Also looking forward to integrating the Great Heils in one of my systems.
2023 Audio Plans
- Thread starter asilker
- Start date
Not directly audio related ( it does have a sound system ) is the 2023 Maverick hybrid I ordered in Sept. Hope to get a build notice by late spring or early summer.
I don't think I could hold my soldering iron too steady if I held it that waypro tip #1. Wear pants.
pro tip #2. Don't get too much how-to information from the internet.
I am embarking on one of my plans for 2023 this week, as I now have the parts "in-house".
I am going to upgrade the four $2 capacitors in the tube stage of my Schiit Freya+ to four ~$90 miniature oil-damped advanced metalized audio capacitors (ODAMs), from V-Cap….AND I also plan to cut-out the top plate of the unit and install 2 air-vents to allow more heat dissipation from the preamp. In it’s current design the top plate really is a heat trap. It gets quite hot from the 2 transformers inside, not just the tubes. YES…I am using all online information and video to take on this project! 😀
I am going to upgrade the four $2 capacitors in the tube stage of my Schiit Freya+ to four ~$90 miniature oil-damped advanced metalized audio capacitors (ODAMs), from V-Cap….AND I also plan to cut-out the top plate of the unit and install 2 air-vents to allow more heat dissipation from the preamp. In it’s current design the top plate really is a heat trap. It gets quite hot from the 2 transformers inside, not just the tubes. YES…I am using all online information and video to take on this project! 😀
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Consider me tuned in! Oh and welcome to the haven!!
Also, I’d not mind a dedicated thread for these mods. I have a Freya myself and have thought if it could be upgraded.
There is a thread for Freya tube-rolling at Head-Fi (the Cap-Mod info is in the more recent pages) and a poster on YouTube called "6AM" has posted a vid of the Cap Replacement…although I plan on mine going a little smoother than his! 🙃
Cutting up the top plate for the vents is in my comfort zone…and I have quite a bit of soldering experience (and all the tools for the project on-hand), but I have just a small amount of soldering experience on circuit boards…That said, this particular project looks doable with all the great "specific" teachings that I have accumulated from different sources.
We'll see! 😳
1. Gear repairs and refurbishment.
- Stax DMA X2 repair (At technicians now)
- Onkyo A-G10, DX-G10 and T-G10 (delayed)
- recap Marantz CD94 & CDA94 (Delayed)
- Carts lined up for retips and refurbishing
- Thin the Harem of Carts
2. Power amp - Love the Goldmund Mim 3 and it stays, but I want another monster amp before I get to the age where I can no longer lift them. Looking for similar sonic ability with more power on tap. Something beefy! Selected and will have it in the next few months.
3. Speaker modification project. I am looking forward to this one. Updating the Pioneer TZ-9.
- Brian Salazar will be taking this project on late Q1 early Q2.
- Still hunting down the TAD Be Tweeter I want to use but have a hard stop if it can’t be acquired/found.
- Also adding and external Super tweeter to the mix, Because, why not?
4. Room treatments - Need to research this one a bit more. But this room has a bit of an echo that needs to be addressed.
5. Music. I fell into a rabbit hole of 15IPS reel tape and that will continue as best I can. Not sure if more Blue Note Tone Poets are slotted for release in 2023. So I may go back and scoop up select titles from the Blue Note Classic Vinyl series as well as Craft Records and Acoustic Sounds
Wish List items and on the fence items.
* Speaker(s) - not sure yet. Either another book shelf (Buchardt S400 MkII) or maybe a small tower speaker? Also have a line on some cool full range speakers that I have always wanted. But I have a smaller room and have some concerns if that is a good direction to go. Another option is a set of Magnepans, LRS or .07? But I am more focused on the amp as I am not exactly dissatisfied with the Sonus Fabers. Just pining for a change, I suppose. Mark this one as a maybe? - Pioneer TZ9 LTD acquired.
