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"Vintage" high end gear vs new and upgrade path?

I'm pondering a couple issues that relate to each other.  Let's start with vintage vs new part.   The system is ripped straight from the 90's but was pretty much a Stereophile "A" class setup in its day.  Here it is: 

  • Rega P3 with numerous upgrades & Exact 2 cartridge (new)
  • Threshold FET10/pc phono preamp,
  • Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 => Assemblage D2D-1 ==> SFD-2 Mk3
  • Krell KBL preamp (recapped) ==> ML No. 332 amp  (recapped)
  • Maggie MGIIIa's (recent factory rebuild)
  • Music server (repurposed HP server) w/ Asus Xonar card feeding D2D-1
Issue 1:  Have >>analog<< electronics really improved much in the last 25 years?  My sense is that the lower and midrange gear is better, but does that translate to the high end?  This stuff sounds pretty damn good and I'm skeptical that I'd be able to make much improvement without spending vast sums of $$.  What would the weak link be here?

Issue 2:  Despite improvements in digital I'm also skeptical about how much real sonic improvement there has been in high end DACs, especially when it gets beyond 24b/96khz source material (system above is good up to 24/96).  I'm also skeptical about the claimed improvements from DSD over PCM, so I'm ignoring that for the time being.   Obviously connectivity, music servers, the digital audio chain and computer anything has improved greatly and is vastly cheaper than in 1995.  But how far does that actually extend to the sonics?  My sense is not so much.

At the end of the day I'm interested in any upgrade(s) that would create a real, hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck improvement without spending $10k.  But I've convinced myself that so much of what I read about would be only yield an incremental sonic improvement, and maybe even a downgrade.  I need a strategy - which might just be "leave it alone and just enjoy."  Any comments welcome, thanks.
raueda1
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
702 posts
 

I have to agree with many of the thoughts here. I do see a huge difference in Digital I feel its just much better now then years ago. but that said 'ive actualy had a feeling for the last few years that my system was just too clinical and lost the music some how. I've sold  my AudioNote M2B pre, some  rather nice 45 tube based mono blocks ( just not enough power imo at 2w)and  my AudioNote ANE speakers and picked up some used Living Voice Avatar 2's (94db)and found a vintage Luxman (japan only 100v) L560 Integrated 50wc pure class A amp. I've sold my Oracle Delphi mk3 with the Rega rb600 and build up a Garrard 301 with a wood plinth and new Jelco 12inch arm. i'm using my Van Den Hull MC10 still as I like it. i'm now listening to music way more then I have in years. and to be honest that 1986 vintage Luxman blows the doors off my friends $25k custom tube mono blocks (300B based 18wc) the tube amps sound wonderful don't get me wrong but they just lack drive and toe taping enjoyment. So i'm running a 50+ year old turntable and a 20+ year old amp. Oh I run a pioneer HZ-1 Head amp, into the lux's mm section, that's almost 20 years old as well.


http://www.thevintageknob.org/pioneer-H-Z1.html

http://www.thevintageknob.org/luxman-L-560.html

http://www.dasacoustic.com/en/gallery/g301-two-tonearm-version/ (basically i'm running this plinth and a grease  bearing 301 with the Jelco 12" 750l)


I've never been happier, i may not have the ultimate detail but i have musicality in spades i'm not listening to the equipment anymore i'm listening to the music...


Glen

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
702 posts
 
Oh just a note i agree with lloydc about the rega nice arms for the price but that Jelco is much better for the money . better built easier to set up as well imo
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
702 posts
 

oh here's a nice link on the lux some one asked me.


glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
702 posts
 
http://stereonomono.blogspot.ca/2011/11/luxman-l-560-1986.html
raueda1 OP
7 posts
 
Thanks to everybody for the input.  My sense from all of it is that there's a lot to be gained by upgrading the TT/arm/cartridge.  That's certainly not a shock. 

That said, I'm less convinced about the digital chain.  Certainly there have been enormous improvements in digital audio, but I'm not entirely sure how that translates into sonic improvements, especially towards the high end. 
But that's kind of a self thread high jack, so I'll take it up elsewhere.  In the meantime  I think I'll fiddle around, maybe tinker at the margins and follow minorl's advice:

But, if it were me, I would listen to what I have and enjoy. When I hear something that isn't satisfying, causes listener's fatigue, lack of space, etc. I would slowly go down the one item at a time upgrade path until I am at a point where I am happy.

>>>snip<<<

In the case of audio equipment, there is always something out there that is better. However, to get to that point may cost a ridiculous amount and (depending on the person) may not be worth it.

Listen and enjoy and go one step at a time.

Thanks again to all!
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