Changes to older system


My system is the following, electronics and speakers bought from the store where I worked through college and grad school in the late 80s and early 90s:

- Cambridge Audio CXN v1

- NAD 1600 preamp

- NAD 2200PE amp

- B&W Matrix 3 Series 2 speakers 

- Monster Cable interconnects and speaker cable

Overall I still enjoy the sound, but I’ve always thought it was bright and bass shy.

Where should I start to upgrade this rig?

- First and most obvious choice is cabling, but what?

- Second, Quirk Audio can upgrade the amp and preamp, but is it better to do that or buy new?

I’d like to stay in the $2k range per component - used or new.

Ag insider logo xs@2xideal8592

I got some of the last batch of Zu Audio Dirty Weekends. They sound great with my PowerNode 2i.

Oh, I do love them!  I fretted about spending so much on one component, but was somewhat flush with cash from selling my record collection and splurged.  I don’t regret spending the money, and have enjoyed my DWs and PowerNode immensely.  

Just ordered an Auralic G1 Altair at the recommendation of a guy at Zu. He also recommended some tube integrated amps - one Luxman and two Icon Audio in my price range of $2-4k. Just picked up a used Audio Nirvana EL-84 to get a sense for the sound of that tube in a PP configuration on the Zu ODWs. A bit more oomph and better bass control. I still may prefer the SET sound from the TubeCube 7, but the AN EL-84’s starting to sound much better the more hours I put in it. I have a Decware SE34I.6 on order, but I’m playing around with other amps until it’s in a year from now. Also just read that Steve’s working on a 300B design that sounds intriguing.

I replaced a sold state preamp with a tube preamp and it really made a huge difference (Parasound P3 to Schiit Audio Freya Plus) The bass and soundstage opened up and the sound is more organic. Whatever tube amp you decide upon (if you do) make sure you have the ability to add a subwoofer. In fact if you were to decide upon a unit like the Freya, It would leave you plenty of cash to add a sub or even try new speakers. There are may choices in the $1K to $2K price range that would be killer. Zu, Tekton Design, KLH, Klipsch, Vandersteen come to mind. I added new speakers to a second audio system, Tekton Double Impact SE and they knock my socks off with 28 watts per side.