Where do I go from here?
I'm 58 and just recently decided that a nice, dedicated two-channel listening room will be my thing - I don't golf, or ski, or spend crazy money on a sports car, so I think my wife is good with this!
My room is less than ideal - 3/4 below grade room, 17'x24' with a 6'10" ceiling height, and a few weird corners, poles, and beams to deal with. I have a nice, new love seat, tables, and lamps, with a couple of 8x10 rugs - its pretty cozy and comfortable, but the walls need something (discussed below).
My equipment today - Vintage 1980 Klipsch Heresys, with a pair of REL T/7x subs, McIntosh MC312 amp, McIntosh C47 pre, and an Eversolo A6 (with a 4TB SSD). I have decent cabling and go balanced from the A6 to the C47, using the A6 DAC. My rack is VTI BL404 from stands and mounts.com. 15A wall power into a Panamax M4315-PRO for all components including subs.
The audio quality I have right now is the best I have ever had in my life, and I am loving it! But I know I can improve it over time in ways that will be quite noticeable and appreciated. So, I welcome advice on where to go from here and what to do first...
The room: I have not used room correction software yet. I am liking the idea of vertical slat acoustic paneling on one, two, or all four walls. It looks really nice and seems a versatile first layer on the walls before getting serious about bass traps and other such things.
Speakers: I've had 600 series B&Ws in the past and my ears love their sound signature. I really have my eye on the 702 S3s that are out there. I wonder if I need the subs with those, or maybe the 703s with the subs? Any issues with my Mac equipment?
Streamer/DAC: I'm thinking the upgrade path here is in the $3-5K range? Or, if I do end up with the 702s am I shooting too low?
Turntable: I know there is blue sky on expenditure here, but I really want an automatic turntable, and the Dual CS 529 looks pretty good to me. Comes with the Ortofon 2M red cartridge. Is that good enough for now?
Like I said, I welcome advice on priorities, and if you think I'm missing something let me know. Thanks all!
op you have some good components here is what we would recommend
sell the mac preamplifier and move to a newer higher resolution design look at the nad m66 which allows you to ditch the Eversolo as well and you gain Dirac room correction. Ditch the Panamax get isotek Sigmas you need a better table forget Automatics and get a manual table with a tonearm lifter accessory
these changes will give you greater clarity and a wider soundstage.
Dave and Troy Audio Intellect. NJ Nad and Isotek dealers
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I can maybe help with speakers https://speakerchoices.com/ |
IMO, if I had your choices and equipment I would replace the Klipsch speakers. There are many, many more choices and would change your sound if you chose the type of speaker you want. If you like the horn sound, look at Volti Audio, maybe the Razz or Rival. But really ribbon speakers or so many otherrs might interest you. You would have to plan road trips to audition some and that could be fun. That is exactly where I would start. |
