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  3. 161408-150221

Spend my money

I'm relatively new to this endeavor and would love some advice from more knowledgeable and experienced members. I was hoping to receive your recommendations for upgrading my system at 3 different price points ($500/$1000/$2000), and what upgrade you believe would have the most impact.
 
For my listening habits, I go analog about 25% of the time and the rest is usually digital streaming Tidal/Qobuz. Also I use headphones around a third of the time. I listen to many genres from jazz to punk to kpop to rap to classical to everything in between.

One upgrade I can't do right now is to add a subwoofer. I live in an apartment and I get more bass than I can use already.

So how would you spend $500? Or $1000 or $2000? I know my system is very modest compared to the ones here but it brings me much joy every day!

Current system:
  • Emotiva TA-100
  • Paradigm Monitor 7
  • Blusound Node 2i
  • Fluance RT82
  • Hifiman Sundara
  • Schitt Modi
  • Schitt Magni
  • Schitt Sys
  • Schitt Mani
Thanks to all for your advice!


funkbass4

Showing 2 responses by funkbass4

funkbass4 OP
18 posts
 
millercarbon,

Thank you for the detailed advice. Your approach certainly makes sense, assuming I have the time and open retailers nearby.

I guess the real aim of my post was to see if any trends emerged in the members' recommendations. For example, would most members recommend a new phono cartridge for $500, or new speakers for $2000. Finding such a majority I feel could at least given me some feedback about what components might be worth upgrading first.

Of course I have my own thoughts, but being relatively new I'd love to hear opinions of those with more knowledge and experience.                                                                    
Again thanks for sharing your thoughts.

funkbass4 OP
18 posts
 
Wow such a variety of responses!

I actually have spent quite a bit of time adjusting my speaker placement. Although I don't have complete freedom in where they placed, I'm pretty happy right now with imaging and soundstage.

I would love to add a sub or two in the future, but for now I have to keep peace with the neighbors, especially because my landlord lives in the unit directly below me. My speaker are front ported floorstanders with two 6.5" woofers each, so they do a decent job with bass on most of the music I listen to.

catdoorman - the room is a little weird. it's part of an open living area. to the left of the listening position are sliding glass doors with vertical blinds. Behind the system and the listening couch are drywall. To the right is open space leading to the kitchen, dining room and entry. Floors are hardwood but covered almost entirely by a rug in the room with the system.  listening chair is good. rack is good. have a couple headphone stands. No power conditioning just a couple of belkin surge protectors. 

Until recently I had been using the dac, headphone amp and phono preamp in the TA-100. The modi and magni were in the bedroom/office laptop. But a little while ago I decided to try to modi instead of the internal dac for the nodi 2i. Then I went ahead and hooked up the magni and mani to just to try something new. You're right about it being a whole bunch of cables. 

I haven't mention my cables because they are nothing special. I have the PYST interconnects between all the Schitt boxes. 

Maybe cables and power should be my next investment?





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