Component(s) of your audio system that are "end game" and you don't have the urge to upgrade?

The upgrade itch can be overwhelming at times, especially for those of us that have separates.... but let's approach it from another angle. What part(s) of your system are "end game" and you don't have the itch to upgrade them?

Maybe you are on of the lucky ones that is truly "enjoying the music" in complete contentment without thinking "..... I still need to upgrade this...." Audio Nirvana!!!

 

I'm done with upgrading. Only when things break will they be "upgraded".

I've sat in demo rooms with equipment priced at tens of thousands of pounds more than my equipment, and I've remained either pretty unimpressed at the difference, or the feeling that my modest setup sounds pretty bloody close to it.

 

Turntable: Technics SL-1200GAE
Amps: McIntosh MC-452 + ATI AT3007
Disc spinner: OPPO UDP-205

Zero desire to ever upgrade any of these, even if someone dropped 100K in my lap.

 

I’m satisfied to the point that my entire system is at “end game” status. The only cause for replacement would be due to equipment failure that would be too expensive or impossible to repair. I’m not looking forward to when that day comes.

Sure, some people on this forum own far more impressive systems, although I’m not convinced that they are receiving any more enjoyment from their gear than I am from mine. As I was pointing out the other day, even those around here on the low end of the hifi ladder are still enjoying better music playback than over 99% of the population.

 

Bwahahahaha.

That is a good one.

I'm going to upgrade. Once I can't upgrade any more, I'm going to downgrade.

And so it goes, and so it goes...

 

I think I’m all set for a great long time on speakers, ATC SCM19v2. I only foresee an upgrade if my living room somehow got bigger.

The only other component in my system that I reckon I’m done upgrading is an Oppo 105d. Not really because I think it’s the best disk spinner I’ve ever heard, but the chances are very slim that any manufacturer will ever produce another player that sounds as good and will do SACD, HDCD, DVD, etc.......all in one box.

 

I love my TT (E.A.T. C-Sharp) and have no plans to upgrade it. I've thought about upgrading my pre-amp and speakers, but I may just enjoy the music. I'm getting too old to stay on the gear merry-go-round.

 

I think if you are already spending a few hundred £/$ on a single piece of hifi equipment, the chances are these days is that its very good and going further would only be a very minor step up. Mostly of the time upgrading just means it sounds different, not better or more improved over what you had before.

 

At this point I feel like I’m done with my JBL L100 Classic speakers. I’ve owned speakers over 3 times more expensive in the past but I’ll never be able to go back there again and honestly, I don’t feel like I am missing anything with these. I just need to not look anymore!

 

Eddie Current Aficionado Headphone Amp, Senn HD800s and my LP12. Still open about tone arm, cartridge and Phono pre changes in the future. Listen exclusively to vinyl through headphones.

 

Very happy w/my Luxman PD171-A TT and Luxman CL38U SE tube preamp. I have a small room so the Aerial 5T's are perfect and I have a trouble free Bryston 2.5 SST2 amp. Just going to enjoy the music.

 

Rega RP10.

Check.

Done.

 

I'm 68 so getting closer to my personal endgame. I've tested my hearing and I'm currently ok up to 12 khz or so. Do I need flat response to 20 khz apparently mother nature is telling me not so much. In view of that, I'm perfectly happy with my Mapletree Tube preamp, Conrad Johnson MF2300/Jolida 502 p power amps, Magneplanar 1.7's, HSU sub, Rega P3 - Lounge Audio phono preamp. This is my main system, I have 4 other ones to play with as the mood strikes so yes, I'm at the end game and in fact I have to start thinking about the downsizing side of things.

 

My turntable and tonearm are end game for me, Thorens TD124 with a Jelco 750D. I will be upgrading the 2m Blue Cart at some point but IMO its not my current weakest link.
PreAmp MIGHT be end game as well, McIntosh C20, but I will possibly play with alternatives at some point.
Amp is currently an Adcom GFA 5800 and other than the way it looks I don't currently have any issues with it TBH.

I think I will probably settle on some speakers first then audition as many different amps and preamps as possible. Its a process that I will enjoy over the coming years.

 

Reminds me of a Petty song "The looking is the hardest part........" <not waiting for the Petty challenged.......>

I'm feelin' ya man...... I can completely relate. I have a morning ritual that is hard to break of checking certain overseas / local gear sites to see what broke free overnight.... right after the morning coffee is done. Problem is it sometimes bleeds over into my morning meetings and I am sitting there with the headset on mute in a meeting juggling Webex on one screen, some gear site on another and a laptop with the Hoff board. It's kinda sad!

 

I'm mostly done with upgrading. Not because of some sense of having "arrived", but just because the next level up from where I am now would be prohibitively expensive.

I still need to upgrade my cartridge and DAC before I'm completely done though.

 

I bought my Galibier Gavia turntable in 2004 intending for it to be my final table. I have now used it almost daily for 15 years and still feel it is a final purchase. Sure, I upgraded the platter and the motor/controller when updates became available but the basic table is still the same. As a side bonus, it should last for close to forever with virtually no maintenance.

 

I don't upgrade.
I built it right the first time.
I think upgrading is a fool's game.
Best to avoid the constant churn and just plan everything out before you start assembly.
You may have to make a few adjustments in the early stages when things don't go according to the "book" and you find out what reality has to say about things.
But after THAT settles down it is time to just play with what you have and enjoy the sound of live music in your home.
It never gets old.

 

As long as I remain with a moving magnet cartridge,I feel no need to upgrade from my Goldring G1042 and Graham Slee Gold Era V phono stage.

 

SME turntable and arm

 

Have the same preamp (TAD-150), amp (Odyssey Stratos Extreme) and speakers (Odyssey Loreleis) since 2005.

My Schiit Gumby and Auralic Vega are not going anywhere (added in the past two years). I have put a lot of money into my headphone rig the past year and have stopped looking.

 

Reminds me of the line in Princess Bride "He's mostly dead!"

Some of us will be eternally mostly done with our upgrades I'm afraid.......

 

One end game piece I have are my Daedalus Orpheus, especially since I am adding a set of Daedalus subwoofers. The other are probably my EAR 509 amps, if anything I would add a different pair of amps. Everything else has an upgrade path.

 

I need to restore my speaker crossovers - someday, sooner than later.

Then... MC (Mission Complete).

 

Rega RP8, Rega Aria & Lehmann Black Cube SE, cambridge tuner, Cambridge CXU universal player.

On upgrade list: amplifier, speakers, cart