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looking to upgrade - identify the weakest link?

I’m a tube and Klipsch guy looking to upgrade. I’m tempted by Cornwall IV, but their size is probably prohibitive (I’m married 😊). To increase soundstage and/or instrument resolution, maybe a tube preamp, or a tube DAC, or roll tubes in integrated amplifier …? How to identify the weakest link? Thanks in advance!

Equipment: Qobuz to ethernet PC Notebook with Audirvana or ethernet Blusound Node (2021) network streamer to Cambridge DacMagic 100 to Schiit Loki Mini+ EQ to Line Magnetic 210-IA 300B SET integrated amplifier to Klipsch Heresy III + Klipsch R-10SW.

Music: 1920-1980 Jazz: Armstrong, be-bop, 1960-80 avant garde jazz. 1950-1980 rock: Classic rock, Zappa, Beefheart, punk, post-punk. Opera: Wagner, Puccini, R. Strauss, Janacek, Bartok. Symphonic: Stravinsky, Bartok, Schoenberg, Mahler, Dvorak. 1950-1980 Afro-beat, Jamaican, Brazilian

ex-mtairy
tuberist
951 posts
 

I would suggest eliminating the PC as your streaming source

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,553 posts
 

There is lots of room for improvement. I'd start with a pair of Forte IVs. Probably a better match for your amp. I'd also shorten the path of your source as much as possible you got a long and low quality path before it gets to your amp, that is not helping.   

danager's avatar
danager
970 posts
 

Cornerhorns. They don’t occupy living space so their size while intimidating  actually take up less of the your room in than conventual speakers placed away from the front wall. The other benefit is that you set it and forget it. No fiddling around with toe in forward backwards any of that stuff and you can drive them to LOUD with fea watt amp.

Everything from there is gravy. Check the used market they are a steal.

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