if you had this system, what would you do to make it sound the best you can


This is my first time using this forum. I'm looking to improve my system, and I'd like to hear your ideas of what you would change or purchase to make it sound even better. Current system:  McIntosh amp MC202, 200 watts/ch; C42 preamp with DAC and 8 band equalizer; MCD 301CD; MR85 Tuner; streamer MB20.  TT is Pro-ject Classic SB, Equalizer Sound Shaper 3 IC, Speakers Spendor A5s rated 150watts peak, cables Audioquest; R to R, J Corder Technics RS1520; Panamax Power.  All pieces have original power cords.  Audio cables are low-end.  Music: Classical, Jazz, Easy/soft Rock.  Joan Baez, Enya, etc. thank you for any advice.

 

markley

I concur with audphile post above ...😊

it is ridiculous to advise about a piece of gear isolated in a system and in a room we dont know...

The only wise recommendation is not to upgrade but to try to improve what you had studying the mechanical, electrical and acoustical aspects BEFORE upgrading the right piece ...

 

Add to that that all these gear focussed people will recommend all different pieces of gear to upgrade ...😁

Acoustic rule audio experience not the upgrade which must be done only when we know how,when and why to do it...

 

 

 

can anyone actually tell without listening to your system what needs to improve?

all we can do is guess. Are you going to take action on any of the above recommendations? Even that equalizer…I’m pretty sure you like it and that’s why it lives there.

You don’t even mention what you would like to improve on. I’ll be blunt…this is a BS thread.

....wayyy off the thread thinking....

What if an "Audiophile AI" was intro'd into Agon?

Any comments from our 'overseers' ?

Less is more in alot of cases. The Panamax is a pos unless for some reason they got better. The cheapest thing to do is the plug everything  direct to the wall.  Lose the equalizer.  Now adjust your sound field by placement  diffusion  and absorption.  Make sure your speakers are level as well as level to each other.ake sure they are exactly  equal distance  from the wall behind them and on either side. Make sure the toe in is exactly  the same. When that is done have a listen  and see what you have. After that is done repost and you can get help from there. Go get the free part and the basic part first. 

if you're using stock power cords that's the first problem get rid of all of them and upgrade them to OCC single crystal power cords and same with your interconnects and speaker wire, OCC single crystal has been proven to be the best wire for audio for over 50 years, there's many good manufacturers harmonic technology, acoustic zen, Zenvfino, and especially Neotech they make rectangular OCC single crystal wire which is even better than the round OCC single crystal wire.