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Step me up from Paradigm Studio 20 v4 bookshelf, seriously.

I have been around here for a few years. Enjoying the game about once or twice a week. Yes I am hooked. Kind of sort of laid back on forums. Bought and sold a sizeable amount of equipment with one-hundred percent feedback. Probably a mid-fi guy. Best pair of speakers I have owned to me are Paradigms, namely Studio 60 v4 and current Studio 20 v4. Can anyone take me beyond these? Yes, a bit temperamental they are. Have never stepped up to, I guess Hi Fi speakers? Have tried Spendor 8se (too polite?), Paradigm Monitor 7 (not as good as Studio versions), Elac dbr62 (close to Paradigms but not as refined), Totem Rainmaker (maybe too small, not sure been a while back), Monitor Audio Silver 2 (kind of like Paradigms). Hooked on my Paradigm Studio 20 so far. Current system = Mid-Fi integrated (?) Rotel RA-1572, Bluesound Node 2i, Marantz SA-8004, Mhdt Orchid DAC (seriously love it), fair amount of decent cables. Like pop/rock music mainly. Integrated amps I have used: Rotel Rx-1052, Sim 340i DPX, Rotel RA-1572 (current), Musical Fidelity A3.5, NAD C368, Arcam.

Mostly into monitors/bookshelf due to room size, maybe front ported. Thinking of maybe some Spendor A1, Harbeth P3SR (or other models), Reference De Capo, Fritz?, Pro Ac?, B & W? No room treatments in my 14 by 18 room, as is fairly inert acoustically. I am an older retired audiophile (55-70). A bit of tinnitus, so nothing too bright. On Audiogon daily. Looking for some input/ideas. Lateral moves probable?

Any serious input welcome (maybe a bit of non-serious just for fun!). Love this hobby.

Thanks,

Jim


jbmac75
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,288 posts
 
I’ve had a ton of Paradigms.  Probably more than anyone else around here. I liked how loud they would play and loved their looks (still do) but I thought they were all a little bright.  If you don’t think your studios are bright, a soft dome tweeter may sound too relaxed for you.

I’m a big fan of Beryllium tweeters.  I had a pair of Paradigm S2 V3’s and loved them.  If you could find a pair of S2 V3’s, buy them.

I currently have a pair of Fritz Carrera BE’s and love them.  Fritz speakers are just fantastic!

So, I’d look into Fritz, Salk, Ryan, Reference 3a.


b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,288 posts
 
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649656327-paradigm-signature-s2-v3-with-j29-stands/
nyaudio98
420 posts
 
New fritz is in your price point and someone said joseph pulsars...the LSA  was  mqlade to sound close to pulsars at much less money. Fritz gives you a free trial. 
jbmac75 OP
198 posts
 
Recently went from 24 inch stands to 28 inch and this did help. They are filled with sand and quite heavy (Monoprice). Do not have any acoustic treatments but have considered and may do. I do not listen real loud. Mostly rock and pop.

Have also tried Whafedale Denton 80th and LSA 1. Never could get the LSA to sound as full as the Paradigms. But since I have upgraded to the Ra-1572 and tube dac that really helped. Have considered the Paradigm S2 v.3 and may do so. 

The Fritz do sound interesting and I have been reading on them. Pulsars I will need to read up on. 

I appreciate all your inputs. I like the 'Retail Therapy' comment. Could be true. Retired and may have to dip into the investment money because I can. 

@b_limo  how did the Paradigms S2 compare to the Fritz Carrera BE?

Thanks all!
jbmac75 OP
198 posts
 
Also switched from Audioquest type 4 speaker wire to Canare 4s11 about 2 months ago. Seemed to give a fuller sound and remove some brightness. Have tried bi-wire but did not see any real change.  
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