Remarkably better sound possible with just 1 system component change?


I could have posted this discussion to a few other categories but chose this one because discussions related to 2 of the 4 components in question belong here.

So it's been ~2.5 yrs since I purchased my current system. I did a lot of research at the time here on audiogon, but no auditioning, and put together a system that sounds very, very good to me.

While I have no complaints, the itch to upgrade has surfaced recently.

I am curious as to whether you guys think it will be possible for me to replace just 1 of my primary 4 components and obtain significantly better sound as a result. The more discernible and obvious the sound improvement, the better obviously. I am not looking for a marginal upgrade - I want dramatically better sound. And I am not looking to replace more than 1 component at this time. I am hoping to get a few ideas/candidates and then may decide to audition some of the recommendations before making a decision. Hopefully some of the upgrade paths are such no-brainers that I may even be able to take a leap of faith without auditioning. Note also that acoustic room treatments are not viable in my current listening location.
 
My current 4 part system:

1. Lumin D2 - 100% of my listening is streaming via Tidal
2. Mcintosh C2600 preamp
3. Mcintosh MC452 amp
4. Focal Kanta 2 speakers

Cables are Cardas Golden presence RCAs from the Lumin to C2600, Cardas Clear Cygnus XLRs from the C2600 to the MC452, and Kimber 8TC speaker cables to the Kantas.

Soundstaging, dynamics, imaging and overall clarity are all great. I have to say I love the Be tweeters. And the bass is punchy, tight, fast and certainly sufficient for my needs. Vocals and overall sound are warm, liquid smooth and analog-like, just the way I like it. (Forgive me if I've botched some of the characterizations - I'm no expert at this). The only thing I can think of that could use some improvement is the sound quality at lower volume levels, although that is not terribly important to me since most of my listening is in the 90+ Db range. Would be nice, though.

So while I do love the overall sound, surely dramatically better sound can be obtained via a 1 component swap? Budget is ~10k. Or will I need to spend more, or upgrade more than 1 component to achieve the desired result?

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.

chandybe
@ millercarbon
Where do you have your Schumann generators placed? Do they need to be 5 ft off the floor as suggested?
+1 @chiapinnelli And yet the component, speaker, and cable/cord suggestions just keep pouring in. As if that would make a difference if the room is not addressed.
@romney80  I agree with you about upgrading to a Lumin X1. The upgrade to an X1 is wise because many people have reported that the fiber optic port of the Lumin X1 sounds better than the RJ45 Ethernet port, which puts the X1 in a world-class league when it comes to DAC/Streamers. 

Help me understand the suggestion to get an EtherREGEN device for approx $750.  I understand eliminating electrical noise that copper Ethernet cables can carry by inserting the EtherREGEN device. But that can be done for less than $100 with a TrendNet media converter, SFP module and fiber optic cable to connect to a Lumin X1. 

What functions does the EtherREGEN provide other than getting rid of electrical noise?

Must be nice to have 10k to burn....I’d use it for an emergency fund in these amazing times...not blow it on a piece of overrated gear which incidentally most of this stuff is. There are way too many budget components available today that sound quite wonderful without spending ridiculous amounts of money on. JMO
Where do you have your Schumann generators placed? Do they need to be 5 ft off the floor as suggested?




The best way to use the Schumann Generators is connected in a grid....I connected them to my resonators grids and i use my "golden plate" on them....

Height varying: 4 to 6 feet....

I use 11 of them around my listening position.... 😁

But only one ionizer (a non ozone one and silent one) will did also a very great impact....



My last device is very powerful:

A"Helmholtz-Fibonacci silent organ": a room tuner...

3 sets of ordinary brick with in each one 3 tubular copper plumber pipes with lenght near the golden ratio...

And too many other things to be described....

I am nuts but my audiophile experience is almost free for all....







«Their  Achille’s heel is that they must sell you something»- Anonymus Smith