MVP of your system - make it known here!
Joey_V
Posts: 8,552
We should try this activty of dissecting our system. Make a list of your components and make it too 1-5 based on which one was the most massive improvement and which one elevates the system the most.
Also when you label the components, list the retail price on it so we can see if pricing has anything to do with perceived value in your system line up.
Be honest and I am sure this will be a fun informative and eye opening thread.
Someone else start it.
Also when you label the components, list the retail price on it so we can see if pricing has anything to do with perceived value in your system line up.
Be honest and I am sure this will be a fun informative and eye opening thread.
Someone else start it.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
Comments
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CABLES! All of them! # 1
About $1500 so far. -
My MVP right now is my Octave Audio V70SE tubed integrated. MSRP $5700.00If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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Mine is the VPI Prime with Soundsmith Cartridge. $4k for turntable and $1.2k for Cartridge.2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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List your system components and label it from #1-5, mvp down to worst performer.
Then attach prices as we can see if price has anything to do with performance.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
1. Polk SDA 1.2 $1k (MSRP around $3k I believe)
2. Dynavector 20x2H cartridge $400 (MSRP $1k)
3. Yamaha PX-3 $400 (Unsure of MSRP, probably around $1k)
4. Tied - Modded Dared MC-7P tube preamp and B&K Reference 4420 amp
5. MIT StyleLine speaker and IC cables $bundle deal (MSRP $1.2k speaker/$500 per IC)
6. Spinclean record cleaner (MSRP $89)afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
1. Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand MSRP $2500
2. T+A P 1230 R Preamp MSRP $3-$4500
3. Peachtree idac MSRP $1000
4. B&K ST-202 MSRP $1000Setup:
2 Channel: Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand, T+A P 1230R, Primare SPA21, Oppo BDP-105
PC: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand, Cambridge Azure 650A v2 , Peachtree iDAC, Denon DVD-3800BDCI -
Good list so far guys.
I'm trying to figure mine out.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
1. Sonus Faber Cremona speakers. MSRP ~$10,000. Paid $4500
2. Modwright SWL 9.0 SE tube pre. MSRP $2200. Paid $1400
3. Aragon 8008 MkII amp. MSRP ~$2500. Paid $800
4. Rega DAC. MSRP ~$1000. Paid $1000
5. AQ IC's and speaker wire. MSRP - Too lazy to research and add it up. Bought most of it used.SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette -
1) Pioneer SX-9000 _$200
2) Polk RT-8 _$130
3) Monster speaker cable bought at 70% when Radio Shack was closing _$7.00
4) Toshiba SD-4960 DVD/SACD player _Free
5) Black RCA cable w/ the red and white ends _free -
Good thread.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
My system as a whole is my MVP, each component and cable contributes to it's overall sound. The sum is worth more than the parts in this case.
I suppose, but each component from my experience contributes more or less than another. Of course the sum would be more than the parts, it's a system.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Altec 604E Duplexes (stereo pair) are the number one component(s).
The homebuilt SE 2A3 amplifier (slightly modified version of the JE Labs "Simple 2A3" design) is next on the list.
These two together can make most kinds of music sound real.
Subject to some update if the "big horn/big format compression driver" experiments currently underway lead to anything interesting.
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1) Musical Fidelity A308 integrated
2) PSB Stratus Gold speakers
3) Project 2.9 wood turntable
4) Parks Audio Budgie tube phono pre
5) Grado Gold cartridge
Not sir what MSRP is, but I paid around $3,200 for those 5 components.2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A -
Thought long and hard, here is where I stand in terms of my MVP.
1. MVP - room treatments - $3,500 msrp, paid msrp (still have 1 order left)
2. Boulder 2060 amplifier - $45K msrp, bought preowned
3. Emm Labs Dac2x and TSDX combo stack - $30K msrp, bought preowned
4. Audioquest WEL speaker wire - $31K msrp, bought preowned
5. Speakers - $22K msrp, paid near msrp, bought new
6. Cary SLP-05 - $8,500 msrp, bought preownedMagico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Wowsa...that's some goofy money!2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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Wowsa...that's some goofy money!
Yeah tell me about it, now I question my sanity now that I actually see it on paper. It's been this vague nebulous concept for me.
But this thread isnt about costs - it's about MVP compared to the rest of your system. THe msrp is listed as a way to show whether cost correlates with MVP status.
Carry on with the posts.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
- Dynaudio Excite X14 Speakers = $1500 MSRP
- McCormack DNA-125 = $1695 MSRP (Bob Backert of RHB Sound Dezign upgraded signal path caps (Black Gate) and power supply @ $500.00) = $2195 MSRP
- Parasound P5 Preamp w/ built in DAC = $1095 MSRP
- DIY SVS Subwoofer = $250
- MIT AVT1 Speaker Cables = $599 MSRP, MIT AVT2 Audio Interconnect = $169.00 MSRP, Signal Cable Magic Power Cable = $69 (x 2) MSRP & Creative Cable Concepts "Green Hornet" Digital Coaxial Cable = $299 MSRP
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Hello Kitty Stereo AM/FM/CD boom box. $43.48.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 -
Seems like the price loosely correlates with mvp status based on all our responses thus far. Very interesting.
This thread was a good exercise.
