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Where to go from here...

Hi all,

First time poster here but long time lurker.  Just a bit history, then my questions.  Like many, I've re-kindled an old interest in audio and over the past decade been purchasing (and reselling) a lot of gear and having a lot of fun.  Started with vintage receivers, then separates, then some more modern gear, and now modernish tube gear.  Have about 5 systems running now (my kids love me they have nice gear in their rooms).

My main system consists of the following:
Sonos ZP90 (streaming flac files from NAS, online music, etc)
VPI Aries (JMW 12.5, Ortofon Cadenza Black)
McIntosh C2300
McIntosh MEN220
Bob Carver LLC Black Beauty 305 monoblocks
JBL 250ti
Audeze LCD-XC headphones
full set of BJC cables

I ran into WAF issues on room treatments, and thus the MEN220 which I really like even though it's a big digital computer.  Music is mostly classic rock with some acoustic folk.  Volume moderate to occasional high.  50/50 digital/analog as source.  Room is approx. 18X35X10, one of those big kitchen/dining/family room things that are so popular today.  No video here, just music.

I'm pretty happy with this system and like the sound.  It sounds a lot clearer than my best vintage system (Pioneer SX-1280 with JBL L-220s) which sounds pretty good itself.  I hear things in the music I've never heard before.  I have a few friends who like audio, but they are pretty scarce in my social circles and while I have heard some good systems I've not heard anything outside a showroom that really sounded better than mine.  That probably says more about my social circles than my system though.

I posted in speakers but I'm really open to broader opinions.  What is the weakest link(s) here?  I understand that audio is subjective and no one else has this exact system. I suspect my Sonos needs some attention at some point as digital source, that is on my radar.  The only upgrade I've done that yielded no benefit I could hear was the BJC copper.  The cables are prettier but I can't hear anything different.   While I love the JBLs, they are the only vintage components left and I've heard improvements in most situations when I either switched to more modern gear or rebuilt old gear.

I've thought about looking for modern speakers and subs, and using the MEN as crossover.  The Carvers and JBLs sure do rock though so   Am I (gasp) done? :)

I work for a living so money is a constraint.

Thanks!
dpgaloot
french_fries
815 posts
 
sorry, i didn't check the spelling- MAGNEPLANARS (E not I).
but maybe not for rock and roll.  However, sound wise, they will knock you on your keesterbangers though.  Try listening to a Joni Mitchell album on them, or Ricki Lee Jones, etc.  
simao's avatar
simao
1,817 posts
 
Having owned a pair of Maggie 3.6R's for a while before life swung Reference 3A de Capo BE's my way, followed by Acoustic Zen Adagios, I can say the Maggies presented such a beautiful and deep soundstage. Well produced and well-mic'd recordings were simply authentic and actual through them.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I found out that pets LOVE Maggies especially cats! They could climb on the very top of panel and if not tipping it over go back down! Also they're very loved by crawling or just about to walk toddlers as well!
Shipping these may run into the near-same price as they're already priced to keep them SAFE. 

michaela
314 posts
 
I have enjoyed reading the posts on this thread, some very funny and at the same time, informative posts! Having bought and sold a lot of equipment and having gone through a lot of speakers brands, I can make this suggestion: take your time in making your decision and listen to as any speakers as you can first. And if that means waiting until October until you go to the audio show before you make up your mind, that's okay too. You have a large budget and there are so many options for you it will blow your mind! Good Luck!
Mike
bondmanp
1,806 posts
 
dpgaloot:  The single most important thing you could tell uss appears missing from this thread:  What don't you like about your system?  Is there a specific aspect of performance, ergonomics or functionality that you would like to improve upon?  I am posting as one is, if not quite done, pretty darn close to it.  I am down to tweaks, room treatments and wire upgrades.  This is the result of a combination of limited funds and some fortuitous system synergy.  So, please tell us what you hope to gain by spending your hard-earned cash.  Thanks. 
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