How good can it get, really? - my stereo sounds amazing!
I really love my stereo currently. I keep thinking I should be looking for the next piece to upgrade - phono stage, stereo subs, etc., but honestly not sure what to change or why I’d potentially spend more money to achieve a result that’s lesser or equal to my current sound quality. I sorta feel clueless as to how to proceed without screwing up what I have. I know it can get better but honestly I’m at a place when I just don’t know how it can. Hmmmmm.... not a bad problem I guess. Open to suggestions for sure. Thx.
LOL - yeah that’s sorta how I feel about power cables, ceramic elevation discs, etc. I don’t do any of that and have entry level Kimber speaker cables and interconnects. Funny.
As a good rule of thumb, you should spend four times what you pay for the entire system in wire elevators (ideally, nano charged ceramic versions burnt in for 2000 hours) and another 4X in power cables to cover the last meter of electricity after the electricity gas travelled 500 miles previously.
There’s a lot of unmapped territory out there regarding RFI/EMI and how to deal with it. It’s like Chicken-man. He’s everywhere! He’s everywhere! 🐔 🐔 🐔 It’s generated by electronics, room purifiers and other appliances, Coming through the house AC, not to mention all the TV, radio and cellphone transmission coming right on through the windows! Hel-loo!
Four subwoofers is definitely not an option for me. I have one currently, which I’ve hidden from sight. I actually don’t like what “gear” or stereo equipment. I love minimal, clean layout and interfaces. I love analog.
Most audiophiles are habitually discontented, or only happy when engaged in the next hunt, but not when it's over. If you're truly content, don't for heaven's sake rock the boat.
If you're happy with what you have, that's awesome! If you want to take it to another level, add another sub (or 2 or 3). You'll get a lot more bang for your buck out of that than buying expensive cables. Not that they can't help, but whatever improvements (if any) you get from cables will be subtle, at least to most people. Adding more subwoofers, especially if you have four of them will be more than a subtle difference.
You guys, I am absolutely enjoying my stereo - as stated above, I love it! I’ve been living with it as-is for about a year now and still love it. I listen to it every day. I recognize that just going to floor standing from stand mounts would change things (likely for the better) but maybe not? I’ve read that the 804d3 is actually less detailed because of the two in cabinet woofers vs. the 805d3. I wonder if trying a second Rel sub is a better route? I agree - I just need to experiment a bit. Or maybe I go back to an all tube phono stage? So many options for sure.
There is nothing - repeat - NOTHING wrong with your power cords! To believe otherwise is to be caught in a neurotic obsessio! Ditto for your interconnects!
A little note of encouragement from a reviewer of 13 years:
Stop being such a chicken! Scaredy cat! MMnnnnn - phooey! ;)
There are many more levels of sound quality improvement than you can imagine. You are not close to the ultimate.
For instance, as a thought experiment, imagine spending time in your home with some of the major genres of speakers - panel (magnetic planar or ESL, horn or horn hybrid, line array, etc. Just considering the different genres of speakers and the potential for improvement, you are far away from the potential that systems have that may sound far better to you, literally dozens of levels of sound quality. Frankly, there are more levels of sound quality available than audiophiles will experience. That is true for nearly all audiophiles, myself included. The odds are very good that you are nowhere close to your dream sound. Just because it sounds terrific to you in no way means it cannot get much, much better.
For instance, if you were to switch to a floor standing speaker, there would be many potential improvements associated with that move alone.
Keep a notebook of your current favorite system from first power cord to speakers. Make changes, and if you don’t like them, revert.
BTW, if your first priority is to not spend money, then pay a lot of attention to burn in, and tweaks. That will keep you right in the same performance zone, but you will have saved your money! :)
Thanks for the responses. I like the idea of upgrading my power cables but not sure where to start. I definitely don’t want to spend a fortune in cables but am willing to pony up some.
Here’s where I’m currently at:
Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II - tubes rolled from stock JJs to Gold Lion 12AX7 and 12AU7s with a Brimer 12AU7 in the center position. With running the Phonomena II+ preamp, I'm not sure if I'm even utilizing the tubes anymore? I upgraded the Phonomena to accommodate the Hana SL Moving Coil cartridge. My turntable is a Clear Audio Concept table. Speakers are B&W 805d3 stand mounts with a REL T9i sub. Kimber Kable speaker and interconnects.
Air ionizer? Schumann resonator? fo.Q tape? Shungite? Perfect Path Technologies and Synergistic Research products?
Get curious. Improving sound quality can mean building upon what you have already assembled. There are many discussion threads that can point you in different directions; learning from others may be helpful...
This is a difficult question to answer since you did not post what it is you have for a stereo system. You might have some wonderful pieces, or you might have some items that could use a change. Again, difficult to answer. IMHO, far too many people go cheap on cable. It is often difficult to look at "wire" as a piece of equipment, and it is not as "cool" as some huge amp, or a preamp with zillions of tubes sticking out of it. But something has to carry that signal from one place to another. So, it you think your gear is up to the task, then start looking at cables, especially power. I know that nothing gets a good argument going like the word(s) cable, or wire, but trust your ear and not something that someone tells you is "snake oil". There are a lot of good power cords out there and a lot of free trials. Break-in can be a bear but if you have good revealing equipment now, better power cords will really surprise you with their performance.
My suggestion is, enjoy your setup. Stop reading stereo magazines, which are designed to make you want stuff. Stop reading audio bulletin boards, which can cause fear and doubt. Just enjoy the music, and count your money!
When you stop enjoying it, take 2 weeks off and see if that helps.
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