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Advice please on up to $10k to upgrade pre amp, dac, phono, and power amp

I'm looking for advice on where to start looking for upgrading my system.

Planning to keep my sources & speakers.
  • Source 1: Roon from a media PC
  • Source 2: Turntable from Vinyl Nirvana (link) w/ Denon 103r LOMC cart
  • Speakers: Monitor Audio Gold 300
  • S/W: Monitor Audio Good W15
Up for discussion on upgrading:
  • Phono Stage: SimAudio LP3.5
  • Pre Amp: Parasound Halo P5
  • Amp: Emotiva XPA-200
Other Notes: I currently use the DAC built into the P5.  I also us MiniDsp ddrc-22a for room correction & to integrate the subwoofer.

I'm willing to put around 10k to this upgrade (give or take).  Some brands I have been eyeing are: Pass Labs, Simaudio, Mytek.  But I have not auditioned any of them (frankly don't find auditioning in store very helpful).

Happy to take some suggestions!


otherones
otherones OP
13 posts
 
A couple combos I've considered:

SimAudio:
- SimAudio 350P with the DAC+Phono module
- SimAudio 330A power amplifier

McIntosh:
- C47 Pre
- MC152 power amp
- Note: really wish the c47 had a processor loop.  w/out it my phono won't go through my DSP and I have some room challenges that the DSP really helps with.

hikmer
25 posts
 
If you can swing it, get a good NAS and run Roon from that....but plan accordingly.
213runnin
914 posts
 
It looks like theMonitor Audio Gold 300 are significantly expensive speakers, and capable of pretty fine detail.  The Emotiva amp is probably not in that category.  I looked it up to find it's yet another amp that Emotiva has introduced with great fanfare to only retire after a shortish life.  

I had an XPA-3 for my 2 channel system, and my greatest criticism of it was a bright/harsh sound at medium to higher volumes.  I had 3 Emotiva components, and that was an issue for sure.

Your P5 probably mitigates this issue if it's present in the XPA-200, but such a low budget amp(how much did Emotiva pay to have it built with lower grade parts) will have limitations in sonics IMHO.

I've recently acquired the P5 myself and have been pretty impressed with it for the money.  I guess the question is, what goals do you have for this upgrade?  Because as far as money goes, you can spend some crazy amounts but without an end game in mind, you could be in for disappointment.

That said, most are after that last 3-5 percent of sonic bliss.  What you need is an amp that will have a synergy with your speakers, and I don't really know which brands are a good fit for the Monitor Audio Golds.  Perhaps some owners could chime it, Pass Labs is certainly one of the better options, as is Sim Audio.
jahatl513
119 posts
 
I have the Vinyl N's Thorens tt in my 2017 purchases; with the same arm. You will be very pleased. I have Ortofon 2M Bronze and so pleased. Dave is very excellent to work with you can't say anything bad about the guy, he is really great. Highly recommended.

For phono pre- Graham Slee eragold or their Reflex M, or similar you can't lose, everything is good and not too expensive. I'd buy used and well taken care of here. 

Amps/pre's: What sound do you want? What sound are you most interested in? Tubes; SS, powerful bass and mids, is there a madness to your method?

NOTE: 
Pass Labs monoblocks are a gem. Look up reviews. I personally love Conrad Johnson and Pass. 

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