Step me up from Paradigm Studio 20 v4 bookshelf, seriously.


I have been around here for a few years. Enjoying the game about once or twice a week. Yes I am hooked. Kind of sort of laid back on forums. Bought and sold a sizeable amount of equipment with one-hundred percent feedback. Probably a mid-fi guy. Best pair of speakers I have owned to me are Paradigms, namely Studio 60 v4 and current Studio 20 v4. Can anyone take me beyond these? Yes, a bit temperamental they are. Have never stepped up to, I guess Hi Fi speakers? Have tried Spendor 8se (too polite?), Paradigm Monitor 7 (not as good as Studio versions), Elac dbr62 (close to Paradigms but not as refined), Totem Rainmaker (maybe too small, not sure been a while back), Monitor Audio Silver 2 (kind of like Paradigms). Hooked on my Paradigm Studio 20 so far. Current system = Mid-Fi integrated (?) Rotel RA-1572, Bluesound Node 2i, Marantz SA-8004, Mhdt Orchid DAC (seriously love it), fair amount of decent cables. Like pop/rock music mainly. Integrated amps I have used: Rotel Rx-1052, Sim 340i DPX, Rotel RA-1572 (current), Musical Fidelity A3.5, NAD C368, Arcam.

Mostly into monitors/bookshelf due to room size, maybe front ported. Thinking of maybe some Spendor A1, Harbeth P3SR (or other models), Reference De Capo, Fritz?, Pro Ac?, B & W? No room treatments in my 14 by 18 room, as is fairly inert acoustically. I am an older retired audiophile (55-70). A bit of tinnitus, so nothing too bright. On Audiogon daily. Looking for some input/ideas. Lateral moves probable?

Any serious input welcome (maybe a bit of non-serious just for fun!). Love this hobby.

Thanks,

Jim


jbmac75

Showing 20 responses by jbmac75

Also switched from Audioquest type 4 speaker wire to Canare 4s11 about 2 months ago. Seemed to give a fuller sound and remove some brightness. Have tried bi-wire but did not see any real change.  
@noromance 

The tube dac was an improvement. Have thought about tube preamp or integrated. But system is also a tv system that gets used daily. Do like my speakers just got the bug. Thanks.
One thing I Iike about the Paradigms is the front port. Think Fritz has rear port? Kinda hooked on black ash too. Silly.

Surprised no mentions of Proac, Harbeth, Spendor.

Thanks b_limo for the comparison.
Recently went from 24 inch stands to 28 inch and this did help. They are filled with sand and quite heavy (Monoprice). Do not have any acoustic treatments but have considered and may do. I do not listen real loud. Mostly rock and pop.

Have also tried Whafedale Denton 80th and LSA 1. Never could get the LSA to sound as full as the Paradigms. But since I have upgraded to the Ra-1572 and tube dac that really helped. Have considered the Paradigm S2 v.3 and may do so. 

The Fritz do sound interesting and I have been reading on them. Pulsars I will need to read up on. 

I appreciate all your inputs. I like the 'Retail Therapy' comment. Could be true. Retired and may have to dip into the investment money because I can. 

@b_limo  how did the Paradigms S2 compare to the Fritz Carrera BE?

Thanks all!
May be weak on Power here? Rotel Ra-1572. Have checked those speakers out on web a few times though.
I had a RA-1570 couple years ago. Bought the 1572 about year ago and is much better. Also had a RA-12. Even older had Rotel RX-1052 receiver and that is a decent amp for the dollars. Still have one in second system.   
I moved 3 years ago and think I finally got these Paradigm's to talk to me. Temperamental. 
Seriously appreciate all the responses. Still may upgrade and add some acoustic treats. Thanks to all.
Would buy a pair of S2.v3 for the right deal.

S6 are too big for my room. Thanks.
@mesch The room is not ideal as I have my system somewhat in one corner. A fireplace occupies the adjacent corner and there is not enough room to put system on the wall between. Room is about 13 by 17. Sytem and fireplace are on 13 foot wall.

I am generally happy with my Rotel. I auditioned a Parasound A23 amp and Parasound preamp and found it too sound overdriven or too large, for lack of better wording. Did work pretty well on some music. I use this for TV too so that has to be part of my equation. Another thing with some integrateds is the volume increments are too great. I like 0.5 or 1.0 increments.

I am generally fairly happy with my system given the room setup and my not 100% ears. Think I have that 'addiction' though. 


Bought some 28 inch Monoprice stands for the 20s a couple months ago and filled with sand and they are very heavy and quite well built. Was using 24 inch older three pillar Pangea. The Monoprice are definitely a good step up and believe the height change helped too. I know Paradigm recommends 29 inch for S2 and I believe the 20s too. 
@builder3

"jbmac, I’d keep an eye on eBay for S2’s, they pop up somewhat regularly. The J29 stands also show up from time to time, around $250, give or take. They’re great."

On my radar. Missed a very nice pair of v3 on US Audiomart in Sept as they sold in about 20 minutes for $1050! Thanks.

I have not made a change. Afraid to mess it up. Been there more than once. Of course then there is money. A different paradigm.