2. misc-audio
  3. 193876-174083

Need advice from the gurus.

This is my favorite HIFI hang out and I'm at a bit of a crossroads and really could use some advice.  I'm a bit scattered and I could use some help figuring out what direction to go in.  Here's my current equipment:

==Electronics==
Gato Audio AMP-150 AE (integrated amp)
Topping E70 Velvet DAC
iFi Zen Stream (I use Tidal)
Cherry Maraschino monos (not using at the moment, I don't have a preamp)

==Speakers==
Magnepan LRS+
Kef R3
Monitor Audio GS20 (vintage speakers from my father)
Omega Super 3 High Output Wide Baffle XRS towers

Lately I've been running the LRS+ with the Gato integrated and Topping Velvet / iFi stream combo.  I like it but I don't know if I'm missing out.  What would you do if you had my equipment and wanted to simplify?  On my hifi setup I listen to mostly mellow stuff, lots of female vocals, classic rock, ambient stuff.  I really like female vocals and midrange with a lot of texture if that makes any sense.  What would you do different if anything?  Thanks!
 

tubeguy76
jeffbij
249 posts
 

+1 @cleeds   -  Agreed it looks like a balanced connection, but it may not be a fully balanced design with the XLR jacks a convenience. Either way, I would think it would be worth giving it a try.  Couldn't hurt and might be eye opening with those monoblocks. 

cleeds
6,287 posts
 
jeffbij

it may not be a fully balanced design with the XLR jacks a convenience.

Either the amplifier is balanced or the published specs are wrong:

Input impedance    20kΩ RCA or 40kΩ Balanced
Preamplifier output impedance 100 Ω RCA and 200 Ω Balanced

tubeguy76 OP
199 posts
 

@deep_333 Lrs+ without a good servo subwoofer would be an incomplete speaker and it needs a sub’s help all the way up to around 200 hz. A pair of rythmik Fm8 subs set up on the front stage, integrated correctly should do the job.

I have a Martin Logan Dynamo 800x sub but it’s not a servo sub.  It stilldoes a decent job but I haven’t heard a servo sub to compare it to.

As far as selling my speakers... I can do that.  I need the space anyway.  I've been looking at the Mofi speakers since they came out... they look like something I would enjoy.


 

tubeguy76 OP
199 posts
 

@gano 

to me it screams that you have don't have speakers that stand out, just 3 pairs in similar range. 

I would sell two pairs and upgrade.

 

True, none of these blow me away.  They sound good in their own ways but I may need to stretch the budget a bit to get where I want to be.

 

jeffbij
249 posts
 

@cleeds  

If I was off-base, then apologies and I stand corrected.... 

My understanding has always been that in a fully balanced system, the 2 channels are completely separated from the input through to the output while something that just converts single ended signal (in and out) through an op-amp to XLR connections is different.  Also in a non-fully balanced setup, the L and R channels share a common ground.  So, wouldn't the differences in the impedience be caused by the op-amps used.

Honestly, have I misunderstood something?  

- Jeff

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