Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

[duke86fan]

this is not saying audio dealers aren't good in some ways, demoing a product at a hifi shop seems like a good idea and its not like audioquest products are objectively terrible (i have heard some wild praise about the red and though the cobalt is pretty expensive it does seem like a decent improvement), just that there is definitely a bias towards certain brands. look at a TON of different reviewers from what hifi to stereophile/analog planet to tech radar to hivinyws to zeos to whoever

 

[displayname]

I'm not having it that the P6 is better than the 1200/10 GR. It's proper flag waving bollocks

This is where you've got to look at the details... Notice that although WhatHiFi has formal reviews for the 1500C AND the SL-1000R, they don't have a formal review of the 1200GR. They have a "hands on" article, but not a formal scored review. Therefore it's not eligible to be WHF best at 1000-2000.
That's not to say their reviewers haven't heard it. To be honest, that's not to say some of their staff might not have it at home. But these are the little details you have to consider with every award. Why haven't they reviewed it... could be SO many reasons. Honestly, maybe they have but Technics wouldn't sign off on certain wording so it hit the cutting room floor. It happens.

definitely a bias towards certain brands. look at a TON of different reviewers from what hifi to stereophile/analog planet to tech radar to hivinyws to zeos to whoever

Here's another thing to consider. A lot of these companies, especially the non-audiophile ones, are looking for one thing - views. When products like the dragonfly come along and get praise from a big pub, it creates some buzz. Which is exactly why people pay for these publisher relationships.
But now why would hivinyws, zeos, and other blog/YouTubers want to review these products if they aren't interested? Well, the search volume is crazy. They are brining in those VIEWS. So they front the money to get it. And why do they love it? Well, like I've said before, most stuff really isn't BAD for it's price point. Most people are putting out decent stuff. It's easy to love decent stuff, especially if you're getting it for free (or from patreon money). It's 90x easier to love if you spend $300 and you know the video is going to generate 5K in revenue this year.

Just remember reviewers can try to be honest, but they ALWASY have an MO, which inherently creates some form of bias.

 

[Corycm]

Y’all are gonna rile up @Ed Selley in here.

 

[BattleFlag]

So I went in to the local audio/hifi dealer I made an appointment with last week. Got myself a brand new Studiodeck, which they are prepping and mounting with an Ultratracker, which is courtesy of the wonderful Mr. @AnthonyI !!! Picking it up tomorrow after work. Hey

I also decided to audition some phono stages at the same time, as I figured I might as well do both right now. I think I’m going to go with the 110LP V2 from Moon By SIM Audio. (https://simaudio.com/en/product/110lp-v2-phono-preamplifier/) It sounded really excellent against anything else in the price point ($500 CDN). Anyone have experience with any products of theirs?

 

[duke86fan]

Y’all are gonna rile up @Ed Selley in here.

i dunno what he uses so i cant do anything but rile him up

So I went in to the local audio/hifi dealer I made an appointment with last week. Got myself a brand new Studiodeck, which they are prepping and mounting with an Ultratracker, which is courtesy of the wonderful Mr. @AnthonyI !!! Picking it up tomorrow after work. Hey

is the ultratracker really a great cartridge, i heard good things but when i reach that boujee stage im still trying to think of what cartridge i'd put on a thousand dollar turntable (maybe keeping a grado or ortofon, maybe going with the hana MC cartridge, maybe just the ultratracker)

 

[Hollywood]

So I went in to the local audio/hifi dealer I made an appointment with last week. Got myself a brand new Studiodeck, which they are prepping and mounting with an Ultratracker, which is courtesy of the wonderful Mr. @AnthonyI !!! Picking it up tomorrow after work. Hey

I also decided to audition some phono stages at the same time, as I figured I might as well do both right now. I think I’m going to go with the 110LP V2 from Moon By SIM Audio. (High End Phono Preamp | 110LP Phono Preamplifier | MOON - Simaudio) It sounded really excellent against anything else in the price point ($500 CDN). Anyone have experience with any products of theirs?

I've never auditioned their phono stages but their integrated amps, preamps and power amps are exceptional high-quality and high-performance products. Canadian manufacturer based in Boucherville, QC that recently celebrated it's 40th anniversary.

 

[Santi1392]

I’d pass, as Boston Acoustics has gone out of business.

