Regrets in buying super expensive components

[ripvw]

All the expensive components that I bought were used, so no regrets

but in 2003 I left the world of high-end audio and switched to pro-audio and have never looked back...

 

[ahofer]

Esoteric CD transport.

Jeez.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

Same here, the speaker thing is the most costly. Sooner or latter one realizes that all small speakers are crap even if they measure well, Large speakers with at least a 12 inch woofer, even if not the best measuring will give you more satisfaction with a variety of music types.

12 inch woofer. Not many speakers meet your needs.

 

[DannyBoyNYC]

I was planning on implementing a new system for my study so I followed the advice on a scientific audio site and bought 2 Fosi V3 mono amplifiers. Quel gauchmare! The amps oscillated every time one or the other tried to go into power save mode so that nothing ever went into power save - and I was subjected to the sonic equivalent of waterboarding every 20 minutes. The group on that site was also very excited about the WiiM Ultra which, when it arrived, didn't support Airplay so I had to pay for Roon in order to effectively use it. Turns out that in order to use Roon you need to subscribe to a supported music streaming service so I tried both Tidal and Qobuz for a few months. I ended up cancelling Roon and buying yet another WiiM product (the mini) to connect to the Ultra in order to get Airplay back. (Thankfully a generous member of the same site offered dual power supplies for the amps for the cost of shipping which solved the amp issue.) Not a big expenditure in the grand scheme of things (first world problems) but fairly time consuming and somewhat annoying. I wish sites that focused on measurements would pay as much attention to user experience. That too is a science after all ;-)

 

[Palmer]

Being a) cheap and b) kind of unwilling to spend large sums all at once unless necessary, I've bought very little expensive hifi componentry. That said, I can think of one four-figure purchase that was pretty disappointing all in all.



Full disclosure, I bought it used/demo and the price was relatively reasonable... but nothing about the tt, arm, motor/drive, nor cartridge is all that great.
It's still here , packed up in its original box and sitting upstairs on the floor with some other stuff on it.

View attachment 396057

This is the one I do use, FWIW, when I do play a record.

I am curious, just bought the Clearaudio Emotion with the carbon arm, same thing as the Marantz - it does not bowl me over but I got it for under a grand, what specifically did you not like about it? For me it is the switch on the motor, terrible design choice, and the tonearm lift. I put a Shelter 701 on the arm and for what it is, it performs admirably.
Edit: I don't think the antiskate design is a good choice either. In this case I'd prefer moving coil (spring) over moving magnet(s).

 

[mhardy6647]

It is somewhat fiddly in setup and (not just literally, but metaphorically) plastic-y in execution. The marantz, interestingly, is somewhat beefier than was the Emotion. I paid about $1k for the one I have, but that was quite a few years ago. I had a lot of trouble getting wow, flutter, and "noise" down -- lubrication of the spindle was very tricky to get right.
I think the arm is the same "Satisfy" arm your Emotion would have, although marantz touted the ebony wood arm wand (I think the default CA was aluminum?). I was (am) skeptical of the magnetic antiskating (does it actually do anything?), and the alignment "options" on the headshell seem arbitrary at best. The VTA adjustment is kind of Neanderthal-grade. -- with no real disrespect meant towards the Neanderthalers; they did the best they could.

Interestingly the motor switch and arm lift never attracted my attention one way or another. Tightening a plastic set screw on a plastic pulley sure did, though! The "floating" motor seemed like a pretty cheesy design, since there's nothing to guarantee proper tension on the drive belt -- it kind of is what it is.

The supplied cartridge ("Clearaudio Virtuoso Ebony" or somesuch hyperbole) was probably the worst thing about it. Perhaps the Shelter is a much better choice. The supplied cartridge (which owes a lot to A-T per internet lore -- perhaps no more than a rebodied A-T OEM?) was ostensibly quite expensive. If so... Lifeless sound from top to bottom. Bass in particular was rolled off (but not insubstantial in the midbass -- kind of the 1970s "boombox" sound all over again) and ill-defined.

The whole package felt more "designed" (or "styled") than engineered to me.
I guess the saving grace was that, for the kind of products these tts were (the marantz and its cousin the CA Emotion), they were relatively inexpensive.

 

[Platypus20]

Meridian 508-24, they had it more than I did, went back numerous times, would work for 2-3 weeks, then fail again. Not really sure who had it more, Meridian or UPS, currently sets in its shipping box in the garden shed, dead to the world

 

[Palmer]

It is somewhat fiddly in setup and (not just literally, but metaphorically) plastic-y in execution. The marantz, interestingly, is somewhat beefier than was the Emotion. I paid about $1k for the one I have, but that was quite a few years ago. I had a lot of trouble getting wow, flutter, and "noise" down -- lubrication of the spindle was very tricky to get right.
I think the arm is the same "Satisfy" arm your Emotion would have, although marantz touted the ebony wood arm wand (I think the default CA was aluminum?). I was (am) skeptical of the magnetic antiskating (does it actually do anything?), and the alignment "options" on the headshell seem arbitrary at best. The VTA adjustment is kind of Neanderthal-grade. -- with no real disrespect meant towards the Neanderthalers; they did the best they could.

