Upgrading the Source.

Well Warrenh I'll take your input with a little grain of salt. I guess I have a totally different approach to music and the gear that makes me enjoy it. I couldn't ever recommend a person using a speaker with a source that was 1/7th its price before he upgraded his source first. My CDP is less then half of what my Speakers cost me (excluding stands) , and a third of what my amp cost me. Going further with my speakers just doesn't make sense to me. I have done my own comparisons with source vs speakers and source always wins. A pair of $200 speakers will always sound better with a better source then vice versa. There have been numerous written demonstrations. The one that sticks out in my mind is the PSB Alpha speakers hooked up to a LINN CD12 and having people call it a reference system.

A speaker can not add anything missing up the chain. If it is, then it is coloring the music. I'm sure you're aware of this so I'll leave it at that.

I have done my own little tests and have also come to the conclusion that source is the foundation upon you build. Regardless of budget. I guess that is where you and I differ. And fair enough.

I almost had a chance to audition the Jmlabs you were talking about. It is funny you mentioned the Nautilus 805's because most people that I talk too that have had a chance to listen to the LSi's have said how they are totally different sounding and for the most part much further ahead then the brighter Nautilus you're talking about. Aside from the difference in tonal character the B&W are just that, B&W and most people can't honestly say they have auditioned the LSi's.

The LSi's are not a perfect speaker, then again no speaker is. The way sound is reproduced will always make it impossible. But when it comes time for the next upgrade in speakers I have a few ideas. Right now I'm more interested in timing, melody and rythem. And I'm pretty sure those are things that can be corrected by upgrading from an entry level CDP to something more upscale that will not only mate better with my current system but also my plans to build around it with a better intergrated amp and speakers down the road.

Obviously I don't know what you have, but maybe get an effective rack for that new CDP. They are key players in the rhythm section.

I have the perfect monitor, BTW. To me, at least...and I've done a lot of listening....peace, warren

Warrenh

There is no disputing taste. You like(love maybe?) your monitors so of course, they are perfect for you. That doesn't make pbawcutt option of Polk's LSi9s any less valid. I'll repeat what I said earlier though, if you get a chance, listen to those speakers without any prejudice and you'll see they are very impressive.

Pbawcutt:

I think you're right in upgrading your source. Since you already have a Simaudio integrated, why don't you try one of their CD Players like the Moon Nova or Moon Equinox. That Rotel player you talked about has gotten some good reviews, and is creating a bit of a buzz, so maybe you should check it out. Your LSi9 speakers will reveal changes made upstream, and will only get better as your surrounding equipment gets better.

One thing about the LSi speakers is; they like power. Their impedance is a bit low, so they like amplifiers with high current capability and a high damping factor(very low output impedance).

I now run a system that among other things uses a pair of Polk LSi15s, Perreaux R200i integrated, and a Simaudio Moon Nova LE CD Player. By audiophile standards, I'm nuts(which is why I'm not an audiophile but a music lover). You see, no audiophile would ever consider mating over $7500 of electronics to a pair of $1500 speakers, but guess what?? I am extremely happy with it.

I may(or may not) upgrade my speakers eventually, but believe me, I've gone through several amplifier, source, and cables upgrades already without touching my speakers. In fact, right now I'm actually considering a power conditioner solution more so than I'm considering a speaker change.

Hope this helps...