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Upgrade question for newbie

A few months ago I acquired my first system:

1. Magnepan 1.6 speakers
2. Emotiva UPA-2 amp (185 watts into 4 ohms)
3. Marantz DV6001 universal player running directly to amp

I am greatly enjoying my system, and I plan to upgrade it as funds allow. My room (a media room/game room) is approximately 23 x 25. I listen to music much more than I watch movies.

My question: If I were to spend about $1,000 or so for the first upgrade, which of the following options do you think would give me more bang for my buck:

1. A better/more powerful amp (although I am very pleased with the Emotiva for the price and it seems to drive the Magnepans better than a couple of different NAD models that I heard at the dealer)
2. A DAC (e.g., the new Peachtree iDecco or V-DAC)
3. A subwoofer (e.g., a used REL or Martin Logan)
4. A preamp
5. Something else

Thanks!
edge22
edge22 OP
31 posts
 
In response to Bob_reynolds' question, I am currently controlling volume with the level/output control on the back of the amp. I do not have to adjust this very often, so it works okay. Certainly, I would prefer to have a preamp that has a remote control (which is why I am thinking about the possibility of using the Peachtree iDecco as both a preamp with remote and a DAC), but at present my main concern is sound quality.

As far as cables, I have anticable speaker wires and blue jean cable interconnects. No upgrades on the power cable. However, the ony thing on the electrical circuit is the audio gear and tv.
trebejo
102 posts
 
One inexpensive thing to improve the sound is to turn off your TV when you are not using it. :)

Your speakers are very nice, that's for sure. The amp sounds like a pretty good one too. There seems to be a gap with volume knob (back of the amp is not the best, probably) and in converting what is on the plastic discs into an analog signal. That Marantz model is not on the same class as the amp and specially the speakers.

If you want just the one box, the iDecco has had good reviews. The Tact dac/preamp combo is around your budget (used). The Benchmark dac includes a volume knob at no extra cost and it might still have a 30-day return period.

If you want to get two separate boxes (dac and preamp) then that's more fun because you can spend $1000 on each one. :)
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
If you review posts about going direct to amp, there is a common "thread" (pun intended). Many people say that the increased transparency or resolution comes at the expense of diminished weight or impact. Personally, the only time I tried running direct was w a Berning ZH-270 and I was underwhelmed. So there may be something to that. I've also found that in even a moderately resolving system, changing the pre-amp had a profound effect on the overall character of the sound. YMMV.
unsound
7,363 posts
 
I'd suggest putting the money aside, and start saving for a set of III series Maggies.
lenny_zwik
259 posts
 
I would start with a good read of the material on Rives Audio's web site, Acoustic Sciences' (ASC) and also on Cardas'. There's a lot of info on how to do this. I don't know what your budget is, and without knowing, it's hard to provide further guidance beyond this advice.
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