If you want some small reasonably priced speakers, check these:

Amazon.com: NHT SuperZero 2.1 Premium Home Theater Bookshelf Speaker - Clean, Hi-Res Audio | Sealed Box | Mini-Monitor | Single Unit, Gloss Black (Renewed) : Electronics

Amazon.com: NHT SuperZero 2.1 Premium Home Theater Bookshelf Speaker - Clean, Hi-Res Audio | Sealed Box | Mini-Monitor | Single Unit, Gloss Black (Renewed) : Electronics

www.amazon.com

Or

Amazon.com: NHT SuperOne 2.1 Premium Home Theater Bookshelf Speaker - Clean, Hi-Res Audio | Sealed Box | Mini-Monitor | Single Unit, Gloss Black: Home Audio & Theater

Buy NHT SuperOne 2.1 Premium Home Theater Bookshelf Speaker - Clean, Hi-Res Audio | Sealed Box | Mini-Monitor | Single Unit, Gloss Black: Bookshelf Speakers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Thanks for the reply!

Are you recommending against Boston Acoustics because it would be hard to find replacement parts for repairs? Or what does the company being defunct have to do with the products that are still available?

And thanks for the recommendations. Definitely going to look into those, especially considering amazons generous return/exchange policy.

 

[HiFi Guy]

Thanks for the reply!

Are you recommending against Boston Acoustics because it would be hard to find replacement parts for repairs? Or what does the company being defunct have to do with the products that are still available?

And thanks for the recommendations. Definitely going to look into those, especially considering amazons generous return/exchange policy.

Yes, replacement parts may become an issue.

 

[BattleFlag]

is the ultratracker really a great cartridge, i heard good things but when i reach that boujee stage im still trying to think of what cartridge i'd put on a thousand dollar turntable (maybe keeping a grado or ortofon, maybe going with the hana MC cartridge, maybe just the ultratracker)

I will be able to give a better idea once I get it up and running. It’s my first foray into a more expense cart.

 

[BattleFlag]

I've never auditioned their phono stages but their integrated amps, preamps and power amps are exceptional high-quality and high-performance products. Canadian manufacturer based in Boucherville, QC that recently celebrated it's 40th anniversary.

Yeah, the Canadian connection is a nice bonus. Everything I have read about them speaks to a pretty solid reputation.

 

[Hollywood]

Yeah, the Canadian connection is a nice bonus. Everything I have read about them speaks to a pretty solid reputation.

Absolutely! And usually their products are far more expensive than that. In comparison the 310LP is $2,300. So at that price point you can't go wrong. I mean I'm even considering it.

 

[AnthonyI]

i dunno what he uses so i cant do anything but rile him up

is the ultratracker really a great cartridge, i heard good things but when i reach that boujee stage im still trying to think of what cartridge i'd put on a thousand dollar turntable (maybe keeping a grado or ortofon, maybe going with the hana MC cartridge, maybe just the ultratracker)

I gotta be honest, you make it really hard to offer up an opinion because you're response is always ".....but I heard". I mean no offense and as I've said numerous times, we are here to help, but it doesn't seem your really interested in the opinions given. I'll go back to one of my prior responses, your looking for something specific that only YOU can understand or hear, so no amount of opinions and or reviews from whatever source you're looking at will ever suffice. You're going to need to bight the bullet at some point, if you're actually interested in moving up the ladder, or be happy with what you have because it seems like you'll find a negative in whatever you move to.

This isn't an exact science because, again, we all hear and like different things. I hope you find what you're looking for, but these conversations are just treadmills, going round and round with no actual end in sight.

 

[AnthonyI]

A little used gear props to give out in a sea of new gear. 2 weeks with the Jolida and it's really coming into it's own, when everything warms up a bit, combined now, with a Goldv3 that's opening up as well, it sound amazingly detailed, warm, open and all those good things. So don't shy away from a good used deal if you come across one

 

[duke86fan]

I gotta be honest, you make it really hard to offer up an opinion because you're response is always ".....but I heard". I mean no offense and as I've said numerous times, we are here to help, but it doesn't seem your really interested in the opinions given. I'll go back to one of my prior responses, your looking for something specific that only YOU can understand or hear, so no amount of opinions and or reviews from whatever source you're looking at will ever suffice. You're going to need to bight the bullet at some point, if you're actually interested in moving up the ladder, or be happy with what you have because it seems like you'll find a negative in whatever you move to.