Interestingly the motor switch and arm lift never attracted my attention one way or another. Tightening a plastic set screw on a plastic pulley sure did, though! The "floating" motor seemed like a pretty cheesy design, since there's nothing to guarantee proper tension on the drive belt -- it kind of is what it is.

The supplied cartridge ("Clearaudio Virtuoso Ebony" or somesuch hyperbole) was probably the worst thing about it. Perhaps the Shelter is a much better choice. The supplied cartridge (which owes a lot to A-T per internet lore -- perhaps no more than a rebodied A-T OEM?) was ostensibly quite expensive. If so... Lifeless sound from top to bottom. Bass in particular was rolled off (but not insubstantial in the midbass -- kind of the 1970s "boombox" sound all over again) and ill-defined.

The whole package felt more "designed" (or "styled") than engineered to me.
I guess the saving grace was that, for the kind of products these tts were (the marantz and its cousin the CA Emotion), they were relatively inexpensive.

Appreciate your input, mine will just be passing through I suppose. Never heard any of Clearaudio's cartridges, the Shelter I just had re-tipped by Soundsmith, and it is close to the Benz Glider I have. I find that the lift just does too much lifting, and if you want to raise the tail of the arm it starts to interfere while lowered. Non adjustable, I may have to machine a new spacer to mount the lift/rest assembly to the arm with a way to adjust the thing to VTA settings. I tied contacting Clearaudio via their website to maybe get a new lift as a spare, mine is sluggish despite cleaning, no answer. I swear people should not add "contact us" forms on their sites, if they are not answering any queries.

 

[Brent71]

It is somewhat fiddly in setup and (not just literally, but metaphorically) plastic-y in execution.

I agree. I don't like the set-screw for adjusting VTA, or the set-screw for the plastic pulley, both feel like they'll strip easily. I originally bought a VPI Scout with 9" tonearm, then a Marantz popped up for sale so I bought that too; I figured I'd pick the one I liked best and sell the other. In the middle of working a bunch of hours a VPI Aries 1 with 10.5" tonearm and adjustable VTA base came up for sale for a great price so I bought that, intending to sell the Scout and Marantz; instead both are still sitting on my workbench in the basement.

 

[JeffS7444]

I did okay with Mark Levinson gear in the 1980s, as a local dealer wanted to clear it out, and I was able to buy secondhand, demo and new items at advantageous prices, and turned around and sold some at a decent profit. I was very proud of my ML-1, and later, ML10 preamplifiers, but doubt SINAD would be anything to write home about. I didn't actually have much money in those days, but I sure felt like I was livin' the life!

Audio Research, I was less impressed. Loved the looks of my solid state SP5 pre + D52B power, but the amp doubled as a space heater. For whatever reason, ARC ran electrolytic capacitors close to max rated voltages.

And at one time or another, I owned 3 different Linn LP12 turntables, all Valhalla/Ittok combos. I maybe let the last one go kinda cheaply as I had "discovered" the Technics SL1200 Mk II, but (shrug) I also bought it secondhand and owned it for a number of years, so I'd say I got my money's worth. Kind of amazed to see that today, even the poshest SL1200 variant costs a bit less than the entry-level LP12 Majik package @ 5100 USD. To say nothing of the flagship LP12 Klimax @ 31K USD.

Then there was the time I worked out a no-cash swap: My Dyna PAS, FM3, 2x Mk IIIs and an SCA35, in exchange for a really lovely McIntosh MR71. Man I loved that tuner, and would listen for hours. Eventually sold it kinda cheap (<$500) because I was moving and it was one fragile item too many. But no real regrets there either, because I later scored a Sangean HD tuner for $12 at the thrift store, and to be honest, the Sangean is the better radio.

 

[pderousse]

All of my components are the best OR WORST components ever created, my room, my dsp, my crummy 53 yr old hearing, my room treatments (or lack thereof) - prove me wrong.

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

+1 me too.

They're about a 10 min walk from where I work and service my LP12 (an arguably ill-advised high-end purchase I don't regret)

Is it possible that Ray Horn is still in charge of servicing there?

 

[wadude]

I did okay with Mark Levinson gear in the 1980s, as a local dealer wanted to clear it out, and I was able to buy secondhand, demo and new items at advantageous prices, and turned around and sold some at a decent profit. I was very proud of my ML-1, and later, ML10 preamplifiers, but doubt SINAD would be anything to write home about. I didn't actually have much money in those days, but I sure felt like I was livin' the life!

