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What's the weakest link in my stereo set up? I live in a townhome, so limited on space.

90% of my time is used listening to records. The other 10% is used by my wife and I to just stream TIDAL or Spotify.

I live in a three story townhome. High ceilings. Not wide rooms, but long.

I would love to be able to use a room just for the stereo, but I cannot. I like staying married, which also means I cannot turn our guest bedroom into just a music-listening adventure room. So, the stereo is in my living room on the first floor. This also means I don’t have room for floor standing speakers.

Focal 906 bookshelf speakers

Technics SL-1210 Mk II (modded out by KAB USA)

Currently using a Nagaoka MP-150 cartridge

McIntosh MP100 phono amp

Cambridge EVO 150 stereo amplifier, entertainment hub, streamer, etc (my wife uses this a lot to stream Spotify while going about the house)

Topping A70Pro headphone amplifier

 

I’m going to assume people are going to say either my turntable or my speakers. Would it be wise to upgrade my Technics to one of the higher end models? I really love the ease of using this little beast of a player. I know it’s known as "the DJ turntable", but it wasn’t made to be one -- it just became that.

The Focals are nice too, and they were also bought new for less than a grand.

(Also, sorry if this is subjective as a question. I’m new to a lot of this. I hope something stands out as an obvious room to upgrade no matter what your tastes are.

Also, I’ve been selling some of the equipment that my late father had, and while doing so I’ve been getting interested in upgrading the system I cobbled together years ago. And no, for emotional and attachment reasons, I didn’t want to keep things that he owned.)

Budget ~$2K

128x128vrikkian
elliottbnewcombjr
5,666 posts
 

1st: I completely agree, simply change the stylus on your MP-150 Body to the 500.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/who-is-using-nagaoka-phono-cartridges?highlight=nagaoka

Are you able to align/calibrate your cartridge? Near KAB? I'm walking distance from KAB in the Sleepy Hollow/Netherwood Heights historic district, Plainfield, NJ

excerpt
"knotscott

I picked up a Nagaoka MP-150 last spring, and added the JN-P (MP500) nude line contact stylus on boron cantilever to it, and think it’s spectacular. Incredibly musical with beautifully refined detail, amazing midrange clarity and separation. It sounds like I have wanted all my other carts to sound since getting into this in the early 80s. All in for ~ $570...not cheap, but not outrageous for the sound I’m getting"

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next, maximize imaging by improving initial sound wave distribution/reception. create a virtual system on this site, post some photos, so the ideas of across the width or down the length and your equipment/furniture/you didn't mention video? are easier to understand, suggestions will be easier to make and understand

.......................................

future changes

speakers, I would forget all/any subtle modifications for now,

re- arrange things so you can have larger speakers, 3 way placed/aimed best toed-in/tilted back to minimize floor/ceiling/side walls reflections (slanted face design/mid height on slanted stand/ or taller floor standing flat face slanted back to aim tweeters at seated ear level)

my assumption/guess: a small 5.1 home theater/music combo system, AVR with FRONT pre-outs, does the Cambridge have a home theater bypass input?

room treatments, maybe, but start simply with an easily re-positioned area rug

Toe In Alternates, Stereo and Video

 

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,666 posts
 

IF open to used speakers, let us know where you live so we can look for suggestions near enough to allow you to hear them when you pick them up.

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,240 posts
 

Sub for townhome might bother your neighbor,space is a problem too. I will stick what you have. Enjoy the music.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,666 posts
 

adjacent apartments is another advantage of concentrating your directionality which minimizes content reaching floor/ceiling/side walls, and allows lower overall volume to be heard clearly.

lanx0003
923 posts
 

The lower-end notes are lacking—consider adding a subwoofer. Specifically, a sub with an 8 inch driver and tight control, like the REL T/5x or T/7x, which will be fast enough to keep up with the main speakers

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