Like others, my “gobsmacked” moment has been with going from SS to tubes. I’m more on the “starving artist” end of the audiophile spectrum, but managed to snag a pair of speakers very early on (JBL L65s) that have quieted any serious upgrade-itis for over 40 years and a refoam. Over the years, these speakers have been fed with a procession of source components too lengthy to list. They’ve been powered with (in order) a Pioneer SX-1250 receiver, a Denon PMA 700V integrated (a somewhat lesser gobsmack moment relative to the SX-1250), and a “brief” foray into the realm of multi-channel, audio/video receiverdom (a Sony GA7 ES, bought in 1997 which is still going strong and will see service in another room). All these have been severely upstaged, however, by the PrimaLuna Prologue Classic tube integrated I brought home last weekend! I am left simultaneously smiling from ear to ear and grieving for all the years I lost not switching to tubes.....of course everyone’s ears/preferences are different but I seem to have stumbled upon another genuine audio-related keeper-for-the-long-haul. My ‘65s are now being fed by a Music Hall MMF-5 turntable & pa1.2 phono stage > the Prologue Classic.
I’m gob smacked. What were you’re aha moments?
Had a productive couple of weeks on the used gear market and today has been digital demo day (Analog arrives next week). Added a Bryston BCD-3 and original Tara Labs Prime I/C’s to my system at very good prices.
I don’t have “golden ears” by any stretch but I’m gob smacked at the results.
The BCD-3 is replacing an Oppo UDP-205 w/ DHL BL-1 I/C’s. Rest of gear is an Anthem STR integrated and ML Monti’s. My bass has easily doubled, maybe tripled. I can feel the pressurization in my room and it’s tight not bloated.
I think this has been the biggest jump up in SQ I’ve experienced. What were your biggest surprises/improvements regardless of budget?