Started the year with 1541/V281 as my primary setup, driving most often LCD-24 and Diana v2. I could have stopped there and been plenty happy with the sound I was getting.
Alas, I wondered what else is out there and decided to jump to a Formula S + Powerman. That was a highlight in that it was the highest tier piece of gear I’d experienced, and was enough better to convince me to sell the V281.
From there, I decided to go down the portable rabbit hole and decided that since I have a small desk maybe I’d just go entirely portable. That brings in the L&P P6 Pro and out goes the Formula. The P6P was an eye opener, and really gave me possibly the biggest ‘can’t un-hear it’ moment in my journey up to that point, especially in combination with the Rhapsodio Infinity Mk2.
Finally, I end the year on a high note, bringing in a few things I’ve had my eye on for a while, but a promotion and some good luck made it possible. The chain of Aqua La Voce S3>Crayon CHA-1>Susvara/Mysphere 3.2 came together over the last couple months of the year and is in another realm altogether. I’ve never heard (really felt) such a void in the blackness of the background and empty spaces between notes. The detail and nuance are hard to wrap my head around, which I’m still doing as I’m still getting to know everything.
So, in the end my effort to simplify in 2021 resulted in a portable and primary chain that I don’t really feel the need to make at significant changes to any time soon. So, in a way, I guess it worked.