Got my very first system. What's my next move?


Hey everyone,

First of all, I'd like to thank all of you who stopped me from selling my father's 10 year-old McIntosh components. I've talked to some other audiophiles and dealers as well, and it looks like I'll be keeping these babies for a long time.

My first system (mostly given by my father), consists of:

McIntosh MC7300 power amp
McIntosh C40 preamp
McIntosh MCD7008 CD player
McIntosh MR7083 Tuner
Totem Hawk floorstanding speakers
Siltech MXT London interconnects
MIT AVt3 bi-wire speaker cables

Also please keep in mind that my current room is pretty small (10' x 14').

My question was, what is my next move from here? I currently have about $1500 saved up for A/V spending, and if I wait until september, it'll be up to $2500. Many have suggested that I purchase a subwoofer (REL Strata 3 or 5) and some have suggested I invest the money in a good power conditioner (Shunyata something...). I'd like to hear some recommendations from the real audiophile group (the A'goners). Please help :)

Oh, I use the system mostly for music by the way. I'd say about 70/30 music/movies.

Thanks in advance,

Seong
spacekadet
take Dad out for a filet and lobster tail for Father's Day and enjoy your system
What GREAT advise you have been getting! I'm both amazed and agree. I'd spend every buck you have reserved on music (and your dad). Don't get caught up in trying to improve your system yet with tweeks - you can spend a lot for marginal results in your system. Best to save your money for long term major up-grades when you really no longer need to ask others what to do next.
Sell all of it immediately on audiogon or ebay and start all over again looking for perfection. This is the only way to becoming a member of the audio nervosa club :-)
power conditioners are an absoloute waste of cash for mcintosh gear as are ultra hi end cables & power cords.

i dont know what it is about mac gear but it just plain dont need any help sounding great.

ive tried big$$$ cables & power cords with no benifit whatsoever & went back to the stock power cords & radio shack gold interconnects.

if your heart is set on spending some cash buy yourself a nice audio rack, do a search on audiogon under VTI, imo they have very nice & affordable racks that match mac's looks to a tee.

enjoy your system.

mike.

Spend every last dime on music. Buy some blues, classic rock, heavy jazz stuff, the better known classical, some instrumental... find out what the world of music has to offer. The gear is a means to an end, your dad gave you a great "means", go forth and buy music young man. Arm loads of it!