Where Do I Go from Here?
As I neared my 75th birthday, I decided that it was time for my “end game” audio system. Thus, for the past 2-1/2 years, I have slowly and carefully upgraded my sources, my amplification, and my cabling – with very pleasing results. At this time, I have:
Digital – Bricasti M19 SACD transport and M21 DAC; Shunyata Sigma V2 Ethernet and DH Labs Air Matrix Cryo analog interconnect cables.
Analog – Technics SL-1200G turntable w/Ortofon headshell; Hana SL cartridge; Cardas Clear Cygnus phono cable; PS Audio Stellar phono amplifier; Wireworld Eclipse 8 interconnect cables.
Amplification – Theta Digital Casablanca V preamplifier; McIntosh MC611 mono amplifiers (L, C, & R); Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables and Eclipse 8 analog interconnects.
Currently, I own Revel Ultima Studio (L & R) and Voice (center) loudspeakers as well as two SVS SB-16 subwoofers. I purchased all three Revel speakers in 2004, and they have served me well for the past 20 years. Except when listening to multi-channel SACD for watching Blu-ray concerts, I only use my main left and right speakers. My media room has four walls and a door; its size is around 6,000 cubic feet.
What I have been wrestling with is whether, given my other equipment (which I have no intent on replacing), I should buy new speakers and, if so, which should I consider. Recently, for example, I listened to a pair of Rockport’s Avior IIs, albeit using source components and amplifiers different than mine. They seemed perhaps better in some regards, but not so much so as to make a compelling case to purchase them as an upgrade. Another friend, who just acquired his PS Audio FR30 speakers, is urging me to consider buying a pair of the FR30s.
There certainly are numerous speaker lines out there. Consequently, I decided to post my “dilemma” here and invite others to provide their suggestions (ideally with their reasoning). My absolute top budget is $50K. However, this purchase would be funded by my retirement savings, and I certainly would prefer spending less. Also, maybe the better course is to keep my Revels and be happy and content with what I already have.
Many thanks for your reading this entire posting.
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...or frustration. Agree it's best to demo yourself. OP, I like your list. When I was shopping for speakers, I demoed the AviorII (sounded veiled but of one piece) and Magico A5 (better highs, but seemed not balanced top to bottom) at AXPONA - I suspect poor show room conditions. My someday end game target was a used Magico M3. The Vimberg Mino D sounded fantastic so I purchased the demo pair (by blowing up my budget). Estellon almost always sound great, and wished that PS Audio would have made their FR30s available for demo at this AXPONA. I've also heard and loved the S3 2023 comparably with the M3. |
The first speaker that came to mind is the Joseph Audio Pearl or maybe even the Perspective 2 for about half the price if you’re also using subs for 2 channel. Other speakers I’ve heard that do very well producing a 3D soundstage are ProAc, Wilson, Vandersteen, and Usher. Rockport can do this too, but with your amps and considering your current speakers I’d be a little concerned they might be a little too polite up top, but that’s just a guess. I also thought the Magico Q7s I heard were great but didn’t have quite the musicality/emotion the others generated — maybe just a little too clinical for me. But given what you’re looking for the JA Pearls would be atop my list and are true end-game speakers IMO and certainly worth a trip to go out of your way to hear. Best of luck! |
@jmeyers |
I understand your desire to upgrade, that is a big part of the fun of this hobby, but I am curious as to why you are so steadfast on not replacing any other components, only the speakers. Your system should be a synergy of the individual parts. I’d rethink as to why you want to change up what amounts to the largest and most difficult component to home audition and physically install. Your digital sources are top class, your analog source is decent but if you do listen to a lot of vinyl, a cartridge upgrade would be relatively inexpensive, easy, and very cost effective. I did own the Hana SL for a while. Lovely for the money but there are much better choices if you go up the food chain. Finally, regarding your amplification. I personally have never been truly happy with my system unless I am using tubes for amplification and perhaps you might want to consider that. That dimensionality you are looking for, in my experience, can best be created with tubes. You could buy 2 monoblock tubes amps for the left and right for your music listening and keep one of the Macs for you center channel when you do Video. Should you decide to go that route, you could buy used and if not to your liking, easy to resell and ship out. Your speakers are considered to be very good. Changing them out might provide a different sonic perspective, but perhaps a sideways move with considerable inconvenience. Good luck and hope I didn't open up a can of worms!
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