Future proofing .....

ca1ore

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2010
72
8
353
..... In the sense that I've bought a lot of expensive gear over the years, much from manufacturers that are either long out of business or under different ownership, that I'd like to keep running. Read an interesting article in Stereophile today (yes, I still read magazines ..... drive a Model T and have a landline phone) about longevity versus performance. I'm in my mid 50's, hearing is not getting any better and thus I have no need of 'better' equipment. But I would like my gear to at least last as long as I do. I've found a really competent amp tech (former Krell tech), and he's already repaired a critical amp that I feared was to become an expensive paperweight (it's the 'brains' of my Genesis speaker system, so not easily substituted). I have also bought up parts and components where I could, though key 'holes' exist.

What are folks doing to future proof your systems?
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2011
3,242
1,764
1,260
Alpharetta, Georgia
Well I just got a DAC that runs an FPGA chip. So I am off the train finally for every 1-2 chip upgrades. Just a firmware update via web download on the PS Audio site. So at least for digital audio that is one way to go.

Amplification is harder but I have managed, with some mods, to get 20 years out of an Audio Research VT-100 amp that sounds much improved due to an upgrade to KT-120s and more modern capacitors.

Part of this may be mental too. Can we train ourselves to keep gear for longer term that is musical and still be happy not to have the latest and greatest? For many, it will prove challenging...

..... In the sense that I've bought a lot of expensive gear over the years, much from manufacturers that are either long out of business or under different ownership, that I'd like to keep running. Read an interesting article in Stereophile today (yes, I still read magazines ..... drive a Model T and have a landline phone) about longevity versus performance. I'm in my mid 50's, hearing is not getting any better and thus I have no need of 'better' equipment. But I would like my gear to at least last as long as I do. I've found a really competent amp tech (former Krell tech), and he's already repaired a critical amp that I feared was to become an expensive paperweight (it's the 'brains' of my Genesis speaker system, so not easily substituted). I have also bought up parts and components where I could, though key 'holes' exist.

What are folks doing to future proof your systems?
 

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