2. amps-preamps
  3. 152358-138402

Time to upgrade - need advice - budget $7,500

Hey guys and gal, :)

My first post here but long time lurker when in need of some audio advice.

I’ve got a chance to make some upgrades but I’m having trouble coming to a decision. For reference this is a 2.1 setup in my living room that also plays the TV audio. Currently using Epos Elan 30 floorstanders with Emotiva PT-100 and A-300. I’ve also got Bluesound Node 2 for streaming and Paradigm Servo15 sub. Rega P3 for occassional use.

I’m pretty happy with the speakers overall and I’m optimistic they can sound even better with better source and power. I think the majority of my budget would be best spent by upgrading the pre/power side of things and have been looking at the Hegel H190 or H390 to replace the Emotiva’s. They seem to get really good reviews and I really like the aesthetics of the product itself which, to me, is a factor.

What i’m not so sure about is the built-in DAC and streaming. I don’t really want to get tied into a product that 5 years from now is obsolete and I will have to be adding a new DAC to keep up with the times. The H390 does MQA and DSD but is also quite a jump in price over the H190 - basically my entire budget. From what i’ve heard the H190 will be more than enough power but is now a couple years old and does not do MQA or DSD.

Would I be better off finding a separate streaming and power amp solution? I can then always upgrade the streamer as technologies advance and as needs change.

Also looking at SVS SB-3000 to update the sub mostly for it’s room correction and price relative to the competition.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

M


mattshere
tweak1
3,685 posts
 
Elac has a highly regarded all in one dac pre MSRP $2500. Now you could buy separates that cost more, but as the tech improves sonically, they will plummet in value. Combined with their new amp, you’re golden. That said LSA has just introduced a possible game changer amp: The Voyager, the least expensive GaN based amp I know of. GaN is the tech people in the know are all excited about, but to date MSRP is 5 figures. I will have one soon to compare to my Ric Schultz EVS 1200, which has blown me away

As to the sub, I have 2 10 year old SVS subs and am not happy with them as the plate amps built in volume controls are crap. I could never get a seamless blend. Hopefully the DSP will solve that, BUT, consider upgrading your speakers.

Emerald Physics open baffle have won numerous awards. I have owned their KCIIs for a 3 years. They are fabulous at playing all kinds of music. Alas, the SVS subs did not do what I hoped. Now, I am expecting EP 2.8s this Saturday. Normally $9999, but on sale right now for $4999, dual 15" carbin fiber woofers + 12" carbon fiber concentric driver for mids and highs. That should give me all the bass I’ve been missing, while keeping my system ’simple’ lol

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0919/Blue_Note_Awards_2019/ELAC.htm
https://www.emeraldphysics.com/products/ep-28 (see Black Friday specials)



luxmancl38
580 posts
 
Luxman 505UXII integrated w/a NAD C658 streamer. Includes Dirac for room correction.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@mattshere  Keeping an open mind about your entire system, including your speakers is important...no matter what your final choices are. 

@grey9hound  was helping in that regard. You might be surprised how your "weighting" adjusts when you hear something that moves you. 

In terms of a DAC, I suggest focusing less on the "tech" and more on the sound quality. There are many reasonably priced DACs, including older ones that nail this. This will allow you to focus on a "pure" integrated.

The other option is to consider integrateds with Streaming / DAC  modules. This may address your 'future-proofing' concerns.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
I agree with david_ten on "latest tech" of DACs.  MQA is really not a game changer.  It is just a way to encrypt standard hi-res audio (such as 24/96) so that it can be streamed over the internet.  It doesn't mean it's going to sound better.  I would rather listen to CDs on an extremely good DAC/audio stage than MQA on an average DAC. 

DSD, however, will elevate the sound quality over the same recording using PCM. (that is, if it was mastered or recorded as DSD and not just a PCM-to-DSD conversion).
mattshere OP
20 posts
 
@dweller @grey9hound @tweak1 @david_ten @jackd 

Wow, lots to think about.  Thank you for all your inputs, this was exactly why I posted here. There are options here I never considered and will definately take a look.  Cheers!

A few have suggested a speaker upgrade and I agree but at this time I'd like to spend more to invest in the pre/po side of things and then make a speaker upgrade as funds allow.  This will take a while longer but will give me some time with whatever pre/po I choose to help decide on a speaker selection and I will (hopefully) end up with a better system in the end.  I could see a speaker upgrade in the next 12-18 months. 




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