Itching for better sound


Pretty happy with sound through my Sennheiser HD700s listening through headphone amp to classical CDs on Marantz CD6006...but too much headphone listening makes my ears buzz, so I want to start listening more through speakers.

Could set up either the Marantz or a NAD 516bee cd player, connected with RCA to an old Denon AVR1404 receiver to speakers.  My PSB speakers are fair.  What I want to know is how much will a pair of Kef LS50s improve my sound?  Is my $800cdn (used) better spent on something else--other speakers or another component?
shostakovich

Showing 8 responses by shostakovich

Thank you.  Just took a look at those Klipsch Heresys.  They look gorgeous, but the "made to rock" slogan on the website gave me pause.  I'd love to know whether people think some speakers are better for classical music than others.  I don't want "made to rock" unless it's a Mahler kind of rocking.  Think the "hammer blows" in his 6th.
Another option I have is to get powered speakers and to connect them through optical direct to Marantz CD player.  Any suggestions on the desirability of this and appropriate speakers that would trump the PSBs running through that Denon?
Thanks for the suggestion.  I will look into that.  What do figure would be the best way to connect these to the Marantz CD6006?  Optical?  The cable's going to be about 40ft.

Do others agree that this is going to get me better sound than the setup described above?
As for the Rogue, I really need something to which I can connect two sets of speakers.  Is that an audiophile no-no?

Would welcome any thoughts on these three amps: Yamaha A-S801, Marantz 6006, Cambridge Audio CXA-81.
Was that plywood/sledge for the famous "hammer blows" in Mahler 6?  I'll be attending Mahler 2020 festival at the Concertgebouw in May--NY, Berlin, Vienna Phil among others.  That should whip even the finest audiophile equipment, and it's why I can't afford any major upgrades just now.

Thanks to everyone for their input.  I will keep my ears out for the right amp!
D'yall think my non-audiophile ears are going to hear a dramatic difference between my current Denon AVR1404 and the Yamaha A-S801?
Thanks so much for that thorough explanation.  As a non-audiophile, it's hard for me to figure out how amp and not speakers will make the biggest difference, but I've listened to all the people here.

For a number of reasons, I often like to have the same music playing in two rooms, hence the two sets of speakers.