For me I had to think long and hard. A case can be made for the speakers for mvp or the Emm for mvp, at first I thought the Boulder for sure... But when I thought about it, I think room treatments yielded the greatest jump in quality.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Matt Polk's Threshold SA/12e power amplifiers...thanks Matt and Ken
250watts of premium class A power (tested to 380watts). Had these shipped and refurbished for $7K. A demo pair of Pass 160.8 is $19K from reno hifi. I couldn't be happier with the Threshold mono's and my Dyn C4 which is another deal....music to mine and everyone's ears
CheersPost edited by txcoastal1 on2-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 -
Ok...system list...with numbers to indicate which pieces are better or not, MSRPs not available for some parts. All dollar figures in Canadian Dollars.
5 Marantz SR5010 I bought new on a price match $980 taxes in (reg price was $1,200)
4 Marantz CD6010 Bought on an open box deal for $280 (reg $700....STEAL!)
3 Pro-Ject Debut Carbon TT all stock. $350
1 The game consoles and Mac computer for sources...meh.
4 Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray aw hell it's a Universal player in any event. $300 used, probably worth a ton more new but I don't know.
5 Parasound HCA-1200II 2 channel AMPlifier, not just a wattifier but it makes some serious amps. $400 used with a complete service.
5 Polk Audio SDA2 speakers, Much to some peoples chagrin. Paid $120 for em, cost $140ish to ring them up and another $200 to re-tweeter them to RD0-194-1. And that money sucker isn't done yet as I'm saving up for the crossover upgrades.
Cables...$lost track.
Yes, 3 MVP pieces...was hard. The AVR just does what I want it to do and sounds fab, the amp has the grunt to drive the ever loving snot out of the speakers and those speakers are such a nice sound.
Which are the mvp pieces?Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
txcoastal1 wrote: »Matt Polk's Threshold SA/12e power amplifiers...thanks Matt and Ken
250watts of premium class A power (tested to 380watts). Had these shipped and refurbished for $7K. A demo pair of Pass 160.8 is $19K from reno hifi. I couldn't be happier with the Threshold mono's and my Dyn C4 which is another deal....music to mine and everyone's ears
Cheers
You have the 160.8?Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Recordings. In my case, many hundreds of CDs and LPs, plus what is on the radio, the Internet, and other sources, plus a few stray legacy cassette tapes.
Without high quality performances, why listen?
Without well-recorded music, the equipment can do only so much. (Ergo one reason why I haven't delved into family 78 RPM records yet -- although I eventually will bite the bullet and do so, if for no other reason than to find out if any of it is worth listening to.)
Without quality source material, all the rest is just gadgetry. -
Recordings. In my case, many hundreds of CDs and LPs, plus what is on the radio, the Internet, and other sources, plus a few stray legacy cassette tapes.
Without high quality performances, why listen?
Without well-recorded music, the equipment can do only so much. (Ergo one reason why I haven't delved into family 78 RPM records yet -- although I eventually will bite the bullet and do so, if for no other reason than to find out if any of it is worth listening to.)
Without quality source material, all the rest is just gadgetry.
As much as what you say is true, I must say that's a cop out answer.
The same question can be asked. Without high quality components, then why do you need high quality sources?
You can't have one without the other.
But seeing as this is an audio component forum, then the topic of discussion would be of components rather than software.
Without quality components then even the highest quality source material would either sound like nothing at all (if you had no components) or subpar.
I guess I would not meet your answer without skepticism had I not read your reply on the other thread where you implied that how much you buy into hifi depends on your gullibility.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
At one time when running my polks, full rti setup, my MVP at the time was my rotel 1075. The avr at the time used as my pre has changed to an Rx a1010, yet another improvement then it was my svs. Now my b&w 703 followed by my most recent purchase of MIT avt 2 speaker cables.
I can't point to one specific as I don't know if I'd still feel the same if I had purchased them in a different order. I can say that I tend to go in bursts. I'll buy and buy over a year and then nothing for several. I have on its way MIT avt2 interconnects. I think it is a matter of it is all part and parcel. If I have to pick one I'd say the biggest difference was made by upgrading my speakers which were made even better by my speaker cables which my amp helped too and so on. -
Yes, 3 MVP pieces...was hard. The AVR just does what I want it to do and sounds fab, the amp has the grunt to drive the ever loving snot out of the speakers and those speakers are such a nice sound.[/quote]
Which are the mvp pieces?[/quote]
It's right there in metric.
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I'm glad you're enjoying them, TX!
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txcoastal1 wrote: »Matt Polk's Threshold SA/12e power amplifiers...thanks Matt and Ken
250watts of premium class A power (tested to 380watts). Had these shipped and refurbished for $7K. A demo pair of Pass 160.8 is $19K from reno hifi. I couldn't be happier with the Threshold mono's and my Dyn C4 which is another deal....music to mine and everyone's ears
Cheers
You have the 160.8?
No sorry for misleading, was a comparison in value.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 -
Wowsa...that's some goofy money!
Yeah tell me about it, now I question my sanity now that I actually see it on paper. It's been this vague nebulous concept for me.
But this thread isnt about costs - it's about MVP compared to the rest of your system. THe msrp is listed as a way to show whether cost correlates with MVP status.
Carry on with the posts.
My bad. I shouldn't have made that comment. It wasn't in the spirit of the thread or forum.
Beautiful system you have.2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A -
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