2024 summary and plans for 2025

[Yelamanchili manohar]

I was a good boy in 2024, and didnt do much system wise. Maybe a few embellishments here and there to optimise the existing components, mainly the network side of things, but no change in any of the major components otherwise. And yeah... I bought some drivers for my next speaker build.

Come 2025 I want to look at improving the power supply and clocking on the digital side again.

So how was 2024 for you, and any plans for 2025, now that the year is coming to an end.

Happy new year in advance

 

[deafbong_kolkata]

Well , I visited Axpona audio expo in Schaumberg , and got to interact with the slightly insane Michael Fremer , dropped in to listen to , among other things - the 275,000 USD ClearAudio Statement TT, the 750,000 USD Sonus Faber Suprema run by Dan D’s Relentless monos, and got heavily frowned upon when I meekly suggested to play me some Led Zep instead of the tiresome Holly Cole and Diana Kroll.

 

[bornfi]

In 2024, I accidentally got to try the oldest Weiss DAC2 and was surprised to hear its abilities of dissection and presentation and ended up replacing the dCS Debussy with Weiss' DAC501 MarkII.

The interesting part is that I had been neglecting this brand by just reading somewhere that it uses ESS chip but for me it kills the cliché about ESS chips that is abundantly present on the internet.

For 2025, I do not have any plans owing to the performance of my current setup that is so so engaging and fulfilling.

 

[Phani24]

upgraded Ave,Sub and center. Got power amp in 2024.
2025 plans to upgrade L and R speakers.

 

[prem]

I will be trying a sub woofer and a vintage EL 84 amp.

This whole vintage EL 84 amp comes from the reasoning that speakers from the 50s and 60s like my Axiom 80 would have been voiced with the available amps then. Those were all push pull in that era. Using either EL 84, KT66 or EL 34. SET tube amps were not a rage then. Leak, Tekefunken, Fisher, Quad, Scott, Marantz, Mcintosh made push pull amps using one of the 3 above tubes or their electrical equivalents

 

[sreejithsreedharan]

I bought a Hegel H190 and a Denafrips Ares 15th this year. My plans for 2025 include purchasing a good CD transport and exploring the possibility of building a dedicated audio room.

 

[Hari Iyer]

I indulged in the below in 2024,
- RME ADI-2 AD/DA Converter
- Shangling ET-3 CD Transport
- New Sealed box speaker - DIY
- New exponential horn for my JBL Selenium compression driver
- New plinth for Thorens table
- New hybrid phono preamplifier (tube+ mosfet) - DIY

Have completed fine tuning and voicing too. Not planned anything for next year as of now

 

[AP@1992]

Things accomplished:
Full ranger Alnico + SET
One lifetime Push Pull amp to satisfy my tube rolling itch.
Acquired hell lot of tubes (300b, EL34, 6sn7, KT88, ECC32, 82, 88, 5998, 6080 and likes.)
Set up a Headphone Chain consisting of OTL + HD650.

Things I need to figure out/sort:

Between Weiss Minvera and Pontus II, I need to finalise my DAC for main system OR venture into a nice DAC with Tube Output.

Work towards sorting my wifi network system and upgrading components to improve performance of my U2 mini.

Between CD transport and TT, finalise one source component and work towards acquiring one.

Consciously take a effort to listen to music than gears. Music discovery and acquisition is going to be a primary goal.

 

[hifimaddy]

I had been dreaming of owning and collecting vinyl for a very long time, but due to the vinyl pricing, I took my hands away. But in 2024, the dream comes true. I brought the SL1200MK2 and collected more than 20 records. I am not looking into the number of records I own; rather, I am collecting very selective ones that I listen to regularly. So this 20 records is a big number to me.

In 2025 I am planning mostly for high-end DIYs. I am very amateur in electronics, so I already started discussing with other experts all around the world. My plan is to build a phono preamp, a line-level tube preamplifier. and maybe a DAC, but I am not sure about this now. also manifesting horn-loaded speakers maybe in 2026

Advance Happy New Year to everyone!

 

[prem]

I will only be trying out a sub in 2025. Not a vintage amp. The Thoress is sounding very very good. No point experimenting with more amps. Change in plan

 

[ssf]

2024 I got my Marantz SR 7010 back from repair. 2025 I will be trying my best not to send my Marantz SR 7010 back to repair.

