I'm surprised that no one has mentioned acoustical treatment. Whether you want to admit it or not the room in which you listen is the most vital component of your playback system and ignoring the effects it can have on the qulity of music played back in your space is tantamount to pure denial. Acoustical issues within your room should be addressed first, then everything else after. If you fail to address acoustical issues that may exist in yous listening environment then no amount of tweaking the other components is going to alleviate the sound quality isssues you may have. A good and reasonably inexpensive place to start would be Jim Smiths books or DVD, and then possibly moving on to the plethora of more tecnacal manuals that exist on the subject of room acoustics and how to tune them properly.
Seeking advice on how to improve my system
After many years of just enjoying music, I have gotten the bug to improve the system after I upgraded my CDP to the Sony XA 5400ES. The rest of the system is a Conrad Johnson Premier 14 preamp, Mark Levinson ML 331 100 W/ch amp., Thiel 3.6 speakers, Kimber Kable Siver Streak from CDP to preamp, Kimber PBJ from preamp to amp (10 foot run), and Kimber 8TC speaker cables. Room is 14 ft by 19 ft with 9.5 ft ceilings, hardwood floor with a 12 by 9 wool area rug. A fabric upholstered sofa on one wall helps absorb the side wall reflections. Speakers are on the short wall, 3 ft from the side and 2.5 feet from the back wall.
What are the weak points in the system that I should attend to? If I should change an item or add an item what should it be? I am not ready for a complete system replacement right now. Looking for advice from those with more experience in systems to get the best possible sound.
What are the weak points in the system that I should attend to? If I should change an item or add an item what should it be? I am not ready for a complete system replacement right now. Looking for advice from those with more experience in systems to get the best possible sound.