asindc
Well-known member
OK, the inevitable has happened to me. I just recently replaced my Ascent-i with a new pair of Vantages... BAM! Upgradeitis (or in ML Club parlance, "Joeyitis." ) I knew it would happen, but this dramatically?! I find myself checking out Audiogon with much frequency these days.
Actually before I got the Vantages, I was in upgrade mode. Now it's even worse! Despite that, there are a few things holding me back. Here are my thoughts...
1) A new preamp.
Want to start small and build from there. I've heard great things about the Parasound P3. Called Parasound tech dept. and was told that it is meant as a dedicated 2ch preamp and cannot be integrated into an HT system (no passthrough capabilities). Called Pioneer (I am using a 74TXvi as an HT processer/preamp; had been using a 49TXi) and was told "only our 59TXi has a passthrough option."
I don't want to buy an HT receiver or pre/pro separate until the HDMI/Dolby Digital Plus/DTS-HD technologies are fully incorporated into manufacturers' next generation models (BTW, the Pioneer rep said they would be introducing new models "sometime around Sept.").
So until I get an HT receiver or pre/pro that is either up to the task of functioning as a high-quality 2ch preamp (can you say "expensive?"), or at least one that allows one to be integrated into the HT system (i.e., 2ch passthrough option), I will wait on this upgrade...
2) CD player, or CD transport and DAC, or high end music server (Transporter anyone?)
I've been looking at a few budget players, like a used Rega, Music Hall, or Rotel. I've also been researching budget DACs. I'm currently using an Oppo 970 w/o an external DAC now, which I like a lot, but I bought it knowing that I would want to move up in the not too distant future. I've might have made a move already except that I'm intrigued by the possibilites of something like a Slimdevices Transporter. The only drawbacks I see with that unit so far (besides not having auditioned one yet!) are a) price b) hard drive size and c) time-consuming nature of ripping CDs to hard drive.
I'm also in a wait-and-see mode here. Would like to see a bigger hard drive on the next gen Transporter (or other server) and the price drop below $1K. If that is another year, then so be it. I might go for a CD player soon anyway. Definitely will hold off on the server and DAC for now, though...
3) A new amp (isn't that always the case?).
I am currently using a Sunfire Grand Cinema 5 for HT and music. An obviously dramatic improvement over the 74TXvi (or 49TXi) interal amps. I really want the Class A sound, though. For a realistic "sometime soon" upgrade, I've been looking at the Parasound A51 to replace the Sunfire, or A21 to add to it. If I really go for it, then the JC1s. Would also like to audition Pass Lab or Plinius in my system at some point.
I would do this upgrade after the others, or at least in conjunction. Which leaves me at this point. I think I'll just do some tweaks in the meantime, and maybe get serious about room treatments.
My apologies for the long-winded post, but I think some of you might be where I am at this point. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.
Anthony
Actually before I got the Vantages, I was in upgrade mode. Now it's even worse! Despite that, there are a few things holding me back. Here are my thoughts...
1) A new preamp.
Want to start small and build from there. I've heard great things about the Parasound P3. Called Parasound tech dept. and was told that it is meant as a dedicated 2ch preamp and cannot be integrated into an HT system (no passthrough capabilities). Called Pioneer (I am using a 74TXvi as an HT processer/preamp; had been using a 49TXi) and was told "only our 59TXi has a passthrough option."
I don't want to buy an HT receiver or pre/pro separate until the HDMI/Dolby Digital Plus/DTS-HD technologies are fully incorporated into manufacturers' next generation models (BTW, the Pioneer rep said they would be introducing new models "sometime around Sept.").
So until I get an HT receiver or pre/pro that is either up to the task of functioning as a high-quality 2ch preamp (can you say "expensive?"), or at least one that allows one to be integrated into the HT system (i.e., 2ch passthrough option), I will wait on this upgrade...
2) CD player, or CD transport and DAC, or high end music server (Transporter anyone?)
I've been looking at a few budget players, like a used Rega, Music Hall, or Rotel. I've also been researching budget DACs. I'm currently using an Oppo 970 w/o an external DAC now, which I like a lot, but I bought it knowing that I would want to move up in the not too distant future. I've might have made a move already except that I'm intrigued by the possibilites of something like a Slimdevices Transporter. The only drawbacks I see with that unit so far (besides not having auditioned one yet!) are a) price b) hard drive size and c) time-consuming nature of ripping CDs to hard drive.
I'm also in a wait-and-see mode here. Would like to see a bigger hard drive on the next gen Transporter (or other server) and the price drop below $1K. If that is another year, then so be it. I might go for a CD player soon anyway. Definitely will hold off on the server and DAC for now, though...
3) A new amp (isn't that always the case?).
I am currently using a Sunfire Grand Cinema 5 for HT and music. An obviously dramatic improvement over the 74TXvi (or 49TXi) interal amps. I really want the Class A sound, though. For a realistic "sometime soon" upgrade, I've been looking at the Parasound A51 to replace the Sunfire, or A21 to add to it. If I really go for it, then the JC1s. Would also like to audition Pass Lab or Plinius in my system at some point.
I would do this upgrade after the others, or at least in conjunction. Which leaves me at this point. I think I'll just do some tweaks in the meantime, and maybe get serious about room treatments.
My apologies for the long-winded post, but I think some of you might be where I am at this point. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.
Anthony