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Please Critique my Setup and Recommend Upgrade(s)

As a lifelong musician and former recording / pro audio engineer, this is my first foray into the world of HiFi and I could really use some advice and direction.  Last week I bought the following setup for a dedicated listening room that is essentially a 13x13 square room on three sides with the area behind me extending back another 25 or so feet.  There is a partial backwall about four feet wide but it is mostly open air behind me.  Ceilings are 9' and I have GIK bass traps in all corners, early reflection points on the side walls, and panels overhead between speakers and listening position.  Speakers are about 2 1/2 feet from back wall, 6 ft. apart, slightly toed in on cheap stands weighted down by cinder blocks.

1. 2017 VPI Scout Prime turntable with Ortofon Bronze
2. 2017 Rega Brio Integrated 50wpc Amp and Phono Stage
3. ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Speakers

So far this setup certainly sounds good, but it isn't blowing me away either.  At lower volumes the soundstage feels a little small and two-dimensional.  At louder volumes the sound seems to fill the room more, thereby enhancing the soundstage and making the music feel more natural as opposed to coming from directly in front of me.  The stereo imaging is okay, but I expected a little more stereo separation.  Also, perhaps the speakers are still breaking in, but the ELACs don't seem to do the best job of presenting the music in a cohesive manner.  It sounds like the frequency bands are a little disjointed.    

Should I stick with the ELACs but consider a higher end integrated amp that can feed them a little more power like a Parasound Halo?  Or should I nix the ELACs and invest in some more efficient and higher end loudspeakers,e.g. Devore, ATC, ProAc, etc...?  Would I still get an audible improvement with these nicer and more efficient speakers if I stick with the Rega Brio, or do these high end speakers warrant a truly high end amp?  I ask because I likely can't upgrade both speakers and amp at the same time.    

I also considered the KEF LS50, but it seems like they are similar to the ELACs in that they are rather inefficient and need a powerful amp.  

   
529proaudio
rbstehno
916 posts
 
I used to have a 13x13x8 ft room. I had a pair of large speakers at 1st and I couldn't get them to sound any good. So I went with a pair of Totem Model 1's which are fantastic speakers, but I was missing the low end. After going thru different amps I ended up getting a Rel subwoofer to pair up with the totems. This allowed me to get the right low end without having to turn up the volume. Also, before I bought the Rel, I bought a pair of Totem Mani 2's which needed much more power and again I couldn't drive them in that small room. I eventually used the Mani's in a dedicated room that was 22x13 which sounded great.

If if you do look at larger speakers, I would go with a forward ported speaker that would allow you to put them closer to the back wall. I would look at the Usher Mini Dancer I. 

IMO there is nothing wrong with the VPi, you can always upgrade that later. 
genez
134 posts
 
Bought them last week?   It can take weeks before all that new equipment burns in!  Its not going to reach its potential until it does.  Just adding one piece of new equipment into a broken in system will take it down a notch.  When everything is new?  Its going to take a while before everything settles in.  Most likely,  things will be veiled until it happens.
dsnyder0cnn
25 posts
 
Another +1 for Tekton Designs Double Impacts. Do some research, read some reviews, and get a pair in for a month or two. I'm pretty sure they will take things in the right direction. http://www.tektondesign.com/test.html
rrwolfgram
14 posts
 
Where are you sitting? What I am getting at is they are most likely too close try 8 feet apart, should improve your soundstage.  

Your speakers need a better amp to push them perhaps a very nice tube amp.  I know they can get expensive, but there are some that are very nice in the $2500-$5000 range.  

Bottome line better amp.

good luck and always buy quality!!!

Ag insider logo xs@2x
kavakat1
80 posts
 
People will recommend what they have heard.  You. Red to expose yourself to as many speakers as possible. Look at those that are over your budget. Chances are you can find them used for less. Personally I think the Vandersteen ones and twos are a great sound and there are lots out there used. I have B & Ws which lacked bass added a used Vandersteen self powered woofer the 2WQ, which freed the amp from handling the bass Entire system sounded so much better. You might be able to keep the  amp and the Elacs with a self powered subwoofer. Also consider your cables 
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