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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
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. 
dpgaloot OP
3 posts
 
First of all thanks for all the input here!  This is exactly what I was hoping to get!

Michaela, I agree completely on not rushing and am looking forward to the show in Denver.  I took Stereo Review as a kid in the 70s and 80s, and was proud of my system back then (big JVC receiver, Cerwin Vega speakers, you get the idea).  I always coveted the McIntosh/JBL combo from the Dead's "wall of sound", but it was out of my league back then.  Not surprising that is what I ended up with now, but I really didn't and don't know much about high end gear.  I'm anxious to hear such a variety of equipment all in once place.  In the end, I'm happy with what I listen to today so being patient isn't hard.

Bondmanp, your question about what I want to improve is excellent.  Let me take a shot at answering it.  First thing, I know my digital source needs work.  I regularly do a demo where I queue up an mp3, CD, and LP of the same song and then switch between them on my preamp (it allows me to adjust level per source so I can compensate for differing loudness).  The mp3 is terrible, and the LP almost always wins.  However, I don't think putting my Sonos DAC up against my VPI/Ortofon is a fair fight.  The Sonos just isn't as musical, even with a good recording.  With a bad one it can be harsh.  I'm considering an Oppo 105 right now, but want to do more homework here before I jump.  Perhaps just a DAC and keeping the Sonos (I really like the user interface).  So digital source is first.

Speakers are more subjective.  The first "nice" speakers I chased down were a pair of Polk Audio SDA SRS 1.2tl's.  Some here may scoff at them, but those who remember ads from the 80s with Matthew Polk in his white lab coat standing next to them will understand why the latent teenager in me had to have them.  I still love the soundstage they have.  I swear that when I listen to them I can hear sounds coming from behind me, especially with the right recording.  Whatever you think of SDA trickery, to me it works.  I run the JBLs because of the improved clarity they have over the Polks.  When I play something like "More Than Life" by Whitley the JBLs clearly win.  But if I could have the clarity of the JBLs and soundstage of the Polks I'd be even happier.  I've even considered modifying/modernizing the Polks or JBLs, and that is still an option I may consider.  I'd be curious what this forum thought of comparing modified vintage to newer generation speakers.

It's also interesting to compare my headphones to my speakers.  There is a clarity and realism with the Audeze headphones that the JBLs are lacking.  I can hear more detail and more "openness".  The headphones lack the in-your-face presence and punch of the speakers, especially at volume, but I'd love to get more of that detail and openness in the speakers.

I just got a copy of "Get Better Sound" by Jim Smith and I'm anxious to dig into that.  After french_fries comment, I spent about 3-4 hours this weekend listening to different types of music than my usual.  I started with Joni Mitchell and ended up with Loreena McKennitt.  Surprising to me at least how much I enjoyed music I wouldn't normally "like" when it was played on a good system.

Thanks again...

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dpgaloot
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