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?
Just the Rega Carbon MM that came with the table. It's the best sound I've heard produced by vinyl (but I have limited experience with it, I grew up with CDs and my last turntable was a cheap Audio Technica) I have heard it's difficult to swap cartridges on these things. You mentioned a separate integrated amp, would this automatically override the stage in my turntable? What is an example of one of these integrated amps? |
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.
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I recommend to get Wavetouch audio WT-95 which is the world’s best sound SACD, CD, FLAC, media player + streamer. Compare sounds: Original music vs. WT-95 vs. dCS Varese DAC (million $ system) Original music vs. WT-95 vs. dCS Varese DAC (million $ system) My 2 cents. I wish I knew below info at beginning of my audio journey 40 years ago. Then I didn’t have to waste my effort, money, and time so much. All audio systems in the world are severely veiled, noisy, and distorted. There is no audio system sounds close to the original sound and WT-95 is the closest (the most accurate) to the original sound. All audio systems (incl. million $ systems) sound/behave like the left speaker in below. Your audio system sounds like the left speaker Many people merry-go-round upgrade audio gears forever hoping their audio will sound satisfactory with next purchase but no one has done it. So, upgrade wisely. Alex / Wavetouch audio |
I think that you will get the biggest bang for the buck by putting the $1K into speakers. There are many other things to upgrade in your setup as well, but given the budgetary constraints here I would try to add the best set of floor standing full range speakers that $1K will get. Otherwise other improvements in your system will be hard to evaluate. |
I agree on the idea of better speakers. Even inexpensive integrated amps can, these days, do a great job powering speakers until you can upgrade them. Consider buying used and maybe local if you can. Saves on shipping cost and damage. One way to do that is to go here and add in your zip code plus a distance radius. Try sorting by price to find what works for you. Then look up the seller and see their rating. Correspond with them, and maybe have a phone call. Another way forward is to see if there is an audio club in your area. Make contact with members and see if they have a way that members buy and sell from one another. Friendly, local people are great ways to find your next speaker. |
