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The next step to a better system

Hi everyone

I have been putting together a system for the last few years and need some of your wise and varied knowledge to help me take the next step.

My current system is

Harman Kardon HK990 intergrated

Revel F52 speakers

SVS PB12 NSD Sub

VPI Aries Scout with an Ortofon 2m Bronze mm cart

Herron VTPH 1mm phono preamp

Onkyo CDP DXC390

Belden BJC LC-1 interconnects

12 gauge, 87 strand, oxygen free copper speaker cables

Every step I've taken so far has lead me to a better audio listening place. 

I would also like to figure out the best way to introduce a good digital music source into my system. Currently I just hook up my smart phone through an Aux on the HK990 and listen to Pandora and Spotify. 

And of course I would like to improve on the analogue side of my system.

So any guidance would be helpful.

Thank for your time and knowledge

meambler
meambler OP
83 posts
 
I recently added an Oppo 105D and I really like the sound it is producing.

I wanted to use Tidal but at $20 a month for now I'll stick with Pandora, iTunes, Youtube. 

Are there other free or lower cost options for high quality streaming?




gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh
224 posts
 
IMO the most value for improvement comes from taming your room via  room treatment. All the wood and furniture, etc will not tame the rooms sound wave interactions. Its a lesson I learned from years of experience. After many, many upgrades to new and "better" equipment and accessories the single least expensive and highest value came from proper room treatments. Room treatment will make the largest overall improvement and is the least expensive. I tried many expensive ways to improve my experience that did in fact make subtle improvements but none were as pronounced as when I treated the room. I suggest to get your rooms acoustics under control and then decide if you still need to spend big money on subtle improvements.
mesch
1,679 posts
 
Congrats on the Oppo! 

I don't stream that often, use Pandora with our living room system. I would like to try Spotify which allows listening to entire albums. I believe it costs~$10/mo however. 
ptss
1,649 posts
 
Congrats on the 105D. I suggest AC power conditioning and isolation to reveal the great sound available from what you have. Experiment. 
meambler OP
83 posts
 
Thanks guys,

Are there any great sources to refer to for room treatments?

Ptss… I was looking into the AC power conditioning end of things. In your opinion at what price is someone just throwing money away concerning power conditioning products?

I was looking at the Furman brand.




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