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Forum admiration and requested guidance

My day starts by reading the top post on this site while drinking my morning coffee. I have been a audio enthusiast since the early 1970’s, with my mother playing Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Supremes on vinyl every Saturday morning while growing up.

I’ve always had an analog system to play, and cherish my vinyl collection. It started with my first purchase in 1975 with Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy and expanded over the years.
Advance 47 years later and I’m finally in a point of my life to splurge. My wife and I put three children thru college and she has given the approval to spend a little money for my love of the audio hobby.

Today I have the following system and looking for advice on going up the ladder of sound quality improvement.

- VPI Scout with JMW 9” arm and Hana SL cartridge 
- Elac PPA-2 phono preamp
- Vincent SA-32 preamp
- Parasound A23
- Q Aqoustics 3050i

some of the biggest improvements since building this system have been in the interconnects. I went with the Mogami 2549 interconnects and Canare 4S11 speaker cables. These really opened up the soundstage and appealed to my ears.

My music room is modest at 10 x 18 with 9 foot ceilings. Please don’t advise to enjoy and buy more vinyl. I truly look up to your advise and suggestions on next steps to improve. My budget today is $10k, with an additional $10k in mid 2022.

Thank in advance to feedback from this outstanding group.

vette5451

Showing 7 responses by vette5451

vette5451's avatar
vette5451 OP
66 posts
 

Thought I would provide an update on my journey, since I enjoy reading other forum members updates. As a reminder I have/had $10k to spend now and tentatively another $10k mid year 2022.

I took the advice and upgraded speakers first. I decided on the Dynaudio Evoke 30. I also upgraded my amp to the Parasound A21+ since I knew the Dynaudio’s were power hungry.

The improvement in listening enjoyment was well worth the upgrade. The Dynaudio’s are so life-like and composed. The tweeter design definitely smooths the highs and I personally have not experienced listening fatigue, even while they were breaking-in. Very happy with this purchase.

The Parasound upgrade was another improvement with the dynamics and broadened soundstage.

i believe I’ll take the remaining $3,500 and invest in the Decware ZTPRE to replace the Vincent hybrid tube preamp.

For those interested in the journey, I’ll post an update once I decide on an upgraded tube preamp. I’m always open to suggestions as well and appreciate this forum.

Jim

vette5451's avatar
vette5451 OP
66 posts
 
I have built my own acoustic wall panels (24”x36”) on three walls and add curtains for the windows on fourth wall. I have also added an area rug for the hardwood floor.
vette5451's avatar
vette5451 OP
66 posts
 
@ghdprentice 

Thank you for your suggestion on the speakers. I’ve known for a while, the Q Acoustics would be a constraint on my evolution for improvement.
vette5451's avatar
vette5451 OP
66 posts
 
@rsf507 

I am intrigued with the streaming direction, but not sure where to start. Any suggestions on that path?


vette5451's avatar
vette5451 OP
66 posts
 
tablejockey it’s an office that is dedicated to 2 channel listening. I meant to add that I do have one Rel subwoofer in the room.
vette5451's avatar
vette5451 OP
66 posts
 
@chakster 

thank you for the advise pertaining to cartridges. I have used several different types and brands throughout the years. Prior to the Hana I had a Nagaoka MP-300 and various Ortofon and Grado cartilages. To my ears the Hana sounds best, although I am curious to advance up the cartridge chain.

vette5451's avatar
vette5451 OP
66 posts
 
@millercarbon

You mentioned the Decware ZP3 for the phono preamp. On their website it mentions a step up transformer for moving coil cartridges. I’m assuming the ZMC1 would have to be included if I chose to stick with the Hana (Low MC), correct?
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