Evolution...

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
I do not regret my '' EVOLUTION '' spread over 55 years
and all the money spent and lost.
If I had to do it again,
it would be different,
some equipment I would not buy mainly because too exensive
for what they deliver
and didn't bring me satisfaction, enjoyment, etc...
Today when buying (Or when I will be buying) any audio-video equipment,
I look at (In random order) where it's made, preferably in USA (Canada),
cost for what it gives, durability and can it be repaired,
visual look of the components is also important to me.
I love vintag stuff with all their bottons,
but I also like symplicity like Schiit stuff.
Ease of programing (Set-up) and operation. 
I regret not keeping some of my vintage equipment I bought
30 or 40 event 50 years ago,
I wish I would have keep it,
even if it would not work anymore or was unrepairable,
just to have it in front of me and look at it bring me some joy and nostalgia.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
Of all the stereo systems that I have owned,
I think the one that I enjoy the most was the one in the photo below.
It looked good and sounded good at the time, not sure if today I would
still enjoy the sound, but 47 years, I still love the look of it
and I like the components that made that system.
The Sony tape deck, small and good looking, the Dual 1019 turntable built like a tank
and the look of the amplifier and tuner with real wood cabinet.
The speakers (Not shown) were RSC (Radio Speaker of Canada)
bookself made of two 3 or 4'' full range with huge magnet in a sealed cabinet.
I am sure if I had kept the system, I would probably still enjoy it today.
Why do we always have to sell and buy new stuff ? ? ? ?

Guy 13

[rollo]

  Some of us buy to improve, some to play with new stuff, some are confused, some just go sideways and some KNOW what to buy. For me it is both quality of sound and getting new stuff.
  After the basics of clean power, decent room and speaker location the front end to me is the most important then the speaker. The preamp which I believe is the heart of the system needs to matched to the power amp. The power amp needs to be matched to the speakers. We do not want Maggies and 4W SET amp.
 What I have found is that improvement with cost with cost however not always bang for buck. Yes our Lamm Ref Preamp is better than all that have come before it but is it worth 24K ? For me yes to other maybe not. When it is removed I feel a loss in tonality and harmonics. Could I live with a Nobsound passive ? Yes but not happily after hearing the Lamm. The Audio Hungary APR 204 is an over achiever in preamps and cost 2K. It is close to the Lamm however far enough away to justify the price difference.
  We make trade offs for numerous reasons. Cost is a major factor like everything else on the planet. My best systems were Maggies, Audio Research DR250 amp, Linn TT, CAT preamp. Pipedreams, Arion class"D" hybrid mono blocks, Loesch & Weisner Preamp, Kuzma TT Lector CDP. Then Mirage M-3 Classe DR25 Amp, CAT preamp, Fritz Carrea SE , Audio Hungary A20i integrated, Aqua Formula DAC and Transport, Innuos Zenith Server. The latest and greatest Rethm Saadhana, Audio Hungary SE15 SET mono blocks, Lamm Ref preamp, Aqua Formula xHD DAC, Aqua transport, Zenith mk3 server. ALL the digital has been updated to latest updates.
  Yes lots of change over the years which all started with Sansui integrated, B&O TT, Heco Horn speakers and zip cord. Oh my !

charles

[Nick B]

Hi all.
Of all the stereo systems that I have owned,
I think the one that I enjoy the most was the one in the photo below.
It looked good and sounded good at the time, not sure if today I would
still enjoy the sound, but 47 years, I still love the look of it
and I like the components that made that system.
The Sony tape deck, small and good looking, the Dual 1019 turntable built like a tank
and the look of the amplifier and tuner with real wood cabinet.
The speakers (Not shown) were RSC (Radio Speaker of Canada)
bookself made of two 3 or 4'' full range with huge magnet in a sealed cabinet.
I am sure if I had kept the system, I would probably still enjoy it today.
Why do we always have to sell and buy new stuff ? ? ? ?

