Your next hifi purchase

[drummerman]

The nights are drawing in, days are getting shorter ... my interest in all things hifi are slowly awakening again (as my increased forum participation is probably giving away).

Unfortunately, a combination of a relatively low income (care industry) and a rather expensive cycling season with a new acquisition to my bike stable means finances are, for the moment at least, limited.

I would also like to get a decent camera again. (Why are all my hobbies so expensive?)

Anyways, after the purchase of some Grados recently I have decided I will try a dragonfly v1.2 and see if it makes any improvments. (I am very happy with the phones!) - I can't really go further than that at present but as my system/s are pretty sorted (imo) thats fine. - The Abrahamsen has to wait a little ...

What are you planning to get in the next few months?

 

[record_spot]

Likely a new preamp. Not decided what yet. Plus a new TV in the new year.

 

[tino]

What are you planning to get in the next few months?

Trying to exercise restraint ... and so far it has worked. This year I have said goodbye to an amplifier and CD player. I will try to trim back some more (some speakers and accessories have to go) before taking another step. I would quite like to avoid stuff made in China and buy something made in the UK/Europe. I also fancy one of the new Yamaha Multicast product range for general purpose duties (the Aventage RX-AS710D has pretty much everything I want). I also have a single Sonos Play:1 but can't bring myself to get another (to make a stereo pair) yet.

Out -> Chordette Gem, SF Toys or Castle Knight:1

In? -> Yamaha RX-AS710D .... ?????

 

[MickyBlue]

i've managed to pick up most of my bargains from e-bay in the off peak period, last one being my rel s3 for £509 in mint condition and a couple of chord powercords for £50 each 1.5m&1.0m.

not much i can upgrade now! i hope.....

 

[chebby]

http://box-designs.com/main.php?prod=tunerboxs

 

[lindsayt]

I'm planning on buying more music.

I think I got cured of upgradeitis when I bought:

A "legacy" seperates system with passive speakers.

Speakers with "the worst possible kinds of distortion".

Speakers that "are only good for sound reinforcement".

An amplifier "lacking in head room."

An amplifier with "large amounts of distortion."

A source "lacking in dynamic range" with "high distortion" and "noise levels".

A turntable that "was designed for use by ham fisted DJ's" and is "unsuitable for hi-fi use"

Components that would lead many marriages to "divorce".

 

[expat_mike]

I too started cycling again this summer, and have lost weight and improved my fitness. I would like to continue during the winter, so I have a few vague ideas about getting a new road bike, but maybe I can delay them till the january sales.

I have been thinking about getting a DAC for 18 months, but so far have not felt enthusiastic enough to open my wallet.

However I have started to think about can I improve my enjoyment of music and podcasts during my daily commute during the winter. I am thinking in terms of Shure SE425 headphones, plus possibly a Chord Hugo, Oppo HA-2, Onkyo DAC-HA300 or Teac HA-P950D. The Hugo feels like overkill for just mobile use, and maybe a Dragonfly 1.2 would be the best value for money solution, when working at the computer. One benefit of the other headphone amps, is that I could also use them as an emergency backup battery bank for my phone.

The rest of my hifi is satisfying my needs ok, so I don't feel a great need to upgrade anything. Maybe the only improvement could be add a subwoofer, but it is not an essential need.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

Well lately I outed my Arcam a85 /p85 cd82 and b&w cm5's all after seeing a decemberists gig,it just reinvigorated my enthusiasm for hi-fi again and in came a Naim nait xs amp cd5i(italic),arcam ir dac,rega ear mk2 headphone amp,a pair of pmc twenty 21 and attacama eris stand and now I think I'm going to be divorced.oh and a pair of grado 3325i's .I'd like a flatcap xs next,but me thinks I'd better leave it alone for the time being.

 

[drummerman]

I too started cycling again this summer, and have lost weight and improved my fitness. I would like to continue during the winter, so I have a few vague ideas about getting a new road bike, but maybe I can delay them till the january sales.

I have been thinking about getting a DAC for 18 months, but so far have not felt enthusiastic enough to open my wallet.

However I have started to think about can I improve my enjoyment of music and podcasts during my daily commute during the winter. I am thinking in terms of Shure SE425 headphones, plus possibly a Chord Hugo, Oppo HA-2, Onkyo DAC-HA300 or Teac HA-P950D. The Hugo feels like overkill for just mobile use, and maybe a Dragonfly 1.2 would be the best value for money solution, when working at the computer. One benefit of the other headphone amps, is that I could also use them as an emergency backup battery bank for my phone.

The rest of my hifi is satisfying my needs ok, so I don't feel a great need to upgrade anything. Maybe the only improvement could be add a subwoofer, but it is not an essential need.