Audio Research, I was less impressed. Loved the looks of my solid state SP5 pre + D52B power, but the amp doubled as a space heater. For whatever reason, ARC ran electrolytic capacitors close to max rated voltages.

And at one time or another, I owned 3 different Linn LP12 turntables, all Valhalla/Ittok combos. I maybe let the last one go kinda cheaply as I had "discovered" the Technics SL1200 Mk II, but (shrug) I also bought it secondhand and owned it for a number of years, so I'd say I got my money's worth. Kind of amazed to see that today, even the poshest SL1200 variant costs a bit less than the entry-level LP12 Majik package @ 5100 USD. To say nothing of the flagship LP12 Klimax @ 31K USD.

Then there was the time I worked out a no-cash swap: My Dyna PAS, FM3, 2x Mk IIIs and an SCA35, in exchange for a really lovely McIntosh MR71. Man I loved that tuner, and would listen for hours. Eventually sold it kinda cheap (<$500) because I was moving and it was one fragile item too many. But no real regrets there either, because I later scored a Sangean HD tuner for $12 at the thrift store, and to be honest, the Sangean is the better radio.

It’s hard to say what would’ve happened if I’d had serious cash in the formative years of my hifi interest. I’ve had a PAS2, FM-3, and a pair of MKIVs for decades! I also have an SCA-35. At one point I picked up an early ‘90s McIntosh receiver but the place called up saying it had a flaw and needed to buy it back (uh huh). I was glad because I regretted buying it almost immediately. I never listen to FM.

I had friends with a high end shop who had long been trying to entice me with Conrad-Johnson and Vandersteens but, besides not having the cash, in terms of sound I was already 90% there, so the concept violated my sense of diminishing returns. Especially after I abandoned all of the analog sources and the preamp and went with a passive level control. Those Dynaco MKIVs really held my interest. At one point the high end shop guys put up a pegboard with bubble packs of Audioquest cables hanging from it. They are my friends so very gently, sheepishly actually, attempted to get me to buy into the concept. I politely but incredulously rebuffed the overture and they never ventured it again.

A year or two ago I picked up a Buckeye assembled NC252MP which is now sourced by a WiiM Pro+. The Dynaco components are in the exit lane.

 

[JeffS7444]

It’s hard to say what would’ve happened if I’d had serious cash in the formative years of my hifi interest. I’ve had a PAS2, FM-3, and a pair of MKIVs for decades! I also have an SCA-35. At one point I picked up an early ‘90s McIntosh receiver but the place called up saying it had a flaw and needed to buy it back (uh huh). I was glad because I regretted buying it almost immediately. I never listen to FM.

It sounds as if you had better self-control than I did

I had an experience similar to yours with the McIntosh receiver: Someone gave me a busted Marantz 4400, which I was able to repair. Cool green mini oscilloscope display for tuning! But the silly thing was a beast and too large to fit comfortably in my space. When I told him that I had managed to repair it, my friend suddenly remembered that he really needed the receiver back (suuure) but to be honest, it was a relief to get rid of it.

 

[wadude]

I actually do listen to FM in the car and through a table radio.

My situation had to do with cash flow, but even more, my dad taught physics, specialized in acoustics, and was tight with his wallet.

Plus those MKIVs are really good!

 

[shuppatsu]

Not that expensive compared to a lot of y'all's misadventures but my dad bought me an Adcom AV preamp/processor in the early aughts that was utter trash. Knowing him he probably read a good review in the Audio Critic or similar objectivist publication. I'm sure it measured just fine, but the UX and reliability were both terrible.

 

[wadude]

12 inch woofer. Not many speakers meet your needs.

Efficient monkey boxes have their charm!
Tagging onto this post in response to another one or two in the same thread: An audio site’s conversations and reviews are a good place to gather information about products and general knowledge about the hobby, but I wouldn’t suggest laying down cash solely based on that.

There are many factors that figure into how a product will integrate with our individual wants, tastes and needs. A little introspection and a lot of research can make decisions more satisfying and long term.

 

[pablolie]

My regret is I should have some stuff that I basically gifted or threw away... TEAC 8030s cassette player, Technics SL1210(?) with upgraded stylus, Technics EQ stuff, a 2.5k power conditioner, top Sony digital recorders (was it DAT tapes and minidiscs?) along with car stereo mods to play the media, and several $30 magic green pens and such to enhance CDs... :-D
Some but not all of those would have fetched me good $ these days.

 

[DannyBoyNYC]

Efficient monkey boxes have their charm!

I believe the expression is Monkey Coffins.

 

[JPA]

My only real mistake was buying a Kenwood KC-Z1 preamp/processor and its matching multichannel amplifier. Kenwood had no experience making such expensive components, and that lack of experience soon showed itself. The fancy touchscreen remote was RF-based, and regularly lost contact with the pre/pro. And surround formats were changing so rapidly it was foolish to spend that much money on a pre/pro at that time.