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Rate my system and chose the next upgrade

Good evening,

I'm looking to get my system to the "next" level.  Before you ask, what is "lacking", I can not pinpoint anything.  Over all, seems to sound "pretty good" to me.  I've been back to vinyl, buying nicer copies and cleaning well with a musichall machine.  Most of my time is spent utilizing a quick CD or SACD and Hi-Rez digital with Audirvana but really enjoy the vinyl experience.  I would utilize more vinyl but usually it's more time consuming.

Why am I upgrading?  I feel I may be missing out on improvement of sound somehow, therefore "upgrading" must be the correct answer right?  Here's my system.  What would you start with to upgrade?  My typical upgrade budgets are about $3k at a time.  I'll list the approximate retail value (new)

Yamaha A-s2000 integrated- $3000?
Yamaha A-s2100 SACD/CD- $3000?
Teac UD-501 DAC with DSD capability - $850
Clear Audio Performance DC Turntable- $3500 with clarify tonearm
Clear Audio Balance Phono stage- $1000
Sound Smith Cart- can't remember which but a $1200 unit
Martin Logan motion 40XT's- $2000/pair
Martin Logan small sub woofer-$500?

Go!



dhpeck
dhpeck's avatar
dhpeck OP
59 posts
 
are you referring to setting the turntable on an "anti vibration" type platform?  I was waiting for someone to chime in on the speakers.  It was my gut feeling my sources might shine a bit more with better speakers.  Again, nothing screams negative on the system, but I can't help but to feel I'd like to hear more.  Acoustic treatments make a lot of sense, I'm not sure that's going to work in my living room.

I know everyone has a different opinion, but I've heard to spend twice on speakers compared to the amp.
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I rate all your gear an 8 or 9 out of 10 except the speakers which are a 3 and the amplifier a 6. Frankly these speakers are terrible.

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=834%3Anrc-meas...

Every plot looks awful. Tons of tweeter compression and distortion. Massive scoop in the lower mid range. Distortion across the mid range at only -20dB (extremely audible). Frankly there is little of merit in this design and obviously a total embarrassment to ML which normally make excellent gear. This looks like it was built by somebody else (In China) and then branded ML.
dhpeck's avatar
dhpeck OP
59 posts
 
My local audio store carries the Legacy brand, I believe made in America, I'm going to give the classic HD's and the Focus SE's a listen since my speaker price range would be about $5000.

any thoughts on an integrated amp that is $5000 or less?
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Sell all the Martin Logan gear. Sell the Teac (the Yamaha SACD player sounds better by itself - no need for a separate DAC!). Speakers ARE the weak link here. I recommend from my own experience buying a pair of Ohm Walsh's (the box speaker guys will hate me for this, but I stand by my YEARS of experience with the Walsh technology!). Easy to place, accurate bass, 3-d imaging to-die-for! And reasonably priced (about $3k). Call John Strohbeen in Brooklyn, NY. He's been building and selling various Walsh speakers for 30+ years! DISCLAIMER: I have NO association with John's company, just a VERY satisfied user!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
The Yamaha at $3000 is fine! To better it you would need to spend considerably more on a separate pre/power amp! Again I say the biggest improvement will be changing the speakers - not the electronics or signal source!
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