This isn't an exact science because, again, we all hear and like different things. I hope you find what you're looking for, but these conversations are just treadmills, going round and round with no actual end in sight.

thank you for the response.... you are right. i do have a habit of finding the negative in everything i hear, i think i am figuring out what i am wanting to get (i like things fairly bright in the 500 to 4K region). so i will be waiting until march to upgrade with the ortofon blue that lord diaper baby thankfully offered to give to me. i think i am really well with my turntable for a while. i already upgraded my headphone amplifier to a schiit magni 3+ yesterday (should be coming on monday). and i will have fun with what i have for now until i upgrade or sidegrade in a little while (also thinking of getting some grado headphones after a friend found them perfect for me)

 

[HayesWeighsIn]

thank you for the response.... you are right. i do have a habit of finding the negative in everything i hear, i think i am figuring out what i am wanting to get (i like things fairly bright in the 500 to 4K region). so i will be waiting until march to upgrade with the ortofon blue that lord diaper baby thankfully offered to give to me. i think i am really well with my turntable for a while. i already upgraded my headphone amplifier to a schiit magni 3+ yesterday (should be coming on saturday). and i will have fun with what i have for now until i upgrade or sidegrade in a little while (also thinking of getting some grado headphones after a friend found them perfect for me)

Nice! Give yourself some time to enjoy the new gear. Those both sound like great upgrades for you.

 

[duke86fan]

Nice! Give yourself some time to enjoy the new gear. Those both sound like great upgrades for you.

i already have planned updates for my digital an analog setup

1. schiit magni (already bought)
2. ifi hip dac
3. DT 770s
4. Ortofon 2M Blue (thank you @Lord Diaper Baby i owe you so much)
5. grado sr80e/hifiman sundara (i like something fairly bright and V shaped so grado is the most likely. maybe one day i'll move to the weed phones)
6. Mofi Studio/UltraDeck (will take probably years to go to this point)
7. a whole new cartridge (thinking moving coil but maybe not)

 

[Splunders]

A little used gear props to give out in a sea of new gear. 2 weeks with the Jolida and it's really coming into it's own, when everything warms up a bit, combined now, with a Goldv3 that's opening up as well, it sound amazingly detailed, warm, open and all those good things. So don't shy away from a good used deal if you come across one
View attachment 69259

I couldn't agree more. The only new items in my system is the cartridge, streamer and my speakers, and I would have loved to get the speakers and streamer used if I could. I've saved $2,100 over retail in total, which basically paid for my speakers after my Zu DW trade in. There are many reputable online companies selling used gear with in home demo periods and warranties.

 

[Santi1392]

Yes, replacement parts may become an issue.

Thanks for the follow up! Repairs are not something I typically consider, but definitely should when it comes to equipment 20+ years old.

 

[Rip_City]

I gotta be honest, you make it really hard to offer up an opinion because you're response is always ".....but I heard". I mean no offense and as I've said numerous times, we are here to help, but it doesn't seem your really interested in the opinions given. I'll go back to one of my prior responses, your looking for something specific that only YOU can understand or hear, so no amount of opinions and or reviews from whatever source you're looking at will ever suffice. You're going to need to bight the bullet at some point, if you're actually interested in moving up the ladder, or be happy with what you have because it seems like you'll find a negative in whatever you move to.

This isn't an exact science because, again, we all hear and like different things. I hope you find what you're looking for, but these conversations are just treadmills, going round and round with no actual end in sight.

I realize that I might be piling on here as @duke86fan already responded to you @AnthonyI, but I can't help but feel that this ties into a bit of advice HiFi Guy stated earlier this year, which was directed at duke86fan. I don't bookmark many posts, but over half of them are expansive paragraphs of advice and knowledge (often accompanied with easy to comprehend analogies) that HiFi Guy has shared and have been immensely helpful, to say the least. When in doubt, I'll refer to those aforementioned posts.
As for the relevant post (edited some sentences out):

To plan for the future? In audio? You’ll have to learn the hard way like I did. Make mistakes. Expensive ones.

Or you can benefit by heeding the advice of those with far more experience than you have. Accept the advice you are freely given here. You are drawing from a group with literally over a century of experience that has no attitude, no agenda- we just want to help people.

Audiophiles listen to gear. Music lovers listen to music. That’s the difference between most of the Ortofons that I’ve heard and Grados. But that’s just me.

Only you can find what makes you happy. I’ve found what works for me.

 

[Hollywood]

@BattleFlag came across this article this morning
110LP v2 Phono Amplifier From Moon - The Audiophile Man