Oh does it ever end? I've recently added a pair of Quad 989's to my system. It sounds fantastic. The question I have at what point do you say it's the best it can be? I love the YBA, but I hear the Quads work well with tubes. I'm thinking of the Manley Snappers at 100wpc. any thoughts on my system?
You've got a sweet system there. I, too, own the Passion and love it. I just let go of my Cardas Golden Reference which was a wonderful match from Prima to Passion. I'm, passively, breaking in my new Harmonix Golden Reference ICs on my tuner. I purchased theGolden Performance based on reputation and what their Studio Master power cords were doing in my system. Also a good buddy of mine swore that he liked them better than his Valhallas. He's got a pair of ears I trust. That was reason enough for me. A price I could live with, as well. Always a factor.
I have made a few changes to my system. I've replaced my amp with the YBA Passion integrated. I've also added a Sim Audio Nova CD player. The system sounds absolutely famtastic. My next move may be cables any comments on my cables.
Your sound system looks good. Especially, JM Lab speakers look impressive. You have been doing so far so good. Why do you want to change speakers? Changing speakers is a hardest upgrade in hi-end. It will be hard to your back and ears. There is no guarantee that new speakers will sound better than your JM Labs. Finding optimal position for new speakers will take 6 months. New speakers will commend you to buy new amps. What was a last time you changed component? Not too long ago? Don't do it. Just enjoy your sound system for at least a month.
In case, if you can't enjoy your great system, please try Mi-Horn. It's time your brain and ears should have a break. Mi-Horn will deliver musicality to your system. When a sound system is musical, one doesn't need for a sound stage, focus, imaging, full body sound, tone, etc. Just listen music and feeling great. Forget about upgrade for a while. Actually, forever. Mi-Horn will be easy on your back and bank. Get Mi-Horn installed and just enjoy music forever. I guaranteee that you will be happy. Or 100% money back.
Yes, "I" would hear a difference. Would you? I believe so, but I can't give you the gurantee you seem to want. You seem to be a little insecure about your abilities to hear differences. Nobody on the 'gon has the power to change anyones mind. We suggest, you listen; and then you decide. "Am I going to really get a big improvement?" That's kind of like saying; is it worth spending $8000 on a Capitole MKll for a 10% improvement in sound over the (little brother) Audio Aero Prima. If I had the money: it would. 10% is a bfd to me. Maybe not to you. You have a very nice system. Maybe you should worry about what you hear or don't hear, and go from there. We're splitting hairs in the hi end game. That's what all the fun is about. peace, warren
I went with the Music Fidelity dac which made a world of difference. I'm now using the Rotel only as a transport. I'm curious by going with an upgraded cd what will that buy me. The Rotel was recommeded in stereophile and others. If it had a weaknesses it had to be the dac. I've heard great things about the Nu Vista cd player. They said this dac would sound similar to the mf cd player. Am I going to really get a big improvement? Do I can the dac if i get a new cd player? it seems like a lot for a transport. Your thoughts?
Change that front end. 10K? You have a very high class problem. You could go with the Audio Aero Prima, the baby brother of the Capitole, and that alone could blow you away, and leave you with plenty of pocket money to do some other things. Maybe a trip to Florida? There's, of course, many other cdps to think about. I own this particular one, and love it. If I had the bucks I would have gone with the Capitole. The Prima is quite an amazing cdp. Read my review. Many times, a post like yours, will give you a million different threads, going every which way; but it seems to be, pretty clear, that your front end has to go. good hunting, warren
Sea2, Rives is correct in that you should have someone do it up front. I have looked at the plans Rives draw up for various types of rooms. They have all been specifically tailored to each room based on a appropriate budget. They are great!
Sea2: I agree with everyone about your front end. There are many options. If you are concentrating on Redbook CDs, then I would highly recommend the Altis CDTIII transport and Reference DAC. Altis went out of business so you can get this $10,000 set up for under $2500. I would not be in a big hurry to switch out your monitor speakers. If you don't feel the Rel Storm is blending well with them, consider the Art of Sound subwoofers. I went from Dunlavy SC-IVs to Dunlavy SC-Is with a Tycus subwoofer with significant improvements in bass and mid-range. I would suggest you investigate the various forms of vibration control, vibrapods, Black Diamond Racing cones, Aurios MIB, etc., plus some good equipment stands. Also, you will see improvement with power cords. The Virtual Dynamic power cords are wonderful but there are many good ones on the market. As far as electronics, you might consider the Supratek Chardonnay (line stage preamp) or Syrah (preamp with phono section). If you stay with your monitors with a sub, look into a SET amplifier. Let's see - Did I spend your $10K...
Altis Transport and DAC - $2500 Supratek Chardonnay - $2400 (including shipping, duty, and remote) SET Amp - $2500 Power chords - 4 @ $500 = $2000 Vibration control - $600+++++
I also strongly agree with Rives about room considerations...
