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

[melomane13]

Nothing is irreplaceable, but I'm particularly fond of this combination based on Camilladsp, a Raspberry Pi 4, a Bluetooth remote controlled by my own Python code, a Lyrion Streamer, a simple Terratec Aureon 5.1 MK2, and an Android tablet. This allows me to have a 6-channel DSP crossover preamp/streamer for a ridiculously low price.

 

[gwing]

This is a really difficult one. There isn't anything in my system that is truly special and not, really quite easily, replaceable with something that is as good or better. The component I would be most reluctant to lose though would probably be my speakers.

In the past it was very different. It was bitterly hard to take the valve amps out of my system and I wouldn't consider parting with those old friends even if they aren't currently in use. The hardest thing by far to ever part with though was a pair of Magneplanar MG3a speakers but you have to have a large enough room so when that went so did the speakers.

 

[Chris M]

My one and only amplifier is the Aragon 4004 Mk2. I bought it around 1995, before the introduction of the Euro in Germany, sold it in 2001 because I wanted something better [I can't remember what], and bought another one in 2002 with fresh Euro cash. I refurbished this one myself in 2009 or 2010 (the phase with high-end DIY: Elna Black Gate, etc. I'm an electrical engineer) and I'm still happy when it's playing. This device is a keeper; other things have come and gone.

 

[Peterinvan]

Schiit Loki tone control

I can adjust the tone to suit my old ears. I just don’t get software EQ.

 

[MattHooper]

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 ...
View attachment 486318

SF Line 1 SE+ upgrade ...
View attachment 486323

Very nice preamp!

A pal of mine has that preamp done up really nice by the parts connection guys, and I had a tricked out Audible Illusions to be preamp from them as well. Fun times!

 

[Kal Rubinson]

1. To answer what you asked in your post, that would be my NAS which contains my music collection (unless you don't consider that an audio "component").
2. To answer what is specifically asked in the thread title, it would be my KEF LS60s which are capable of being an audio system on their own.

 

[Sal1950]

How about you folks?

My speakers !

 

[xanalog]

...It is pretty beefy and would hold most any door open -- or closed.

+

The Dynaco would need at least a source with level control.

Would you be able to convert the door-knob to a camouflaged Dynaco volume-knob?

 

[Mean & Green]

For me personally I would keep the piece of equipment I’ve owned the longest.

My Sony CDP-XB930 CD player. It’s 27 years old this year and still has a place in my living room, still working as well as day one.

It is easy to question why a CD player? One is much the same as another no? CDs are dead. Well not really, allow me to explain…

Modern CD players are not built as solidly as this Sony, many modern players can’t even play a disc without adding a gap between each track. They all have either flimsy drawers or awful slot loaders. Not many feature CD Text or have a nice rotary jog dial for track selection with a nice tactile feel. This Sony weighs over 6kg that’s quite hefty for a disc spinner. It’s all metal and there is no empty space inside of the casework. The mechanism is silky smooth and oh so quiet.

I personally enjoy CDs immensely, I’ve never stopped buying them. They offer excellent fidelity, instant track access and none of the drawbacks or artefacts of analogue formats. I still get the liner notes and artwork and I can rip them to my digital library. I enjoy vinyl too, but CD is king of the physical formats for me and I want to play them. Here in the UK CDs outsell vinyl at about 2:1.

So yeah I think I could replace everything else in mystem with new equipment and not feel hardly done by, but giving up my old faithful Sony? I don’t think I could.

Another interesting feature is the magnetic puck which holds the disc, it’s almost like putting a record onto a turntable. It’s just a tactile machine this.

The ‘Fixed Pick Up Mech’ is unusual as the laser doesn’t move, the disc does. It also will happily play any old CD-RWs I might have kicking about.

Also another couple of nice features it has are variable line outs and a fader. So doing level matched comparisons with other sources is quite easy to do and also if I want skip a track there is something nice about fading it out and skipping rather than just an abrupt end during a track.

 

[Mr. Widget]

1. To answer what you asked in your post, that would be my NAS which contains my music collection (unless you don't consider that an audio "component").
2. To answer what is specifically asked in the thread title, it would be my KEF LS60s which are capable of being an audio system on their own.

Pretty much the same here. With only the brand and model changed.

I'm pretty sure I'll be pulling the trigger on a pair of Dutch & Dutch 8c speakers that I have been auditioning and also have it all... just add Roon (and the NAS).

 

[xanalog]

I have a 7 year old WD (MyCloud EX2Ultra) NAS that has been serving the house adequately for A/V entertainment, etc.

1. To answer what you asked in your post, that would be my NAS which contains my music collection (unless you don't consider that an audio "component").
2. ...

Would you consider swapping-out your NAS for something like this new-ish HDD/SSD combo NAS?

Amazon "LincStation N2 6-Bay NAS Storage - Intel N100 4-Core Processor, 10GbE, 16GB LPDDR5, 128G eMMC, 2x2.5 SATA HDD + 4xM.2 NVMe Slots, 2-Year Warranty, 4K HDMI "

 

[Mr. Swordfish]

My music collection. Everything else is easily replaceable and the whole library will fit on a couple of SD cards so space is not a factor.

