2. misc-audio
  3. 194731-206181

Seeking Advice to Improve My Audio System ($1000 Budget)

Hello everyone. I have started collecting physical media (mainly Classical Music, but also some Metal, and older singer/songwriter material) for a few years now, and have built up a collection that is mainly vinyl, but also some CDs. I have slowly built up a stereo system to support it. I am not very knowledgeable with audio equipment and feel like I am drowning in information, and so I have pieced together what there seems to be a consensus around with my budget. So far I have:

Audio Engine A5+ 150 W Speakers

REGA Planar Plus 1 Turntable with built in stage

SMSL PL200 CD Player 

I use the RCA port for my turntable, and the aux port for my CD player.

Now I am wondering where I should go with my setup. I want my next investment to be around the $1000 range, but am not sure where to go with it. Should I get a woofer for the speakers and an external preamp for my turntable? Or at this price, am I better off looking for better speakers...or is there another weak point in my system? My main concerns are that the midrange and upper frequencies do sound muddy compared to other systems I have heard (but they aren't terrible) and while the bass isn't bad, it certainly could be enhanced.

As a final question, I am confused when it comes to the pre-amp. I don't quite understand how they work, and I am a bit confused and worried that I would run into an issue with my existing built-in preamp overriding an external one? Any advice?

carlyleciv

Showing 2 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,089 posts
 

Long ago I owned Audioengine A2+ speakers as my main setup for almost 5 years. The top end is muddy and not clean as you describe.

If you want to stay with a powered speaker the KEF LS50 Wireless II (active model) will be much better. Maybe you can get one used for $1000 - $1500.

LS50 Wireless II | Best Wireless HiFi Speakers | KEF USA

The LS50 Meta passive is also great and can be found for $1000 and under. However, you will need a good amp for it. PeachTree audio has some decent low-cost amps. Both combined would be under $2k and definitely sound better than the 5+ you have.

For a really great BUDGET system I would get a $700 Schitt Kara F preamp | Schitt $2k Wotan amp | $1k Magnepan LRS+ speaker. My office system is similar except I have Magnepan Mini in a small space. The LRS+ plays in a bigger room and is a bit less clean on top as the Mini. The LS50 Meta would be amazing on this amp and preamp.

The LS50 is going to have a slightly cleaner sound over the LRS+ and Mini but the Magnepan has the terrific WALL OF SOUND effect that is addictive.

BTW - I repurchased the Audioengine A2+ recently, but it is only used on a desktop for computer audio.

 

yyzsantabarbara
5,089 posts
 

@carlyleciv 

I realized that I forgot to mention that you should add the KC62 sub to the mix with either the LS50 Meta or the Maggies I mentioned. The KC62 sounds great and is fast. It is not a must but when added it takes the system to a better full-range sound.

I have not looked up the price of the Hegel H95, but I will repeat here that you should seriously consider the Schitt Wotan amp at $2k. It sounds as good as the much more expensive Hegels I have heard (with KEF Blades for example).  It has tremendous power, and I strongly believe it is as good as 3 $8k amps I owned (and sold). It just needs about 2 months of heavy play for the top end to settle.

Another amp that I loved with the LS50 Meta is the Benchmark AHB2. This amp can be gotten for about $2.5 or less. It is excellent with the LS50. This amp has a top end like no other. It is not warm-ish like the Wotan.

Both amps I mentioned have a home demo period if you buy from the manufacturer. The Benchmark LA4 preamp is what I have in my top system. I ended up with this one after going through a lot of preamps (up to $7k). The thing I like about the LA4 (or HPA4) preamps is that you do not hear it adding to the sound. The Kara F preamp I mentioned before is a good budget preamp but it adds a bit of warmth. the $2.5k LA4 preamp is as good as it gets for my tastes. Again, there is a home demo period with this preamp.

Here is a link to a post describing the AHB2 (I totally agree).

Review and Measurements of Benchmark AHB2 Amp | Page 5 | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

 

More to discover