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You can keep only one component from your system - what would it be?

Probably my NAD C3050LE, as was a limited edition and the C3050 still one of the most affordable all-in-one stereo amps w DIRAC/streaming etc. The new ARCAM SA 35 and SA 45 look very good, but also very expensive, almost Lyngdorf pricing.
 
mhardy6647 said:
EDIT: Although, come to think of it, isn't a subscription to a screaming streaming service all that one needs nowadays?
That's what they keep tellin' me!
Click to expand...
Are too embarrassed to admit you don't do streaming? :D
Would you please ask your they whether SXM-music is considered a streaming service?
 
Finally, after coveting high end audio equipment that I could not afford, and thanks to ASR's sage advice, I am fully satisfied with my electronics; a DIY Hypex Nilai stereo amp with added power supply, making it dual mono, a Schiit Freya S pre-amp and an Eversolo A6 first edition. But, if I can retain only one component it will be my home-made speakers, or rather my speaker enclosures. My electronics could easily be replaced by other components with equal performance.

My speaker saga began more than 40 years ago, when I found a beautiful piece of wood in a lumber yard - a blemish free maple plank 3/4" thick, I forget how long. Eventually with some help from my father, I made enclosures using the entire piece of maple, approximately in the golden rectangle ratio, with MDF baffles. Different woofers have come and gone from the speakers, but Philips dome tweeters and mid-range drivers have been a constant. They still sound remarkably good to my aging ears, however, I am about to do a complete rebuild with all new drivers, new CNC front baffles and new cross-overs. My homebrew subwoofer is also getting a re-do; the two ancient 10" woofers will be replaced by a Dayton RSS265HF driver and passive radiator. If I'm not happy with the combo I may substitute another RSS265 driver and if my 250 watt plate amp is not up to the task, I have Fosi V3 monos to use in its place. All the parts are in hand and the project proceeds - fun! Below the speaker before reincarnation:

20251017_193307.jpg
 
I would keep the speaker wire so I could strangle myself since I wouldn’t be able to listen to music with just one component.
 
HoweSound said:
Finally, after coveting high end audio equipment that I could not afford, and thanks to ASR's sage advice, I am fully satisfied with my electronics; a DIY Hypex Nilai stereo amp with added power supply, making it dual mono, a Schiit Freya S pre-amp and an Eversolo A6 first edition. But, if I can retain only one component it will be my home-made speakers, or rather my speaker enclosures. My electronics could easily be replaced by other components with equal performance.

My speaker saga began more than 40 years ago, when I found a beautiful piece of wood in a lumber yard - a blemish free maple plank 3/4" thick, I forget how long. Eventually with some help from my father, I made enclosures using the entire piece of maple, approximately in the golden rectangle ratio, with MDF baffles. Different woofers have come and gone from the speakers, but Philips dome tweeters and mid-range drivers have been a constant. They still sound remarkably good to my aging ears, however, I am about to do a complete rebuild with all new drivers, new CNC front baffles and new cross-overs. My homebrew subwoofer is also getting a re-do; the two ancient 10" woofers will be replaced by a Dayton RSS265HF driver and passive radiator. If I'm not happy with the combo I may substitute another RSS265 driver and if my 250 watt plate amp is not up to the task, I have Fosi V3 monos to use in its place. All the parts are in hand and the project proceeds - fun! Below the speaker before reincarnation:

View attachment 485396
Click to expand...
I would estimate that woofer to be a bit more than 10".... ;)
 
The Ascllab C6B set. Mostly because there 's alway a waiting list, and unpredictable tarriff cost deltas to deal with if I had to replace them. And they're my favorite speakers that can fit attractively in my room.
 
I would re-build my system from my UMIK-1 calibrated microphone.
 
Interesting question. In my case it wouldn't matter. My gear is all pretty fungible. My strategy is to find the cheapest thing that works for me. In my price range there is a lot of gear that I find indistinguishable from each other, and with the exception of speakers, indistinguishable from the high end stuff. I'm not a hobbyist in the sense of wanting the best technology for its own sake. I don't criticize anyone for thinking differently. If you asked me about guitars it would be different. My Collings 12 fret, slotted head, OOO size body guitar will have to be pried from my cold dead hands.
 
It's a toss up between my Fisher 500B and Dynakit ST-35. I put months into restoring the Fisher. The Dynakit was my first serious foray into tube amplification, and I dedicated a couple weekends into its build. Both have a mod for biasing, IBAM in the Fisher and EFB™ in the Dynakit. Since we're at a point in our lives where we are downsizing-minded, I guess the ST-35 stays.
 
I think a fair argument could be made that the ST-35 would be the better choice. Mind you, I am quite fond of both components. On the other hand, the Fisher plus a pair of speakers ( or headphones!) can give one music. The Dynaco would need at least a source with level control. ;)
 
My keeper would be my Sonic Frontiers Line 1 preamp with "SE+" upgrade.

In fact I've owned two Line 1's. The first I acquired 2nd hand in about 2006 but sold it around 2012. I so regretted that that I bought another around 2020 and had Parts ConneXion apply their "SE+" restoration/upgrade a year latter.

My current SF Line 1 ...
IMG_20210202_120315211_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg


SF Line 1 SE+ upgrade ...
Reannotated_DSCF110 SMALL.jpg
 
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This is what I'd keep - if only because I certainly couldn't figure out how to put such contraption together again.
 
First thought was that I'd be happy to just start again, with fewer stupid mistakes this time ...

Then I thought that my Genelec 8030Cs were such a bargain (second hand, seller clearly just wanted them gone and sold them for a pittance) that I'd never get that sort of value again

Weirdly, I've ended up thinking that I'd keep the vinyl. Not the turntable, just the vinyl! There's 40+ years of memories in that modest stack. I probably wouldn't even replace the turntable, not first thing anyway

We're strange creatures
 
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