What Are Your Audio Plans for 2020???

[bart]

Originally Posted by JDCheek

Having only”rejoined” this group a couple months ago, I started 2020 with no plans regarding audio for 2020. My system is in a bonus room that I have rarely been in since moving into this house in 2015. I might even say that system was turned on a few times a year for a few hours. For most everyone, COVID has created a year to remember. For my wife and I, COVID has been the least of it. Our son in law passed away unexpectedly in April, leaving his 25yo wife with 3 boys, ages 6,3 and 1. They lived in Phoenix, but by early June, they all ended up here on Lake Norman with us. As empty nesters, it’s been a big adjustment. My wife is basically raising the boys, and we no longer have the freedom to do what we want, when we want. I rarely saw my boat this year. And I, a healthcare executive used to traveling, find myself in a very busy, noisy, disheveled home that used to be perfectly “everything”! So, while not actually a plan, I have rejoined this group, ordered the C-2700 as an upgrade for the new MC cartridge on my turntable, a better DAC for streaming Tidal and Qobuz that I hadn’t yet experienced prior. Next week, the nearly 10 yo 55in Samsung will be replaced by an 85 inch TV. Because of a delay in getting a MVP 901 due to McIntosh factory delays, I have in shipment one from Audio Classics that is rated a B1. I’m particular, so hopefully will meet my expectations. I also recently purchased a completely refurbished and refabricated Revox PR 99 mkiii, so making tapes and learning how to use that has been fun. So, I now have a place for myself, quiet, comfortable, and filled with multiple ways to enjoy the music I’ve always loved. And the boys love it too, when I let them up! Needless to say, I’m very thankful for being here for my family, and that we haven’t had close ones affected by COVID. Thanks for listening. Jim

Welcome back Jim!
Wow, that is a serious change in your life...
I'm sure the grandchildren will be taken care of in the best way possible.
Meanwhile, enjoy the music granddad!

[bart]

Meanwhile, I found my dream streamer (the Grimm MU1).
We also improved our network (Silent Angel Bonn switch).

Plans for 2021:

Reinstalling our tube amps in a second system.
Source will be our good old Burmester CD player (thank God I haven't sold it!).
Speakers will be the new KEF LS50 Metas. They are on order (with stands).

I'm also looking at the new exaSound S88 or E68. I want to stream those fantastic 32/352 files of trptk! (And other great multichannel DXD-recordings).

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Too early, lots of open ends. Maybe late Q1.

Yep, we all know Tom’s a baller............wait for the January first new 2021 thread and drop a bomb on all of us!!

- Buck

[kubla36]

My plans to replace the ML Ethos speakers hooked to the MC275 in my other system with JBL4367s or Ardens, changed to XRT1Ks (new to me) on my main rig trading out the XR100s. Yowsa!

I still want to deal with the MLs at some point, but drained my battery for a while. I look forward to just buying the occasional cable some year.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by JDCheek

Having only”rejoined” this group a couple months ago, I started 2020 with no plans regarding audio for 2020. My system is in a bonus room that I have rarely been in since moving into this house in 2015. I might even say that system was turned on a few times a year for a few hours. For most everyone, COVID has created a year to remember. For my wife and I, COVID has been the least of it. Our son in law passed away unexpectedly in April, leaving his 25yo wife with 3 boys, ages 6,3 and 1. They lived in Phoenix, but by early June, they all ended up here on Lake Norman with us. As empty nesters, it’s been a big adjustment. My wife is basically raising the boys, and we no longer have the freedom to do what we want, when we want. I rarely saw my boat this year. And I, a healthcare executive used to traveling, find myself in a very busy, noisy, disheveled home that used to be perfectly “everything”! So, while not actually a plan, I have rejoined this group, ordered the C-2700 as an upgrade for the new MC cartridge on my turntable, a better DAC for streaming Tidal and Qobuz that I hadn’t yet experienced prior. Next week, the nearly 10 yo 55in Samsung will be replaced by an 85 inch TV. Because of a delay in getting a MVP 901 due to McIntosh factory delays, I have in shipment one from Audio Classics that is rated a B1. I’m particular, so hopefully will meet my expectations. I also recently purchased a completely refurbished and refabricated Revox PR 99 mkiii, so making tapes and learning how to use that has been fun. So, I now have a place for myself, quiet, comfortable, and filled with multiple ways to enjoy the music I’ve always loved. And the boys love it too, when I let them up! Needless to say, I’m very thankful for being here for my family, and that we haven’t had close ones affected by COVID. Thanks for listening. Jim

Cheers Jim, it’s a real mensch who takes on that kind of commitment to your family after being an empty nester. Enjoy the revitalized system. FWIW, when my grandkids overrun the place for days at a time, I find there’s nothing like headphones[emoji41].

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by kubla36

I still want to deal with the MLs at some point, but drained my battery for a while.

[W9TR]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

Yep, we all know Tom’s a baller............wait for the January first new 2021 thread and drop a bomb on all of us!!



- Buck

Ha! I’m sure compared to a lot of systems here it will be a modest upgrade.

[joel_hifi]

Originally Posted by bart

Meanwhile, I found my dream streamer (the Grimm MU1).
We also improved our network (Silent Angel Bonn switch).

Plans for 2021:

Reinstalling our tube amps in a second system.
Source will be our good old Burmester CD player (thank God I haven't sold it!).
Speakers will be the new KEF LS50 Metas. They are on order (with stands).

I'm also looking at the new exaSound S88 or E68. I want to stream those fantastic 32/352 files of trptk! (And other great multichannel DXD-recordings).

Bart, congrats on the Metas

[bart]

Originally Posted by joel_hifi

Bart, congrats on the Metas

Merci Joel.

[joel_hifi]

Looking back at 2020:

Music Room:

- Jul: received the SweetVinyl SC-1 Mini/Phono, using it for the clicks and pops removal function/algo
- Jul: acquired the Innuos Zenith Mk3 streamer/server/ripper, replacing the Auralic Aries which was moved to the Library
- Aug: subscribed to Roon, what a game changer!
- Aug: had the Studer A807 RTR tape recorder serviced
- Sep: upgraded the DAC from Ayon S-3 to a (used) Ayon Stealth
- Oct: sold the Nagra 300p amp to a gentleman who replaced the stock JJ tubes with a quad of Elrog 300B, bringing the unit to the next level
- Oct: got the Pass Labs XA30.8 (used), now in rotation with the Goldmund Telos 280, for a different kind of amp flavour

Library:

- Jul: the Auralic Aries coming from the Music Room replaced an Aries Mini
- Aug-Sep: picked up on the used market 2 pairs of bookshelf speakers in excellent condition: ProAc's SM100 & Dynaudio's Special Forty, both now in rotation with the Harbeth 30.1 35th Anniversary (which remain my favorite)

And all year long been enjoying great music through those wonderful systems