downgrade advice needed...

Flog the CD5 and get a NAS...

Simple

Flog the lot except CD5

Get a Nait 2 or Qute/nSats or other Bookshelfs plus the new Planar 3

b_lund posted:

Simple

Flog the lot except CD5

Get a Nait 2 or Qute/nSats or other Bookshelfs plus the new Planar 3

Good call.

Certainly the Headline and its PSU could go, unless you prefer it enough over the 272's HP out.

I'm curious, what are the 'bass extenders'?

ChrisSU posted:

Flog the CD5 and get a NAS...

Or change the aries mini for Mac Mini + Auduirvana. Not sure if OK into 2Qute or if Gustard U12 would be beneficial (I belive the 2Qute has better isolation than Hugo, just not sure how good. No NAS needed (no need to move files on network) unless wanted for some other reason, e.g backup.

+ rip all LPs and then flog the turntable etc (there should be no loss of quality, and vinyl compression and any imperfections and thus character will be preserved)

ChrisSU posted:

I'm curious, what are the 'bass extenders'?

Speaker stands.

Oh, no, they're base extenders...

Hi Stefan -- why both a 272 and a 2Qute?

Keep the CD5, sell everything else and get a Nait 5 (pick your version) and a pair of IBLs. 

Could you please tell us why you want to downgrade and how you enjoy your music? You might get better answers ...

I would take out the 242/200 and bass extenders, and the 2Qute of course. Not even a downgrade IMHO.  

Chag -

I'd keep the 272, XPS, 250, B+W, perhaps the Thorens and accompanying stuff. I can't see the need for a second streamer (auralic/2qute) or the bass extender.

Stefan, out of curiosity how is the auralic/2qute combo?

Innocent Bystander posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Flog the CD5 and get a NAS...

+ rip all LPs and then flog the turntable etc (there should be no loss of quality, and vinyl compression and any imperfections and thus character will be preserved)

I once considered ripping my vinyl, but decided it was cheaper and easier to buy used CDs to replace the albums I really wanted to listen to. I then went one stage further and kept just a single NAS/streamer source to declutter my rack. Now life is simple!

Innocent Bystander posted:

ChrisSU posted:

I'm curious, what are the 'bass extenders'?

Speaker stands.

Oh, no, they're base extenders...

So they serve as both bass extenders and a base extender?

I don't think the OP is looking to replace the B&W 804 D2. If that's the case, the 250 DR will likely stay.

ChrisSU posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Flog the CD5 and get a NAS...

+ rip all LPs and then flog the turntable etc (there should be no loss of quality, and vinyl compression and any imperfections and thus character will be preserved)

I once considered ripping my vinyl, but decided it was cheaper and easier to buy used CDs to replace the albums I really wanted to listen to. I then went one stage further and kept just a single NAS/streamer source to declutter my rack. Now life is simple!

Not sure how that is cheaper? I ripped a few hundred LPs, and have subsequently replaced about  a third to improve sound (especially lower noise floor) - however once ripped replacement can be as and when.

I omitted to agree no need for CD5. 

ChrisSU posted:

I once considered ripping my vinyl, but decided it was cheaper and easier to buy used CDs to replace the albums I really wanted to listen to.

Cheaper to buy a redundant used CD instead of ripping the existing vinyl album? How does that economic model work? Did you sell off your vinyl for a better price?

jfritzen posted:

I'd keep the 272, XPS, 250, B+W, perhaps the Thorens and accompanying stuff. I can't see the need for a second streamer (auralic/2qute) or the bass extender.

Presumably the bass extender, whatever clever  component it is, is to extend the bass which otherwise is not adequately extended?

I figured to get decent LP rips I'd need a record cleaning machine, a decent ADC and some sortware....and a lot of time. I only had about 300 LPs that I was really bothered about, and if you're not in a hurry, you can pick up used CDs for between £1 and £5. So fot me it was a much cheaper option. 

I used it as an opportunity to listen to every LP (400+). Playing for the rips was as per normal, so noise from accumulated dust (I didn't have a specialist cleaner - and I wish I was aware of the benefit a couple of decades earlier!) is in all the rips: but no different from what I would hear if I had retained the LPs - and no further deterioration. 

It was an interesting exercise, some not having been played for a long time, reminding myself of some music, and deciding to discard a few (maybe 10% or so). Maybe something everyone should do from time to time with their collections!

Innocent Bystander posted:

jfritzen posted:

I'd keep the 272, XPS, 250, B+W, perhaps the Thorens and accompanying stuff. I can't see the need for a second streamer (auralic/2qute) or the bass extender.

Presumably the bass extender, whatever clever  component it is, is to extend the bass which otherwise is not adequately extended?

Perhaps, but then I would simply buy an n-Sub or so. SNAXO plus PSU plus 200 seems to be a bit too complicated for the task.

jfritzen posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

jfritzen posted:

I'd keep the 272, XPS, 250, B+W, perhaps the Thorens and accompanying stuff. I can't see the need for a second streamer (auralic/2qute) or the bass extender.

Presumably the bass extender, whatever clever  component it is, is to extend the bass which otherwise is not adequately extended?

Perhaps, but then I would simply buy an n-Sub or so. SNAXO plus PSU plus 200 seems to be a bit too complicated for the task.

Except active isn't to increase the bass extension but improve control over the drive units and avoid degradation by the speaker's passive crossover. Maybe the extender is a sub?

This seems not to really be a question about downgrading at all, rather about rationalisation. There seems to be an awful lot of superfluous stuff. Why not just keep the 272, XPS and 250, and a suitable phono stage. With the cash freed up the main system can be maxed out with Powerlines and really good speaker wires. 

Innocent Bystander posted:

jfritzen posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

jfritzen posted:

I'd keep the 272, XPS, 250, B+W, perhaps the Thorens and accompanying stuff. I can't see the need for a second streamer (auralic/2qute) or the bass extender.

Presumably the bass extender, whatever clever  component it is, is to extend the bass which otherwise is not adequately extended?

Perhaps, but then I would simply buy an n-Sub or so. SNAXO plus PSU plus 200 seems to be a bit too complicated for the task.

Except active isn't to increase the bass extension but improve control over the drive units and avoid degradation by the speaker's passive crossover. Maybe the extender is a sub?

Perhaps it's time for Stefan to explain his bass extender, before speculations grow any further . IF the B+W could be used actively (which they can't AFAIK), then the SNAXO would absolutely make sense and I would upgrade the 200 to 250DR too. But I think the SNAXO/200 drive some other speakers to mimic a sub?