2. amps-preamps
  3. 1045973301

Help with upgrade path

Hi,

I'm looking for some help and ideas with upgrading my system:-
Alchemy DDS Pro Transport
Alchemy Dti Pro 32 anti-jitter with PS2
Ead 7000III DAC
Conrad Johnson CAV50 Integrated
QLN Signature splitfield with external x-over
Various cables, vibrapods, Lothian supports

For those not familier with the QLN speakers, they are a very well regarded Swedish speaker, monitor, something like Talons.....nice imaging and stage with great bass for a monitor.

I'm OK with the general sound but want to build more on the present qualities of the system. Looking for stage improvements in width and depth, with improvements in imaging.
I listen at fairly loud levels so the stage tends to scale-down when I crank up the volume, and the sound becomes a little too 'confused'.
So I'm thinking perhaps the amp is the first thing to go. I prefer the tube sound over solid state, and really like the warm, lush quality of the CJ....some suggestions on how to move up in amp quality, retaining the tube sound would be really appreciated.

Also, I like the digital front end, particularly with the recent addition of the Dti Pro, but I can't help wondering if I should ditch the 3 boxes and go for a good upsampling CD player like the Musical Fidelity???? Any ideas on this would be appreciated. What kind of improvements might I expect with modern digital gear??

Or....perhaps keep the amp and digital and look for speakers that are more sensitive (QLN's are about 87db) that will give me better stage depth, width, imaging and hold everything in place when the volume goes up.

I have about 4-5K to spend on Audiogon, and would really appreciate some input and ideas.

Many Thanks!

Carl
rooze

Showing 1 response by rockinroni

rockinroni's avatar
rockinroni
287 posts
 
Want a major upgrade? try analog, sound familiar? well it is the truth.
A dealer friend of mine just told me he has a friend that is a engineer. He had a newer,highly modded,high end CD player, and wanted my dealer friend to hear it. So they compared it to a first generation yamaha 44.1 no oversampling cd unit
When they compared them the engineer guy said he heard A big difference the dealer man said he did not. Well! the engineer fellow became upset and said you can't hear that!! so off to the blind test. Under the blind test the engineer fellow could not tell which was which, and when he finally thought he could, he was wrong.

If you compare a good analog front end to any digital source you will always be able to tell them apart. Ofcourse analog is not as convenient as cd ...only better.

To some worth all the fuss in pursuit of the best.

Food for thought? This is a suggestion, and not meant to upset those who prefer CD. Because of the recent advancements in analog, the price of admission to the high end has now come down to levels real people can afford it. but you will not read about many of these products in stereophile ect., but here on Audiogon you will.
More to discover