Roadmap

So, I have decided on a course of action. I’m doing more of a sidestep than a downgrade it turns out. Physically things will be smaller. But still very very good.
I have retained my phono front end with my Shindo-fied Garrard 301 and EMT cartridges and A23 step up transformer etc, as well as keeping my dCS Network Bridge.

The new things will comprise a Kondo Overture PM-2i integrated amp and its matching GE-1 phono stage. These I have bought second hand and they will be winging their way from Europe to me imminently.

The dCS will feed into an Esoteric K-05XD SACD player/DAC. I might even plug my TV into it.

The speakers will be the new DeVore Fidelity O/Bronzes. I heard the Overture with a pair of O/96s a few years back, and it was an amazing combination, and these will be even better. I also considered a pair of Voxativ 9.87s, or a pair of Maxonic speakers from Japan, but I am familiar with DeVore, and love his products and philosophy. Not to mention the price.

As sad as it has been to have to sell my Shindo stuff, I have managed to retain a system that appeals to me sonically and philosophically, and achieved my goal of downsizing and extracting some funds from my hifi assets. Fortunately the Shindo bits and pieces have found good homes. People who will cherish them as I did and who will enjoy and appreciate them.

I’m hardly slumming it with this new system and am very grateful to be able to own equipment of this calibre. There have been other changes as well, cabling has changed, and things like that, but I will post about that at some point in the future. There may be some other small bits and pieces come up for sale that I will want to move on, but we will see how it all goes. I’ll also archive all the previous gear pages because I think they could be useful to people maybe.