2. misc-audio
  3. 131848-94326

Rate my system and chose the next upgrade

Good evening,

I'm looking to get my system to the "next" level.  Before you ask, what is "lacking", I can not pinpoint anything.  Over all, seems to sound "pretty good" to me.  I've been back to vinyl, buying nicer copies and cleaning well with a musichall machine.  Most of my time is spent utilizing a quick CD or SACD and Hi-Rez digital with Audirvana but really enjoy the vinyl experience.  I would utilize more vinyl but usually it's more time consuming.

Why am I upgrading?  I feel I may be missing out on improvement of sound somehow, therefore "upgrading" must be the correct answer right?  Here's my system.  What would you start with to upgrade?  My typical upgrade budgets are about $3k at a time.  I'll list the approximate retail value (new)

Yamaha A-s2000 integrated- $3000?
Yamaha A-s2100 SACD/CD- $3000?
Teac UD-501 DAC with DSD capability - $850
Clear Audio Performance DC Turntable- $3500 with clarify tonearm
Clear Audio Balance Phono stage- $1000
Sound Smith Cart- can't remember which but a $1200 unit
Martin Logan motion 40XT's- $2000/pair
Martin Logan small sub woofer-$500?

Go!



dhpeck
dhpeck's avatar
dhpeck OP
59 posts
 
Thanks for the response Erik,
well, I'm a complete novice here.  It's not an ideal set up.  The system is in my living room where ceilings are 11 feet high, room is approx 25ftx25ft, however it's open concept into kitchen area and just to the side of my system is a tile foyer about 25ft x 15ft to the front door, lots of windows in front and also in living room, although the speakers aren't facing the windows.  The sub is set up only a few inches from one of my speakers.  Sub placement is limited to near speakers since my basement has finished ceilings and would make wiring impossible
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Go to GIK acoustics where they will give you all sorts of great advice on your room.  You can post pictures and floor plans.

http://www.gikacoustics.com/

The other thing to consider is improving the sub to speaker and sub to room integration. Best to do acoustics first, but after, consider a DSP speaker solution such as a miniDSP

https://www.minidsp.com/

to improve the blend as well as the output of the sub.

Best,


E
dhpeck's avatar
dhpeck OP
59 posts
 
Thanks Erik, I'll check it out.


mdeblanc's avatar
mdeblanc
58 posts
 
make sure your CD player and turntable are isolated from vibrations. Make sure your speaker spike reach thru the carpet to the sub-floor. Make sure to tame any reflections from side walls and corners...room-treatments or corrections as Erik stated.
dhpeck's avatar
dhpeck OP
59 posts
 
you know I checked out the room correction sight, and i can't see any of that being practical for my living room that I share with my wife!  I've thought about moving my system down to my rec room that is approx 15ftx25ft, but the speakers would be on each side of a 65inch tv and facing a patio door and windows 25ft back.  what to do!
More to discover