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2008 in review

PHC1

PHC1

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Were there any significant changes to your system or something that in your opinion made a monumental or revolutionary improvement to it in 2008? There were 2 in my system.

1. Upgraded from SF Cremona Auditors to Guarneri Mementos. I'd call this upgrade "evolutionary", not "revolutionary". The GMs are a slightly warmer, smoother speaker overall with a more refined tweeter for slightly smoother, sweeter and more forgiving highs, a more lush, seductive midrange and a bit more extended bass. Gorgeous speaker but 3x the price of the Cremona A's.

2. Added 2 JL Audio Fathom subs and a Bryston 10B Sub active crossover. Now this WAS a revolutionary change. Wow! I've never experienced such deep, articulate bass that is very smoothly integrated into my system. Splitting the signal at 70Hz between the amps and the 1500w amps built into the subs as well as taking all the deep bass off the speaker itself, this completely changed my listening. :thmbsp:
 
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Added MDA1000.

Replaced MC252 with MC501s.

Added Rel T2 subwoofer.

C220, MCD201 and SF Guarneri Homage survived another year.

Alberto
 
1. Upgraded to audiophile grade power cords, power distributor, receptacles and plugs. Music got smoother, cleaner, more energetic, and more detailed, background got quieter. These upgrades were evolutionary, much better than I expected.

2. Upgraded from B&W 805S to SF Guarneri Memento. This has made a monumental improvement in my humble system. Everything got better. But the nicest improvement from this upgrade is that I can listen to music longer and louder without getting fatigued. :music:
 
Finally owning my own McIntosh System.

1. Purchased 2 MC275's, initially planned on one.
2. Purchased a C220, ultimately ended up with a C2200.
3. Caught a severe case of the flu that ravages this place.
4. Finally enjoyed music the way it was meant to be.
 
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Just got a Sony HD tuner. Amazing. I posted about it elsewhere. Really a paradigm shift in radio listening, IMHO, and costs far less than a pair of good interconnects.
 
- Start of 2008 bought a s/h REL Stentor III off an audiobuddy to compliment the Strad's - brings a little bit of additional bass weight which is needed in my large room.
- TW Acustik Raven AC-3 turntable with Graham Phantom & Ortofon AS309-S tonearms.
- new equipment stand to put my now 3 turntables onto
- Ortofon SPU Classic E & Royal cartridges with Ortofon Verto SUT for that "SPU" sound.
- Mac C2300 replaced C-46
- Xmas of 2008, TW Acustik phono stage - 3 inputs, pure tube gain - luvely. Perfect synergy with my cj ART pre amp.
- Mac c2300 now relegated to on the fly tone control and additional phono stages thru the cj ART tape monitor.

2009, nothing I hope, except for maybe trying the cj LPM275 tube amplifiers to see if they can dislodge the 2xMC2102's.

happy new year
 
I changed everything, literally. Last June my sound system was a C40, MC300, MCD7009, MCD205, MR7084, Def Tech BP2000 speakers. With the exception of the MCD205, I had purchased the entire system new in 1995, and added the MCD205 in 2004. After 13 years with this system it was time for an overhaul. 2008 was a banner year for shopping stereo gear. I replaced it all.

My main system today is: C2300, MCD500, MS750, MR85, (2)MC501, XLS112 sub, PMC EB1i speakers, Wireworld power cables, Tributaries Silver Series interconnects.

2008 also saw me add a second McIntosh system in my studio, none of which I owned before 2008. The studio system today is: (NOS)C2200, (NOS)MC352, MCD500, MR85, Wireworld Power Cables, Tributaries Silver Series interconnects.

2008 also saw me purchase, and then resell a C42, a MCD301, and a MC275 MkV. I made money on the C42, and lost money on the other two pieces, but recovered some working capital.

Almost forgot. In December 2008 I purchased a MA5100, and a MR74 for my vintage system.

All in all, 2008 was a great year for the sound systems in my home. I am thrilled with the improvements, but my audio funds have vaporized.
 
Bringing things down to earth.........

Off ebay starting in June, I purchased an MX118, an MC2120, an MC2200 and an MC2125. Sold the 2120 when I got the 2125. Completely recapped the 2200, 2125 and my treasured C34V. Acquired a C504 only because the soldering iron was still warm and recapped that unit. Haven't figured out what I'll do with it yet. Converted the 2125, C34V and C504 to LED front panel lighting. I'm working on restoring a Dual 721 direct drive turntable now. I'm just beginning to enjoy listening to it all with my JBL L100's (reworked as well with completely rebuilt crossovers and refurbished cabinets). When the Dual gets finished I will be bringing my large 1960's - 1970's album collection out of the basement. The only negative about the MX118 is that it does not have a phono input!!

