Downsizing the gear over time
- Thread starter Nitin K
- Start date
In the first twenty years of my journey, I used to have an elaborate set up. Monoblocs, preamp, transport, dac, clocker, power conditioner, etc etc.
In the last 10-12 years I have moved to just a source, integrated amp and speakers. Have tried to keep it as simple as possible.
In the last 10-12 years I have moved to just a source, integrated amp and speakers. Have tried to keep it as simple as possible.
This is something I've been grappling with over the last few years. A one-box solution (streamer+DAC+Amp), and a pair of speakers would be great for saving space, complexity and ease of cleaning (I clean my place myself). Unfortunately, selling the current setup and buying new kit inevitably means a big loss on sale, and a huge downgrade on buying (I'm not comfortable with spending big money on HiFi any more).
I did downsize somewhat the last year, by virtually giving away my TT setup and records to a dear friend. I should do the same with my CDP and CDs, but I'm finding it hard to get my mind around to doing so.
I did downsize somewhat the last year, by virtually giving away my TT setup and records to a dear friend. I should do the same with my CDP and CDs, but I'm finding it hard to get my mind around to doing so.
Exactly the same phase, I am going through, maybe since I dont have a dedicated room. Not that I have too many components, but would want to go in the future with a smaller, simpler & easier to maintain gear with decent sound.
Last edited:
Looks like this is a common theme! Over the years i moved down from a Rotel AVR pre-amp / power set-up to a Marantz integrated AVR - though i eventually also went for a separate 2 channel system with a TT. Realized that i was no longer excited about loud bangs and thumping bass in movies but preferred cleaner music quality.
Does that qualify for downsizing?
Does that qualify for downsizing?
It sure does but you would be your best judge since it is subjective
Actually more than the gear, it is about the line of thought.
Last edited:
Same boat here - from multiple boxes to simplified solution. Primary system is now active - so removed the amps boxes too. Just chugging along with actives + DAC. The simpler the solution the more use it gets from me now
COOLDUDE7808
Active Member
Not downsize exactly ... But I am not able to throw , sell , give away i.e part with my gear . So I have 5 amps , 4 CD players , One Universal Player and 4 sets of speakers . And two Equalisers , one Tuner , RCA cable etc etc . Hopefully sometime in the future I will have just two sets .
Also a huge CD collection which has been built over 25 years means , Unless I hit upon something wherein one box (with CD Player) sounds good to my ears , I dont think I will ever be downsizing .
In my mind when we enjoyed music on portable stereo systems , that was downsizing - we had no choice . Now I dont plan to go back .
Also a huge CD collection which has been built over 25 years means , Unless I hit upon something wherein one box (with CD Player) sounds good to my ears , I dont think I will ever be downsizing .
In my mind when we enjoyed music on portable stereo systems , that was downsizing - we had no choice . Now I dont plan to go back .
The Active Studio Monitors (Roon > Laptop > USB Interface > Studio Monitors) in my home office see about 80% more play-time than my main system. I load Roon as soon as the laptop is open, and just play. (The Roon Server is switched on every morning as soon as I wake up, and it is shut down before I sleep).Same boat here - from multiple boxes to simplified solution. Primary system is now active - so removed the amps boxes too. Just chugging along with actives + DAC. The simpler the solution the more use it gets from me now
Hoarder!!
I'm the same.
I have repurposed and spread my old rigs. At my parents' place, my boy's room, etc
The main rig is hard to get rid of.
<streamer> --> DAC --> tube pre --> amp+sub
Cheers,
Raghu
Yes. I've gone through some simplification
But nowhere near an all-in-one
There are some very good all-in-one rigs these days though
Cheers,
Raghu
I was using a raspberry Pi as a music streamer mainly to use as a roon endpoint. I am using my PC as a roon server. So my setup was PC>Rpi>DAC >Yamaha integrated amps>Floor Standers. Too much of cables in my living room due to LAN cables and adapters. I was using roon to mainly to stream from Tidal and to play my personal collection. Then I realised that my Yamaha is an All in One ( inbuild streamer with Tidal support, DLNA and inbuild DAC - Burr-brown) I have removed the Rpi and DAC and started streaming from PC directly using Yamaha app as remote control.
My personal collection in on Plex home server ( free ) which is steamed via DLNA and I will be cancelling the roon subscription next month ( saving 1400 Rs/month). I am even considering renewing my Plex pass subscription to take advantage of the Plexamp premium features. ( around 400 rs/month).
My personal collection in on Plex home server ( free ) which is steamed via DLNA and I will be cancelling the roon subscription next month ( saving 1400 Rs/month). I am even considering renewing my Plex pass subscription to take advantage of the Plexamp premium features. ( around 400 rs/month).
Similar zone, scaling down to minimalist setup. Toss between an active setup or a singular source, an integrated amp and speaker. Most listening happens in the car, crawling through traffic, the home system does not get a workout
Lizard King
Well-Known Member
Same feelings/experience.
Main room system consists of TT/Phono stage/CD+Streamer/Pre/Power/Speakers.
Auxiliary system 65" OLED/AVR/5.1 speakers.
Plans to upgrade TT+ cart + phono/Power cables + conditioner.
Only thing missing is time to listen
Thinking of getting rid of AVR/5.1.
Main room system consists of TT/Phono stage/CD+Streamer/Pre/Power/Speakers.
Auxiliary system 65" OLED/AVR/5.1 speakers.
Plans to upgrade TT+ cart + phono/Power cables + conditioner.
Only thing missing is time to listen
Thinking of getting rid of AVR/5.1.
Have accumulated many gears and components over time and finally last month onwards had put decent effort to downsize. Downsizing does not necessarily means subpar SQ. It's exactly the opposite. After decades of experimenting with various gears, and after iteration and critical listening you finally arrive at the end game setup you finally want.
I too am possibly arriving at my end game setup finally this month. This means you can see many "For sale" post from me next month onwards as I do not want to look back.
I too am possibly arriving at my end game setup finally this month. This means you can see many "For sale" post from me next month onwards as I do not want to look back.
Yelamanchili manohar
Well-Known Member
Iam in the same boat, or trying to get into the same boat. All going well, it will be active with miltichannel purifi amps + multichannel dac + streamer + roon. Iam hoping the Hypex plate amps keep getting better by then. Then it will get rid of a lot of cable clutter and multi power amps.
I have already scrapped many kg of cables last week as putting them for sale or give away post was more of a hazzel for me. There are couple of speakers and drivers for sale which I shall be starting with next month onwards.
Manoj Nair
Member
Hi
I also agree to the point of view.
I have 4 Preamps,1 streamer ,2 power amps,1Integrated amp ,1tone control, 1 Graphic Equalizer and 2 CD Players ,3 sets of speakers and numerous CD collected over the last 30 years .
Difficult to Part .....
Thanks
Manoj
deafbong_kolkata
Member
The only thing worth upsizing , not downsizing , in this hobby , after 20 years in it , is physical media … vinyls , CDs , reel to reels. A vast library of physical media of one’s favourite music with a ‘decent’ setup far outstrips in enjoyment a room full of exotic hardware with a handful of so-called ‘audiophile’ CDs , or , worse , just a subscription to Tidal or Qobuz. IMHO.
Purchase the Audiolab 6000A Integrated Amplifier at a special offer price.
Similar threads
