system upgrade suggestions

You may also want to consider a quality audio subwoofer. A quality sub will improve a lot more than just the lows. Done right, it can open up the whole frequency spectrum.

For your level of gear a REL Stratus III would be a good place to start (or the Storm III).

pwaynes,

I have a C-J PV10BL, Triangle Celius, and a Sonographe amp. My system sounds wonderful. I did need to put a really bright cable from the pre to the amp, I used a Tara Labs RSC. That made a big difference. I've got it all now imaging, dynamics, and that great C-J sound. Keep the C-J, I would not consider giving mine up. Good luck.

Thanx
Russ

Personally, I'd keep the McCormack amp. Cables are the way to go if you haven't already. I've found that some cable upgrades are as good as a component upgrade. Definitly do NOT forget to upgrade your power cables!!!!

What are your specific areas for improvement ?
Also, could you list the source component (cdplayer or record player).

I've used the mccormack with ap virgo's. A pretty good match. The power sure lit them up. You could hear a little grain in the amp vs my Pass Labs aleph amps.

McCormack is a very good match for vandersteen and b&w. Any speaker that is a little laid back & can produce monster bass is a good match for mccormacks.

The Sparks excel at imaging & high frequencies. Their downfall is a lack of low bass and a lightweight presentation. With these, the mccormack's very slight hf haze/grain will be highlighted. Additionally because of the sparks bass limitation you won't really benefit from the mccormack's power.

the speaker cables are symo ls 5sx. the pre-amp to amp
is musiclink by Transparent, from cd to pre-amp tara
rsc reference. the source is a psaudio ultralink I. Um..it sort of sounds electronic and lean even in the mids, the
highs are also emphasized, not even that subtle musically
speaking. It doest have a naturalness
as compared to the headphone system I use (sennheiser hd
600s and a melos sha 1 with an old phillips cd player.
I found a subwoofer didnt integrate well... too much bass
for the mids...it was a rel stratus 3. powercord to the amp
is from mccormack. everything is plugged into a power wedge 116.
thanks all.
Phil