2. speakers
  3. 162677-155068

Speaker upgrade for classical music

Hi, I need recommendations for a speaker upgrade. I’m a classical violinist and listen almost exclusively to classical, opera and jazz. No movies, Atmos, etc.  I have a 17x14 listening room (doubles as practice room) with acoustical treatments (phase coherent diffusers at main reflection points and regular ones elsewhere).
Half my listening is in stereo and half in multi-channel (4.0 and 5.1).   All my recordings are either CDs or high-res—DSD and FLAC—audio files. I don’t have a turntable. 

My current system: Marantz SR 8012 amp, Yamaha S1000 CD transport, Exasound e38 DAC and Sigma streamer (connected to the Marantz with analog 5.0 inputs). Speakers: Polk Rti A7 stereo, CSi A6 center, Rti A3 surround, and dual REL T/7i subs. 
What I want: speakers with improved musical detail and clarity that really reproduces the expansiveness of the symphony hall or church. I like a warmer sound than a drier one.  What’s most important to me is to hear what the recording engineer heard. Budget: say 8k or less.

Recommendations?  One other thing: Can I try them out?  And how?  I’m in Santa Fe, not a huge metropolis with lots of audiophile shops. 
Thanks very much. 
ssmaudio
mazian's avatar
mazian
411 posts
 
The biggest Maggies or MLs you can afford or your room can take, plus maybe a couple of good subs.
pkvintage's avatar
pkvintage
209 posts
 
I am in the 2 system camp as well. 

With A highly efficient speaker you will need very little tube power. I recommend starting over for the 2 Chanel system. Audio Note AN J speakers. You will save $4000. Then spend the rest on a nice Audio Note integrated tube amp such as the Otto or Soro or maybe a Mieshu. All with phono.

You won't be Sorry
stevea11757's avatar
stevea11757
130 posts
 
Might I suggest that you take a look at several speakers from Shahinian Acoustics as on the used market two would fall within your range. The Obelisk and The Hawk Ensemble.

Richard designed these speakers to be omni directional to recreate large scale classical, choral, orchestra music which they excel at. In fact they do many different genres as I listen to a lot of Jazz and old school rock, classical and have several time tried Opera (with no great success)

I would google them and check reviews. Obelisk come up for sale every so often, Hawks, less so but do as I have been able to move up through the different versions of the Obelisks over the years and currently have them on my second system, the Hawks are on my main.

Worth the look
audite84
110 posts
 
Hi OP, I would suggest that you keep what multi-channel system you have for when you need it. Then start building a really nice stereo system from square one. When you listen to classical, jazz and opera, what you really need is good stereo. As far as I am concerned, I don't need surround sound for those types of music...the performers are in front of me. A carefully assembled system fit for your room will give you the right tone, dynamics and immersive experience. It may take some time, as you have to research, plan and set a budget and the actual purchase and putting together may take months, depending on your resources; it takes patience and much anticipation but you will be rewarded. Just my 2 cents.
terry9
2,353 posts
 
I say Magnepans. I have owned several, and for symphonic music they have no parallel. ESL’s are more detailed, but you need at least two pairs to do a symphony properly IMO, which is my current system.

Bryston amps work well with either. Not state of the art sound, but very good, and bulletproof, with superb factory support. Bryston owners sleep better. I used them until I went DIY and recommend them highly.
More to discover