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My System....where to start on the upgrade path

I’ve been in this hobby for only 2 years, so I have much to learn. I have questions about my overall system and didn’t know where to post them so I thought I’d give this forum a try. I read many of the forum comments on a weekly basis but I don’t post often because I haven’t felt that I had a solid enough background to share my opinion. I do have a very good ear, so I don’t mind sharing something I’ve heard if I think it sounded especially good.

I have decided that something is my system is lacking. I want the music to open up more. I want the various instruments to stand out more. I like listening to music at low levels, but I want to be able to raise the volume to real world levels and still retain that separation without the music sounding “jumbled” As you can see I don’t know all the proper audiophile terms so please just bare with me.

System:
Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers
Pathos Classic MKIII integrated with Electro-Harmonix 6922EH tubes
Cambridge 840c CD player
Thoren TD-160 HD turntable(modified by George Merrill
Ortofon AS-212S Tonearm
Dynavector 20X Cartridge
Sutherland PhD MC phono preamplifier
Ginko Cloud Audio Vibration platform(turntable)
Acoustic Zen Satori Speaker Cables
Acoustic Zen Wow interconnects
Bruce Brisson’s Giant Killer power conditioner( I can’t hear the difference with it)
Room: 23’7” x 15’4” x 9’3”
Speakers are along the short wall.
4 large plate glass windows along one of the long walls can be covered by heavy blackout Roman shades.
Glass sliding doors on the short wall opposite the speakers can be covered with heavy blackout drapes.
Heavy rugs on the Pergo covered concrete floor
Lots of upholstered furniture

Will tube rolling in the Pathos make a dramatic difference?
Amp-speaker match-up?

I’m trying to figure out where to start. I feel like I need more bass.
I know that this is painted with a broad brush, but if I can gets some good feedback, then maybe I can ask some more specific questions. Thanks Catfishbob
catfishbob
knownothing
1,298 posts
 
Catfishbob,

The P3ESR's are out for your room size. I really like the newer Compact 7's - I have been impressed by their inherent musicality and balance. They may be a bit bass shy in your room, and it is my belief - but not proven out by extensive listening tests on my part - that the SHL-5's will play louder than the Compact 7's without losing their composure. So for your stated needs, the SHL-5's may be a better choice. Do you have the option of listening to the different Harbeth models before buying?
catfishbob OP
44 posts
 
Knownothing....You can read my discussion on Harbeths in the adagio vs Harbeth thread.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1274216801&openmine&zzCatfishbob&4&5#Catfishbob

Suffice it to say that I've heard the P3SR's and the SLH-5's and loved both of them with the Slh-5's being the ones I was most interested in. I wish I could have an in home demo. If I could I might buy them on the spot but since I can't do that I would like to work with what I have to see if I can get more out of my system. If the SHL-5's liked my amp then changing speakers would be the most cost effective way to go. I havent heard the compact 7's.
knownothing
1,298 posts
 
Catfishbob,

You may want to put your amp in your car and drive the 12 hours again to the distributors house to listen to it powering the S-HL5's. Or, just wait until a pair come up used, buy them and try them at your home. My guess is that should you decide they are not for you, you could resell them on Agon and would be unlikely to lose more on the whole tranaction than the cost of another 12 hour car trip.
catfishbob OP
44 posts
 
The dealer in question is 1600 mi from where I am now, but I think there is one closer. I want to work on my set up, electrical hookup, and tweaks before i give up on these speakers. thanks
catfishbob OP
44 posts
 
Well,I thought I should give you an update on my progress. I had a MAJOR upgrade by tube rolling. I replaced the Electro-Harmonix in my Pathos with 2 Voskhod rocket logo 6h23 cryo'ed tubes. The difference was stunning. I dont know if my EH tubes were weak or something but the improvement was nothing short of astonishing. I had no idea that tubes could make this much difference.
I purchased a couple of Wireworld power cords that were recommended by another Pathos owner. The two different chords definitely sound different and I'm letting them break in before I fiddle further.
My speakers sound very good after these changes.
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