If you get too frustrated considering all the options, I will be glad to spend the money for you...
Sea2: It sounds like you understand the importance of the room. While I still don't know that much about the current room (such as ceiling height--always an important factor and the rest of the furnishing) it sounds like you have spent some time on it and the speakers seem an appropriate match for that size room.
I would offer one piece of advice for the new room. Have an acoustical engineer look at your plans first, or better yet help design the room from the ground up (given your constraints--such as size, budget, and aesthetics). The result will be far better if design good acoustics in rather than try to tune the room up at the end (particularly if something was not designed right in the beginning). It's not much more expensive to build a first rate room, but it can be costly to fix one.
GO with waht Lak suggested first. I did a post on theis a few weeks ago. Second, get the front end up to speed. Geta CEC or Audio Note transport to go with your DAC or try the Audio Logic or Audio Note DACs for some of the best analog sounds. The Gamut one box and Nu & Tri-Vista players are also very good.
The Current Room Is 12X14 WITH A 2 ft. offset behind the speakers . I have the electronics in there and a tv. The ceiling is angled over the speakers. I've hung carpet on the back wall facing the speakers. I'm actually building a new house with a dedicated listening room/library. This room will have acoustical insullation and very textured walls. We'll have PS audio hospital grade sockets and a dedicated line to the room. Once it's built I'll have someone come in and tune it.
I concur with the folks who say upgrade your front end. Your CDP is not at the level of the rest of your system. If you don't mind saving some money, you could check out a Shanling CD-T100 with NOS tubes. Otherwise I'd listen to Linn's best, SimAudio, and all the other guys' suggestions too.
Once you get your new player, look downstream. The suggestions about AC lines and room treatment are nice too, but IMHO get a new source first.
Tell us about your room. This is something that is troubling to me (and of course I'm biased here), but we talk about all the equipment and system synergy as to what works together--but frequently don't say a thing about the room. I consider the room the "invisible component", while it may actually be more visible and have a greater sonic impact than any single component. My point is, it's frequently invisible in terms of our priorities, perhaps because it doesn't come in a box with a this end up sticker on it.
You may have a great room. If so--more power to you and you can then get your money's worth out of an additional $10k in hardware. If your room isn't right then consider spending some of that getting it right--or better (you need not spend it all). Our company offers these services, and we do initial evaluations without obligation--we'll even tell you if the room is good and/or if it would take many $$$ to make it much better--and that won't even cost a dime.
Okay, sorry if I'm on my "room acoustics" horse. It's a vocational hazard. But I do mean well; anyone that's spent over $10k on a system is not connecting (or even considering connecting) their system with lamp cord and $3 interconnects. But I can tell you there are many many people that have spent $20k - $50k and often more, and they've never really considered the room as an important part of creating great sound. It bothers me, because at that point the effects of the room and the cost/benefit of changing the room becomes far far better than any equipment upgrade.
Okay, that's enough--I need to give the horse a rest.
Great advice from Lak. Shouldn't cost but a fraction of your $10,000. Next i would seriously consider isolation racks or platforms. These two suggestions, and the room is where I would start any system. If you try these, you may not feel a need to improve your gear at this time. The best place to put you money is to follow Lak's advice.
I heard Florida is pretty chilly these day's. Try California. It's 80 plus and I got all the fans blowing.
You have many options to substantially improve your system with $10,000. In my opinion, your speakers are already ahead of the rest of the system. I would address source and amplification first. In light of what your have said in your post, I assume that you like tube sound. Consider a Rowland Concentra II integrated. Yes, it's solid state but quite warm, smooth and "tubey" in character. Alternatively, what about a used Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista CD Player and integrated amp? With current used prices, you might get both for about half of the ten grand. I bet you would like the new Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista equipment also. I love my Tri-Vista SACD, and if the amp is anything like it, it will be fab. These two would be more than $10K, but if you sell off the other stuff, you could make up most of the difference. If you just must have new speakers, consider Wilson Benesch ACT Ones for your $10,000. I've listened extensively to the Mezzos, and I own the ACT Ones. The Mezzo Utopias can go a little lower than the Wilson Benesch speakers, but the ACT Ones have far greater resolving power and much less coloration. They both image incredibly well. that's my two cents' worth.
Good Lord Man!!!! Upgrade your front end first and get it into the same league as your speakers! Plenty of excellent CD players and DACs out there and they won't cost you 10K, hell you could pick up a Levinson 37 and 360 combo for 5K. Lots of other choices, too - especially if you like a one box player. Use the extra 5K to improve your amp. If you get anything back from your original gear you'll still have enough money to play with your speakers (depends on your room size) or go to disney World for a few days. Your system plus 10K??? Woah......
