There have been various threads about downsizing systems in one way or another - is it a real trend or just a few people? And of course there have been numerous threads about upgrading, inevitable perhaps on the Naim forum - but are most people somewhere on an upgrade path or is it just that those that do either ask or tell? And there are other threads where people have indicated they are sticking with what they have - is that rare or actually the majority? Something said in a recent thread expressing a view on what is the majority thing made me curious, wondering just what sort of proportions of people are doing one or another, so I thought a poll would be interesting.
For consistency the following meanings apply:
Upgrading means changing something with the aim of improving sound quality, but excluding minor adjustments or tweaks, say costing less than ÂŁ100.
Downgrading means changing to lesser system or component despite anticipating sound quality to be not as good.
Short to medium term means the coming 2-3 years
For people with multiple systems this relates to the best/highest sound quality one. And it doesn’t matter what brand or brands are involved.
This poll is meant for people who have had hifi for a while not new entrants, so please do not vote if it is less than 5 years since you started with hifi.
Explanations welcome!
Up - Do you expect to upgrade your system in the short to medium term?
Down - Do you expect to downgrade your system in the short to medium term or have you already downgraded? (If you have already downgraded but 1 also applies, select 1)
Stick for now - Do you expect your system to remain essentially as it is now forat oeast the short to medium term but have expectation or intent of upgrading in due course
Stick for now 2 - Do you expect your system to remain essentially as it is now for at least the short to medium term but have expectation or intent of downgrading in due course?
Stick, that’s it! - Do you expect your system to remain essentially as it is now indefinitely with no intent or expectation of upgrading or downgrading, barring anything arising from outside influences such as unit failure, lottery win, illness/disability etc?
Great thread, I was about to open one myself, with a slightly simpler choice of options; stick, up grade, down grade. I think we can exclude major life style changes, as it’s the intent of the system owner ship that counts. So I voted stick, as any downsizing is beyond your median 2-3 year time frame (whcih seems very short I must add….) for us young fellas
I fine tuned some major cables this year, and that’s me done. Sitting back thumping out Gary Moore’s “Empty Rooms” on the LP12 - epic and loud!
Changed absolutely everything with the exception of my LP12 plinth this year.
That’s it now, finally settled into the ideal system for me.
The same goes for Mrs Q’s system, which retains part of her original LP12 and the Linn Ninka’s I bought her a couple of years ago.
I have cast my vote - BTW my anticipated upgrade does not include any potential changes to source streamer . It is simply that I have ordered a select few units of acoustic treatment which will arrive in the new year.
No, the equivalent would be if you have only had a car, or various cars since at least 5 years ago. It did not say if soneone had not had the same system for that time (but in case unclear I’ll amend the text to clarify).
I did that exclusion because it would seem much more likely that a someone having had a hifi system for less than that would be on an upgrade path as they continue to get into it, and far less likely to downgrade only having just started, whereas I felt the focus would be more interesting seeing what more established hifi enthusiasts are doing. Sorry that you seem to find it offensive in some way.
I have more important things to concentrate my disposable income on currently and am likely to reduce work hours in the very short term before fully retiring in 5-10 years at most. I created a thread a few years ago about retirement (I wanted to) but it’s just not been practical though if I won a major lottery or Premium Bond prize I’d pack work in tomorrow.
Just at that age where I have to be more cautious about what I spend my money on. Should I take some pension a year or so early I might get a reasonable lump sum but as much as I’d love to upgrade my kit fairly significantly I’m more concerned about future financial security and perhaps moving or getting various property updates/repairs which may be needed before too long sorted.
Changes to the Naim range in the last couple of years have also scuppered various stepwise upgrade options which had been on my radar for a while.
So another option in the poll might well be sideways moves.
I’m now very tempted to look into options for changing many components from both Linn and Naim - would be nice to reduce box count but I’m not keen on going for worse overall sound but that said I think there’s also the temptation to go way back to basics and see what a simpler system can provide.
I have recently upgraded my amp to a Nait XS3 and changed speakers to Spendor A4.2. My source is an ND5XS2. That is it for now. In the future I might upgrade to a 200-system or whatever is equivalent at that time. But I would not be surprised if I change my mind by than and go all-in-one.
I voted NO to upgrades, even though I’m contemplating buying a Denon 110 aniversary headshell/DL103 for £400. Although maybe not an upgrade as I use a DL103R.
Plus maybe a Primare CD transport for £1800, not really an upgrade, as I don’t own a CD player.
But good idea for a poll. An insight on reality is always a good thing.
My system is pretty much at a point where it will stay for the foreseeable future, but I do hope to upgrade the 252/300 to a Boulder 1110/1163 in a couple/few years.
My NDX2/XPSDR is on the way out, in favor of a Weiss DAC501, but I’m not really calling it an upgrade so much as a change for other reasons.
As long as one can keep a roof over their head and food on the table, it’s quite easy to be content with or without the hifi let alone upgrades.
I suppose the problem is that lately, even some foods I don’t consider exotic are out of budgetary reach. Like a cauliflower, broccoli, and a few courgettes cost more then a new cartridge on one of my decks. I kid you not.
I think cost of living has been a big issue for a whole heap of people basically since 2008 really and many are in the same boat. Stagnant wages, rising costs really does have a huge impact.
I guess bearing in mind the economic backdrop this poll ought to make moderately encouraging reading for Naim and other manufacturers with a decent proportion of people still hoping to upgrade at some point.
I voted with stick where I am, but I am not ruling out an upgrade in the medium term. I am very very happy with the system as it is, so am super satisfied. In my room the system sings in a very natural, satisfying way. Also: I am retiring in less than two weeks! My wife and I are fortunate in that we will have a comfortable income in retirement, but are not completely sure what our disposable income will be and how we will spend it. We will see!
Voted up. Current system is 8 yrs old. Except speakers (4 yrs) but they are not to be replaced.
With voting UP, its my intention to get a new system ( amplification/ stream source) next summer.
With the ambition actually going up the SQ scale a bit. But unfortunaly also much more on the € scale. Hifi prices went up in these 8 yrs and i need a lot of €€ to even keep my system on the same level as before.
Like my system was 14k €in 2018 for a power amp, pre and a multiplayer ( streamer and cd combined).
I have 3 possible replacements:
New and higher line of the same brand :AVM 6.3 line ( with an update thats coming in 2026?).
Simaudio 600 North Collection (or the lower specced Compas line the moment seperates arrive.)
Naim NC 200/300 series. —> currently I am fully on 350’s. With an additional 222/300 or even 332/333 thats makes Naim the most expensive option.
First option is the most straightforward: New generation and moving up 1 level in the line up of my current brand. Negative is the low amount of dealers and a bad trade in value. Ofset partly when buying again the same brand. Benefit that cables can be kept for now without changing.
Simaudio / Moon has my interest. Sounds good, looks good,brand quality seems well regarded.
Naim is the new interest. Love my Nova. But seems Naim has the most premium pricetag. My first 222/250 experience was dissapointing. More expensive then my current set, way less SQ. NPX 300 fixed that but then i ended up looking at more alternatives like a full AVM 6.3 or Simaudio also joining at that pricepoint.
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. It is simply that I have ordered a select few units of acoustic treatment which will arrive in the new year.