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Suggestions on improvement

 I'm 78 with age related  hearing decline.My current system which I do enjoy is comprised of a  Marantz CD cd 60006,Technics integrated SUG700,Canton stand mounted 9k reference speakers, and  two SVS SB1000 pro subs, Subs interconnects are SVS. Stand mounted are connected by marker cables on upper frequencies and monster cables Powerline 2 for mids and bass. 

Speakers are placed 8 ft apart the listening position is also 8 ft.The  room is untouchable,that is to say wife has fixed my location,hey no smirks, I know where my beard is buttered.The room has vaulted ceiling 14 ft(at sitting position),has one open sidewall,another is 3 ft behinds the speakers and is covered in  floor to ceiling drapes on a 9 ft wall,the third wall on one side is all glass (glass door and full length window next to it ) the final wall behind the sitting position has glass covered photos and prints.On The sides of each speaker are over stuffed chairs with a couch facing the speakers.Hanging plants are in all corners.The room has wall to wall carpeting. For domestic tranquility I can only subtract components so bass traps and alike are verboten. I listen Stones, Beatles, Who,female solos, symphonies,and jazz(sax oriented).

Are there any cheap tweeks to improve current system given the above, max budget $1000.However if can improve my sound by selling off apiece of gear and adding that revenue I'd do it, just don't know what I'd get off the sale. 

scott22
vthokie83
830 posts
 

scott22

First off, I do not yet have hearing loss; so no suggestions there.....and some good suggestions so far. I can see where a few tweaks could be helpful though.

(1) Equalizer such as the Schitt Loki or Lokius

(2) Since you cannot risk getting your "bread buttered" and cannot add room treatments (and that I can understand), some room correction could be helpful. Something from DSPeaker like the various Anti-Mode products

(3) Good cables between the CD and the amplifier. Interconnects like Zavfino Arcadia, Morrow Audio MA4, DHLabs Air Matrix, or Lavri Cables Ultimate Silver; can all be had for $200 to $300 a pair. The silver versions might be a touch higher, but may help with a bit more detail....which could be helpful

mesch
3,469 posts
 

Little late to the show, have read through the posts.

I am with those who recommend improving your source. I would look into the purchase of a DAC and use your CD player as a transport. Then replace the CD player with a dedicated transport should money for that become available.

 

lugsytl47
13 posts
 

If not already, measure your system with a calibrated mic & software and get a hearing test for a baseline. If your system produces frequencies you can't hear or vice versa, this is important info. Measure system after any changes, allows you to track your likes/dislikes with numbers vs audio memory. 

gkr7007's avatar
gkr7007
148 posts
 

If you're using the stock power cord in the integrated, try a step up on that.  Nothing crazy, and something that you can get a tryout period on.  Anticables changed my mind on power power cables years ago when I used one in my integrated.  Paul will let you try it out and give good advice.  About 300 bucks.  And yes....I'm an old timer too.

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jji666
534 posts
 

The idea of equalization may be good, but I don't understand how an analog equalizer works with the OP's integrated amp.  Only the analog sources can be looped through the equalizer and so anything digital would be irrelevant unless the OP has an external DAC and uses an analog signal.  

To the OP: instead of audio tweaks, have you explored the various streaming solutions that you can launch from an ipad on your couch?  There is so much more music out there, but what is really great is the convenience and the power of the software.  I use Roon which is awesome when it's not being annoying. 

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