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Speaker upgrade question.

Hi all, 
I haven't been here for quite a while as I've been happy with my KEF Reference Three-Twos driven by a Musical Fidelity A308. They're both vintage but they sound great together and fit my somewhat weird room. I'm pondering spending some bucks in the 3-6K range for new (used) speakers and I have a few questions. Thanks ahead of time for anyone who's not too busy to help.
First, would I be  upgrading beyond what my amp is capable of keeping up with? The MF is fairly powerful, but I'm not sure of its limitations since they don't show up in my current system.
Secondly, how high up the price ladder would I need to go before I'd find speakers that offer an obvious improvement over my KEFs to most ears. There would be little point to pony up money for a comparable sound, however much I subjectively prefer subtle differences.
Finally, for reference purposes, can anyone tell me how the following modern speakers might compare or contrast with mine? (Some aren't in my price range, I know) Triton 1R, Kef R7, comparably priced Monitor, Revel, Gato, Paradigm, etc. I wouldn't mind a bit more punch and a bit more bass than I have now, mostly just to experience a different sound - I respect the KEF signature sound.
I know that sometimes it's hard to accept the premises of these types of questions since such matters are so subjective and a lot of folks like to lobby for their favorite brands. I guess I'm not seeking advice about what to buy. I just want to understand the benefit to me of more modern speakers. It's quite possible it makes no sense for me to upgrade.
Thanks again.
Marc
128x128m669326
m669326's avatar
m669326 OP
329 posts
 
Wow, that’s a lot of information. I really appreciate everyone’s perspective.As a courtesy, i usually try to respond to at least part of each post, but this is a lot to assimilate, so for now I will just thank everyone.And do some research, of course. And ponder.
m669326's avatar
m669326 OP
329 posts
 
Okay, here are my thoughts.
I've never heard of modern open baffle speakers. Interesting reading. I didn't know anything could take the room out of the picture that way. I didn't mention that we do a lot of off-axis listening, so perhaps they wouldn't work for me (and KEFs do), but my god, what a sound you could get for $900, huh? Also, it seems as if this type of speaker needs more space behind it than I can manage.
Here's yet another question. (Feel free to stop catering to all my Marc-centric concerns whenever you want to.) There's a consensus out there, I gather, that my wireless DAC is the weak link in my chain. What is an upgraded alternative that covers both bases under 2K? I ended up with the Audiophile because, at the time, it was all I could find (while operating under a more modest budget, it's true.) And reviewers were generally impressed with the DAC part, at least in its price range. I don't think I'm tuned in to the importance of upscale DACs. I've viewed them as an indulgence and they're probably not. 
M

daros71's avatar
daros71
118 posts
 
Not long ago I was lucky enough to play with a luxury DAC for about two weeks. It was the very well reviewed Border Patrol Dac, the 1600 Euro version. I used to have cheap Chinese DAC, the SMSL m8a. The SMSL was better in every aspect, dynamics, soundstage, tonality. Then I switched to a Chord Cordette only because the SMSL sounded blurry with DSD files. I notice the differences between the Chord and the SMSL only when I play high resolution files ... at 44 khz I can’t hear big differences.
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,008 posts
 
I know dealers are not going to like to hear this, but I went toe the RMAF and heard a pair of SALK Song3 Encore speakers at the show for $6,000 and they sounded better than a pair of $60,000 a few rooms down the hall.  However, they sell direct.  However, because they sell direct they don't need to discount their speakers so the dealers can make all the money.  As a result they can afford to use higher quality drivers and cross overs.  They will simply blow your mind.
m669326's avatar
m669326 OP
329 posts
 
I’ll check out the Salks.
For what it’s worth, my DAC uses a burr – brown PCM 1792a chip. Are there any people out there who know the quality of this and how important the chip is versus the rest of the DAC?I’m sure this question actually belongs in another part of the forum, but what the hell. Here we are.
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