2. speakers
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Unsettled and considering changing stuff

I honestly have no idea why but I got an itch lately to change my main system. Probably that damned trip to Vegas to see the toys at CES. To my ears my system is very good and I haven't really changed much recently. So why the hell change anything? Do you guys get bored with your setup every now and then and swap things out even though the system as a whole is putting out some good tunes? In keeping with the spirit of providing all the information needed for other members to provide an informed opinion...

We'll start with the room...My room is roughly 14' x 25', cathedral ceiling that goes from 8'(back wall where the speakers are) to 20' (listening position). Persian rug of some sort on the hardwood floor. The speakers are on the back wall (standard sheet rock construction) about 4' from the wall and 3' from the side walls (toed in slightly) and about 15' from my listening position. Got a leather couch in-between the speakers but the Logan's are tall and don't seem to suffer much from having the furniture there. Directly behind my listening position is a set of glass patio doors but I have heavy drapes to take care of that. I have hospital grade outlets for everything, other than that no room tweaks. This room is the family room so doing room treatments and such is out of the question (I've tried every sleazy angle to get her to give in, no luck at all), and there really is no other room I can set up my rig. All in all not that bad a room anyway.

Music? My music collection is about 800 CD's and roughly 2500 LP's. I listen to my turntable 50% of the time, CDP 30%, tuner 15%, tape deck 5%. I listen to a wide variety of music but generally spend about 70% of my time listening to rock, 20 % blues, 10% classical. My musical tastes run from grunge (think Rage Against the Machine) through to Steely Dan but I spend the majority of the time listening to the likes of Dire Straits, Steve Winwood, Blue Rodeo, Peter Gabriel, Roxy Music, Sting, etc... Yeah, I like vocal based music, preferably acoustic.

The current system (I never turn off any of my gear):

- Oracle Delphi MkIV, SME345 Arm, Grado Sonata Cartridge (marble base)
- Lehmann Black Cube Phono Preamplifier
- YBD CD Integre CD player (remote)
- Sansui TU-517 tuner
- Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette Deck
- Rega EAR headphone amp (used along with Senn 600's)
- Balanced Audio Technology VK30 Tube Preamplifier (with remote, EAR feet)
- Balanced Audio Technology VK500 amplifier (with BATPAK, EAR feet)
- Martin Logan Quest Z speakers
- Sennheiser HD600 headphones, Cardas cable
- (2) 5' Synergistic Research AC Reference power cords (preamplifier, phono stage)
- (1) YBA Diamond power cord (CD player)
- (2) Harmonic Technology Pro AC11 power cords (amplifier)
- (2) MIT Z-Cord II power cords (speakers)
- (2) Maple Audio Works Ambiance interconnect (Black Cube, CDP)
- (1) Transparent MusicLink interconnect cord (Tuner)
- (2) Phoenix Gold RCA-Balanced interconnect cable (Nakamichi Deck)
- Goertz Micropurl 25' Balanced interconnect (preamplifier to amplifier)
- Transparent MusicWave 10' Bi-Wire speaker cables (spades)
- Nitty Gritty 1.5Fi MkII record cleaning machine
- Custom built oak stand for source components, preamplifier, and music. Amplifier stand

So what's wrong with the set up? What don't I like? I guess I find it less involving than it ought to be, sounds good but doesn't draw me into the music they way I would like it to. Wonderful detail, but not engaging. I suspect maybe I ought to consider changing the speakers but I'm not a box-speaker fan at all. Maggies? Maybe consider the Avantegarde Uno? If I went this route I'd sell off the amp too cuz the Uno are powered speakers and have the added benefit of being designed to be used right up against the wall (they even sell wall mounting brackets for this purpose). Or stay off the merry-go-round and buy even more music?
jeffloistarca
kleech
122 posts
 
Dear Sir,

You are exhibiting signs of audiophilia nervosa, secondary stage. The tertiary stage, often terminal, manifiests by opening up a 2-channel audio business with the inevitable consequence of financial harm to yourself and loved ones. I'd suggest regular intake of Luvox or Welbutrin with a touch of Zyprexa as required when walking by a high-end emporium. Further, you could wire your mouse to impart a gentle electrical stimulus to your frontal cortex whenever you click on "New Today".

