2. pc-audio
  3. 1055645204

Next Level Budget Upgrade

Hi--

Just discovered this great forum.

Over the past 1.5 years I've put together a low-end system that I'm very pleased with.

This is the PC side:

Media Jukebox PLUS 8.0.399
Install Path: C:\Program Files\J River\Media Jukebox\

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 1709 MHz MMX
Memory: Total - 785 MB, Free - 526 MB
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Workstation 5.1 Service Pack 1 (Build 2600)

Internet Explorer: 6.0.2800.1106
ComCtl32.dll: 6.00.2800.1106
Shlwapi.dll: 6.00.2800.1106
Shell32.dll: 6.00.2800.1145
wnaspi32.dll: Internal ASPI Layer

I output through a SB Audigy to a Harman Kardon 3370 stereo receiver. That drives a pair of Paradigm Atom bookshelf speakers in a typical New York studio apartment--maybe 300 square feet.

I listen mostly to jazz and blues--some classical--all reasonably encoded mp3's, ogg's or ape's.

I'm considering the following upgrades and wrestling with the question of how I get the biggest bang for the buck in terms of listening quality:

1. Replacing the HK solid state receiver with a nOrh SE 9 integrated tube amplifier? Or alternative?

2. Replacing the SB Audigy with a Stereo Link 1200 USB device? Or alternative?

3. Replacing the Paradigm Atoms with the best speakers I can find for $300-400?

Of course I'd love to do it all. But finances demand I take it in small bites/bytes.

I would really appreciate opinions/recommendations.

BTW I am amazed at the quality of the sound I'm getting out of gear and sources that a lot of people would hold their nose at.

I've recently listened to some very high end stuff and was shocked to come home and find that my little rig didn't sound all that bad.

Maybe my ears suck?

Listening to: 'Broadway' by 'Scott Hamilton-Jimmy Bruno' on Media Jukebox
campbellbc

Showing 1 response by campbellbc

campbellbc OP
1 posts
 
Bomarc--

Thanks for the feedback.

You raise a good question. Do I want a "tube sound?"

I'm not sure I really know what a "tube sound" is.

I have a friend who is a serious audiophile with very high end gear--Blue Circle amp/preamp--$5K speakers, etc. He has suggested the tube amp. But he's a tube freak. I was at his place a couple of days ago. His system sounded great, of course.

Where I find my rig falling short is in its "musicality." I'd like to get a more musical sound--more warmth and depth.

I recently repositioned the speakers so that most of my listening time now is right in the sweet spot. It has made a tremendous difference. Suddenly I've got a real sound stage going on.

If you could help clarify the "tube sound" issue for me that would be helpful.

Thanks again.
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