2. analog
  3. 119864-8622

if you had my system and $2,000 budgeted for an upgrade, where would you spend it?

This post may go a bit beyond analog, as it could encompass other parts of the system, but I am not interested in adding to the digital side of things, so here it is.

As far as I can tell, it seems like the places to spend that $2K would be on a better tonearm or perhaps a preamplifier upgrade.  I may be able to sell my Audio Research LS-25 and upgrade to ARC Ref 3.  As for the tonearm, I could sell the RB202 and get a Michell Tecnoarm, or step it up to an arm for about $1600 (are the Clearaudio arms nice?) and still have a little left over.

Can a tonearm upgrade make a significant sonic improvement?

I am not dying to spend money on an upgrade, and if the benefit of that $2K will be minuscule, I am happy to stay as I am for a while, my system sounds excellent.  But I am curious to know what the experienced people on this site would do the the $2K if they were in my shoes.

Where is the most improvement possible?
Thanks!
Mark

System Gear List:

Amplifier:  Audio Research VT-100 mkII
Preamplifier:  Audio Research LS-25
Phono Stage:  Whest Audio PS.30R
Cartridge:  Lyra Delos
Table:  Michell Engineering Tecnodec with standard RB202 tonearm
DAC:  PS Audio PerfectWave DAC mkII
Power Conditioner:  Shunyata Research Talos
Speakers:  Rockport Technologies Mira Monitors
Subwoofer:  Wisdom Audio SCS
Speaker Cable:  Cardas Audio Cross
Interconnect:  Cardas Audio 300B Microtwin XLR
Digital Music Storage & Player:  Apple Mac Mini + ROON + Hard Drive
Power Cables:  Shunyata Research Venom HC (amp, sub, conditioner)
Power Cables:  Shunyata Research Sidewinder VTX (sources)

My system can be seen here:  https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5421
marktomaras
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
183 posts
 
Speajers!!!! You need full range speakers. Your system is great, but you meed speakers. For well under $2000, you can pick up B&W 803 Matrix Series 2 and subs. I have experimented with these for years and they are hard to beat with the right subs. I have totally in phase subs rom B&W DM 16 when they were the top B&W speaker, just before the 801. \
Series 2 or 3 802 don't need subs for around $2000.
 If you are not a B&W fan, at least get three way speakers that will take some power. 
jafant
10,525 posts
 
mark-

you have a few nice products by Shunyata. Did you try/demo Shunyata
cables prior to the Cardas?  If so, Transparent cables are a sonic match for ARC gear. Visit a dealer/retailer soon.

Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
mysticriver
11 posts
 
You have a wonderful system.

I have no doubt that various incremental changes could make slight improvements for a couple of grand more.

All these suggestions pale however, compared to the one change you must make.

Upgrade your PerfectWave DAC II with the DirectStream DAC kit from PS Audio.

True, it will cost $3K instead of $2K.

But it after it burns in you will begin to realize something amazing.

Everything you heard before on your system was lacking.

And the DirectStream has completely transformed your enjoyment of music.

Beyond all expectation.


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lak
3,516 posts
 
@marktomaras,
Based on what I’ve read from some audiophiles that I trust, I would suggest you replace the fuses in your equipment with Synergistic Research Red or Black fuses (30 day return policy if there is no improvement I believe).
See: [url]https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/synergistic-red-fuse[/url] in the Audiogon Forum.
By replacing the fuses you will hear what your system is capable of after about 100 hours of fuse break in time.
At that point if you don’t like what you hear, you can consider some other type of change.
Changing any of the following: interconnects, speaker cable, power cords etc., obviously will create a different sound.
Just wondering if you have plugged your amp directly into the wall outlet, and did that improve the music?

lak's avatar
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lak
3,516 posts
 
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/synergistic-red-fuse
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