Have you ever downgraded deliberately?


At the start of my Audiophile journey i had a Marantz PM8004 with a Proton D1200. Klipsch RF-82 Speakers and Marantz CD player. I had entry lv Cardas speaker wire. The system sounded very good and very musical.

If i’m honest i still miss that pre amp - amp combo. At the moment i have 2 Higher Fidelity 138 monoblocks and a black Threshold fet 10HE modded. Wadia 9 classic dac and Wadia transport. Soundwise it’s much better than before. But still i think about that suberb Proton and Marantz. Maybe i’m becoming a bit jaded with the hobby..... I sold Both components with a heavy heart. And wonder what would happen if i downgrade to a similar system (better speakers ofcourse).

I want to hear some downgrade stories of fellow Audiophiles. Why they did it, where they came from system wise. And if they are more happy with a lesser system.

PS
A couple of months ago i heard some Apogees "Duetta sigs" It rocked my world. Because most speakers are ugly, and sound mediocre. This was totally different from a design and sound point of view. It was perfect in my book. Never had that before. I'm trying very hard to scrounge up the $ to obtain it.

My gf also liked the Proton D1200 looks. What if i sell most of my stuff downgrade and Buy that Apogee with the Proton amp and a cool looking CD player? Looks are very important in my living room i guess. Maybe more than audio nirvana


128x128jouri_knegt
While I have not deliberately downgraded, I have stopped upgrading as my ears can no longer resolve at a level they used to.  Result is different but not necessarily improved to the point of achieving a reasonable value proposition.  

I have deliberately downgraded my system, and it wasn't long before I found myself not listening to music as much as I used to; not happy with SQ and lack of PRaT. I now have the same brand of integrated amp and speakers as I did before the downgrade, although different models. My power conditioner and half my cables are also the same brand as before.

If you can downgrade (but not too low) and find a balance that suits you, perhaps it would work for you if you were able to keep some of the sonic virtues that you currently enjoy. But you will hear the difference; whether you care for it is something I can't answer.

If you decide to try it, I recommend not parting with your current system until you know the outcome of the downgrade; unless you're comfortable with putting a good system back together, and the selling/buying involved with it.

I once had some one make me an offer that Godfather like, I couldn’t refuse.  It was for an Ayre preamp that was over two years old and I was offered what had been my purchase price.  I still had the previous Pre Amp, a Cary SLP 05, laying around so I thought what the heck, this makes monetary sense and the Cary wasn’t so bad.  I was instantly sorry that I had done this, as reinserting the Cary made me remember why I had wanted to upgrade from it in the first place