2. amps-preamps
  3. 150032-33876

Suggestions for my system

Hi all - Looking for some suggestions on my system.  So right now I listen near field (just about 6 feet from the speakers) in a small room, around 13x11 feet.  I have a Rega Elicit-R amp with a Rega Saturn-R cd player, and a Rega Planar 8 and Aria for my analog front end.  Harbeth C7ES3's for speakers.  I primarily listen to classic Jazz and orchestral music through my setup.  My main goals in hifi are an expansive soundstage in width and depth, and holography.  My system right now is great, Rega has all the PRAT and is energetic to listen to however I feel like it's not the last word in lifelike representation.  I'm curious to try tube amps or different monitors as home demos to see if I can gain anything and was looking for some opinions on what I should seek out.  The loudest I listen is around 90db with peaks sometimes at 95 but no more.  Also, would like to stay integrated and not separates.  Thanks very much


My setup:
Rega Elicit-R
Rega Saturn-R
Rega Planar 8 with Hana SL
Rega Aria
Shunyata Denali, Alpha power cords
Teo interconnects
mikecorwin

Showing 9 responses by mikecorwin

mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
@lowrider57 Sorry, forgot to mention that my room is already treated with bass traps and diffusion.  @big_greg Unfortunately this is my only listening space.  @yogiboy I had P3's on trial a while back however they were a bit bass light even in my room.  Would I be able to achieve a more 3d presentation by going smaller watt tubes?  Given my speaker distance and the C7's 86db sensitivity, it's looking like a 45 watt amp will get me to my max listening volume.  Never tried tubes so any comparisons/suggestions welcome.  
mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
@millercarbon I'll research these.  Does installation on the speakers leave any residue or marks if they are removed?  
mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
Looking at a budget of around 5k.  I always search for used stuff on Audiogon so it’s feasible I could nab a component that lists for 10k at my budget. 
mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
@jafant and @lowrider57 I’ve experimented with power cables and have settled with a shunyata system. I have a dedicated line feeding a shunyata Denali with Alpha NR’s feeding my integrated and source. I settled on these after I noticed gains in both blacker backgrounds as well as soundstage depth. Really happy with what that upgrade brought to my system. 
mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
@lowrider57 What tube components are you using in your system and have you compared it to ss gear with classical?
mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
@lak I have a dedicated 20 amp circuit feeding my audio system with a hospital grade outlet which then goes to my Shunyata Denali.  @mijostyn I had P3's on loan here and had KEF LS50's as well which while they were both awesome speakers I still feel the C7's add more body and flesh out instruments and voices better.  I heard the Grahams take on the LS3's and wasn't really taken with them, felt the P3's were more exciting.  
mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
@mijostyn I’m going to audition the Chartwell LS3/5’s again along with the M30.2’s today to refresh myself with them and will report back. 
mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
@lowrider57 Just listened to an EAR preamp/power amp combo through C7's and it was amazing, pretty much nailed the holography and realism that I've been describing.  
mikecorwin OP
25 posts
 
I have the C7es3's, I just listened to the 40th anniversary edition which are fairly the same.  EAR stuff was an 868 and 890, definitely out of my current price range but it was great to listen to my speakers with that kind of setup to get some contrast.  Definitely seeing tubes in the future at some point.
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