Guy 13

Guy,
Regarding buying new equipment maybe it’s the nature of this hobby. I know some guys who keep the same equipment for years and others who constantly make changes. A diy guy I knew was constantly building power cables, interconnects and speaker wires. I wouldn’t have the patience to constantly do the listening tests to hear if there was improvement. But it is what he enjoyed doing 🙂
Nick

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
Yes, I bought and sold lots, lots of audio equipment in the past 50+ years,
however, there are a few audio items that I kept for a long time,
compared to others items that I sold only a few years after acquiring them.
Some items that I have for a few years (6 years+) that will be sold
when I'm back in Canada.
However some other audio items that I will never sell,
well unless they become unrepairable and that's :
My Sony receiver amplifier CD player in one unit with it's companion a Sony
mini subwoofer and a pair of bookself speakers.
I also have a Cambridge subwoofer 2.1 amplifier
those mentionned items were purchase 17 years ago and still run strong.
If I don't use them often today, they are a good back-up in case my main system fail.
Humm mmm I also forgot to mention my Sennheiser HD570
over the ears open back headphones
that was purchase also 17 years ago,
I use them a few times a month, they have super comfortable velour ear pads
and they will need to be replaced one day, but still o.k.
I love stuff audio or other that last a long, long time.
A long time for me is 20 + years...

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
part of the topic '' Evolution '' of a sound system,
there are many upgrades that you can do
to improve the sound quality of your system.
In my next post, still under the '' Evolution '' topic
I will list all (To the best of my knowledge) the possible upgrades.
Everyone is welcome to add their experience and coments.
Please wait until I start the, let's call it, second part of the Evolution.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
WOW !
My '' Evolution '' topic hit the 2,500 views.
I am still asking myself why my topic '' Evolution ''
is viewed by so many members and guests ? ? ? ?
I know, it's not a worldwide record, but still....

Guy 13
 

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
Part of an evolution in my - your sound system there are '' Up dates ''
They are part of the evolution since to evoluate, you have to up-grade whatever you have.
So, on a side note, I will post up-grades that I think are part of the evolution.
If I forget something, please jump in to add your experience.

Let's start with digital source.
I'm thinking about the Internet.
You tube or the same.
The source must be of high quality
and I think the only way to get the best source (High resolution)
is by trying, most sources will state what their resolution is.
For me with Art Radio it's 192 Kbps (MP3) but I am sure there are many others sources
that supply higher resolution.
Tidal, Qbuz and others...
Then there is your streaming device.
So many available, how can you choose ?
Not easy, especially if you are new to the streaming...
I choose a table top Grace Digital Internet Radio because of small foot print,
large colour screen and an RCA analog output.
of course the price was also an important factor.
I have a laptop that could do the same thing with a bigger screen,
but for me, laptop is not for playing music (But that me) and you need a DAC device.
Minds you not that expensive, I have a Schiit Fulla 2 (99$)
So, this is for the source, of course, you need good rca interconnect,
I've got Signal Cables (OFC with silver coating).
If you use your laptop for streaming I wonder if it makes sense
to have a 2,000 $ DAC and some 500 $ interconnects ?
Anyone want to add something ?

Guy 13
 

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
I invite all new members to jump in on this topic and share your experience or your opinion
and just by posting a few words you will show us that you are interested in our topics.


Guy 13 on planet Vietnam.

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
I just saw on the statistics board (At the bottom of this site)
that there are 100 guests looking at our topics right now.
Why don't you join us ?
You might learn something and of you don't,
you might have fun just exchanging.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
 
Evolution = upgrade or is it : Upgrade = Evolution ?
Despite the fact that I didn't have any comments on my last post,
that doesn't discourage me, I keep going...

Now the analog upgrade.
I will start with the vinyl or the LP or the 33T all the same.
Seems that vinyl is more popular word.

So, how do you upgrade the vinyl.
Cannot, what you can do is to buy a good recorded vinyl,
how do you do that ?
By friends recommendations, by reputation of the recording company
and by your ears.
What you do not have is control over is how they recorded
or mastered the original.
The only control you have is to buy a well recorded vinyl.

Now. the turntable.
Lot, lots of choices here.
From cheap to insanely expensive turntable.
Let's start with an average quality turntable.
Many upgrade items are available.
Platter's mat, spindle clamp, tonearm, tone arm wiring,
cartridge (MM or MC),
turntable suspension and butcher block.
So many upgrades available.
Which one is better or which one gives you good return on your investment.
Return, being increase in sound quality ? ? ?
What's better ?
Basic turntable with some or lots of upgrades or a high end turntable.
My view that according to my past experience is :
If you have the money, buy the high end one ) Linn, VPI...
Or, buy an average Rega P3 and do some upgrades.
My onky upgrades was a marble slate under the table
and  a spindle clamp.
Sound improvement you will ask ?
Not to my 70 years plus ears.
Any one want to jump in and share what componens would give a significant
improvement for the money.
Yes, the source is important, regardless of what is downstream.
Waiting for tons of comments...

