I've sold off my Eico HF-60 monoblocks, Quicksilver preamplifier, and, most important of all, the VPI Aries 1 turntable. As to why this large step was made, it was a matter of listening habit. My main system, which was located in the basement, just wasn't getting the airtime that it needed. Instead I've been doing most of my listening upstairs on my family orientated stereo. Yes, this second system does not have the high fidelity bonafides of my main rig, but it certainly is more enjoyable over a wide variety of music. What it does lack is some sort of soundstaging and ultimate dynamics.
Instead of fruitlessly trying to pursue the impossible dream of an ultimate stereo - and all the trouble that brings - I've decided to scale back my aspirations and concentrate on the joys of music.
With that in mind, I will be using the Dynavector 10X5 cartridge paired with the Dual CS-5000 turntable. I will then replace the Nakamichi receiver with a McIntosh 2100 amplifier and some sort of preamplifier, possibly the McIntosh C-27. These older pieces will not have the definition of my old main system, but I am hoping to reach a happy medium of musicality and audiophile sound quality - truly a difficult balancing act.
More later!