System recommendations


Good afternoon.

I have an older system that I am thinking about making some changes to.  I feel I can get more out of the speakers than what I have currently.  Perhaps a different preamp, or maybe a new amp and preamp.  Here is my system: 

Aragon 8008 mk2/Amp
Aragon 28k mk2/Pre
Cary CDP1/Source
Dynaudio Excite 44/Speakers 

All cables are Wireworld Eclipse 8.  Interconnects are RCA not balanced as the pre is RCA only.

Power Cords are all Shunyata Venom VR10.  All plugged into a Shunyata PS8/Defender using a Shunyata Alpha HC 20amp to the wall.

I look forward to your responses.  

Thank you.  




  




sinatra
For instance KEF LS50's are world's apart from Ohm Walsh's, though each has their fans! As posted above you can stick with the Dynaudio's and just add a sub or two or three or four ... this would give a big improvement in bass power and definition! 

I’m no fan of ports, if so, front only.

Those speakers ought to have darn good bass without subs. Perhaps tighten the bass by closing the rear ports.

Did you ever try Dynaudio’s Port Plugs? Or blocking/stuffing them yourself?

Dynaudio’s Speaker Positioning Info is very informative

https://www.dynaudio.com/discontinued-models/excite/x44/support/manual/en/positioning-installation

excerpt:

"Dynaudio speakers are designed to perform at their best when positioned as far from any walls as possible. Ideally, try to aim for a minimum distance of 50 cm (18 in) from each speaker to any wall. Diagram 3 illustrates room boundary distances.

Diagram 3: Distance to walls

Speaker positioning – using port plugs

If your Dynaudio speakers have reflex ports and are supplied with foam plugs, these can be fitted to reduce the bass emphasis that may be apparent if the speakers are placed close to room boundaries. Some Dynaudio port plugs can be split to provide optional levels of bass volume reduction. For mild bass reduction, fit only the outer foam ring by sliding it in the port tube so that it sits just inside the flared port exit – making sure it retains its shape to minimise airflow turbulence. For more extreme bass reduction, fit the complete plug so that the port is blocked. Diagram 4 illustrates the use of port plugs and their effect on speaker frequency response."

.....................................................

After closing the rear ports, ’tightening’ the front bass, then, discover if you want ’lower’ bass (not ’more’ bass).


IF so, I recommend a ’stereo pair’ of front facing self-powered subs located adjacent to the mains. Both the fundamentals and their overtones, i.e. 36, 72, 144 ... provide directional information, you will know where the bass player is standing!


Even if you have plenty of bass at normal listening levels:

For low level listening, due to our ear’s variable characteristics, you need to boost the bass to maintain it’s volume relative to other frequencies,

the easiest is a fletcher munson filter, progressively increased bass as volume diminishes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour


Proper setup, point of engagement, of ’loudness’ (stupid name) filters is important, many misuse it.





Thank you for the responses so far.  I do need to work on the room a bit, although I will be moving over the next 12 months.  The current room I have has the left speaker along a wall and the right is more open.  The left side sounds a bit more dynamic and precise if that makes sense. 

The Aragon 8008 has plenty of current which the Dynaudio's like, and the bass response is very good. They are about 3-4 feet from the rear wall.  I thought about the new Halo amps as a replacement for the Aragon 8008 & 28k, but that might be a lateral move unless I go up to the JC1+.   
The Aragon amp you own was made by Mondial which also manufactured Mark Levinson during that time.  They are good products. I wouldn’t change the amp or pre and I wouldn’t bother trying different cables.  Speakers will make the most difference either by integrating a subwoofer into the system or changing the Dynaudio speakers. 
I would avoid lateral moves. I found, in general,  if you double the cost you get an “oh wow”. You always want to be pleasantly surprised at how much better the change has made your system