* Streamer/Dac -another maybe. Still have not topped the HiFi Rose/Denafrips Terminator II combo as far as sound quality goes. Just not sure if this area is where I want to focus on this year. The North Star Excelsio and Auralic Aries is doing well enough. I have decided to drop Roon as much as I like it. I just refuse to pony up for a “lifetime” license and the price increase is just not something I want to take on. Tidal is also getting dropped and Quobuz will be my main streaming service going forward. I need to tackle this at some point, but I am not sure if this is going to be done sooner or later. - Deferred. Maybe next year or if all other goals are met. Still want something else in this slot, but I don’t think it’s doable this year. But won't say never, just not the priority.
- Stax DMA X2 repair (At technicians now)
- Onkyo A-G10, DX-G10 and T-G10 (delayed)
- recap Marantz CD94 & CDA94 (Delayed)
- Carts lined up for retips and refurbishing
- Thin the Harem of Carts
2. Power amp - Love the Goldmund Mim 3 and it stays, but I want another monster amp before I get to the age where I can no longer lift them. Looking for similar sonic ability with more power on tap. Something beefy! Selected and will have it in the next few months.
3. Speaker modification project. I am looking forward to this one. Updating the Pioneer TZ-9.
- Brian Salazar will be taking this project on late Q1 early Q2.
- Still hunting down the TAD Be Tweeter I want to use but have a hard stop if it can’t be acquired/found.
- Also adding and external Super tweeter to the mix, Because, why not?
4. Room treatments - Need to research this one a bit more. But this room has a bit of an echo that needs to be addressed.
5. Music. I fell into a rabbit hole of 15IPS reel tape and that will continue as best I can. Not sure if more Blue Note Tone Poets are slotted for release in 2023. So I may go back and scoop up select titles from the Blue Note Classic Vinyl series as well as Craft Records and Acoustic Sounds
Wish List items and on the fence items.
* Streamer/Dac -
I for One, admire your gusto!! Cheering you on bud.
I have reluctantly and/or strategically avoiding this thread... perhaps the actual listing of the "to do" items is daunting.
Have been working on a "specialty project" in my shop to allow for anticipated improved integration with my current listening room setup.
In addition to that some aesthetic items, such as painting the front wall.
Then some finalized tweaking and trial with fiber optic isolation and perhaps after market fuses in the Grimm Audio MU1.
Have been working on a "specialty project" in my shop to allow for anticipated improved integration with my current listening room setup.
In addition to that some aesthetic items, such as painting the front wall.
Then some finalized tweaking and trial with fiber optic isolation and perhaps after market fuses in the Grimm Audio MU1.
System simplification (or what gives the appearance of it) and rightsizing:
Replace an AMR DAC and Lumin streamer with a new DAC/Pre/Streamer (this is well-progressed)DONE- Have the AMR DAC serviced
- Build Boris (in preference to the gazillion bits and pieces cluttering the office/workshop (between Feb and May?)
- Clear out some older gear (after May)
- Rebuild or breakdown the 6C6-2A3 directly-coupled amps
- Downsize my speakers
- Set-up a second system in the office/workshop
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Don't know if I get there this year but the Cornu Spiral Horns are on my build list.
JoeThePop
Known member
# 1 now also complete. Although a temporary setup as I’m waiting for my wife to rearrange things so I can replace this hodgepodge of cabinets/shelving with a credenza. Still, it’s out of the closet.
I need to (i.e., I should) get the carpet stretched in the hifi room 
To do so would require emptying that sucker out. Not an idea that brings me joy.
To do so would require emptying that sucker out. Not an idea that brings me joy.
So axactly when do you expect hell to feeze over ? 😇I need to (i.e., I should) get the carpet stretched in the hifi room
JoeThePop
Known member
I think it actually did in Dr. Hardy's neck of the woods last week. Guess he missed it.
ICTWoody
No longer a junior member
Okay. Now that I've had a bit over a month of 2023 to let the dust settle, here's what I've done already, and I'm thinking for the remainder of the year.
