Let's play the "what if" game


Say I had $10,000 to spend (that's the amount I recently spent on attorney's fees on litigation I had hoped could have been entirely avoided- In the last year I've been sued 3 times; 2 cases so far dismissed, crossing my fingers on case 3). Let's say I still had that $10,000 to play with.

Take a look at my system profile. Not saying you have to spend it all, or for that matter, any of it (I sure would like a week away).

Personally, I think all my stuff is at least very good, but I've had my speakers and turntable (plus arm and cartridge) and tuner each for over a decade and I get used to things and don't tend to flip major components frequently. So if there's a weakness , it's not glaring and right now I'm not really perceiving it. With good source material, I think my system sounds terrific.

Have friends who are into audio doesn't necessarily help. One fellow thinks my system sounds spacious and "locks" into my room very well. Another friend thought my system presents a great soundstage (I don't count that as one of my systems strengths) but felt the high end was a bit shut in (and yet, I've thought his system was bright). So what I took away is that different things appeal to different people. FWIW, the first friend tends to keep gear a very long time while the 2nd one is a searcher/flipper.

So with out the distraction of an audition (!) where could I improve things?

I have 2 thoughts- my phono cartridge, a Linn Arkiv B was pronounced by my Linn Dealer, in whose ears I trust, to still be in decent health, but fair is fair, and I bought it as a dealer demo at least a dozen years ago- maybe more.

My second thought are my speakers. I have heard the new Revel 208. I do believe they in fact image well, but I also think it's low end is not as voluptuous as my F30's (yet the newer speakers are no doubt tighter). Some years back I heard a pair of Wilson speakers which Knocked my socks off but I did not think them worth the asking price. FWIW, I do not at all care for a bright or tipped up sound as I'm not in the hyper detail camp.

A remote 3rd thought is to keep everything and add a JL sub. I've had a sub in the past with a pair of Magepan MG2.6R's ( had those a decade) and found that adding the sub not only increased the bass (duh) but that my soundstage took on magnificent proportions, truly extending past the speakers.

Look, music these days is my main distraction from some very rough turn of events,particularly over the last 2 years (significantly health problems with 2 surgeries - one was open heart, unfortunate domestic issues and uncertainties of work). Music allows me to forget, albeit temporarily, of these issues. So I figure, what the heck, let me enjoy my music to the max. One fortunate consequence is that these days I need not explain any purchase, audio,or otherwise, to a spouse.

So, brother and sister audio hounds, what further distraction do you recommend? As a side note, I found building my headphone amp from a kit (Kudos to Bottlehead for an excellent assembly manual) and building a line level switch box from scratch, were quite rewarding distractions).

Thank you for bearing with me and making it through this inordinately lengthy post.
128x128zavato
Well, you have very good stuff that seems well matched and you like what you hear, but want more it seems.

So no apparent reason to make any major change. Rather refine and maybe expand what you have, if you must.

Power conditioning on digital source gear and pre-amp usually only helps so that might be worth considering. No need to break the bank on that. I have a basic $200 monster strip that delivered improvement over nothing in my case. I like the Furman brand though and that is where I would look for something a bit more extensive if it were me.

Adding a sub or two is a good way to extend, but only if done well to properly blend in with the rest.

You have a very good amp. Is the system effortless at higher volumes, if that is of any concern? If not, more watts and current might so some good things. How about trying a pair of good 500w/ch Class D amps? They may or may not sound better to you, so only go there if you have an out just in case.
Invest into records for sure.
They grow in value faster than any real estate or any interest rate any bank can offer.
Go to live concerts of creative bands, buy their records -- chances they will increase the value.
Book a band for a party, a good band -- chip in with your buddies and keens how about that?
Travel where great music festivals are, book concerts, buy performer's records!
I can go loud enough- no need for 500 wpc. Right now at my listening
couch I can get music to over 105 dB but I really have no interest in that
any longer.

Did the dedicated line- 10 awg home run, years ago. That was a solid thing
to do. Using a Wiremold power strip long ago recommended by my Linn
(and Naim) dealer.

I like, really like, the idea of tunes and a vacation

Thank you all!
This may be a surprising response but bear with me. Let's start with the premise there's not a perfect speaker--good and even great speakers each have their particular strengths--imaging, bass response, whatever. So, changing speakers--with the caveat that they can be driven by your current electronics--gives you something completely new to listen to or for. For example, I love my Harbeths but damn, I've heard some Sonus Fabers and Dynaudios that sound great too and would work with my equipment and yet have different qualities.

And while I'm having that thought, does anyone think there are electronics that sound good if not everything, most everything? What is the most neutral universal equipment?