I don't think I've "downgraded" my system, but have recently swapped out some more expensive gear for more "basic" components and been very happy with the changes I made.
In my digital system I had a Peachtree Nova 300 integrated that I replaced with a Heed Elixir. I wasn't using the Peachtree's DAC, headphone amp, phono out or any of the other features like HTBP because I have a good outboard DAC, headphone amp and phono preamp. The Heed is less expensive, less powerful (60 watts vs 300) and doesn't do anything but control volume and amplify the signal of my sources (well, it does have a decent headphone amp). The Heed has what I need for my system and to my ears it is more dynamic and detailed and the 60 watts are more than I'll ever need for my Klipsch Heresy speakers. The Heed integrated also takes up less space.
I did something similar in my office system, replacing a Peachtree Grand X1 integrated with an old Audio Research VSI tube integrated. I wasn't using all the features of the Peachtree and like the tube sound better, especially with the Klipsch CF-2 speakers I'm using. Those were also a "downgrade" from the Monitor Audio, Spendor, and Vienna Acoustic speakers I'd moved through there. I paid $75 for the Klipsch speakers and couldn't be happier with the sound.
Don't get me wrong about the Peachtree units, I liked both units a lot and would recommend either unit if you need all the bells and whistles they offer. They are great "all in one" solutions.
The changes resulted in better sound (to my ears) and made sense from an overall system standpoint.
In my digital system I had a Peachtree Nova 300 integrated that I replaced with a Heed Elixir. I wasn't using the Peachtree's DAC, headphone amp, phono out or any of the other features like HTBP because I have a good outboard DAC, headphone amp and phono preamp. The Heed is less expensive, less powerful (60 watts vs 300) and doesn't do anything but control volume and amplify the signal of my sources (well, it does have a decent headphone amp). The Heed has what I need for my system and to my ears it is more dynamic and detailed and the 60 watts are more than I'll ever need for my Klipsch Heresy speakers. The Heed integrated also takes up less space.
I did something similar in my office system, replacing a Peachtree Grand X1 integrated with an old Audio Research VSI tube integrated. I wasn't using all the features of the Peachtree and like the tube sound better, especially with the Klipsch CF-2 speakers I'm using. Those were also a "downgrade" from the Monitor Audio, Spendor, and Vienna Acoustic speakers I'd moved through there. I paid $75 for the Klipsch speakers and couldn't be happier with the sound.
Don't get me wrong about the Peachtree units, I liked both units a lot and would recommend either unit if you need all the bells and whistles they offer. They are great "all in one" solutions.
The changes resulted in better sound (to my ears) and made sense from an overall system standpoint.