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What do you think of my upgrades?

What I'm wanting to accomplish:
(1) Replace bookshelf speakers that are visually too small (but must have bookshelves)
(2) Improve audio quality especially of digital sources

Description of listening environment:  
Large room (17'W x 18'L x 9'H) that is also open to kitchen/dining area.  Speakers will sit on 22' D x 20" H cabinets with 10' of separation, flanking a fireplace with TV above mantle (it really is cool).  Main seating area is 13' from speakers.  Not ideal for the audiophile, but there's nothing I will change about it.

What I listen to:  
Mostly streaming classical and 60's from my CD music collection ripped ALAC; never really loud, 60 dB(A) usually and 75 max (as measured by sound meter app on iPhone).  Also really enjoy watching Youtube videos with sound playing through the 2-channel system.

Current equipment:
Harbeth P3ESR’s (visually too small); vintage 1990s Rotel RB-980BX amplifier (believe rated at 120wpc) and Rotel RTC-940AX tuner preamplifier; Sonos Connect for streaming digital sources and internet radio from MacBook Pro.

Changes I'm considering:
(1) Replacing Rotel separates with an integrated amp with built-in DAC.  Hoping the new DAC will improve the sound of my digital sources.  Considering Cambridge CXA-81, Parasound HINT, Peachtree Nova 150, NAD C388, and Hegel H160.  All pre-owned except CXA-81.  
(2) Replacing Harbeths with one of the following: Spendor 3/1 or 2/3, ProAc Response D2, Harbeth C7, Focal Electra 1008 Be.  The Spendor's and ProAc's are front-ported; the Focal's rear and the Harbeth's not.  Visually, I love the  Focal's but am concerned by its rear-port placement so close to the wall.  

I won't be auditioning these in my room, but rather making changes strictly on what I've read and learned from folks like you.  Your feedback will be much appreciated.  Thanks!


128x128fruckman
6 responses Add your response
freediver
1,214 posts
 
Those cabinet spaces would fit a pair of Harbeth M30.1/30.2 speakers perfectly & leave room underneath for some type of acoustic barrier like Auralex Speaker Dudes...Stay away from rear ported unless you’ll plug them up..Whatever you choose make sure to isolate them from the cabinet with something like the mentioned Auralex or maybe Vibrapods or similar..
Is there NO chance of Floorstanding speakers in front of the cabinet?
In your room & listening distance you will eventually need a subwoofer for real full range sound..
REALLY like the idea of moving to an all in 1 unit,here you need some power to fill the room..If budget allows look at the McIntosh MA5300,WOW!Higher up the food chain are the new Mark Levinson all in 1's...If you NEVER listen loud the Quad Vena is a wonderful sounding all in 1 for about $1000.00 but only 45wpc..
Good luck & don’t forget to update on progress...
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
Of those amp choices you listed, it'd be Hegel 160 for me.
erik_squires
16,123 posts
 
Talk to Fritz and ask him to make you some true bookshelf speakers. :)

Also consider some adjustable footers from IsoAcoustics so you can tilt the speakers down. Ask Fritz to preinstall them, or use the IsoAcoustics stands.  I think you want less height though, so that's why the screw in footers are a better idea IMHO.

fruckman's avatar
fruckman OP
5 posts
 
freediver, the M30's might be first choice but only pre-owned which are very hard to find.  And thanks for the suggestion to add an acoustic barrier.  Will do that right away.  Regarding floor standers, just not an option that my wife would stand for.  Finally, the Quad integrated was a new one for me.  Read the What HiFi review which was pretty good but not as good as the Cambridge for the same $$$.

krenooo6, the Hegel would be my first choice as well, but only pre-owned which again are very hard to find.  

erik_squires, I'm not familiar with Fritz and his "true bookshelf speakers".  Where do I learn more, is there a website?

Thanks all.....
fruckman's avatar
fruckman OP
5 posts
 
freediver, I wanted to follow-up with your suggestion that I consider the Quad Vena II.  I've now done some research.  At 45 wps I think it should easily power most of my considered speakers, except possibly the Harbeth.  What is your opinion?  Quad's Artera Solus is a possibility given its higher power rating of wps.  Your thoughts are appreciated.

freediver
1,214 posts
 
I'm running M30.1's in an acoustically treated room 14'x10'x8' with 18wpc.Triode Strapped KT88 tube amp & have NEVER had more realistic sound in my home..IMO you just don't need big power unless you listen LOUD most of the time you listen...I listen to pretty heavy classic rock(Rush,Who,Zepp,Bad Co etc..),switching my amp to PP at 40wpc.& never feel slighted for power(sure my neighbors will say it's too much hahahaha)...
 IMO there is NOTHING out there at the price of the Vena II that compares.I demo'd it against the Audiolab M-One & Simaudio 240i & have owned the ifi Audio Stereo 50 all in 1 & the Quad VA-One(tube)and felt with the Harbeth speakers the SimAudio was superb at VERY low listening levels but as the volume/pace of the music increased the Quad seemed to maintain it's wonderful tone & staging where the SimAudio seemed to lose a bit of it's magic,becoming slightly compressed...None of the SS amps provided the overall satisfaction of the tube amps though..
 
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