Ken: everybody shoots names and specs and offering advice! My advice is this! The basis of the question is " upgrade "! Small incremental upgrade of any electronics is a waste of money! Upgrade should be just that, an upgrade! Big price doesn't always guarantee big upgrade! Remember, high end means bigger money for often smaller and smaller sonic differences! Spent months in research associated to budget! Then upgrade! The best question only gets a wide array of personal opinion!
Dazed and Confused - Upgrading System But Too Many Options!
Help! I am upgrading my stereo and just have too many options. Every time I think I have it figured out I go down another rabbit hole. I’ll start by saying what I have.
Speakers: Paradigm Monitor 9
Amp: B&K ST2140
Preamp: Rotel RC980BX
CD: Arcam CD72
Phono: Rega P3
I have settled on the KEF LS-50 monitors. I am looking to add a network media streamer and either a new preamp or integrated amp.
So to keep this short, I see these as my main options:
My listening style of late has been headphones on my Android phone but I want to return to where I was BC (before children). The monitor speakers will be better for listening anywhere on the main floor, not just in the sweet spot. I plan to convert my CD collection to FLAC (currently it’s all 320 kbps mp3). So I have some work to do but I need to make it easier for me to listen to music at home and upgrade the quality.
I know I rambled on, so if you made it this far, thanks for reading through.
Ken
Speakers: Paradigm Monitor 9
Amp: B&K ST2140
Preamp: Rotel RC980BX
CD: Arcam CD72
Phono: Rega P3
I have settled on the KEF LS-50 monitors. I am looking to add a network media streamer and either a new preamp or integrated amp.
So to keep this short, I see these as my main options:
- Do I get an integrated amp like Rega Elex-R, Creek Evolution 50A/100A with a Ruby DAC or something else?
- Do I leave off the Ruby DAC and get a streamer like Cambridge Audio CXN?
- Do I forget about both of the above and get a Cambridge Azur 851N that is a preamp and solid media streamer?
- Do I keep my B&K and just get a new preamp and media streamer (leaning toward Cambridge CXN)? I really like the B&K and think it’s very solid but then I would need to get another amp to power the Paradigms in the basement.
- Do I say “screw it all” and just get a PS Audio Sprout?
My listening style of late has been headphones on my Android phone but I want to return to where I was BC (before children). The monitor speakers will be better for listening anywhere on the main floor, not just in the sweet spot. I plan to convert my CD collection to FLAC (currently it’s all 320 kbps mp3). So I have some work to do but I need to make it easier for me to listen to music at home and upgrade the quality.
I know I rambled on, so if you made it this far, thanks for reading through.
Ken