2. analog
  3. 1364597588

What to upgrade if at all

I have a TT system and a budget of $2000 cdn available for upgrades. I like 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop. I listen to mainly vocal, male and female pop and rock. I also listen to digital: computer, SACD, CD using a Modwright Oppo 95 through my current system and am happy to make no changes to digital system:

I don't have any complaints about the analogue setup but just wonder if I can get more of a 'wow' factor by....upgrading TT, tonearm cable, tonearm, phono,power cords, room treatment? For a 2000 budget, where would you suggest I start?

Avid Diva II SP TT
Nordost Tyr tonearm Cable
SME IV arm with a Benz Micro ACE S cartridge
Allnic 1201 Phono
Modwright LS 100 preamp
Modwright KWI 150SE power amp
Trenner & Friedl ART speakers on
Custom Design FS 104 stands
Usher component rack
JPS Aluminata RCA IC from phono to preamp
Antipodes Reference cable between preamp and power amp
Antipodes Reference speaker cable with Bybee speaker bullets
PS Audio P5 regenerator on Nordost titanium kones
Power cables: JPS Analogue, Power AC, Kaptovator x2 and Black Sand Violet MKIIx2

Thanks in advance for the suggestions,
Happy Listening
lleall

Showing 5 responses by lleall

lleall OP
17 posts
 
I reread Raoul's link to subwoofers and I see that I should try around 80Hz to integrate my speaker and subwoofers instead. Down the road, I plan to add the Trenner & Friedl supertweeters when they become available. That would be the end of the journey for my speaker search.
lleall OP
17 posts
 
thank you, everyone for the suggestions.
I will keep a lookout for Lyra Delos/Kleos on the resale market.
lleall OP
17 posts
 
Hello, everyone and thanks again for the responses.

Rauliruegas, I did consider subwoofers to add full range, but my listening room is quite small and I find the ART speakers have enough bass to pretty much satisfy me. The solid state power amp I have drives the ART very well.
I have been looking at the SVC subwoofers though(direct sales) and would arrange to audition in home. I was thinking of buying one but I gather 2 subwoofers are better.
The only problem is that my listening room is quite small and I wonder if I even need subwoofers or is it one of those if you don't try, you don't know what you are missing?

I also saw that Trenner & Friedl have been working on a version of their diamond tweeters that would be more affordable. I emailed the very nice Peter Trenner and he says they are still working on modifications and are not yet ready to bring to market.

Another thought I have is just to keep saving $$ to upgrade to an Avid Sequel SP, keep my SME IV arm and upgrade my cartridge at the same time.
lleall OP
17 posts
 
As an update, 2 months later.
I have purchased a pair of powered SVS cylindrical NSD subwoofers which will arrive sometime this week.

SVS suggested that I try the low-pass at:

'Since the ART speakers list a 44Hz extension I'd set the Low-Pass on each sub to between 45Hz and 60Hz (experiment for best blend) and set the Gain (volume) on each to taste until you get the amount of bass you like.'

As to the Lyra cart, I have read that the Delos may be better than the Kleos? I am still waiting to buy.

Thank you again everyone for the suggestions.
lleall OP
17 posts
 
Hello, Budburma:

What does BMI stand for?

Thanks,
Lea
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