This system started 20 years ago. Only remnants at this point are some cables. Everything else has been upgraded once or twice. Originally purchased all Rogue stuff 20+ years ago and and initally grew in their line very happily but then wanted more. Same with vandersteen, originally had 2CEs but upgraded 4 or so years ago. Most recent additions are the Atma-sphere MA-1s and the ModWright both of which were significant upgrades. Prior to that a lot of time was spent on the analog side. The Rogers came first and it was so amazing that I felt it deserved a more substantial turntable setup, thus, the Brinkmann Bardo.
Update November 2023:
So I had by first major snafu. I bumped my cartridge and knocked the cantilever right off. Found Steven at VAS to fix it. My wife was quite upset though as we have a lot of Christmas records and no working turntable. She suggested I get a new cartridge to have the one I'm getting fixed as a backup. Found a screaming deal on an Ortofon Windfeld Ti. That's now on the Brinkmann arm sounding quite amazing.
Update January 2024:
Decided that rather than having a backup cartridge let's have a 2 tonearm setup. Had read a lot about the Wand and got in touch with Bob at Profundo, their new US importer and got a Wand plus 10.3 with a pedistal since my Bardo can only have 1 arm. Moved the Windfeld to that and WOW! What an amazing piece. Soundstage is popping. Singers sound 3 dimensionally in the room. Better pairing for the cartridge for certain. Waiting on custom wood bodies cartridge from Steve at VAS to put ony Brinkmann arm.
This is the version with the 10.5 Tonearm and upgraded solid state power supply. Comes standard with crystal glass platter and clamp
Ortofon Windfeld Ti
Purchased used from a fellow goner. It's definitely an upgrade from the Cadenza Black I had
HRS R1 MK2
Red weight classification
Rogers High Fidelity PA-2
Was purchased as PA-1A but factory upgraded. Has all Telefunken 12ax7s
Atma-Sphere MA-1 mkII.2
I recently got these used from a local dealer and holy cow! They're amazing. I'd hoped for improvement but didn't see this level of improvement coming. Will likely upgrade them to the most current version when financially feasible.
Vandersteen Quatro Wood
Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Analog 2
Does not have upgraded USB but run coax from node
Bluesound Node 2
AudioQuest Emerald interconnects
Acoustic BBQ Full Rack interconnects
Acoustic BBQ Full Rack power cables
Transparent Audio 200 phono interconnect
ModWright LS-100
Recent change after falling out of love with the RP-7 and I love with a Don Sachs. This is the perfect balance of the clarity of the former and the musicality and warmth of the latter. Curre rly running it with NOS RCA 6SN7
