@xrayz @lowrider57 this is good advice. I would suggest having the electrician keep the 20A breaker as far away from any breaker that powers a dimmer. Also, most of the wires come out of the top of my breaker box so the electrician put the dedicated breaker at the bottom and ran the Romex out of the bottom side of the breaker box. He then kept the run completely isolated and away from any other wires and cables. For this dedicated line, you will benefit by isolating the Romex as much as possible. Send me an email and I will reply with pictures step by step.
Best Way to Spend ~ $2000 for System Improvement
Hi fellow music lovers! I have about $2000 right now to improve my system. It can be for any component, but I'm thinking amplification first, power, pre, or integrated. SS or tube.
To begin, right now I have a Mccormack 0.5 Deluxe power amp with "A" revisions, an Eva 2 passive preamp, Metrum Octave v1 DAC, Dell laptop for music files. Sometimes I use a Teac H750 as a transport and GMA Pico Executive speakers. The room is small, about 14x18x10ft. I listen to about 50/50 rock and classical, mostly full orchestral. As far as just sound goes, I would like the bass to be "fast". No delay or overhang, not exaggerated, but detailed. Detail is important at any frequency, the more the better, but not at the expense of musicality. I realize at this price point, compromise is necessary, and treble would be the best place for that. No harshness allowed, but I'm in my later 50s now and don't hear treble like I once did.
I hope I've given enough info to get some good suggestions. I like the sound now, but think it could be better, maybe a slightly lower noise floor and a little more pace and rhythm while retaining it's sweetness and smoothness. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. BTW, if any existing question answers any part of this question, feel free to link it.
To begin, right now I have a Mccormack 0.5 Deluxe power amp with "A" revisions, an Eva 2 passive preamp, Metrum Octave v1 DAC, Dell laptop for music files. Sometimes I use a Teac H750 as a transport and GMA Pico Executive speakers. The room is small, about 14x18x10ft. I listen to about 50/50 rock and classical, mostly full orchestral. As far as just sound goes, I would like the bass to be "fast". No delay or overhang, not exaggerated, but detailed. Detail is important at any frequency, the more the better, but not at the expense of musicality. I realize at this price point, compromise is necessary, and treble would be the best place for that. No harshness allowed, but I'm in my later 50s now and don't hear treble like I once did.
I hope I've given enough info to get some good suggestions. I like the sound now, but think it could be better, maybe a slightly lower noise floor and a little more pace and rhythm while retaining it's sweetness and smoothness. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. BTW, if any existing question answers any part of this question, feel free to link it.
- ...
- 59 posts total
Sell the 0.5 and move up the McCormack chain a little further $0.02. I had the standard version with Bryston 3B NRB on the bottom. It held bass like a vice while the Mc brought sweetness elsewhere . Very hard to beat that partnership for similar money, and even more. However I'm not suggesting that here. Outlets were mentioned, we put in a dedicated e-line and some heavy industrial grade outlets and realized improvements in about every direction. I once was one of the -how much better could it be guys-, providing no other appliances we're sharing line while listening. $100 for wire and 2 x 2 Howell outlets. They hold my heavy plugs like nobodies business. That in itself would of made them a good upgrade. |
Once again thanks for all the advice! @ anyone who has had dedicated lines installed- what exactly do I tell the electrician? Just that I want 2 dedicated lines for a stereo installed? Should I know and buy the brand of outlets or anything else ahead of time? I know very little to nothing about electric lines or any terminology used. I know there must be a lot of threads on here on this subject, but I'm not sure how much of them I'd understand. I don't mind asking stupid questions as long as the end result is good. @dfarmer I don't think most people know how truly excellent GMA speakers are. Mine are the first edition of the Picos when they weren't as expensive. Also, they were dealer demos, bringing the price down further. I also had better associated gear when I bought them. Since then I've had health problems and sold some of my equipment. But even with what I had before, the sound wasn't quite right. That's a big reason why I'm going to try this solution instead of new components right away. |
@xrayz, did you see my thread? I got advice from the experts on proper installation of dedicated lines, due to the fact my first installation was not optimal. The electrician did not arrange the circuit box for low noise. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/dedicated-line-advise Take a photo or draw a diagram of your current circuit box layout. Your new audio lines have to be placed away from appliances and other devices that generate noise. |
- 59 posts total