2. speakers
  3. 161286-68093

Step me up from Paradigm Studio 20 v4 bookshelf, seriously.

I have been around here for a few years. Enjoying the game about once or twice a week. Yes I am hooked. Kind of sort of laid back on forums. Bought and sold a sizeable amount of equipment with one-hundred percent feedback. Probably a mid-fi guy. Best pair of speakers I have owned to me are Paradigms, namely Studio 60 v4 and current Studio 20 v4. Can anyone take me beyond these? Yes, a bit temperamental they are. Have never stepped up to, I guess Hi Fi speakers? Have tried Spendor 8se (too polite?), Paradigm Monitor 7 (not as good as Studio versions), Elac dbr62 (close to Paradigms but not as refined), Totem Rainmaker (maybe too small, not sure been a while back), Monitor Audio Silver 2 (kind of like Paradigms). Hooked on my Paradigm Studio 20 so far. Current system = Mid-Fi integrated (?) Rotel RA-1572, Bluesound Node 2i, Marantz SA-8004, Mhdt Orchid DAC (seriously love it), fair amount of decent cables. Like pop/rock music mainly. Integrated amps I have used: Rotel Rx-1052, Sim 340i DPX, Rotel RA-1572 (current), Musical Fidelity A3.5, NAD C368, Arcam.

Mostly into monitors/bookshelf due to room size, maybe front ported. Thinking of maybe some Spendor A1, Harbeth P3SR (or other models), Reference De Capo, Fritz?, Pro Ac?, B & W? No room treatments in my 14 by 18 room, as is fairly inert acoustically. I am an older retired audiophile (55-70). A bit of tinnitus, so nothing too bright. On Audiogon daily. Looking for some input/ideas. Lateral moves probable?

Any serious input welcome (maybe a bit of non-serious just for fun!). Love this hobby.

Thanks,

Jim


jbmac75
builder3
752 posts
 
jbmac, I'd keep an eye on eBay for S2's, they pop up somewhat regularly. The J29 stands also show up from time to time, around $250, give or take. They're great.
jbmac75 OP
186 posts
 
Bought some 28 inch Monoprice stands for the 20s a couple months ago and filled with sand and they are very heavy and quite well built. Was using 24 inch older three pillar Pangea. The Monoprice are definitely a good step up and believe the height change helped too. I know Paradigm recommends 29 inch for S2 and I believe the 20s too. 
jbmac75 OP
186 posts
 
@mesch The room is not ideal as I have my system somewhat in one corner. A fireplace occupies the adjacent corner and there is not enough room to put system on the wall between. Room is about 13 by 17. Sytem and fireplace are on 13 foot wall.

I am generally happy with my Rotel. I auditioned a Parasound A23 amp and Parasound preamp and found it too sound overdriven or too large, for lack of better wording. Did work pretty well on some music. I use this for TV too so that has to be part of my equation. Another thing with some integrateds is the volume increments are too great. I like 0.5 or 1.0 increments.

I am generally fairly happy with my system given the room setup and my not 100% ears. Think I have that 'addiction' though. 


jbmac75 OP
186 posts
 
@builder3

"jbmac, I’d keep an eye on eBay for S2’s, they pop up somewhat regularly. The J29 stands also show up from time to time, around $250, give or take. They’re great."

On my radar. Missed a very nice pair of v3 on US Audiomart in Sept as they sold in about 20 minutes for $1050! Thanks.

builder3
752 posts
 
I don't think they were v3's, but a pair sold a few months ago on eBay for $1100 that were rosewood, seller described them as 'satin oak'. Even though you can't hear 'pretty', they looked amazing.
More to discover