2. amps-preamps
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Where do I go from here?

    • Marantz AV-7005, pre/pro (with balanced outputs and 1.4a HDMI);  Rotel RMB-1565, surrounds and center;  Rotel RKB-650, mains w/ bi-amping;  Martin Logan Motion 20, mains;  Martin Logan Motion 8 Center; Klipsch SW-10, sub;  KEF iQ-5, surrounds;  Klipsch RS-41 II, surround backs
    • Alright y'all, here is your chance to help out the newbie with your thoughts and opinions. Thanks in advance for what you may offer.  I have the above system, which is sounding really nice, with many of the qualities I've been looking for, but the upgraditis is creeping in, (again, sigh) and I am wondering which of the components may represent the weak link to my music listening nirvana?  As some my recognize, I recently added the Motion 20's to the lineup, much to my satisfaction, but where might I go from here.  I'm thinking my better half may let me get away with another $1500-2000 before I'm sleeping with the system and not her, LOL.  Since I'm more interested in the musicality of the system, listening to a mix of female vocal, rock, and dipping into the ambient realm now and then, I'm considering the replacement of the Rotel RKD-650 with something in a nice stereo configuration, possibly 3-channel to pick up the center. I'm really looking to broaden and deepen the soundstage as much as anything.  What do you think?
    128x128wisciman99
    wisciman99's avatar
    wisciman99 OP
    75 posts
     
    Great point, elizabeth!  I have a modest power conditioning strip that I purchased with the surround back speakers.  I did not notice a big difference at that time, but by now, I'm sure it's helping.  I have been using good shielded interconnects and cables all along, but noise (ac) is always a concern.  I am in the unfortunate position of having all of the wiring 'piled' up behind the entertainment center and have always tried to be cognizant of the ac issue, but I am afraid there is only so much I can do.  Perhaps a rack then should be considered??  Much less expensive than a Krell, eh?
    soix
    9,455 posts
     
    Before doing anything else, listen in stereo to one of your better recorded tracks that inherently has good broad and deep soundstaging. Now try pulling your speakers out another foot (don’t worry about what it looks like for now) and about 6' apart and toe the speakers in so that they point toward your shoulders. Put on that same track and see what you think. My guess is you’ll get better imaging with an enhanced sense of space and depth, and you may also find the speakers disappear more as a sound source. Let’s start with that and go from there.

    wisciman99's avatar
    wisciman99 OP
    75 posts
     
    Ok, soix, I'll give that a try tonight.  I had them closer, then spread them after I read the trick about moving them outward until the phantom center starts to dissolve then toe them in slightly.  I will move them closer together and away from the front wall to about 3'.  Bear in mind, these aren't the electrostats, but the bass port does fire backward, hence the sound dampening.
    wisciman99's avatar
    wisciman99 OP
    75 posts
     
    I am wondering which of the components may represent the weak link to my music listening nirvana? ... Since I'm more interested in the musicality of the system, listening to a mix of female vocal, rock, and dipping into the ambient realm now and then, I'm considering the replacement of the Rotel RKD-650 with something in a nice stereo configuration, possibly 3-channel to pick up the center.

    Thanks everyone, but we are getting a little off topic, IMO.  I have fiddled with speaker placement for several weeks to get to where I am with them, and I am not really interested in working on the surround system.  Let me ask this, then, if I am going to replace the 650, would a foray into the world of tube amps/monoblocks be a worthwhile investment?  I see the Prima Luna Prologue 7 for $1.7k, what are your thoughts on this matter?
    wisciman99's avatar
    wisciman99 OP
    75 posts
     
    There is a Cary CAD-808 (Rocket 88) in the same price range as well.
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