On the other hand, get a BAT phono pre and enjoy!
jeffloistarca OP
1,004 posts
 
Some good suggestions and for the most part entertaining! Thanks guys. My Logan's are the Quest Z's if that makes any difference to anyone out there (more stable impedance than the original Quests). Yeah, those shows are evil. I fell in love with some big ass SoundLabs they had playing there, man are they a sweet speaker. The Quads are of interest, I know they had arcing problems with their early 'stats but I suspect they have solved this problem by now. I'll see if I can find a pair nearby to listen to. The Avantegarde's are intriguing; very low WAF though (they look like a jet engine) so they'd have to be a major step up to fight the noble battle of bringing them home. As for SACD, well that may be an avenue worth exploring at some point but really wouldn't help with all my current software.

I suspect I may be better off doing some more tweaking, the dots are a good suggestion. Tube rolling, yeah, I need to roll some more tubes in my preamp. Jeez this hobby is a curse at times!
sean
6,229 posts
 
Since the majority of your listening is vinyl, why not shoot for a new phono stage? That seems like the most logical place to start. Given the fact that you like your tubed preamp, a tubed phono stage might give you more of what you are looking for. Just a thought. Sean
>

PS... Yes, shows can induce "evil thoughts" into your head. That is their purpose. Then again, audio websites and magazines might not be far behind what the shows do : ) Sean
>
rhljazz
1,117 posts
 
What you need is another system or two. I like a different sound/perspective on a regular basis. In my main listening room I have two racks and two complete systems that share only source material, two different cd players and a turntable. One system is all solid state using Classe' DR-8's as mono amps with a Classe' DR-5 preamp powering Green Mountain Audio Diamantes speakers. I have mounted casters to the Diamantes so I just push them out of the way when not in use and cover them with with a thick towell. I keep everything wired and know the exact set-up positions so with a tape measure and laser pen I can complete the change-over in a matter of minutes. My primary system in that room is all tubed with a VAC PA100 amp and VAC Renaissance preamp powering B&W Nautilus 802's. For cd source I use a Linn Karik/Numeric or Sony X7esd and the turntable is a Technics SL10. So even within one system I can change things up a bit by just picking which cd player to use. I don't have a wife to please so I don't mind seeing the other speakers in the room. Maybe for you, if you have the rack space add a tubed amp and share your preamp or even an integrated amp. Buy some good two way monitor speakers and stands and just plant them in the room where they sound good, then store them in a closet when you switch back to your big rig. Every couple of weeks change systems and listen for a week or more and you'll feel refreshed plus you will find things that the smaller speakers do that the big ones won't and vice versa. By the way, you have some very nice components. I guess you'd need to figure what to sell off to finance an additional mini system. I have the luxury of another complete system in a spare bedroom using a Cary SLI50 integrated tube amp with a Triad Design System 3 speakers that are small two ways with a separate powered woofer and that system kicks butt for what it cost. I enjoy having this variety. I use the Cary as my reference system, it sounds great and I don't ever change anything but in the other systems I'll try cords, cables, and other tweaks just out of curiosity.
jeffloistarca OP
1,004 posts
 
Sean,

I am leaning towards a new phono stage at some point. I'm budgeting $2000 for the phon stage, so I hafta come up with the extra $1500 to make the upgrade. In the meantime the Lehmann isn't too bad..

Rhljazz,

I do fool around with different gear all the time, particularly my home office system (also has a DR-8 amp BTW). Click on My Systems, they are all there. I'm probably due to swap stuff out and change things around a bit for a change. And tweak, I need to tweak more!
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