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Remarkably better sound possible with just 1 system component change?

I could have posted this discussion to a few other categories but chose this one because discussions related to 2 of the 4 components in question belong here.

So it's been ~2.5 yrs since I purchased my current system. I did a lot of research at the time here on audiogon, but no auditioning, and put together a system that sounds very, very good to me.

While I have no complaints, the itch to upgrade has surfaced recently.

I am curious as to whether you guys think it will be possible for me to replace just 1 of my primary 4 components and obtain significantly better sound as a result. The more discernible and obvious the sound improvement, the better obviously. I am not looking for a marginal upgrade - I want dramatically better sound. And I am not looking to replace more than 1 component at this time. I am hoping to get a few ideas/candidates and then may decide to audition some of the recommendations before making a decision. Hopefully some of the upgrade paths are such no-brainers that I may even be able to take a leap of faith without auditioning. Note also that acoustic room treatments are not viable in my current listening location.
 
My current 4 part system:

1. Lumin D2 - 100% of my listening is streaming via Tidal
2. Mcintosh C2600 preamp
3. Mcintosh MC452 amp
4. Focal Kanta 2 speakers

Cables are Cardas Golden presence RCAs from the Lumin to C2600, Cardas Clear Cygnus XLRs from the C2600 to the MC452, and Kimber 8TC speaker cables to the Kantas.

Soundstaging, dynamics, imaging and overall clarity are all great. I have to say I love the Be tweeters. And the bass is punchy, tight, fast and certainly sufficient for my needs. Vocals and overall sound are warm, liquid smooth and analog-like, just the way I like it. (Forgive me if I've botched some of the characterizations - I'm no expert at this). The only thing I can think of that could use some improvement is the sound quality at lower volume levels, although that is not terribly important to me since most of my listening is in the 90+ Db range. Would be nice, though.

So while I do love the overall sound, surely dramatically better sound can be obtained via a 1 component swap? Budget is ~10k. Or will I need to spend more, or upgrade more than 1 component to achieve the desired result?

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.

chandybe
chandybe OP
30 posts
 
Stereo5 - I believe the main difference between the Kanta 3s and 2s is that the former have larger woofers. More/better bass isn't something I'm looking for..

Inna - I don't use special power cords or a power conditioner. I'd rather upgrade a component to be honest. I am open to going that route, albeit I can't help but be a tad skeptical that this would yield the major improvement I'm looking for..

CM - my listening location isn't really modifiable in terms of acoustics treatments or config. I've included a pic - I am sure some folks here may detect all sorts of audiophile transgressions and even deem some/all of them to be limiting in nature and possibly even the singular constraint that precludes my objective, but if so, that would be unfortunate..

http://imgur.com/a/JnmMStG

perkadin's avatar
perkadin
286 posts
 
Is there really nothing else you can think of to spend 10k on?  Personally I’d get 2k in camping gear, some really nice earbuds, and start planning trips for life after you get vaccinated.  Have you ever heard your favorite music while staring into the abyss on starry night in Sedona?  It will sound remarkably better.  
middlemass
920 posts
 
Quad ESL 57. And a 4th TV on the ceiling.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Dramatic improvement from just one component? Sure.

Schumann generators. For a tiny fraction of the cost of one component you can get half a dozen, total cost about $100, and you will be floored.

Or put your speakers on Townshend Podiums. Cost more, even more dramatic.

Honestly if your "system" is as incomplete as you say, and you really do have 10k to put into it, then you could do speaker Podiums, everything else Pods, ten Schumann generators, a DBA ($3k) and be absolutely flabbergasted at the improvement.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled buy another same old same old.

chandybe OP
30 posts
 
Perkadin- ty ty ty ! I never realized, until now, that my quest is futile, folly, inconsequential in the grand scheme of things and life, an utter waste of $$$ and of course, monetarily and otherwise mutually exclusive with endeavors such as staring into the abyss in Sedona while listening to great headphones. I just booked a trip to Sedona and made arrangements for an acoustically treated outdoor enclosure with a glass roof - I am also going to take my gear there and stare into the starry abyss soon. No doubt my current gear will sound remarkably better under those conditions. Thanks again for the life changing enlightenment - I feel like the Buddha must have felt..
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