Your 2022 personal hifi prediction... Did it pan out??

[Amormusic]

I’ve wanted new speakers for a long time but didn’t think this year would be the year. Handed my notice in, in January. Started my new job in April, got a bonus in September and new speakers in October. Result!

Out went Proac Studio 150, in came Proac DB1. The DB1s were exactly what I was looking for.

Of course started to think about new amplification now but we’re seriously considering moving so that will have to wait.

Cheers BB

There's a Sugden A21 Signature in classifieds atm - a stunning partner to your DB1's.

I was mesmerised by that combo when I demo'd them.

 

[Amormusic]

As to my plans VS what I did. Can't remember my hifi plans. Did loads of house renovation.

New stuff this year:

Dedicated electrics for the hifi separate to rest of house.
ART's,
Leak Stereo 20 amp and pre amp,
6000CDT,
TT and all the gubbins for it.

Almost a total overhaul.

Crikey, I've spent a lot this year 🫣.

 

[DomT]

A plan? What’s that?

I did want a new amp for the lounge and had expected my newly acquired Audio Note pre/power to go in the lounge but they went in the studio instead. And I sold my amazing Marantz PM11S2 (owned for 11 years) and bought another Audio Research amp but this time an integrated passive/class D; well that was a surprise but a really good one.

Lastly whilst the ATC SCM 11 sounded deep and full in my temporary pad in the UK, back in a Portugal in a smaller room, they had no bass. Fortunately GAIAs came to the rescue of the Neat Iota Alphas and the Alphas, whilst still a temporary fix until our new home is built, are sounding rather good with the ARC amp.

Happy days.

 

[Brown Bottle]

There's a Sugden A21 Signature in classifieds atm - a stunning partner to your DB1's.

I was mesmerised by that combo when I demo'd them.

Yes, I was already aware of the synergy between Sugden and Proac and plenty of people have reminded me since I got the new the new speakers. My problem is that my current amp also includes my DAC (Rotel RA1570), so I need to replace both at the same time.

Sugden is at the top of my demo list, when the time comes. I'm happy with the Rotel until we move house (or decide to stay put).

Cheers BB

 

[Fantasque]

My plans worked out perfectly..... as I am very happy with my system, I vowed not to change a thing, which I achieved 100% ! Did spend some money on “new to me” Vinyl though.

 

[nomore landings]

A TEAC ud701N arrived in Jan, replacing a NT 505, as the final piece in the puzzle. Sounded great, added a master clock. happy days. Then the streamer section malfunctioned. A very long and stressful battle with TEAC eventually resulted in a refund. The Node filled in. Decided to avoid anything made in the PRC and buy separates. Made in Europe musical Fidelity M6X DAC is proving to be a good punt, fed by the node and cd. An Innuos pulse has been on back order and will be interesting to hear what improvements are detectable vs the node. I have no idea, but Lurch is happy with his upgrade, so fingers crossed. A year that has highlighted the importance of reliability and backup, even under warranty. No plans for 2023 or 4, providing nothing breaks.

 

[Friendly Ghost]

Ik have finally gotten around to getting new speakers and ended up switching around the position as well, resulting in a serious increase in listening time and pleasure.
I will try to resist the urge to upgrade the amplifier for another year and enjoy what I have.

 

[Turn it up!]

I decided my time with valves and passive speakers was at an end for now, wanted to move to actives and I did. First with a small pair of Genelec 8010 then straight up to a set of 8040b. Paired with my streamer I’m loving the sound and simplicity. I think the 8040 are the sweet spot in that line. Next year I’d like to go further up the active chain, would love to try a pair of ATC or a set of Genelec the ones. Not sure I’ll ever go back to passive speakers which is a shame as I have a beautiful set of John Howes Quad IIs but they’re just collecting dust now.

 

[Speedracer]

I had no plans or desire to change anything at all, I was very happy with what I had. Of course that means I changed lots of things, all for the better IMO & staying with the same sort of house sound.

All that means a new to me pre-amp, DAC, & two cartridges. I was in the fortunate position of being able to hear all these in my system before I bought them, with the exception of one of the cartridges, so pretty risk free really. Along with a couple of cable changes all this has left me with a level of sound I didn't think I would ever manage, especially given the room I listen in has many disadvantages to overcome, with a floating wooden floor, hard shiny surfaces & not many soft furnishings.

