If you listen to anything other than Classic Jazz, don't read this.


:)  I'm a Jazz only intermediate audiophile looking to improve my system. i ONLY listen to jazz, and i think that matters. If you are of the opinion that great speakers make all music sound good then move on to the next post, because the premise here is that speakers for Acoustic Jazz ( Big Band to Post Bop) have different requirements. My jazz audiophile buddies and i hav A/B'd lots of different speaker/amp/turntable/cartridge combinations as a fun hobby for the last 3 years. i've gone through at least 3 whole systems to get where i am now:
All Rega System - Rega Exex-R, Rega P3, with upgrades, Rega MC Phono Pre,  Rega Apheta 2 Cartridge, Rega RX5 Speakers. 

It sounds really great, but want to get to amazing if possible, and have recently done some speaker comparisons with some Paradigms and Harbeths that show the RX5's could have a tighter, deeper bass and bit more high frequency... 

The challenge is threefold -
1 )information out there is hard to come by, often confusing and  i haven't found much information specifically on what speakers jazz heads prefer.
2) I want to be able to put them up against my current system in my room, which seems a difficult task
3) They have to look good. Aesthetics matter to me. Tektons and Magnapans are cool But Ugly AF, and not going to work for me.

i want someone to tell me this is the best my system is going to get and just enjoy it (which i do 82.5% of the time), or recommend a few things to try, hopefully with recommendation for speakers to try, but i'm open to other suggestions.

I look forward to your comments :)

sincerely,
Eric the Jazz Snob
128x128ericmbass
ericmbass

A fellow Jazz hound here- upgrade your turntable (TT) to a P8.
Then consider a loudspeaker from Thiel Audio (CS 2.4, CS 2.7 or CS 3.7 (if your have a larger room/space)).

Being on the west coast, there will be inventory local to you.
Keep us posted and have fun!

Happy Listening!
thanks to recent posters.. i'm still learning so much from all of your comments, so thank you.. 

thanks @jafant   - i will check out the thiels. and P8 is on my christmas list :)

@br3098  you've given me lots to think about :)
ericmbass

My pleasure. The P8 is Rega's  sweet spot, IMO.

There has never been a better time for a system upgrade.
Looking forward in reading about your next system.

Happy Listening!

The longer I swim in this swirling vortex passion the more I know the room is key. Some or a lot of room treatments can not be ignored. Power too.

The room daddy oh; the room will make it copacetic (said like Ben Sidran or Ken Nordine).

For me Jazz is better on Analog systems unless the system is high ($$$$) end.

I happy listen as you do (now playing Wes Montgomery D natural blues) using a PrmaLuna HP (KT120's) and  Sonus faber Guarneri evolution speakers (now easy to find at 1/2 to 1/3 of their original price same for PL integrated).

Any and all of the above are great recommendations. A great speaker and systems will do justice to all music excepting gamelan music. That's not my cup of tea.


@mijostyn Have you heard the new 4 LP box set of Bill Evans live at the Village Vanguard. Lafaro's sound is incredible, even on my "intermediate" system :)  My other favorite Scott Lafaro sound is on the first Victor Feldman Record. It's the gold standard gut string sound I've been trying to achieve for the last 25 years!  Just like with my audiophile search, i'm getting closer :)