Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me your suggestions. I will be pursuing a stand alone DAC and will investigate the Denafrips line as a cost effective option as it gets great reviews.
What to change in my system
Hi everyone
I would welcome suggestions on improving my audio system Imaging and soundstage while keeping clarity. I have $3,000 to spend, on gear. I like my systems sound but ...
The components:
- I'm 77 with typical hearing deficits at the high frequencies. I have limited financial resources, $3000 is available plus revenue from sale of all existing speakers. I play just CDs mostly classic rock such as the Stones, Beatles ,Who, Zepplin, etc. Jazz focused on sax and piano Coltrain, Parker, Rollins, Evans , Monk and the classical symphonies Beethoven, Bach, Mozart etc. I like to hear the inner detail of the music so imaging is a big plus, soundstage can be speaker to speaker depth is somewhat constrained by distance to back wall of two feet.
- My current system Canton 9k reference stand mounted and two SVS SB 1000Pro subs positioned along side. My integrated Technics SUG 700 feeds the music played by a Marantz cd6006 cd player. Nordost Odin interconnects are used. Monster cable power something coherent something source ( can't read but thick and old lots of copper well insulated lol) speaker cable to my Canton's bass. Maker cables drive the mids and tweeter, SVS cables are used for the SVS subs.
- The room12x16 is well damped plants in all corners and fully furnished and wall to wall carpeting. Full almost floor to ceiling drapes cover windows behind the speakers. Those corners facing the speakers are cover floor to ceiling in plants. The ceiling is vaulted starting at 7 ft where speakers are positioned to 12 ft high where I sit. My sitting position is 8 ft from the speakers. The wall behind me has a big glass picture. The two side walls one is wide open leading to dinning room the other mostly undamped exposed glass leading outside.
- Wife factor speakers are in a fixed position 8 ft apart between the speakers is my other gear on a stand. two over stuffed chairs are on the outside sides of the speakers and any change to room is verboten. As an aside my prior speakers were the beautiful light oak Snell C2 mk2s, which were great but wife did not like them, to big, so sold and I got the Cantons and added the SVS gear all black( two can play that game) now she wishes the Snell's were back. I guess this is my way of saying floor standers are back in play, lol.
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OP: The suggestion of a different amp was just to be different, not necessarily better. :) A romp through some classic tube amps might be a fun adventure, not necessarily a better destination. For your budget and system I think overall keeping it as is and being careful to examine the subwoofer, speaker and room integration is what I'd recommend overall. For instance, look at the AM Acoustics room mode simulator for tips on where to not place your speakers and subwoofers and listening location. Also, since these are non-destructive tests, try plugging your ports to see if the main speakers sound better from the mid bass on up. If so, you may want to adjust your subwoofer a bit to match the new, sealed speakers. Otherwise I might recommend you listen to a pair of Fritz speakers, which have excellent performance, but not sure it would be a big improvement over what you have now overall. |
+ 1 on DAC. Even an inexpensive DAC will improve the sound from your CD6006 Something like the Denadrips will improve your sound significantly. (I have a CD6007 w/Chord Qutest). Then add streamer with Qobuz or Tital.
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Having just read a review of your amplifier, it seems to me your system is pretty well matched. No doubt a tube integrated amp would give you a more natural picture into the music. Tube amps from companies like Conrad Johnson are generally reliable and tubes should last in the 1000s of hours. Rather than upgrade what is already a well matched system, why not get a good quality streamer and DAC. The streamer will open up a world of music discovery all controlled from an ipad/iphone, and you never need to get up from your chair like you do to change CDs. Additionally, the high quality DAC will improve the sound of your existing CDs. Use the digital output of your CD player ( which has an average at best quality built in DAC) into one of the inputs of the new DAC. I'm particularly fond of the R2R Non oversampling type DACs....smooth and more analog like ie the Denafrips or Musician Lines. |
tattooedtrackman Trenton makes the world takes now it's what the world refuses Trenton uses. Yea I'm a Jersey guy. I see you have tats ever go to the Philly tattoo convention? If not put it on your to do list you will be a kid in a candy store. |
@scott22 Hey Scott. One of the things I noticed about u is that u live in NJ. Me 2 👍 |
Hey Sgordon1 are you my doppelganger as I am Scott Gordon and was thinking about hearing aids since I’m of that age where it would probably be the best improvement to my audio system as it would increase my frequency range maybe even clarity. Don’t tell me you live near Philly. 😁 Mazian : Odins are knock offs bough a couple they sound great so I purchased the rest. A noticeable improvement over a lower level and cost Audioquest. And thank you for your suggestions those Sonettos are high wife acceptance me thinks must see where to give them a listen. Interesting that you and Erik both suggested a new amp, why? Erik Thank you, I’ve notice many of your helpful recommendations to others needing advice, way to be as folks like you make this site worth the visit. It’s true my amp is boring dead silent, and no dials to turn. Also, I notice Manzian suggested an amp change, why not the Technics? It was an offer could not refuse.I have like the look of the CJ amps over all others never heard them however. I had a tube HHScott when I first started out many moons ago and I was going through tubes like crazy, so it turned me off tubes as I was young, poor and of course the amp was way used. there’s a fun story behind that amp. next up I went to all Adcom gear as they were just up the street in New Brunswick NJ. They fix the amp once for a dozen donuts. Your suggestion of system analysis would take me to another level of audiophiledom. So far, I’ve only a dB measuring device which has helped me quantify my loudness preferences from my listening position, at what dB my speakers come alive, at what volume they clip and how low a volume they can play. |
It seems to me that if the Nordost Odin cables are genuine you have over capitalized on the cables. Otherwise I agree that a Rogue or CJ tube integrated would make a substantial difference. Also when funds permit perhaps you might look at replacing the speakers with something like the Sonus Faber Sonetto range. |
There are kind of two things I’d consider:
For the first part, I’d invest in measurement microphone and make sure you’ve eliminated all the big peaks subwoofers sometimes cause. It can help you raise your subwoofer level. Along the same vein, consider plugging your ports on your main speakers. This can reduce distortion and increase dynamic range and make it integrate better with the subs, but measurements are key. Plugging your ports can also help a little with imaging and clarity. Another idea is to think of an integrated which is FUN. Rogue or Conrad Johnson tube integrated could be a real treat to spend time with. Of course, don't be afraid of using the tone controls in your integrated either! |
