on the location.

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,495
    edited April 2011
    Gordon, it's ok to name http://jsaudio.com/home as the dealer.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited April 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    Gordon, it's ok to name http://jsaudio.com/home as the dealer.

    How in the HELL could you have known?! Other than they are the only place in town.......?

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,495
    edited April 2011
    I never reveal my sources. :biggrin:
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited April 2011
    JSAudio is a fair place to do business. He didn't cut me much slack the first time I walked in, but after that it was an enjoyable buying experience. VERY enjoyable on several pieces. He didn't give them away but we both felt good about our deal(s).

    Gordon

    I had to have told you about them in the past!!
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited April 2011
    I didn't touch anything for around 2 years, and I don't think I posted more than once or twice. A couple of weeks ago, I logged in here on a lark, and ended up buying those b-stock MIT's. This place is like smoking, just one puff and you're hooked all over again.
    -Ignorance is strength -
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  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited April 2011
    Though all my major items are set for a while, I keep getting the itch to try little things... grabbed some IC's from the b-stock sale for my sub which is the only thing i've changed in a few months. I think next I will continue to make small changes like possibly going down the power cable road.

    After finishing the back yard I'm pretty much out of cash so no major plans for now.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,190
    edited April 2011
    I wanna say I'm completely happy and I will not upgrade for a very long time. I got a pretty killer setup and I'm actually been very happy with it since the day I purchased all of it. It still suprises me from time to time and I'm so fortunate to own such a nicely balanced system.

    BUT I'm a upgrade **** who knows no limits. I have no ability to resist the temptation of getting NEW gear. I try and try to be happy , try to convince myself I'm cool for now but the hunger builds up inside me and I want something new. I'm happy with I just rewire my system to make it feel "NEW". I enjoy wiping the dust off so it still looks NEW.

    Speakers kill me as I have a lust after so many different ones. I want them all and want the ability to whip them out of the closet like a new pair of underwear

    Yes I got serious issues with upgrading
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited April 2011
    Im just getting started, I hope it will be a fun process.
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited April 2011
    I am in a happy place but it never last very long. I always want to tweak something on my system.

    That said I may start really looking into my HT setup. The WAF is my biggest hurdle as the HT setup is in the Living room and it is also where we are when we have guests over. So I don't think she will go for anything on the floor. I use bookshelf speakers now but may look into in-wall.
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  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2011
    As happy as I am with both rigs right now, I foresee a B&K or Sunfire amp for the HT rig, the new LSiM (unless they somehow fail to wow) line for the HT, new subs for HT, a pair of tube monoblocks for the 2 channel, and also a VPI turntable, as well as some kind of preamp upgrade for the 2 channel. And that's just the immediate/as fast as I can get the cash future. After that, we'll have to see.

    I really need to either win the lottery of find me a rich sugar mamma.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
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  • kuntasensei
    kuntasensei Posts: 3,263
    edited April 2011
    As happy as I am with my Onkyo 1007 in my 9.2 setup, I'm itching to get a 3-channel amp for my mains and center. I can see myself ending up with one before the year ends. I'm also keeping my eye on which AVRs come out with Audyssey LFC, because I want to step up to MultEQ XT32 later anyway and the LFC thing may keep the other people in my house from strangling me in my sleep. :biggrin:
    Equipment list:
    Onkyo TX-NR3010 9.2 AVR
    Emotiva XPA-3 amp
    Polk RTi70 mains, CSi40 center, RTi38 surrounds, RTi28 rears and heights
    SVS 20-39CS+ subwoofer powered by Crown XLS1500
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player
    DarbeeVision DVP5000 video processor
    Epson 8500UB 1080p projector
    Elite Screens Sable 120" CineWhite screen
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2011
    Somewhere in the distant future is an amp upgrade next. Maybe something from Pass Labs--possibly Cary, as I really enjoyed the textures and treble from Wes' Cary Cinema 2. I dunno, we'll see....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2011
    I'm such a ****....:biggrin:

    I voted for 'happy place' in my own poll - then what do I do...I see an add on audigon a day later for a center that better matches the mains I have and make an offer that gets accepted.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited April 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    I'm such a ****....:biggrin:

    I voted for 'happy place' in my own poll - then what do I do...I see an add on audigon a day later for a center that better matches the mains I have and make an offer that gets accepted.

    To stay a happy ****, you can't troll the 'gon.:biggrin: Adam, Eve, apple and done!!

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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