How do I go backwards?

Sorry to here of your bad health, I hope it is not long term.

I myself may well be selling up for a short time, and wonder what if any I should sell - I am setting up a business.

Personally do no not sell the SCD/1 it is now irreplaceable. The rest can all be sold, but you must ask the question how much you would lose on the items first and how much you will save. It may mean downsizing is a waste of money.

If you are to get good money with a small loss, do take a chance on some electrostatics by King Audio from China, and some chinese valve amps - good value and high performance all at a low price.

Good luck

Lohan

As a followup to this thread, I have been to JD's home a few times since the start of this thread. With a lot of effort, he has as good a system if not more musically enjoyable than before even with so many things he has sold off. The cable changes he has done alone easily make up for what was "lost" before. This man is more obsessed with the details of configuring an audio system than anyone I have ever known; I am a sad case in comparison. When you know what you're doing, success can indeed be had for less. So as a supporter here, I must say, right on!

Well, another chapter from the author of "Winters Lessons"... I just now caught on to this thread.
JD, your latest post is a joy -- it's full of enthusiasm and positive energy...

May God bless you with an endless supply of such energy! And may the Gods also bless the members who responded (Lugnut, Jafox) in kind and with action -- where I'm limited to just words.

I've little to contribute anymore, you're an old fox at squeezing performance out of any component; the only thing that you *might* further consider woudl be a transformer vol control. Yr Sony should be able to drive a 10 kOhm tranny well which in turn should have no problem driving yr amp (i.e. you shoudn't be losing dynamics) -- and allow you extra funds if need be.

Best wishes from 10k miles away!

Thank you Chad and Lohan. John, you have become a good local friend thanks to this wonderful web site, and we have many, many hours to learn together! Greg, you are an old time friend who I wish I could meet personally. This is the only problem with the internet, the people I have met, I wish I could spend time with and hear your voices.

As an update to my downsizing, I still am pining for the second amp, but life is life, and I simply had no choice other than to get rid of it. The exciting news is I was extremely fortunate to have run across the Kubala-Sosna Emotion cables. I first was introduced to these cables here at A'gon, and ended up talking with Joe Kubala because at the time he had no dealership locally. To make a very long story short, I ended up having Joe Kubala spend an afternoon at my house. One cable at a time we switched from NBS interconnects to Emotion. Then Valhalla speaker cables to Emotion and finally my power cords. I was using Electraglide Epiphany, Elrod EPS-2 and NBS. When Joe put in the last Emotion cable. It was the third jaw drop of the afternoon, each cable added body and tonal hue, yet was more extended and open. The background was darker with each step, and as a complete "system" the Emotion cable was better than my system has ever sounded.

The result was me buying interconnects and two power cords used. I'm now awaiting speaker cable and a final power cord!

The best part is I am able to switch speaker cable (used Valhalla and new Emotion) as a wash, but in my system this is an upgrade. The same can be said for my power cords, a virtual wash.

So with these changes I may indeed be happier with my system now ($12,000 less) than before! I'll keep you informed once the cords are here and I'm able to (re-tweak) my system to the new parameters.

As for advise on how to downgrade? Keep your options open, but be careful because too much loss will destroy the magic, but change can be made.

The true reward however is right here, Audiogon has brought me two local "new" friends Jafox and Artg, and I love them both and am blessed to have found their friendship. I also have deepened my love for many of my long time Audiogon friends. It is you guys that make life a joy to continue with. I have grown to see the joy remaining in my life and focus less on the loss. It is you people who have given me this vision, and it is Lugnut who has lead the march.

I love all you guys, Thanks.

JD

Hello Jadem

I read one of your first update posts about your health just now, and apologise for not taking it into consideration with my earlier posting.
I understand you saw your shrinkologist about your having to give up your 'extreme' interests that fully concentrate your mind.
Without wishing to sound either like a hippy/preacher etc, I hope you have some element of spirituality in your life over and above what is material and mundane. As you have undoubtedly noted many people have paid interest in your unfortunate loss of health and therefore your system, but in that process of renunciation you have discovered friends, and also the fun to be had by a less esoteric set up
I must say the most musical fun I used to have was from a cheapo £1.00 music box with radio and record player that i built up my collection on - sound quality crap, material good - never had to worry about sound quality - in fact getting any sound was an end in itself.

Take care of yourself from me in the UK

Lohan