I aplaud your success in improving health through cycling and hope many will do similar. - I have to say the single best purchase I made regarding cycling is oddly enough a stationary ex-gym spin bike bought used. One with a super heavy front fly wheel. - It gives me no excuse not to train even (especially) in bad weather but also means I can do so without the faff of changing into lycra, road shoes etc. . - I have also found that through short but intensive interval training (30 to 45 mins) I have made far more progress than with regular several hour long rides. - I reserve those for Saturday or Sunday mornings with pals.

As regards the dragonfly, I'll probably post something on the headphone forum as Dale has quite extensive knowledge of it (and others).

 

[CnoEvil]

My pleasure has to be derived vicariously, by getting friends to spend money on HiFi. I'm in the "Sin Bin" until further notice.

 

[Vladimir]

People actually plan this madness??? *shok*

 

[Native_bon]

Yea we do plan this madness. *biggrin* Apparently family & friends say its waste of money.

 

[Native_bon]

Thinking may be just get a midi system for music & sound bar for movies*lol*

 

[Al ears]

People actually plan this madness??? *shok*

Apparently so. Cycling is out for me, photography is in, but have no intention of upgrading currSent kit.

If I am going anywhere now it's a visit to Tom Evans to upgrade current phono preamp.

So pretty much where I want to be on Hi-Fi front now, it's taken me long enough to get there, the major failings at my age are currently my own ears sadly. Until I can find a way to upgrade them all ' out is wasted I feel.

 

[matt49]

My unhealthy hobby is pretty cheap: just a new pair of running shoes every six months or so.

On the hifi front, my next purchase will be the latest upgrade to the Audiolab MDAC, which will include an ADC and the capacity for digital EQ. In the mid-term this will do DAC, preamp and EQ duties in my main system, replacing the DSPeaker Anti-mode.

 

[bigfish786]

Sold my beyerdynamics a few yrs ago and regret it.

Want some decent ones to use while on holiday.

 

[richardw42]

Don't intend on buying anything apart from a new Apple TV when it's released.

I just need to put the finishing touches to my HC. Blackouts, wall mounting the front speakers and calibrating the pj.

 

[Native_bon]

My unhealthy hobby is pretty cheap: just a new pair of running shoes every six months or so.

On the hifi front, my next purchase will be the latest upgrade to the Audiolab MDAC, which will include an ADC and the capacity for digital EQ. In the mid-term this will do DAC, preamp and EQ duties in my main system, replacing the DSPeaker Anti-mode.

I did an upgrade of the original power supply to the Linear power supply. Really happy with the improvement. I have yet to hear of the digital upgrage. Is this done by the same company?

 

[Covenanter]

Don't intend on buying anything apart from a new Apple TV when it's released.

I just need to put the finishing touches to my HC. Blackouts, wall mounting the front speakers and calibrating the pj.

Your pajamas need calibrating?

Chris

 

[MajorFubar]

Saving up to junk the lot and go active, still retaining my Mac Mini as a source. Hitting the great Bay of E will be black Cyrus 2+PSX, Cyrus Tuner, Marantz PM66KI, Marantz CD63KI and possibly my EB2 loudspeakers, though equally they may end up in their box in the loft, being as I am one of a handful of people who was lucky enough to actually manage to get a pair of these speakers, in fact they are the very pair that WHF reviewed. All of this will be next year though.

 

[rainsoothe]

Hah! Awesome thread. Shure SE215 in-ears for my mobile phone, the new Marshall smartphone and a Pioneer PLX 1000 - when funds allow, ofc, since I'm in a bad monetary period

 

[richardw42]

Don't intend on buying anything apart from a new Apple TV when it's released.

I just need to put the finishing touches to my HC. Blackouts, wall mounting the front speakers and calibrating the pj.

Your pajamas need calibrating?

Chris

they need it

 

[dalwen]

if funds allow a new networked stereo amp/dac/receiver: Yamaha R-N602 / Onkyo TX-8150 / Pioneer SX-N30

 

[Native_bon]

Well drummerman, most hobbies are expensive. Am in to cycling as well & made very good use of the few hot weeks we had this year. I also do music production at home, so looking to buy some software for producing. On the side of hifi. I think am looking to dwn size. Getting a Qnap TS-453mini, New oppo player & active 5.1. Will be looking at a slim line range of active speakers. Also looking at getting the linn Seanky DSM player. Going to be a total reconfiguration. My only worry, I may not get the power & control I have with my current system. *sad*

 

[paulselwood]

My next upgade, will be my last. Naim unitilite. Hoping to have one before xmass day.