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System Upgrade Recommendations

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for feedback for upgrading my system.  I'm just getting into HiFi and wanted to get some feedback from audio enthusiasts.  I think I'm basically done with my Home Theater setup, but would like to improve my 2 Channel listening experience.  I listen to music about 50% of the time, watch 2-Channel TV 30% of the time, and watch 5.1 movies, TV about 20% of the time.

I have the following set-up and about $2k to update the system and will have another $2k in 6 months:
  • Magnepan 1.7i Speakers
  • Marantz SR6010 Receiver
  • Rel T-7 Sub
  • MartinLogan Motion 4 Surrounds
Per the Maggie Dealer, I need to properly amp my maggies and the SR6010 doesn't fully cut it and I agree.  His setup sounds better on 1.7i's than mine does (He is using a $20k+ setup from source to speaker).

I'm debating on putting all $2k into a stereo amp, then $2k into a pre-amp with HT Bypass and music source in 6 months or splitting the $2k into an integrated amp with HT Bypass and a music source now.

I currently play my music via Spotify Connect through my receiver and don't have a music collection at all.  If I move away from Spotify (which I want to) I need to re-allocate some of my equipment funds towards purchasing a music collection (CD, Vinyl, or Digital) or reallocate $250/year of my equipment funds to a Tidal Premium subscription.  I plan on putting a Vinyl collection in the future (1+ years from now) but I don't feel that my current setup will benefit from Vinyl.

How would you spend $2k to improve my 2-Channel listening experience?  Any recommendations on specific equipment that I should listen to?
rjb1101
willemj
1,036 posts
 
Why not buy a second REL T7 and a DSpeaker Antimode 8033 room eq? It will give you somewhat more power and dynamics, plus a much cleaner bass.
How big is the room? The 110 watt per channel in stereo mode of the Marantz is pretty decent as long as the room is not huge. If you want more power you can always connect a pro audio power amp like the Yamaha P2500s or P3500s (if you can still find them).
rjb1101 OP
19 posts
 
The room is 33 ft x 12 ft x 9 ft (3,500 cu ft).  It's a combined kitchen living room without a wall between.  The portion I use to listen is 14 ft x 12 ft x 9 ft, but again there isn't a wall to separate that half from the rest of the room.  I sit about 9 ft away from the speakers.
rjb1101 OP
19 posts
 
If anyone has a used rel t7 for sale, I'm interested.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
That is not a small room, so a bit more power such as delivered by an extra sub will not go amiss. And a second sub makes for a much smoother response in the low frequencies. A second hand T7 is a good idea, therefore, but if you find one (I am sure you will) do not omit the Antimode 8033 room eq. It really makes a difference.
terry9
2,263 posts
 
RJB, I used an ARC SP-10 with upgraded caps and real Telefunken 6922's.

Sound was very good indeed, but ultimately I preferred Quad ESL's.
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