Over the years, I progressively upgraded my modest components, one by one, whenever I got the opportunity to do so.
It all started when my father bought a Harmann-Kardon system in the late-80's: I inherited the crappy Realistic system he bought at Radio Shack in the 70's. Perfect though for a teenager with that marvelous collection of 12 vinyl records I was listening to over and over gain, to my brother's greatest annoyance.
But the system had no CD player. When I moved to college, my first upgrade was a Teac 3100 (if I remember correctly). A quantum leap from the other components. This particular unit had a built-in headphone socket, and I quickly realized headphones sounded MUCH better than if I plugged them into the Realistic receiver's socket.
Hence came my first major upgrade: after visiting just about every audio retailers in Quebec City, I decided to go for an Arcam Alpha-3 and bi-wired Linn Index II. Talk of a quantum leap! There was, of course, no comparison. In hindsight, I am quite glad I did not go with popular mass-market brands, which were still very tempting for a budget-minded student. My friends thought I were crazy: "for the same price, you could have got a complete system with dual tape deck, tuner and equalizer (argh!)".
It was then just a matter of time before the upgrade bug hit. Ad it hit hard. I found a used California Audio Labs Icon Mark I. I replaced my Monster interconnects with Audioquest and wow! what an improvement again. Then I needed i fine system rack. I bought a Sony tuner, which I replaced with the Yamaha less than a year after. I still own this one and it sounds quite good with Audioquest Topaz. When my venerable C.A.L. player suddenly died of its old illnesses, and the company now gone the way of the dodo bird, I went for a Rotel RDC-975. My latest upgrade was the Arcam DiVA A85, which replaced my faithful but ageing alpha-3 last month (it was literally falling apart).
This is a huge improvement over my previous amp, especially after being hooked with BPT's excellent L-12 power cord, which made even more dramatic improvements, especially in the details, presence and realism.
I am now agonizing over my speakers. They're still quite good, but i feel there's room for improvement. Among the options I am considering are ProAC Studio 125 or 130, and the B&W 704. Does anyone have experience with these speakers, and how well they would partner with my existing gear?
Splendid French designed integrated amplifier based on EL34 lamps. Extraodinarily musical.
Axiom Audio M-80ti
With new custom-finish, these are the best
Rotel RCD-975
A stream-lined unit, got a discount because it was end of line. Shown here with magnificient Timbernation tiger-maple isolation platform.
Vintage Revox B-160
Found on eBay. Paid 500$ Best hi-fi purchase thus far. Exceptionnal performance, dynamics & soundstage. Easily the best tuner I have ever tried.
Benchmark Media Systems DAC1
Superb DAC designed for professional use, but extremely competent in a home system. Hooked to my ageing Rotel RCD-975, it really propelled my system into a new realm. The difference in musicality, acoustics, definition, warmth, accuracy is just staggering. It also has 2 built-in headphone jacks, and a bright blue LED reminescent of a Krell!
Magnum Dynalab ST-2
Added the St-2 Antenna. My tuner having 2 FM inputs, I was able to perform A/B comparisons between the new antenna and cable broadcast. The ST-2 is clearly better, and bring about more stations, more precisely, with a larger soundstage, better bandwith, and more details. The difference is quite staggering. Considering the low price of this unit, this is probably the most cost-effective upgrade I have ever made! Beautiful!
ZU Cable Wax bi-wire
Finally ordered thoses from an eBay auction. Solid, hefty cables, with beautifully made locking banana terminations. Cold from the box, they were a clear improvement over the old Prisma-IV affairs. Much more dynamic, faster, clearer, a truly great product.
Actinote CS-150
Most excellent Franch-made power cable, brings out subtle details on the DAC that no other cable in this price range could. A definite best-buy from my point of view.
Ridge Street Audio Designs Silver Soloist
1m meters interconnects, bought directly from the manufacturer (http://www.ridgestreetaudiodesigns.com). Used between the CD and amp. They need a good 75-100 hours of burn-in before they really start to shine. A quantum leap in quality. They bring a new dimension to my listening, vastly improved dynamics over the Audioquests, very detailed upper-midrange and crystalline highs. Bass is tighter and has slighly less slam, but on the other hand is more detailed. The overall improvement is however such that I consider this a component-level upgrade. Completely changed my system. A small company that deserves to be discovered. Similar products used: - Radio-Shack audio interconnects (yuck!) - Monster Interlink CD - Monster Interlink 400 - Audioquest Topaz
Ridge Street Audio Designs MSE Gen II Digital
Splendid digital cable. Custom-terminated with a BNC plug for a nominal fee in order to accomodate my DAC1, it really added another dimension to my listening experience. Everything is more coherent, brings more presence, more detail. Analog cable upgrades brought dramatic changes in the chromatic spectrum and in the areas of dynamism, clarity, precision; this digital upgrade seems to improve on existing qualities, bringing more polish, more details, more coherence and musicality. A superb cable indeed.
FIM 880
A pair of high-end AC outlets. Surprizing improvement overall.
Furman PST-8
Power bar with surge protection and noise filtering.
FM can be a high end source. Some of those jazz broadcasts on the public radio stations in the evening can rival the fidelity of even my digital source, which like you Benchmark DAC, is no slouch. Considering what the FM waves are poluted with one would not think it was possible. But the fidelity can exist, when the radio station cares. And I'm using a $7 ebay tuner. HD radio is not needed, IMO.