Already done in 2023:
1. Sold a shit load of gear. I really don't have much to sell left. Maybe some small items like carts / headshells.
2. Purchased a new preamp (Denafrips Athena)
3. Purchased a new DAC (Audio Mirror Tubadour MK3 SE)
4. Move streamers/sources around.
List of wishes for the rest of the year - by system:
Office rig:
1. New speaker stands for the JBL 4309's - Probably SolidSteel.
2. Dial in subs and tune. Perhaps adding MiniDSP for LF managment - TBD
3. Maybe a different digital source, but for now my NuPrime Stream-9 is working fine.
4. MAYBE. BIG Maybe, exploring a speaker option more up-market from the JBL's...
Listening/TV Room:
1. Dial in acoustics with MiniDSP SHD Studio I just got feeding the Meadowlark Kites.
2. Maybe add a sub or two in there... not sure if I really need to.
3. Slim chance of a dramatic update to the Kites to replace the MiniDSP plate amps with external PuriFi amplifiers being fed by my MiniDSP SHD (not the SHD Studio).
Big Room High Efficiency rig:
1. Get the dang Onkens set back up.
2. Maybe a new active tube preamp - Thinking Don Sachs or Supratek. Would like to try that vs. the passive Bent Audio.
3. New rack solution since I moved that rack into the office rig.
4. Setup and really dial in the Lenco TT.
5. Would need phono preamp for this rig - TBD
6. Perhaps a digital frontend upgrade. TBD
7. Measure in-room response of this setup... which I've never done.
Other projects:
1. Finish up at least 1-3 pairs of Altec projects. 604's, 416-8A and 416-8B's waiting in the wings along with Lycan 808, and Emilar bowtie horns etc... Need to plan.
2. Get a small setup for my wife's office/hangout room - KEF LSX 2's most likely.
3. Start planning for my Hifi Bar venture. Shhhh. It's secret.
Already done in 2023:
1. Sold a shit load of gear. I really don't have much to sell left. Maybe some small items like carts / headshells.
2. Purchased a new preamp (Denafrips Athena)
3. Purchased a new DAC (Audio Mirror Tubadour MK3 SE)
4. Move streamers/sources around.
List of wishes for the rest of the year - by system:
Office rig:
1. New speaker stands for the JBL 4309's - Probably SolidSteel.
2. Dial in subs and tune. Perhaps adding MiniDSP for LF managment - TBD
3. Maybe a different digital source, but for now my NuPrime Stream-9 is working fine.
4. MAYBE. BIG Maybe, exploring a speaker option more up-market from the JBL's...
Listening/TV Room:
1. Dial in acoustics with MiniDSP SHD Studio I just got feeding the Meadowlark Kites.
2. Maybe add a sub or two in there... not sure if I really need to.
3. Slim chance of a dramatic update to the Kites to replace the MiniDSP plate amps with external PuriFi amplifiers being fed by my MiniDSP SHD (not the SHD Studio).
Big Room High Efficiency rig:
1. Get the dang Onkens set back up.
2. Maybe a new active tube preamp - Thinking Don Sachs or Supratek. Would like to try that vs. the passive Bent Audio.
3. New rack solution since I moved that rack into the office rig.
4. Setup and really dial in the Lenco TT.
5. Would need phono preamp for this rig - TBD
6. Perhaps a digital frontend upgrade. TBD
7. Measure in-room response of this setup... which I've never done.
Other projects:
1. Finish up at least 1-3 pairs of Altec projects. 604's, 416-8A and 416-8B's waiting in the wings along with Lycan 808, and Emilar bowtie horns etc... Need to plan.
2. Get a small setup for my wife's office/hangout room - KEF LSX 2's most likely.
3. Start planning for my Hifi Bar venture. Shhhh. It's secret.
Well I'll be damned, #1 and #2 are accomplished. Actually #2 is kind of ongoing.
I was really on the fence about going SS or tube, and I have fallen in one direction. It wasn't one of the shortlist brands, and I wasn't considering it really. Out of sight out of mind. But the ad turned up at the right price, and things just happened. It arrived today, with no apparent damage and functioning normally as far as I can tell, which is a relief.
Nooo, not the Bisons!
