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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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.  

 

scott22

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. 

 

+1 on the adjustments suggested by erik_squires.

As for an equipment purchase, I am with those who suggest upgrading from the DAC within your CD player. Use the player as a transport.  Check out the MDHT Orchid DAC.  Much info on this DAC in the AG forum. 

You don’t need Nordost Odin at all. It’s an overkill and can be replaced by a lot cheaper wire and that will give you even more funds for better upgrade components.

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. 

Invest in a previously owned streamer/dac.  Check out the T2 or T3 by Lumin.  That will improve your sound.

+ 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.


+ 1 on hearing aids. They can be tuned to help flatten your hearing and significantly improve your listening experience. One of mine is in the shop right now and my music sounds lifeless without it. Just need to make sure the model has a music listening setting. That setting cancels noise reduction and maximizes sound for music vs voice. 

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. 

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.

Widex Sheer 440 hearing aids, if you want to simplify your life, and get great, customized results.

There are kind of two things I’d consider:

  1. Speaker and sub optimization
  2. A really fun integrated.

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!

I guess I am a young whippersnapper at 71. My first thoughts are to invest in a better integrated amp. I would go used, and hopefully add the proceeds of selling your current one. I would think this would result in much better sound.