2. misc-audio
  3. 193876-174083

Need advice from the gurus.

This is my favorite HIFI hang out and I'm at a bit of a crossroads and really could use some advice.  I'm a bit scattered and I could use some help figuring out what direction to go in.  Here's my current equipment:

==Electronics==
Gato Audio AMP-150 AE (integrated amp)
Topping E70 Velvet DAC
iFi Zen Stream (I use Tidal)
Cherry Maraschino monos (not using at the moment, I don't have a preamp)

==Speakers==
Magnepan LRS+
Kef R3
Monitor Audio GS20 (vintage speakers from my father)
Omega Super 3 High Output Wide Baffle XRS towers

Lately I've been running the LRS+ with the Gato integrated and Topping Velvet / iFi stream combo.  I like it but I don't know if I'm missing out.  What would you do if you had my equipment and wanted to simplify?  On my hifi setup I listen to mostly mellow stuff, lots of female vocals, classic rock, ambient stuff.  I really like female vocals and midrange with a lot of texture if that makes any sense.  What would you do different if anything?  Thanks!
 

tubeguy76
deep_333
1,743 posts
 

Lrs+ without a good servo subwoofer would be an incomplete speaker and it needs a sub’s help all the way up to around 200 hz. A pair of rythmik Fm8 subs set up on the front stage, integrated correctly should do the job.

 

Lately I’ve been running the LRS+ with the Gato integrated and Topping Velvet / iFi stream combo.  I like it but I don’t know if I’m missing out.  

 

Sell these 3 speakers and get a pair of Mofi 888 floorstanders.

You could swap between the magnepan and mofi on different days for different flavors, different music genres, etc.

Kef R3
Monitor Audio GS20 (vintage speakers from my father)
Omega Super 3 High Output Wide Baffle XRS towers

cleeds
6,067 posts
 
jl35

The Gato has an XLR connection but is not a balanced design 

It sure looks like a balanced design based on manufacturer's specs:

Input impedance    20kΩ RCA or 40kΩ Balanced
Preamplifier output impedance 100 Ω RCA and 200 Ω Balanced

deep_333
1,743 posts
 

@jasonbourne71 

Scroll over to @ 12:00 for the measurements. What was your "eye-opener" exactly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQemV-W48b8&t=890s

Go to ASR and read the test report on the LRS+ speakers. It is an eye-opener!

jl35
4,136 posts
 

I was told by the manufacturer it was not a balanced design ... maybe the representative was mistaken...

jeffbij
122 posts
 

+1 @cleeds   -  Agreed it looks like a balanced connection, but it may not be a fully balanced design with the XLR jacks a convenience. Either way, I would think it would be worth giving it a try.  Couldn't hurt and might be eye opening with those monoblocks. 

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