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if you had my system and $2,000 budgeted for an upgrade, where would you spend it?

This post may go a bit beyond analog, as it could encompass other parts of the system, but I am not interested in adding to the digital side of things, so here it is.

As far as I can tell, it seems like the places to spend that $2K would be on a better tonearm or perhaps a preamplifier upgrade.  I may be able to sell my Audio Research LS-25 and upgrade to ARC Ref 3.  As for the tonearm, I could sell the RB202 and get a Michell Tecnoarm, or step it up to an arm for about $1600 (are the Clearaudio arms nice?) and still have a little left over.

Can a tonearm upgrade make a significant sonic improvement?

I am not dying to spend money on an upgrade, and if the benefit of that $2K will be minuscule, I am happy to stay as I am for a while, my system sounds excellent.  But I am curious to know what the experienced people on this site would do the the $2K if they were in my shoes.

Where is the most improvement possible?
Thanks!
Mark

System Gear List:

Amplifier:  Audio Research VT-100 mkII
Preamplifier:  Audio Research LS-25
Phono Stage:  Whest Audio PS.30R
Cartridge:  Lyra Delos
Table:  Michell Engineering Tecnodec with standard RB202 tonearm
DAC:  PS Audio PerfectWave DAC mkII
Power Conditioner:  Shunyata Research Talos
Speakers:  Rockport Technologies Mira Monitors
Subwoofer:  Wisdom Audio SCS
Speaker Cable:  Cardas Audio Cross
Interconnect:  Cardas Audio 300B Microtwin XLR
Digital Music Storage & Player:  Apple Mac Mini + ROON + Hard Drive
Power Cables:  Shunyata Research Venom HC (amp, sub, conditioner)
Power Cables:  Shunyata Research Sidewinder VTX (sources)

My system can be seen here:  https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5421
marktomaras
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
I called Wisdom and the impedance is 25k.  Do I have any reason for concern there?
Good!  I've seen many other powered subs having line-level input impedances as low as 5K or 10K.

Also, fortunately, the input impedance of your power amp is quite high, assuming it is similar to that of the earlier pre-MkII version, which had an input impedance of 100K unbalanced and 200K balanced (presumably corresponding to 100K for each of the two signals in the balanced signal pair).

The parallel combination of 25K and 100K is an impedance of (25 x 100)/(25+100) = 20K, exactly corresponding to the recommended minimum load for the LS-25.  So not a problem!

If you are running a balanced cable to the power amp and an unbalanced cable to the sub, however, I'll add that there may be a very slight degradation in the ability of the power amp to reject "common mode" noise, due to the slight impedance imbalance that would result between the two legs of the balanced signal pair.  My suspicion, though, is that is unlikely to be an audibly significant effect in your setup.  But FWIW I'll mention that if you were to run (or already are running) XLR cables to the sub as well as to the power amp, that possibility would most likely be eliminated since both legs of the balanced signal pair would then presumably be loaded equally.  Although of course the relative quality of the sub's XLR and RCA input circuits, as well as any cable-related differences, are additional variables that enter into the mix.

In any event, enjoy!  Regards,
-- Al  
 
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oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
Mark ...

First, where are you going to find an ARC REF-3 for 2000 bucks? 

If I were you, here's what I'd do: I'd spend 500 bucks on Synergistic Research Black fuses for your entire system.

With the other 1500 bucks I'd take the wife on a nice road trip up the coast. This way, you get an improvement in your system far beyond what you can get by spending 2000 bucks on it in other ways and your wife will love you even more ... and at least she'll act like she now enjoys your audio system taking up the entire living room.   

Here's the dialog ... "Hey dear, I was going to spend two thousand dollars to upgrade the audio system but I decided to only spend five hundred dollars on it instead. I was kind of thinking, if your willing, we could spend the left over $1500 on a nice romantic road trip up the coast for a few days. I hear the wine tasting is really great and a friend told me about a couple of wonderful hotels to stay in. What do you say dear, will you make me happy and spend the time being really romantic with me for a few days?"

After 35 years of marriage, one learns these things ... *lol*
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rauliruegas
13,095 posts
 
Dear marktomaras: as any small speaker the IMD is to high and even that rockport is rockport that IMD is still high a degrade de quality sound you are listening.

If I was you and with those Mira speakers I will buy two powered subwoofers with low and hi-pass filters that can permit to crossover at around 80hz in a way that the Mira only " sees " the frequency range from 80hz and up and the subs from 80hz and down.
Now, you can add that second sub in what you have if the Wisdom has hi-pass filter and if not and you want to continue using subs by Wisdom then you have to add an external crossover.

Maqking any of those two alternatives makes a huge differences in the quality overall sound you are listening right now. Yes, we need two subs connected in true stereo fashion:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/do-you-think-you-need-a-subwoofer/post?postid=310058#310058 

then when you already have this kind of system high resolution with lower distortions you can think not only in a tonearm but better phono stage too.

Well, that's me but you are the owner of the " ball ".

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.


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lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
That's a very nice, well thought-out system. I have one suggestion that could be a very noticeable upgrade to your sonics.
You don't say where you are using the Cardas 300B Microtwin ICs, but you can do much better by moving up the Cardas line. 

Cables such as the Clear Sky and Clear Light provide superior dynamics and deep, open imaging. Or move up to the Cross if you want a warmer cable.

Just a thought; IMO they are a weak link compared to your components.

inna
7,296 posts
 
I would get rid of any Cardas in the system once and for all. Then probably the arm.
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