Upgrading the Source.

I found this thread I started a long long time ago. Well Ffontan I still use the LSi9's althought they might be replaced with LSi15's or I might upgrade to a better Monitor Dynaudio 1.3SE's or Reference 3A MM De Capos...

Oh and Warrenh, I upgraded my source. I use a Museatex DAC/Transport Combo modded by John Wright now. The Transport was actually John's who sold me his personal one. The impact this change made was not slight or small. It was only a month after I auditioned it I found out that it was one of the best DAC/transport combo's money could buy. At anyrate I have a first rate digital end that has made great strides in making all discs musical in ways I really can't describe. The Moray James power and digital cables really improved things as well.

On to new speakers or perhaps a better intergrated.

Just Curious Warrenh, what parts would you ditch first before the CD player? Have you heard the other mentioned speakers and amp?

Warrenh - I have been upgrading for some time, and will continue to do so. Right now the CDP imho is the weakest link. The Polk LSi speakers and SimAudio amp should get me through for a bit longer. The CDP from NAD is replaceable. Down the road I could see myself with an i-5 as my intergrated. And god knows what for speakers. But that is the direction I'm headed in. If you wouldn't upgrade the CDP then what would you upgrade first?

Well Warrenh I'll take your input with a little grain of salt. I guess I have a totally different approach to music and the gear that makes me enjoy it. I couldn't ever recommend a person using a speaker with a source that was 1/7th its price before he upgraded his source first. My CDP is less then half of what my Speakers cost me (excluding stands) , and a third of what my amp cost me. Going further with my speakers just doesn't make sense to me. I have done my own comparisons with source vs speakers and source always wins. A pair of $200 speakers will always sound better with a better source then vice versa. There have been numerous written demonstrations. The one that sticks out in my mind is the PSB Alpha speakers hooked up to a LINN CD12 and having people call it a reference system.

A speaker can not add anything missing up the chain. If it is, then it is coloring the music. I'm sure you're aware of this so I'll leave it at that.

I have done my own little tests and have also come to the conclusion that source is the foundation upon you build. Regardless of budget. I guess that is where you and I differ. And fair enough.

I almost had a chance to audition the Jmlabs you were talking about. It is funny you mentioned the Nautilus 805's because most people that I talk too that have had a chance to listen to the LSi's have said how they are totally different sounding and for the most part much further ahead then the brighter Nautilus you're talking about. Aside from the difference in tonal character the B&W are just that, B&W and most people can't honestly say they have auditioned the LSi's.

The LSi's are not a perfect speaker, then again no speaker is. The way sound is reproduced will always make it impossible. But when it comes time for the next upgrade in speakers I have a few ideas. Right now I'm more interested in timing, melody and rythem. And I'm pretty sure those are things that can be corrected by upgrading from an entry level CDP to something more upscale that will not only mate better with my current system but also my plans to build around it with a better intergrated amp and speakers down the road.

I think Ffontan's point Warrenh is that he can get more out of $7500 and a stellar performer like the LSi then spending $7500 on speakers with bad electronics.

I wont defend the LSi's anymore. At the same token I'm sure you personally have not heard them, so the point is moot.

I understand your logic. But I'll still always start with the source. As for right now, the budget would be around $1500-2k CDN for the new CDP. The small bookshelve speakers I'm using retail for $1500 CDN factoring in another $500 that the stands cost, the jump in price for performance really begins to leap. The Polk's outperformed most of the other bookshelves I auditioned, Energy Veritas, PSB stratus, Paradigm Studio's, Monitor Audio. I even liked them better then a couple pairs of Totems I've heard. So for right now, I'm still thinking CDP. The money spent on suitable upgrades from the set I'm using right now would be well into the $2500-3K mark CDN. And that's a Jump I really only want to make down the road (2 years)

Right now a CDP jump from $700-$1500 makes more sense. But I'm always willing to not only listen with my ears but advice from others.