Rate my system/advise


Edit for spelling advice, advise.

Hey, I am new to hi-fi. I have been building a system, and I have not set it up yet to listen. I demo’d the speakers before purchasing, but with different equipment. I was curious of opinions on my purchases, and what room there is for improvement. I had bought the amp’s early, which are old, and hoped to make up for it with the preamp.

McIntosh MB100 Media Bridge

Audio Research Reference 6 Preamp

2 NAD 218 THX’s (each in bridged mono)

B&W 803 D3

Nordost Tyr 2 IC (MB100 to ARC REF 6)

Ansuz Diamond Signalz IC (ARC REF 6 to NAD 218 THX)

Nordost Heimdall 2 Speaker cables

Nordost Heimdall 2 Power cables

Nordost Reference jumpers

 

I am about to purchase:

Butcher block acoustics audio rack and amp stands w/

IsoAcoustics Orea Isolators

Rebel Sky Acoustics Diffusers

Auralex Deep6 Low-frequency absorbers

zpatenaude37

Baylinor, ya I will I guess keep it as is and then try to have some money saved up. I will be moving soon, and don't want it set up at my current residence for a few reasons. But when I move, I won't have as much disposable income, which is why I've been using this time to buy everything while I have a better opportunity to do so. 

@zpatenaude37  congrats on the purchases, and I am sure you will have up something you love & with some fun ideas to try over time - seems like you’ve got a great “backbone” to work with

If it were me, I would ditch the McIntosh & buy any number of modestly priced streamers - BluSound etc.  McIntosh good for pre-amps & amps, rest not really their game. If it were me, I’d want something Roon-ready - Roon is pretty amazing

Again, if it were me, and working in a real-world budget, I would rather have one good stereo amp than a pair of monoblocks - my view is that you get more for your money. But monoblocks are admitedly cool. “Cool” is an audiophile term. Give the whole thing a listen and see what you think!

I wouldn’t spend any more serious money until you’ve had a chance to live with the system for a bit and then swap different amps in and out to see where you hear differences (borrow from a friend, or buy things with good return policies)

Congratulations again, I’m sure you will love the rig where you have started, and you can focus on the streamer, and whether or not you want different amps, over time.  Most of all, keep it simple - make changes sloooowly. You will never regret not spending money…

Have a great day!

@zpatenaude37  - btw, once you have it up and running, come back and tell us what you think! Would be fun to hear your reaction and thoughts

Those B&Ws err on the side towards bright/edgy especially on treble unless matched with warmer more forgiving amp. The Parasound mentioned or a McCormack would be good on a budget...Pass later at higher price perhaps. 

I'd rather you do DIY rack or even temporarily even cinder blocks etc in the short-term vs. keeping the NAD and buying a fancy rack.

For the room treatments, absorption or diffusion at first reflection point will be most impactful to taming those tweeters!

Cheers,

Spencer

@jonwatches1 thanks so much for the encouragement and advice. I will give updates in the future. Maybe I can find a trade-in with cash for the mcintosh to get a mark levinson 5101 in the future. Seems like a decent price. 

 

 

 

@sbank do you think if I can find a good price on a 10-15 year old Pass Labs pair, that would be a good deal? I'll still probably wait it out at this point, but maybe stay posted on the market for good deals.