@mahgister
Since you have managed to create an audio system that brings you joy for around $500, you are to be commended. I have a question for you. If you had an extra $500 today to enahnce your system, how would you spend it?
Let’s have a little fun dreaming ok?
Thanks to you for changing this subject matter....Indeed...
First when the system is already "relatively" very well embedded in his 3 working dimensions:mechanical,electrical and acoustical , it is the moment that we could upgrade because now we know the potential optimal S.Q. of our actual audio system...We are then ready to assess a real improvement...
Second i am there at this moment for 6 months already and i already calculated the sum of money necessary to reach a real upgrade of my audio system, not a change.... 😎
Third with 500 bucks it will be near impossible at least very difficult to reach a real upgrade sorry , only a slight improvement if i choose ready made tweaks(but i never bought ready made tweaks i create mine at low cost)
I cannot change my Sansui AU7700 with 500 bucks for a better amplifier...It will be very difficult even if it is for sure possible.... This amplifier is legendary... I choose it after years or analysis on all audio thread...The ratio S.Q. /price is over the roof... The flexibility of the amplifier controls of great quality exist no more on any more modern amplifier...( i even bought another Sansui of the alpha series which is supposed to be better and trust me it is different and marvellous but better no, it cost me the same price than all my 3 basic actual components) i keep it in case....
For my dac, i own a NOS french design battery dac TDA 1543 by Christophe Mariac, i purchase 20 bucks new on an Ebay bet 5 years ago ( the same model is sold more than 600 bucks i think now by the designer) It is also a piece i purchase after years of analysis of all audio threads...The SQ/price ratio is out of this world... To beat him i know what to buy....One of the better NOS dac available now by Denafrips but at a cost which is really high...
My speakers cost me 40 bucks us dollars used....Mission Cyrus 781....They are so good in bass department that i never use my subwoofer at all... The refinement of these british speakers and their price ratio is very good but not over the roof like my 2 others components...
I already owned better speakers but they were too big for my desk.... The Tannoy dual gold concentric , i sold them after 45 years more than 1000 bucks each pair....But the Mission Cyrus do the job being totally well embedded by me... The Tannoy even if they are better speakers were never well embedded in my room then the Mission were not far behind them in real S.Q. after i created my mechanical,electrical and acoustical controls ....
I calculated that my first upgrading piece would be and must be the speakers.... But it is a problem because the Mission are already very good...It is the only piece of my audio system i would be afraid to update because of doubts toward the new unknown upgrading speakers... Remember that i could not listen what i will buy BEFORE i will buy it.... There is better speakers but which one and at which price?
I calculated that i need more than 12,000 bucks, more around 15,000 to really upgrade my 3 actual components... A Berning ZOTL amplifier will beat my Sansui....The best Denafrips NOS dac will not deceive me after the little french miraculous dac either...
For the speakers my upgrading choice is not fixed save it will cost at least 5000 bucks to crush the well embedded Mission....
Then i will use the 500 bucks upgrade money on my ebike sorry ....😁😊I apologize for that ....
By the way i read no more any review about new products in audio....After 7 years of improvement, a little step after the other, my system give me complete satisfaction even so imperfect it is compared to some others here ...I know it is impossible for many to trust my opinion... The reason is simple: almost all people dont know, because they have not lived through this experience and experiments, how far could an audio system go in S.Q. improvement if it is a well embedded one especially acoustically...They dont know that because if they are frustrated by their actual system they dont embed it with the rightdevices controls in the 3 working dimensions but they BUY AN UPGRADE for a piece of their system... They will never know what is the real S.Q. potential of what they already own....
The reason why i dont read any more reviews is simple:
My motto is : dont upgrade anything before embeddings it rightfully in his 3 working dimensions...
After that even an upgrade could be less tempting...
It is so true i smile to any audio system "better" than mine here and there exist plenty of them here...
But when all is optimally controlled with a basic good system, the piano sound like a real piano and fill my room completely.... Why changing that? i listen to Bill Evans now without be bothered by the lack in S.Q. on any acoustic count: imaging, soundtstage, Timbre rendition, listener envelopment, source width ratio, bass, high frequencies details etc.....There is always better for sure....But good could be enough if all acoustic aspects are under controls at will....I learned so much in ly listening experiments for years i can now install any audio system in my small room and change the S.Q. with a straw or a piece of empty cardboeard roll of toilet paper or paper towel....My mechanical equalizer is made of plumber discarded pipes and other materials coming from the dumpster or from my basement.... Acoustic science is not bothered by the "price" paid for the materials....😁😊😊
I listen music now not so less to "sounds controls"and contribute no more to my own thread here "miracles in audio... "
My deepest respect to you....Thanks for your help....
