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System Upgrade Recommendations

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for feedback for upgrading my system.  I'm just getting into HiFi and wanted to get some feedback from audio enthusiasts.  I think I'm basically done with my Home Theater setup, but would like to improve my 2 Channel listening experience.  I listen to music about 50% of the time, watch 2-Channel TV 30% of the time, and watch 5.1 movies, TV about 20% of the time.

I have the following set-up and about $2k to update the system and will have another $2k in 6 months:
  • Magnepan 1.7i Speakers
  • Marantz SR6010 Receiver
  • Rel T-7 Sub
  • MartinLogan Motion 4 Surrounds
Per the Maggie Dealer, I need to properly amp my maggies and the SR6010 doesn't fully cut it and I agree.  His setup sounds better on 1.7i's than mine does (He is using a $20k+ setup from source to speaker).

I'm debating on putting all $2k into a stereo amp, then $2k into a pre-amp with HT Bypass and music source in 6 months or splitting the $2k into an integrated amp with HT Bypass and a music source now.

I currently play my music via Spotify Connect through my receiver and don't have a music collection at all.  If I move away from Spotify (which I want to) I need to re-allocate some of my equipment funds towards purchasing a music collection (CD, Vinyl, or Digital) or reallocate $250/year of my equipment funds to a Tidal Premium subscription.  I plan on putting a Vinyl collection in the future (1+ years from now) but I don't feel that my current setup will benefit from Vinyl.

How would you spend $2k to improve my 2-Channel listening experience?  Any recommendations on specific equipment that I should listen to?
rjb1101

Showing 2 responses by soix

soix
10,011 posts
 
Im going to disagree a bit with your Maggie dealer, although technically speaking he may have a point. I highly doubt running the preamp outs from your Marantz to a high quality stereo preamp is going to degrade the sound meaningfully if at all, especially since this will be in HT mode where purity of the signal is relatively less critical. Plus, the lion’s share of any signal degradation is coming from the preamp section of a $1000 audio/video receiver, not a good stereo pre. Suffice it to say, from my perspective the flexibility and increase in the number of options open to you for a good stereo pre without HT bypass far outweigh any signal degradation you’re likely to experience in HT operation. And more options also means you’re more likely to get a better deal. All else being equal I’d prefer having an HT bypass for the convenience of it more than anything else, but in audio all else never seems to be equal.

BTW, there is a nice McCormack DNA1 amp with Steve’s silver level mods available here now for about $1300 that should drive your Maggies nicely and sound great. Might be worth a look along with Bryston.  I'd look at the SSTsquared Brystons as I found them to be more refined sounding than the original SST.  A tubed pre with a solid state amp can be a great combo (I'm going this direction myself), but keep in mind in most instances you'll be burning through your tubes while watching TV since you'll likely need to have your stereo preamp turned on in this configuration. 

Anyway, that’s my $0.02. Hope it helps and best of luck.



soix
10,011 posts
 
Think your approach of a dedicated stereo amp/pre or integrated is an excellent one assuming your Marantz has preamp outs.  I did that for years before I got a dedicated listening room.  Best of both worlds and your Maggies will greatly reward you for it.  BTW, no need to limit yourself to units with HT bypass.  If you just set the 5.1 balance with the stereo pre at a known reference point (I used 12:00 to make it easy) it works fine and you'll have tons more options to choose from.  Just need to remember to lower volume on stereo preamp when switching back to 2-channel listening.  Best of luck. 

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