John
 
Florida, in main Theater:

Added an MCD500
Added an MPC1500
Added 2 JL Audio Gotham subs
Added 2 MC1.2KW's on side surrounds
Added 1 MC1.2KW to Tri-Amp XCS2K Center
Added Pioneer Elite BDP95FD Blue Ray
Added a PS Audio Power Plant Premier
Added a PS Audio PowerPack 1500
Experimenting with Wireworld Platinum Eclipse Cables


Florida, in Bedroom:

MA6900
MVP871
MCD500
VP1000
XCS350's
XLS112 subs
RGPC 1200
Pioneer Elite Blue Ray
Pioneer Elite Kuro 50"
Wireworld Silver Eclipse Cables

Cape Cod, in Living Room:

MA6600 w/ TM-2
MCD500
MS750
XLS360's
PS Audio Power Plant Premier
RGPC 1200
Pioneer Elite Blue Ray
Pioneer Elite Kuro 60"
JL Audio Fathom F112
Wireworld Silver Eclipse Cables
 
I had a great 2008:

XRT1K's, XR27, XLS320's, MC1.2KW's, MC501, MC252, MCD1000, C1000C, C1000T, VP1000, Sony PS3, Epson 1080UB upstairs.

MX120, MC402, MCD500 downstairs.

Sonos upstairs & downstairs.

Multiple RGPC's both places.
 
Everything is new:

MC252, MVP861, C220, B&W804 S speakers and sold them to buy SF cremona speakers, all new cables, built a dedicated music listening room/library
 
jdandy said:
I changed everything, literally. Last June my sound system was a C40, MC300, MCD7009, MCD205, MR7084, Def Tech BP2000 speakers. With the exception of the MCD205, I had purchased the entire system new in 1995, and added the MCD205 in 2004.
Click to expand...
Then Dan discovered AudioKarma....:D
 
Two..no, make that three systems upgraded

While 2008 was not a good year for me overall, nevertheless some very significant improvements were made on the audio front:

Main system: Finally took delivery on three MC501's, (from the 2007 trade up program) replacing my MC300 as the main system amp, and replacing the MC252 as a sub amp. The 501's are fabulous amps...and though the MC300 and MC252 were terrific performers, I do consider the 501 upgrade as a monumental step forward. :thmbsp:

Florida room system: Thanks to Ivan, an 18" JBL Sub (2241 based) and crossover is added to this system to augment the existing JBL 4313B's. This was obviously a dramatic improvement; the low end performance and musicality from this secondary system is simply superb. This also benefited my office system; as the JBL PB12 sub that had resided in the Florida room system was moved to the office, in place of the PB10 sub that resided there. In addition, the crossover that Ivan provided (BX63A) went to the main system, whilst the older BX63 went to the Florida room. In the end, three systems were upgraded in one swoop...my thanks to Ivan again for making this possible! :thmbsp:

Pete
 
Serge.......Prior to July of last year I was a lurker for over a year, in and out just to see what was going on. After I decided to became a member, and subscriber, I got into it, and have been warmly welcomed by the Mac Club House members. This site is great fun, and I truly enjoy my relationship with everyone here. Occasionally interactions become slightly confrontational, but always in a respectful, well mannered way, and generally arrive at a successful conclusion. Most of the time the communication and interaction is a total blast. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge here, and a willingness to share that is both gracious, and unique. I wish to contribute whenever I can, as well. I also love the humor. There has been some very funny stuff written here.

Oh yes, the flu can be found here, too. 2008 was my worst case EVER! :D
 
On a much smaller scale compared to some of the others here...

1. Started out with the Mac 6300 and PMC GB1 i
2. Used the Mac trade-in program..minus the 6300 for the C220/MC252
3.Two vintage 32 year old Marantz receivers...2235B and 2245 fully restored/rebuilt

Let's see what happens in 2009........new/old toys? :scratch2:
 
jdandy said:
Serge.......Prior to July of last year I was a lurker for over a year, in and out just to see what was going on. After I decided to became a member, and subscriber, I got into it, and have been warmly welcomed by the Mac Club House members. This site is great fun, and I truly enjoy my relationship with everyone here. Occasionally interactions become slightly confrontational, but always in a respectful, well mannered way, and generally arrive at a successful conclusion. Most of the time the communication and interaction is a total blast. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge here, and a willingness to share that is both gracious, and unique. I wish to contribute whenever I can, as well. I also love the humor. There has been some very funny stuff written here.

Oh yes, the flu can be found here, too. 2008 was my worst case EVER! :D
Click to expand...
Agreed, AK is a great place! Glad to have you aboard and judging by the your post count in such a short time, you are a very prolific poster. :D I enjoy reading your well thought out and educational posts. :thmbsp: Oh yeah, the Santa girls weren't bad either. :D
 
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