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Should Speakers come first in a gradual upgrade?

I got info hi-fi audio about a year ago, and I have what I consider a pretty balanced relatively low cost system (high cost for me because I'm just an airman in the Air Force): Monitor Audio 5i speakers, Audio Refinement Complete Amp, and Cambridge Audio D500 CD Player. Conneting it all together are a Transparent Audio Super RCA interconnect, Transparent MusicWave speaker cable/jumpers, and stock powercords. I have a budget of $1000-$1500 (plus whatever I can sell the stuff I'm replacing) to upgrade my system. I'm very happy with its basic sound now, though I'm looking to get smoother highs, a little more detail, as much of a 3d soundstage as I can, and more solid low end. With that in mind, I'm thinking of going to a mini-monitor/sub system. I'm wanting to spend all my budget on upgrading just one component to the highest quality I can afford now, and I'll upgrade the rest when I can (it'll probably be an 8-12 month wait before I can do another upgrade). The question is, is that a smart way to go, and if so, what component should I upgrade first? I've thought about replacing the CD-player with an Arcam 92. But then I've been thinking that getting a Cambridge Audio S700 DAC (includes HDCD decoder) w/ Transparent's premium digital cable may give me a sound equal/better/close to a $1500 player at a lower cost. I'm pretty happy with the sound of the Audio Refinement amp, so I'm not planning on replacing that anytime soon, plus I think upgrading the amp will have the smallest effect on getting the sound I'm looking for, as opposed to upgrading the speakers or CD player or adding a sub-woofer (am I right here?). As for speakers, I want to replace the 5i's with a premium mimi-monitor, and one that has caught my eye is the Eggleston Works Isabel. I think it has fantastic looks, and it has the dynaudio esotar tweeter which should give me the highs/detail/sound stage I'm looking for. I'm concerned though that the Audio Refinement amp will not adequately power the Isabels (the amp is rated at a very solid 50watts). Any other monitor suggestions? It seems like the Dynaudio 1.3's keep coming up, however, I don't have a way of auditioning them, and the Isabel seems to be made to a slightly higher quality and with higher quality parts (esotar tweeter, hovland musicaps, vishay resistors, cardas rhodium posts, etc). Finally, I plan on getting a REL Strata III subwoofer, with plans to get a second one down the road. I don't want to get the subwoofer now, because I think the bass in the 5i's are fine, though lacking in weight and extension. Plus, I'd rather get the better highs/detail/soundstage now, and wait on the bass. My ultimate goal is to build a great sounding system with the afore mentioned qualities for 8-10k, and I'm hoping that whatever component I get now will be a part of that 8-10k system. So I'm left wondering what should I upgrade first? What will make the biggest difference now? And what should come next? Thanks in advance for helping me out. Oh, my music tastes are diverse...some of my favorite tunes come from Sting, Cat Stevens, Itzhak Perlman, Peter Gabriel, Beethoven, Andreas Vollenweider, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Led Zeppelin.

Thanks,
Gil

p.s. Any other military audiophiles out there?...I haven't met any yet...it's hard to explain to your fellow soldiers why you aren't crazy for wanting a 10k stereo that doesn't even have "surround sound".
poor_airman
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I would get the REL sub now. It will solve all the problems you state that your speakers and the rest of your system currently has. Your system is well balanced now. The Complete is only a 50 watt amp, so you may have trouble powering some higher end speakers to get them to sound their best.


The reason the REL will improve your whole system is because it is not only about low frequencies. Even mid and high notes encompass a much larger spectrum than the principal note you hear. For example: if it was only about the principal note being played, then you would not be able to tell the difference between a piano, violin, oboe, flute, etc; if they were playing the exact same note. Also why a concert grand piano sounds different then a small upright piano. There is a lot more going on.


The hardest thing for a full range speaker to reproduce with detailed accurately is bass. The REL will fill in the bottom of all notes being played by all the instruments, which will make your midrange fuller and enable you to differentiate between even slight changes in the high notes. If you listen to classical, it will also help separate the low notes played by the cellos and string bass, resulting in a more musical experience.

Since you are willing to spend $1499 which is what the wood veneer Stratus III costs (list price),(black is $1299); you could go for a Storm III in black which lists for only $200 more ($1699) and is a good step up (wood veneer Storm is ($1999) Places like Ambrosia Audio usually discount.

dweller's avatar
dweller
3,803 posts
 
I'd say your biggest BFB would be a quality powered subwoofer e.g. Carver or Velodyne. DO NOT underestimate the effect of a good musical foundation and how it highlights the rest of the sonic spectrum. If your living quarters don't allow you to exploit this approach then the Isabel makes great sense. Good speakers get better with upgrades to other system components! BTW, Solid list of musical intrests... Have you heard Fred McDowell or Captain Beefheart?
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
If you are happy with the overall sound quality of your speakers, I would go with a better source or DAC. As I have upgraded my source and electronics, my relatively modest speakers (Vandy 2ci) have sounded better and better.
celtic66
1,680 posts
 
The Swampwalker response is the correct response. When improvement occurs with source then it follows throughout the system. Better source will enable the speakers to image better, improve attack and even provide a more solid bottom end.

I like the DAC idea. The Audio Refinement is one of my favorite pieces. Transparent makes nice stuff also. Not so familiar with the speaks but I will bet the whole thing comes together better with a DAC upgrade.

You need a powercord upgrade too for the digital end.
LAT International makes nice ones for under $100. Check out echohifi.com. They are surprisingly good for not much money.
fineberg
151 posts
 
I agree with the DAC change suggestions. With your system the time to change the speakers and add subs would be a little later. If you really want to get apiece you can keep in your ultimate system I think you should be looking at higher end DACs. Here are some great sounding ones:
EVS Millenium II DAC ($1050 new occasionally a used one comes along for $700-$850)
Bel Canto DAC 1.1 ($1425 new/ $750 - $850 used)
Perpetual Technologies P-3A ($799 new)
Dan Wright modifies these for $400 turning them into something really special
Kora Hermes ($1500 new)
MSB Gold Link III (list $1800, but can be found for around $1200 new) - I personally don't care for the MSB DACs

You might even find as I did aused Muse Model Two-Ninety-Six for $1300 -$1400 - this is a state of the art $4000 DAC

Any of these DACs would be at home in an $8-10K system.

Good Luck
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