Would I change anything in the year to come, well I have ordered a heavy kit for my Ace Spacedeck so yes is the answer to that, & I might look into making all my interconnects the same brand, but that will be it I think.

 

[dhansak]

Mine was that I wouldn't upgrade anything.

The only thing that's left is the speaker cable and it needs to be upgraded.

I started the year with Rega RP3, Arcam A85, Moon 110LP, Topping D10S and Monitor Audio Gold 100s.

 

[Strider]

I pretty much fulfilled my prediction.
I was seriously considering replacing my Primare I30 amp after it needed a repair for the 3rd time, the prediction became a reality when a cat fell off the windowsill and hit the IEC power cable into a sub which was - connected to the speakers hi-level. BANG! The amp went back for repair and they did a best effort fix but then it finally went to heaven after two weeks.
In came the Rega Elicit R which is currently thundering out Porcupine tree as I type.

I thought about building another Pi based streamer but ended up building three with different distro's

I knew in the back of my mind my hand would be forced in treating myself to a small DAC for one of the Pi's but inconspicuous enough not to arouse suspicion from the hawk eyes of the 'Bint that punches me where the bruises wont show'' purse holder. Got the Topping E30 II and chuffed to bits with it.

My Hi-Fi prediction for 2023 - hmm, I see new speakers, maybe another streamer but I can foresee the purchase of music only network cables, £4k LPS for the Pi's and an LP demagnetizer.

 

[I.D.S.]

Tweaked the old Art Stilletos,speaker binding posts and Gaia feet. Finished fiddling with the Gyro,now sporting 'Petes pylons'. Replacement headphone cable,so i can sit on the other side of the room. Bought some more LPs and discs,cause you can never have enough.

 

[lostwin]

Probably started the year humming and harring over a change to power amp and ending the year the same. Probed a few options but without an extended listen in my system wasn’t prepared to spend the ££££. If the new Radford Revival amps land in the new year that might get tested again…

Finally got to exhibit at the WAM Show - what a great weekend- and the breakdown of the system gave an opportunity to reassemble in a new position in the room which looks to be a long term option - unexpected.

Finally, hosted a series of music nights with a couple of local music lovers that always seemed to wend their way in unexpected directions deep into our respective record collections. Great fun!

It’s been a good one overall 👍

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

Radford Revival amps

Excellent gear!

 

[DUVET]

No planned purchases but ended up with a CA 851 N streamer and and Micro Benz LPS. Told myself to slow down on vinyl purchases and totally ignored that .

 

[rabski]

A plan? What’s that?

Something, apparently, that 'normal' people have

 

[rabski]

I have a beautiful set of John Howes Quad IIs but they’re just collecting dust now.

That's not a shame. It's possibly a criminal act

 

[toms wait]

I hadn't planned any changes whatsoever.
But I have ended up changing

1. my speakers to NSM Jacks Jantzen TQWT, from my Impulses which I have had 30 yrs or so.
2. my CD player for an Esoteric DV50s, from Marantz CD94 had since 1990
3. upgraded my amplifier with new bits and pieces
4. my phono for a WAD Phono 2, from a Parks Audio Budgie.
5. polished the heck out of anything aluminium

No idea why or where any of that came from but it just sort of happened. 8 months at home after a motorcycle crash may have been the catalyst.

 

[JANDL100]

Yup, 2022 went precisely to plan and as expected.

My MBL speakers stayed, everything else changed (several times over, in completely unexpected and unplanned ways).

👌

 

[Leeken]

Finally found a new pair of speakers which I actually liked enough to tempt me to upgrade from my monitor audio 8i’s which I’d had for 22 years,listened to lots in that time,but the Atc scm40s wer exactly what I was looking for,it was a long time looking!
That was it for the year,or so I thought,RME dac arrived to replace my caiman seg,and then a Wiim mini to replace my CCA,no more thats it.
Hmmmmm thought I’d try a Hypex or purifi amp in comparison to my quad qsp,ended up with a nad c298,thought I’d send it back ,but no it’s staying.
Dcb1 pre is out of the system now,synergy which worked with the caiman isn’t there with the Rme,the pre in that is way better.
Next years possibilit’s? Toppin pre90 and a extra c298,600 watts in bridged form,sufficient I’d say!