Incoming! The New Equipment Thread

I’m going through some major system changes. We need some room in the house… my wife and I both have aging parent(s), kids that are back home, both WFH full time, etc. My dedicated music room just seems selfish at this point so I’m making changes….

My current music room will become my wife’s office/guest bedroom. I am doing a wholesale change in my system and switching to a headphone setup until my Decware 300b is ready in 18-24 months. I’ll be relocated to the upstairs loft, where my wife currently works, for the immediate future.

I am selling/trading the whole setup. I acquired a Woo WA5-LE upgraded and ordered a new pair of Western Electric 300b’s. My wife convinced me to not abandon vinyl completely but I traded the MoFi and Pass for the Woo.

In comes a table from a site that I have been watching for years… Vinyl Nirvana. I previously had a TD 160 stock and really loved it. At the time I was running two tables and moved the Thorens on. But I’ve missed it. After I traded the MoFi I went to VN and saw a TD 160 w/SME3009 upgraded that I also previously had and loved. Its everything I want in a table. My Shure V15 III w/Jico stylus has been locked in a drawer long enough. View attachment 221000
Over the weekend I will ship out the M700u, the PL Evo 300, the Harbeths and the JBL sub.

Trying to figure out if I want to keep the Node and D-03x or if I want to switch to an Auralic or HiFi Rose DAC/streamer. Anyone have any experience with them?

A lot going on but I’m looking forward to the changes.
Was looking at the table today on the What's Spinning thread. Thorens, SME and Shure ... what's not to love?
 
Picked this Rogue RP-9 preamp up used for about 50% of new price. Insane deal with very low hours. My ears are still adjusting to the new sound. It's changed the tone of the system completely.

Extremely clean and precise with the 6H30P tubes. I've traded off a lot of the tubey goodness from the Perseus Magnum. Wasn't expecting this much change with swapping out the preamp, especially from the same manufacturer.


Not sure I am totally in love with the change yet.
It's kinda like a new Porsche vs the old V8 Camaro with a carb that could be tuned with 12V tubes, all analog and very simple signal path.


More seat time needed.


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With the EVO 400 on its way back to TMR for service, I have a Marantz Model 30 Integrated on the way to pair with the SACD 30n.

I’ve never had a Class D in the system but am looking forward to giving it a shot as I love the SACD 30n. Assuming the Model 30 is all it has been reported to be, I’ll likely keep the PL EVO 400 upon its return and switch back and forth for a while.

Considering that the Marantz is supposed to be polite on the top end, and the MoFi SP10’s typically thought to be a little tilted towards a sparkly high end, I’m also considering a change from the C7’s to the SP10’s in the next month or so to see what they bring to the table.

I don’t plan on buying any other items for a long time. I’m really hoping to ride this setup for a while.
 
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I will give it a go and share my thoughts
I will be shocked if it is not worth $1k as a DAC. It would not surprise me if it is an excellent $1k DAC based on LiAV’s track record. I am using it as a USB DAC. Not expecting it to punch way above its price point. We shall see.
I like to spend other people’s money. Your review won’t be complete unless you try the DAC with the DDC. 😂

In all seriousness, this Laiv DAC has me intrigued. I may pick one up and compare it to my Geshelli J2S. The OG Laiv Harmony is already on my shortlist.
 
I like to spend other people’s money. Your review won’t be complete unless you try the DAC with the DDC. 😂

In all seriousness, this Laiv DAC has me intrigued. I may pick one up and compare it to my Geshelli J2S. The OG Laiv Harmony is already on my shortlist.
The price is right
At around $1k I max out on DACs
I am having a custom LPS made for it so that puts it at $1.3k plus I am using a DDC LOL
 
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