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If someone handed you this system, what would you change?

I was reading the latest post from a member here describing the rabbit hole he went down to find the perfect system. Lots of money spent upgrading lots of different gear. Made me wan to pose this question, and I ask it with this in mind. I am very happy with what I have, but if someone with extensive knowledge were to be handed this setup, what would this person do to swap out/add equipment that would really make a noticable difference. What, in your opinion would you want me to consider. (I will not take as an insult to anything you may say and I do have some pre-conceived ideas as to where this may go, but I really want your opinion)

My system from source to speakers:

Node 2i music streamer with Deezer as prefered music service
Mini DSP DAC with Dirac Live calibrated for my 17 X 25 room
Emotiva XSP1 Pre Amp (with home theater bypass function allowing a yamaha            receiver to take over on movie night). Then through balanced connection to:

Emotiva XPA gen 3 Power amp at 400 WPC bi-amped into mids and highs of speakers, and also from pre-amp directly to speakers that have 700 WPC to base drivers of speakers

Speaker wires from power amp to speakers are from Big Ear audio in Tempe Arizona. Owner builds his own cables; paid $800

Speakers: Legacy Audio Focus XD (again, bi amped from power amp and internal power built in to the speakers.

So, that's it. I went with as good as I could when I put this all together at about the same time 3 years ago. I am still really enjoying it BUT..... I feel a hole burning in my pocket for the next upgrade if needed. What do ya think

128x128mikekollar

Showing 3 responses by mikekollar

mikekollar's avatar
mikekollar OP
42 posts
 

What a great response and very much along the lines i suspected. Love the thought of purchasing to take myself permanently out of the market for that component. As to the pre-amp. I have thought about this and I may have to have to use other lesser speakers and dedicate home theater to one system and smaller bookshelves next to my Main 2 channel listening speakers. I am not concerned about the surround sound system quality compared to music listening. This would allow for a new pre-amp and I believe I will end up with the Legacy Wavelet processor pre-amp. Has room correction and of course is matched to my speakers - about 6k.

mikekollar's avatar
mikekollar OP
42 posts
 

I am using the external DAC that is in my Mini DSP device that gives me Dirac Live. My source is lossless streaming FLAC files from Deezer HIFI. One thing I can tell you is that when I switch in and out of what Dirac Live did to room corection;  it is noticable to anyone that sits in my sweet spot. I do not have the luxury of lots of different speaker placements. They sound great at about 7 feet apart, toed in, with listening position at 11 feet. Only inches to play with on speaker placement, not feet. (19 inches from wall)

mikekollar's avatar
mikekollar OP
42 posts
 

So I had a pre conceived idea that I would get the kinds of comments in this post about my Emotiva equipment. I have come to the realization that this is where I would want to upgrade, mostly on blind faith that I will truly experience a noticable difference once hooked up in my listening room. Any comments on the following: I am really leaning hard now on staying in the Legacy family. The Legacy Wavelet II pre-amp, configured to my exact speakers and including HT bypass, DAC, Room correction and a few other tricks for around 7K seems like the no brainer decision where I cannot possible go wrong (and also adding one of the legacy 2 channel power amps). Any comments on that simple 10k decision should I go that route? I appreciate the comments from all.... thanks.

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