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Upgrade from Polk Audio LSi9's

Just trying to gather up some ideas. I currently have a set of Polk Audio LSi9 speakers hooked up to a SimAudio intergrated amp and fully modded Museatex Bitstream DAC and Museatex Transport done by John Wright. All wiring is Moray James, Kimber and Harmonic Tech's.

The Polk Audio LSi's have been a great pleasure but I'm starting to slowly outgrow them. They deliver a sweet sound and airy musical feeling when I listen. The lower bass is quite surprising, it's in a small room right now. And will be for quite awhile. What I lack in my music is that mid-bass and symbol smash. My music rangers from Bjork-Massive Attack to Nivrana, Alice in Chains, radiohead. I want to hear a bit more punch in the kick drums, a better definition of symbol smashes. All without adding harshness which is otherwise never there. My speakers basically disappear since adding the modded Museatex DAC and I want that to continue.

I have heard offerings from PSB, Paradigm, Energy and Monitor Audio. Quite honestly I don't think they can do what the LSi's can and I wouldn't consider this an upgrade. I would like to make the jump, and obviously listen on my own, but could I get a few ideas from people who have listened to better speakers. I'd like to keep it in and around $3k new or used. If somebody thinks they can do better then my existing speakers with less money then please fill me in. I would make the jump up (to higher then $3k) only if the speakers 1. would give me the ability to improve my sound from a small room and 2. would not outmatch my Simaudio intergrated amp. The Museatex stuff is staying.
lush
tim916
52 posts
 
Lush,

I originally had the Special 25's in a smallish room (14x9') and I never found the bass to be out of control or boomy. I don't think that Dynaudio's are more likely to be affected by being placed near a room boundary than any other speaker (in terms of the bass response). It could be that those who found them to be out of control when placed near the walls might have been sitting in a room mode. As always, listening to a speaker in your own room is the only true way to tell.

I've not heard the Paradigm S2's that some of the other members are suggesting, but they certainly seem intriguing. I'll be the first to admit that Dynaudio's are expensive (with an approximate 10% increase coming 3/1!), but they are one of the few speaker companies who has virtually total control over the design, components, and manufacturing of their products and I do believe that plays a big part in delivering a superior product, albeit at a higher price than many of their competitors.
ttowntony
145 posts
 
I would recommend the Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Monitors. It has a similar design as the Polk with the dual 7" mid-bass drivers and a very detailed Seas Millennium tweeter that is one of the best in the business. These will, however, show flaws in your upstream, but you have nice components that should match well.

These can also play very loud with a great deal of punch. I would still add a subwoofer to add depth, though.

As for Dynaudio, I love them! However, for your style of music I think they would lack some life. Dyn's are phenominal with jazz, acoustic, etc...
fatcataudio
107 posts
 
It sounds to me like this is way more a factor of the amp and not the speakers. If you don't like the presentation of the Polks, then get new speakers. If it is more punch you want, to me this is definitely a factor of the amp and not the speakers. You may want to try a Pass X150 or other X series amp. Based on your music preferences, your phenomenal digital source, a Pass X150 or 150.5 would send you through the roof! I would bet on it.
lush OP
262 posts
 
I dont think I have pre-outs on my simaudio fatcatudio...thanks for the kind words on my source, I got really lucky, John actually sold me his reference transport, only thing he never did with it was replace the caps with the Blackgates.

I was wondering if I should maybe look too the LSi15's if I like the smooth presentation of the 9's and then look for better amplification later.
fatcataudio
107 posts
 
I would recommend that if you like the presentation of the Lsi9s, stay with them. Remember, stepping up to floorstanders will inherently give up things like pinpoint imaging that only monitors can accomplish. It will give you better bass, but the speakers are very similar, same drivers, and I am not sure I would recommend that. Here is what I would do:

Sell the Integrated (assuming it is a Moon-I5) this will garner you $1400. Couple this with your $3000 budget and you have $4400 to spend on a great Amp/preamp combo. My suggestion is to get an X150.5 at approx $2200 (or X150 at $1800), then mate with a preamp of choice....tubes if you need warmth, or s.s. like an X2.5 at around $1900. This will bring you in at $4100, less your $1400 from the integrated will place you at $2700 outlay. Just a thought......If you would like more info, please contact me directly.

Quite simply, your possibilities are endless to really move into hi-end separates while keeping your speakers you seem happy with, and taking your system to a totally new level. Mating a hiend separates like the Pass gear to your speakers should shock the heck out of you. Much more so than just an upgrade in similar speakers could accomplish. (all my opinions) Last suggestion, is that I think your DAC can be had/moddded by John to have variable output for direct hookup to an amp!!!
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