Assuming that's not the actual question, then I would keep my Vienna Acoustics speakers. Everything else is basically a commodity.

Can I keep all four of them and claim they're part of a quad system?

 

[sergeauckland]

For me, pretty much everything is replaceable, even if replacing my DIY active 801s would be a struggle, it's possible, and there are more modern and possibly better 'speakers if money is no object. Everything else is just a matter of money.

However what would be damn near irreplacable is my AEG Telefunken turntable. I've never come across another one, whether for sale or not, so that would be the one thing I would retain.

S

 

[Mart68]

For me personally I would keep the piece of equipment I’ve owned the longest.

My Sony CDP-XB930 CD player. It’s 27 years old this year and still has a place in my living room, still working as well as day one.

It is easy to question why a CD player? One is much the same as another no? CDs are dead. Well not really, allow me to explain…

Modern CD players are not built as solidly as this Sony, many modern players can’t even play a disc without adding a gap between each track. They all have either flimsy drawers or awful slot loaders. Not many feature CD Text or have a nice rotary jog dial for track selection with a nice tactile feel. This Sony weighs over 6kg that’s quite hefty for a disc spinner. It’s all metal and there is no empty space inside of the casework. The mechanism is silky smooth and oh so quiet.

I personally enjoy CDs immensely, I’ve never stopped buying them. They offer excellent fidelity, instant track access and none of the drawbacks or artefacts of analogue formats. I still get the liner notes and artwork and I can rip them to my digital library. I enjoy vinyl too, but CD is king of the physical formats for me and I want to play them. Here in the UK CDs outsell vinyl at about 2:1.

So yeah I think I could replace everything else in mystem with new equipment and not feel hardly done by, but giving up my old faithful Sony? I don’t think I could.

View attachment 501581



Another interesting feature is the magnetic puck which holds the disc, it’s almost like putting a record onto a turntable. It’s just a tactile machine this.

The ‘Fixed Pick Up Mech’ is unusual as the laser doesn’t move, the disc does. It also will happily play any old CD-RWs I might have kicking about.

Also another couple of nice features it has are variable line outs and a fader. So doing level matched comparisons with other sources is quite easy to do and also if I want skip a track there is something nice about fading it out and skipping rather than just an abrupt end during a track.


View attachment 501580

One of the few things I regret selling. It's built better than some of the ES stuff even though it's 'only' QS.

Those soft touch buttons! Jealous really. Serious quality piece that is.

 

[Mean & Green]

One of the few things I regret selling. It's built better than some of the ES stuff even though it's 'only' QS.

Those soft touch buttons! Jealous really. Serious quality piece that is.

Yes it’s ironic that it’s the very first HiFi seperate I ever bought and it’s the one piece in my main setup that has never changed.

I agree it’s a quality piece and TBH I think it could pass off as an ES that is how nicely made it is.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

For me personally I would keep the piece of equipment I’ve owned the longest.

My Sony CDP-XB930 CD player. It’s 27 years old this year and still has a place in my living room, still working as well as day one.

It is easy to question why a CD player? One is much the same as another no? CDs are dead. Well not really, allow me to explain…

Modern CD players are not built as solidly as this Sony, many modern players can’t even play a disc without adding a gap between each track. They all have either flimsy drawers or awful slot loaders. Not many feature CD Text or have a nice rotary jog dial for track selection with a nice tactile feel. This Sony weighs over 6kg that’s quite hefty for a disc spinner. It’s all metal and there is no empty space inside of the casework. The mechanism is silky smooth and oh so quiet.

I personally enjoy CDs immensely, I’ve never stopped buying them. They offer excellent fidelity, instant track access and none of the drawbacks or artefacts of analogue formats. I still get the liner notes and artwork and I can rip them to my digital library. I enjoy vinyl too, but CD is king of the physical formats for me and I want to play them. Here in the UK CDs outsell vinyl at about 2:1.

So yeah I think I could replace everything else in mystem with new equipment and not feel hardly done by, but giving up my old faithful Sony? I don’t think I could.

View attachment 501581



Another interesting feature is the magnetic puck which holds the disc, it’s almost like putting a record onto a turntable. It’s just a tactile machine this.

The ‘Fixed Pick Up Mech’ is unusual as the laser doesn’t move, the disc does. It also will happily play any old CD-RWs I might have kicking about.

Also another couple of nice features it has are variable line outs and a fader. So doing level matched comparisons with other sources is quite easy to do and also if I want skip a track there is something nice about fading it out and skipping rather than just an abrupt end during a track.


View attachment 501580

Love this

Great post, great machine

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I have a 7 year old WD (MyCloud EX2Ultra) NAS that has been serving the house adequately for A/V entertainment, etc.

Would you consider swapping-out your NAS for something like this new-ish HDD/SSD combo NAS?
View attachment 501584

Why?

 

[Mean & Green]

Love this

Great post, great machine

Thank you.

 

[BeeKay]

It would actually be two. The Sony SCD for the occasional CD I am playing. And the Lindemann Amp4.99 for the great looks and the fact there is free space in the rack. It also could be a fallback device in case my daily amps failed.

 

[Coltr@ne]

Merlin TSM