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
In my last post, I realize that I didn't do much upgrade and the Evolution
was mainly to change devices for different models and makes.
That's not really upgrades...
I really don't know how people do it to hear the difference between
a felt mat, a rubber mat or a steel, glass, even MDF platter ? ? ?
The differences between all those different materials
must be very small, therefore those people must have super sensitice ears
or a special music processing brain to differentiate small improvents.
A few years back, I realized that it was very difficult for me to hear the differences
between stock items and upgrade items.
From time to time, I wanted to upgrade some items in my system,
but investing $ $ $  without having any garanty that it will improve the sound,
for my was not worth taking the risk of loosing money.

Guy 13

[Nick B]

Hi all.
In my last post, I realize that I didn't do much upgrade and the Evolution
was mainly to change devices for different models and makes.
That's not really upgrades...
I really don't know how people do it to hear the difference between
a felt mat, a rubber mat or a steel, glass, even MDF platter ? ? ?
The differences between all those different materials
must be very small, therefore those people must have super sensitice ears
or a special music processing brain to differentiate small improvents.
A few years back, I realized that it was very difficult for me to hear the differences
between stock items and upgrade items.
From time to time, I wanted to upgrade some items in my system,
but investing $ $ $  without having any garanty that it will improve the sound,
for my was not worth taking the risk of loosing money.

Guy 13

Hi Guy,
I can sometimes hear very small differences, but it can take time and brainpower....
I usually don’t want to tweak to that extent. I do have a set of recordings I’m very familiar with and also listen to other songs as well. I’ve also had my hearing tested.
Nick

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
In my last post, I realize that I didn't do much upgrade and the Evolution
was mainly to change devices for different models and makes.
That's not really upgrades...
I really don't know how people do it to hear the difference between
a felt mat, a rubber mat or a steel, glass, even MDF platter ? ? ?
The differences between all those different materials
must be very small, therefore those people must have super sensitice ears
or a special music processing brain to differentiate small improvents.
A few years back, I realized that it was very difficult for me to hear the differences
between stock items and upgrade items.
From time to time, I wanted to upgrade some items in my system,
but investing $ $ $  without having any garanty that it will improve the sound,
for my was not worth taking the risk of loosing money.

Guy 13

Hi Guy,
I can sometimes hear very small differences, but it can take time and brainpower....
I usually don’t want to tweak to that extent. I do have a set of recordings I’m very familiar with and also listen to other songs as well. I’ve also had my hearing tested.
Nick

Hi Nick.
Thanks for your comments.
The last system that I put together
(Now in storage waiting for the sea trip to Canada next year)
was not an expensive one, but I did hear things that I vnerver heard before
or I will put it this way:
The tiny instruments note that were there, were more noticeable to my ears.
Clearer, more precise and that's what made me enjoy more
this system over other previous ones.
To me the extended range drive (Audio Nirvana 8'' with the Decware SET)
was 75% of the enjoyment and the two (Per channel) Eminence Acoustinator 12''
Open Baffle H frame configuration with GR Research SA-1 plate amplifier (240W)
was the 25% surprise enjoyment over previous systems.
Yes, the Eminence Acoustinateur are guitar amplifiers driver,
but they made me happy.
Of course there are better drivers on the sudio market,
but why search for something that will be more expensive and gives ?% improvement.
By the way, I paid from Dany Ritchie at GR Research 25 USD per driver,
can't beat that deal.
Humm mmm I bought four at 25 USD and four at 100 USD.
Just wanted to say....

Guy 13

Thanks again for taking the time to comment.





The Omega 7F extended range driver was a replacment to the Audio Nirvana 8F
but unfortunately one of the Omega stop working, so I went back to the original set up with the Audio Nirvana.
Honestly, the Omega was a little better, especially in the critical range 1 to 2KHz.
The Omega was less shouty...

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
The next item on my list of upgrades was the phono stage.
At the time I was looking for a phono stage I wanted a tube phono amplifier,
however,most of them where around 1,000 USD that was way above my budget.
I've search on Amazon and other sites and found the Bellari VP-129 a one tube (12AU7)
phono stage for mm cartridge.
The sound was o.k. but no more.
I've use it for a few years then I up grade it to a Project PHONO BOX (Black)
MM/MC Phono Pre Amp.
The sound was a bit better, but still what I wanted.
In addition with my Decware SE84C+ I found that with some vinyl I didn't get at the
Decware input enough voltage to get the full 2wpc.
Well, I still have both phono amplifier and chances that I upgrade again are 0%.
I found that on both units, the sound was thin,
but that's probably because of the vinyl recording.
I love bass and I did get that...

Guy 13