[woodsyi]

West,

I hoping you will allow the eyes to your circle as well as the ears.

I am dropping off a piece of gear at a dealer tomorrow for an upgrade.  I have to decide by tomorrow whether I want a partial or complete upgrade.  From what I understand, I get whole new electronics fitted in the old box (case and faceplate) in a partial upgrade.  In a complete upgrade, OTOH, I get a new and very fancy faceplate and a much more robust case (not a sheet metal anymore) along with the same new electronics.  It almost costs double (1.8x) for the complete upgrade versus the partial upgrade.  Only advantage I can think of getting the new case and faceplate is for the resale value.  I plan to keep this for a long time.  Is it worth the extra dough for basically the looks (and stiffer and marginally more damped case)?

[whubbard]

Of course!

I feel that the appearance of a system winds up being a huge factor for all of us. My DIY gear doesn't look great, and it gripes me. I wanted a glossy red, home depot gave me a glossy orange  At least the Orions turned out okay. If two systems sound the same, I'm probably going to have a better 'experience' with the better/cooler looking one.

In terms of the cost, personally I would pay $100-$250 for a case upgrade, but no more. For anything more than that, I'm fine with a sheet metal case. I also think it depends on the gear. For a $3000 amp, I would  more willingly pay $250 to make it look nicer. For a $250 amp, no way am I paying $250 for a case. So in sum, for 1.8x, I would personally pass. (Then again, I have orange MDF boxes in my system....  )

-West

[lonewolfny42]

  I plan to keep this for a long time.

Rim....How long is that in audiophile years?

[woodsyi]

  I plan to keep this for a long time.

Rim....How long is that in audiophile years?

I am seriously thinking this gear will be the end of the road for me.  I mean I will have other fish to fry in other systems, but this should be the corner stone of  my statement analog set up.  If I keep it 10 years, I don't imagine the resale value will be much different for a 10 year old look vs. 15 year old one -- both will be vintage. 

10 years should be about an eternity for an audiophile, no? 

[*Scotty*]

Which piece of gear is getting the upgrade, inquiring minds want to know.
Speaking as someone whose power amp and preamp are housed in Par-Metal cases ie.plain black anodized face plates, my priorities are on the sound and not on the sight.
Having said that, my wife is happier with the "new" speakers that replaced my DIY mains and subs,bare mdf on the subs. She is also focused on the sound,if it sounds bad to her no amount of gold jewelry on the case work will allow it past the front door.
Scotty 

[woodsyi]

Aesthetix Io MK 2 going in for the Eclipse upgrade. 

[satfrat]

Is this picture showing that visual impact of the $250 charge? If so, I personally don't see the gain myself but if you do, that's really all that counts. 10 years of staring is a long time to be second guesssing yourself as to the case's aestestics but frankly Woodsyi I wouldn't use resale as an excuse to make this move. After 10 years, neither model will probably be commanding that much higher of a resale valve.

Cheers,
Robin

[Danberg]

My 2 cents...

You will become accustomed to the "new look" in a month or two, and it won't be that "special" any longer.  At least that is what I have found with my equipment. 

I'd lean towards saving the $, apply that to more music or some other equipment goodie!

[woodsyi]

My 2 cents...

You will become accustomed to the "new look" in a month or two, and it won't be that "special" any longer.  At least that is what I have found with my equipment. 

I'd lean towards saving the $, apply that to more music or some other equipment goodie!

You are absolutely right.  I guess I got all wrapped up in the excitement of getting a new thing.  I will be fine with the old look.  Thank you for waking me up.   

[whubbard]

How much would this case upgrade actually cost?
I'm assuming a lot more then my 'max' of $250!

-West

[woodsyi]

Let's just say it's several K's. 

[whubbard]

Yikes!
I would look at like this. If you've been saving up to upgrade these amps, and you have the cash readily available, go for it. The new do cases look nice. If you were only really thinking of doing the electronics upgrade and your stretching your budget for the case I would forget about it, IMHO.

-West