Hi-Fi: the ones you should’ve kept...

[naka]

Within all my gear, and I have enough to set up five systems, there are some pieces that I feel that I will never sell and others that are just passing through.
To put things in a funny perspective, and because I don’t have a pet anymore:
With the first ones, I kind of made some involuntary pact, developed from the respect and admiration for the machine, the SQ performance, engineering, design and pleasure to use.
With the later ones, it is a relation made of curiosity for the engineering and affordability, and they will be easy to let go when the time comes.

The in the first group are:
- Naim Nac122x + Flatcap 2x + Nap150x (far too good for it worth now)
- Kef LS50 speakers (just because they can sound great... in some combinations)
- Duevel Planets speakers (these magical little things can fill a room with “live” music)
- Roksan Darius Mk IV (cannot put it in to words)

But all over the years, like most audiophiles, I have buying and selling gear, searching for better (sometimes, just different) way to hear the music, and made some major mistakes not keeping some pieces I really miss.
Like:
- Plinius 8150 integrated amplifier
- Michaelson Audio Odysseus integrated amplifier
- Sonus Faber Concertino Mk I
- Rega Planet Mk I cd player
- Sony CDP X3000 ES cd player
- Sonic Frontiers Line 2 pre amplifier

All now impossible to obtain in good condition.



What are the components you regret letting go?

 

[wainwj]

SPEC Corp RSA-M3EX amp stands out. Had some kind of magic with my big Tannoys. Also, some Spatial Audio M3 Turbo S speakers.

 

[Von Krolock]

A Tom Evans phono stage. Wonky feet but a sound to sweep you off yer feet.

 

[Tony_J]

Celef Domestic II speakers. I bought a pair new in the '80s and got rid of them for space reasons in favour of a pair of much inferior bookshelf speakers...big mistake.

 

[toms wait]

Voyd The Voyd with Helius Cyalene ref no. 00001
Audio Innovations 2nd Audios 2a3 mono valve amps
XTC/Orelle Pow 1 power amp, more than the 2nds!
Milltek Olympia Cartridge
Micro Benz Glider
Impulse H2

Together now would have been a formidable system!

 

[rabski]

What is this 'getting rid of things' concept?

 

[TIU]

Most things. It's easier to list the items I haven't missed.

Mainly a full set of this gear.

 

[robin]

I can say that I have never sold something, and regretted it, just lucky I guess

 

[lostwin]

Within all my gear, and I have enough to set up five systems, there are some pieces that I feel that I will never sell and others that are just passing through.
To put things in a funny perspective, and because I don’t have a pet anymore:
With the first ones, I kind of made some involuntary pact, developed from the respect and admiration for the machine, the SQ performance, engineering, design and pleasure to use.
With the later ones, it is a relation made of curiosity for the engineering and affordability, and they will be easy to let go when the time comes.

The in the first group are:
- Naim Nac122x + Flatcap 2x + Nap150x (far too good for it worth now)
- Kef LS50 speakers (just because they can sound great... in some combinations)
- Duevel Planets speakers (these magical little things can fill a room with “live” music)
- Roksan Darius Mk IV (cannot put it in to words)

But all over the years, like most audiophiles, I have buying and selling gear, searching for better (sometimes, just different) way to hear the music, and made some major mistakes not keeping some pieces I really miss.
Like:
- Plinius 8150 integrated amplifier
- Michaelson Audio Odysseus integrated amplifier
- Sonus Faber Concertino Mk I
- Rega Planet Mk I cd player
- Sony CDP X3000 ES cd player
- Sonic Frontiers Line 2 pre amplifier

All now impossible to obtain in good condition.



What are the components you regret letting go?

Wow, I remember lusting after that Odysseus amp about 30 year’s ago. Completely bonkers, but good I take it?

 

[rabski]

Wow, I remember lusting after that Odysseus amp about 30 year’s ago. Completely bonkers, but good I take it?

Vanessa!

(you either know, or you don't)

 

[rabski]

Actually, there are a few bits, thinking about it. I try and keep the hifi self-funding within reason, so in the past, some thigs have gone to make room for others. Main ones off the top of my head: Voyd Valdi, Transfiguration Phoenix, Opus 21. That's it really.

My main 'regret' list is things I could and should have bought, but didn't.

 

[robin]

Actually, there are a few bits, thinking about it. I try and keep the hifi self-funding within reason, so in the past, some thigs have gone to make room for others. Main ones off the top of my head: Voyd Valdi, Transfiguration Phoenix, Opus 21. That's it really.

My main 'regret' list is things I could and should have bought, but didn't.

I bought the valdi, sold it on after a couple of years, the weight of the arm and cable, audio note arm 2/3 and how it affected the balance of the suspension was what prompted me to move on, got back what I paid you for it, so good memories

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

I had a Michaelson Audio Odysseus about 20 years ago, sounded OK, sharp edges that would slice your fingers (the wrap around cover with holes for the valves). Mine was very unreliable so was moved on. Far nicer was an Mk1 Audio Innovations S500 I moved on, and have subsequently bought again.

 

[wHIZZY]

EAR-509, sold it to finance the Graaf.

Graaf GM50, only 50w but would drive just about any speaker

Trichord Revelation CDP, a Trichord tweaked Pioneer 509 CD player

 

[lazycat]

My main 'regret' list is things I could and should have bought, but didn't

I have mild regrets about selling my Kans, but I'd moved into a much bigger place and they were too small.

But, as @rabski says, it's the kit that got away that irks more. And I'm not much of a hoarder, when I've finished with something away it goes.

 

[DomT]

Sonus Faber Amator 2. Glorious sounding and to look at. Crazy prices now and most are without their dedicated stands.

 

[rabski]

I bought the valdi, sold it on after a couple of years, the weight of the arm and cable, audio note arm 2/3 and how it affected the balance of the suspension was what prompted me to move on, got back what I paid you for it, so good memories

Biggest issue I had was simply that there was no wall shelf in my setup at the time, and suspended decks never worked here.

If I had it now, I'd have replaced the arm cable with a lighter one (the Yannis ones are excellent) and persevered with the setup.

 

[naka]

My regrets are related to the feeling of “different / newer is not better” and also that I am certain that I never have bought a bad component, just done less successful combinations.
I know that know, but it took a long time to experiment and process.
The Michaelson Audio Odysseus was paired with the Sonus Faber Concertino (on Target R4 stands) and a Meridian 506.24 cd player and the sound was glorious. But my brother abused the amp to insane levels and burned something, so I had to trade it for my first Plinius 8150.

 

[HoopsOnToast]

Rega R9 and Supravox 165-2000 drivers.

 

[esprit]

Kef B200 sp1032/ Audax tweeter, birch, 44 liter, reflex, with Malcom Jones high power c/o.