 

[mbhangui]

2024 I have attempted to make my wires neat. Converted all my commercial RCA cables to cables with ethernet twisted pairs. Repositioned few equipments within the rack, etc. I have kind of reached a good satisfaction level with the equipment and sound quality. Just need to explore super low frequency extension. 2025 I will now focus on making listening more comfortable, like using switches to switch amps, dacs, speakers, sources and body comfort when lying down and when sitting and reading comfort

I have tried sofa, chairs with cushion. For movie I find sitting, lying down, lazing on a foam mattress on the floor to be the most comfortable. It allows me to work late and take naps whenever needed. For music listening after trying many different combinations, I have finally settled on amazon basic zero gravity chair. The big advantage is that I can easily move the chair when I want to watch the tv. The issue with the chair is the neck support and foot support. Thinking of getting ottoman stool and some kind of cushion that fits the chair. Few things already on the way

1. Floor lamp besides my chair



2. Plenty of Pillows
3. Few headphone stands to hang my headphones neatly
4. Storage boxes from Ikea to keep cloth dust covers for equipment
5. automatic Room freshener dispenser
6. Table besides the chair to hold a proper glass to hold CH3CH2OH.
7. Mini Refrigerator
8. Hidden cabinet to store CH3CH2OH and hide it from rest of the family members.
9. Exhaust fan in the bathroom to expel smoke during breaks
10. Few more OK Google activated switches
11. Start using the kindle

 

[Yelamanchili manohar]

automatic Room freshener dispenser
6. Table besides the chair to hold a proper glass to hold CH3CH2OH.
7. Mini Refrigerator
8. Hidden cabinet to store CH3CH2OH and hide it from rest of the family members.
9. Exhaust fan in the bathroom to expel smoke during breaks

I could use all the above too .

But comfort is an often overlooked thing. The overall aesthetics of the room and the comfort are very important to how we perceive enjoyment.

I need to redo my room, as my previous painting scheme turned out looking horrible in the end.

 

[Bhaskar Jyoti Talapatra]

2024 was a good year for me. I bought some LPs and CDs that I thought I would for so long. Fortunately I could also get some 78 rpm shellac at a reasonable rate. Though I am a vinyl lover , I thought of adding a streamer in my existing audio chain just to see how I liked it. I didn't run after the costly streamers because of budget constraint. Besides this, my experience with streaming was limited to Bluetooth speakers like Bose soundlink revolve plus and Philips . I was a bit sceptic about adding a streamer as I thought I would not like it . However, before the Puja I saw an advertisement selling a pre-owned wiim pro and I bought it. I am happy with this streamer. In the coming year I will perhaps buy another TT and some cables . As usual like before I will buy LPs.
Happy new year in advance.

 

[prateekatasniya]

I could use all the above too .

But comfort is an often overlooked thing. The overall aesthetics of the room and the comfort are very important to how we perceive enjoyment.

I need to redo my room, as my previous painting scheme turned out looking horrible in the end.

Hire an interior designer- make 3Ds before getting it executed.
Use colours found in nature.

 

[souravin]

This year has been accomplishing to me. I have scored a wonderful pre-owned pair of Spendor A5 speaker, a Lyrita phono stage, Shure V15 Type IV cart with original stylus, Ortofon 2M blue cart and two identical Technics 1200 mk III in black colour and many many vinyl - mostly second acquisitions but near mint LPs or EPs to justify the lovely audio rig, I have been able to collate. Also a Marshall Stanmore III for son which is mostly used as a desktop PC speaker. Somehow I didn't like light colour Technics 1200 mk II and hence the change to black colour mark III. Also treated my small listening room with acoustic panels.

There is nothing in wish list for 2025 as of now , may be an EAR clone phono stage. Many many thanks to my friends in this forum to choose me the right stuff within my limited budget.

 

[oracle1974]

2024: Added subwoofers to my 2-channel set-up. Changed the wiring in my room.

2025:No new purchases planned other than tubes, vinyl and CDs. Plan to renovate my room in the second half of 2025 and have a new rack and optimally use the space in my room.

 

[sbg]

2025:
1. Plan to replace 15 year old AVR(2310) - not used since 2+ years and a lot Blu-rays still packed.
2. Pick a DAC
3. A lot of Vinyl are being released - pick few that can fall in my listening bucket(80s-00s+).

4. To make up my mind at some time early
put 1 and 2 on backburner and concentrate on 3.

 

[joell]

2024 was the year of upgrades
- Upgraded to EBI Audio TT and Audionote IQ3 Cart from Project Debut TT
- Audiolab 6000a to Sudgen A21 Signature
- Upgraded phono tubes to Telefunken ecc83
- Topping d50s to Audio Note 1.1x DAC
- Upgraded all cables to Siltech & Crystal cables.
- added ISOL8 mini-sub & Lindemann Bridge.
- Few LP's


2025:
Broke

 

[vnmathur57]

In 2024 I just simplified things. Bought Marantz NR 1200 & Amazon Firestick and disconnected DAC, phono preamp, AVR along with HT speakers. Also disconnected Tata Play and D2h. Now quite satisfied with this simple 2 channel setup which is connected to the TV also. Due to rising population in the house, it was not possible to have long & peaceful listening sessions very frequently. With this simplification, I can easily change over from Jazz Blues to Ba Ba black sheep , as and when demanded by the little ones.
In 2025 - being unable to find anybody to replace belts in my Nakamichi 480 deck, I have decided to do it myself. I only have to find space for its burial in case the operation fails.