Loudspeakers first. Your choices are good. Save up your money and make an amp change later, perhaps a little more upscale than NAD.
Upgrade Advice for music lover
Hi, all!
I've narrowed down my choices based mostly on brand loyalty and sound quality for the money, but am interested in the group's feedback. Looking for answers to which of my options is best and which update adds the most incremental sound quality as I work towards the end. I listen mostly to jazz, 80s/90s rock, and newer alternative, often loud :)
Thank you!
Current System:
Linn Sondek Valhalla (1985, recent Cirkus bearing, orig owner)
NAD 3155 (using pre only, recently serviced)
NAD 2200
Polk Audio RTi8
Anticipated System:
Linn Sondek (TT above, and an upgrade to Lingo 4 $2k)
NAD 165bee or NAD C658
NAD C298 or NAD 275bee
Monitor Audio Silver 8 (used $650) or Paradigm 800F (new $2k)
I've narrowed down my choices based mostly on brand loyalty and sound quality for the money, but am interested in the group's feedback. Looking for answers to which of my options is best and which update adds the most incremental sound quality as I work towards the end. I listen mostly to jazz, 80s/90s rock, and newer alternative, often loud :)
Thank you!
Current System:
Linn Sondek Valhalla (1985, recent Cirkus bearing, orig owner)
NAD 3155 (using pre only, recently serviced)
NAD 2200
Polk Audio RTi8
Anticipated System:
Linn Sondek (TT above, and an upgrade to Lingo 4 $2k)
NAD 165bee or NAD C658
NAD C298 or NAD 275bee
Monitor Audio Silver 8 (used $650) or Paradigm 800F (new $2k)
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- 11 posts total
The SQ will change with Amplification / Pre choices and a good Phase / Impedance will help to give a Coherent Presentation, with a well balanced load to drive. For example an even 8 ohm (Tube Amp using 8 ohm tap) load will let the Amp work exceedingly well. Someone here may have some input as to the NAD / Silver 8 combo. Another more general suggestion would be add / subtract one component at a time and evaluate the differences for yourself, so as to not induce multiples of quality and quantity making evaluation more difficult. |
From one music lover to another ... If it were me, I’d go with tube electronics. Check out the beautifully restored and modified Dynaco Stereo-70s being offered here on A’gon from time to time. I think they are around $1400. I think Frank Van Alstine has a tube preamp at a reasonable price too. Check these out >>> https://avahifi.com/collections/preamplifiers/products/transcendence-10-rb-preamplifier With that preamp, you'll need a phono stage. Van Alstine can take care of you there too. https://avahifi.com/collections/for-vinyl-lovers/products/vision-q-phono-preamplifier Here’s one of Van Alstine’s solid-state amps. I can highly recommend this amp as I owned one for a number of years before getting into ARC gear. https://avahifi.com/collections/power-amplifiers/products/set-120-control-amplifier Here’s a nice upgraded Dynaco Stereo 70 that is available on A’gon at the moment. It could be sent to Van Alstine to have his circuits installed. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa8203-dynaco-stereo-70-tube Frank |
- 11 posts total