Help me upgrade my beginner system!

I suggest you get an inexpensive sound pressure meter and use it to help you find the speakers best location in the room

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Pressure-30-130dBA-Warranty/dp/B00ECCZWWI/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3UUB6HY1FG98H&keywords=sound%2Bpressure%2Bmeter&qid=1682342339&sprefix=sound%2Bpress%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-6&th=1

bottom thread for tripod.

Place it on a tripod at your primary listening position, seated ear level height.

Next, a CD with individual test tones, i.e.

https://www.discogs.com/release/7290000-Various-Amazing-Bytes

tracks 9-38

you can find a less costly one, as long as it has individual tracks.

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Toe-In

I use two toe-in setups

1. single listener: both speakers aimed directly at your spot.

2. listening with a friend: small table in the middle. aim left speaker at right chair; aim right speaker at left chair. that will produce very decent imaging because:

each person get’s more volume from the closer speaker his side, and more/somewhat equal from the direct dispersion on the opposite side.

so, moving the speakers when a friend comes must be easy. My speakers are quite heavy (over 100lbs each), I use 3 wheels (more weight per wheel, and 3 won’t wobble, no leveling needed) (2 front/1 rear, furniture type: dual wheel/tight axle. They move, and they stay put.

Lighter speakers, use slip material (smooth for carpet or fuzzy stuff on smooth floors. Cut size of skid plates relative to the speakers weight. Just enough that they move, then don’t move.

Note: using 3 wheels/skid plates, only 1 in the back: you need a method of preventing them from falling. Flat bottomed JSE’s, I used rear corner blocks, just above the floor normally, but touch the floor if speakers start to tilt. Current speakers, I have a skirt concealing the wheels which prevents tipping.

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Tweeters aimed directly at seated ear level. If needed: Add a block/strip horizontally across the front edge to tilt them back. Not only direct dispersion of tweeter, but it alters the angles of reflection off the floor, ceiling, side and rear walls.

A photo of my speakers innards, front ’lift’ block, and 3 wheels is seen here:

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/9511

You need to click on top right 'full screen' box to see the bottom of images and captions

 

As a start I will provide few thoughts for consideration that may help I and others provide helpful input.

From my perspective one problem you have is that the system you own seems very well balanced. Thus the 'where to start' thinking is understandable.

Have done anything to tune your room? If not would you consider doing so? Consider the room as a principle component of your system.

If looking to change the character of your system then a change in speakers would be a way to start. That may result in a change in amplification. If improving on the sound you have is the objective them improving the source components can bring about refinement. Thus you need to define your objective.

What is the priority between streaming and vinyl listening? As an example, streaming for me is background listening and a way to find new music. I otherwise listen to CDs via transport and DAC.

I would not put money into power conditioning.  A surge protector by Brick Wall may be a good idea.

 

I went for the Furman P1800 PFR Power Conditioner. Plug it into your separate circuit. Plug everything into it! Done

Furman specs here

https://furmanpower.com/product/15a-prestige-power-conditioner-w-power-factor-technology/

On sale here

https://www.proaudiostar.com/furman-p-1800-pf-r-power-conditioner-surge-suppressor.html?utm_source=Google_Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw0ZiiBhBKEiwA4PT9z0pF29WT_wrAhAiN_w9jQYH-65SHx4yzM6k4aKDY-vwjDiKGCdGUdBoCwy8QAvD_BwE

 

 

Thanks for all of the advice so far! It's clear the most prevalent suggestion is to upgrade the speakers. @curiousjim I LOVE the GoldenEar floorstanders but unfortunately the ones I want are out of my price range. I do like the BRXs a lot but I think I will audition speakers that my store carries. They deal with PSB, Sonner Audio (I fell in love with these at AXPONA), Audio Physic, Dali, Focal, and KEF - so if anyone has any recommendations of a model you think would pair well with the Peachtree, I'd appreciate that. Cost will probably be a factor but I may pitch in some extra dollars after the trade. In terms of my room and what I listen to -  I've converted a small bedroom (12x14) into a dedicated music room. I listen to pop, rock, electronica, jazz and classical.

The next upgrade suggested was an integrated amp and/or DAC. I'm actually considering this in lieu of a speaker upgrade. While I like my Peachtree, I wouldn't mind upgrading to something else - in particular the NAD M33, which my shop carries. I lose the Elac Discovery w/Roon this way (more trade-in $$!), but I've read that NAD's BluOS ecosystem is very nice. In terms of a DAC, my shop doesn't carry anything new that jumps out to me as a must-have, but they do have a lot of used gear so there may be something in the back room that might make sense.

@yoyoyaya and @bluorion, I have an older Cardas digital coax cable going from the Elac Discovery to the Peachtree, Morrow Audio SP3 speaker cables, and an Ice Age Audio Copper-Silver power cord going from the Peachtree to the Tice. I think I would do well getting an SBooster for the Elac instead of using the native wall wart, but that's an easy fix. Unfortunately the Technics turntable interconnects are hard-wired in, so I'd need to have someone service it to upgrade those.

dvujovic

nice write up about your cartridge

https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Audio/Archive-Stereo-Review-IDX/IDX/70s/HiFi-Stereo-Review-1977-02-OCR-Page-0040.pdf