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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
jbmac75 OP
198 posts
 
I moved 3 years ago and think I finally got these Paradigm's to talk to me. Temperamental. 
jbmac75 OP
198 posts
 
Seriously appreciate all the responses. Still may upgrade and add some acoustic treats. Thanks to all.
sr20022002
15 posts
 
Man I almost thought it was my own post. I own the Paradigm Studio 20 v5s used to run them on my Rotel RA-12. Still love them, but now I have migrated to LS50s running on a Mac amp.
I myself am in the same boat, of where to go from here, I can tell you whats on my radar.
LS50 
KEF R3 and R5
Dynaudio Evoke 
Salk Song3 

(Sound sig I like is warmish, not too bright and controlled bottom end)

I liked the RA-1570 when I listened to it. If the amp feels weak you could always use that as a preamp and adding a RB-1582 MKII or something of that sort. I’m Rotel fan so I’m biased. 

Hope this helps! Will be following your thread to see what you end up with. 
jbmac75 OP
198 posts
 
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.   
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,277 posts
 
I was going to suggest upgrading the tweeters.  I saw a pair of beryllium tweeters for $500 but you’d want to upgrade crossovers too.  I think it is a smarter investment to sell your studio’s and get some signatures.  I’ve had a bunch of different studio’s, V.4 and V.5 and the sigs are a step up in build, finish and sound.  Its just more of what you love about the studios!
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