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

@ghdprentice 

I took a look at DH. The prices are not terrible, but they have multiple cables for what type of sound you want. I am not that well versed in sound to know if I want ones that are warm, emphasis highs, etc.

I think cables are a water I shouldn't wade into without knowing what I'm doing.

So, if are talking about  speaker cable, for instance, the Q-10 looks like a good choice.

In general, your Focal speakers are going to be a little hot on the top end, so you don’t want to get too fast and detailed. I’d stay in the middle to warm and natural to make sure you get the most musical / natural sound out of your system.

 

Yeah I'm another guy with Cathedral ceiling .Your system seems fine ,sit back and enjoy.I like the set up I have and the speakers playing out over the balcony. It fills the room with sound and I feel like I'm at a concert. 

@ghdprentice I appreciate your recommendation on speaker cable. Do you have a good recommendation for interconnects?

You have some excellent equipment.
I live in a townhome as well, and my stereo sits in a 15ft x 20ft open area to a dining room. The ceilings are 25ft high.
Because of budget and space limitations I went with an integrated amp setup. I have separate DAC and steamer setups.
I have curtains in back of where I sit so minimized reflection from the windows in back of me. I appreciate your sutuation. Amazingly, the sound is great here!
I suspect my sound would be better in a dedicated room with four walls and a lower ceiling , but for now, this is the best I can do.