2. analog
  3. 1364597588

What to upgrade if at all

I have a TT system and a budget of $2000 cdn available for upgrades. I like 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop. I listen to mainly vocal, male and female pop and rock. I also listen to digital: computer, SACD, CD using a Modwright Oppo 95 through my current system and am happy to make no changes to digital system:

I don't have any complaints about the analogue setup but just wonder if I can get more of a 'wow' factor by....upgrading TT, tonearm cable, tonearm, phono,power cords, room treatment? For a 2000 budget, where would you suggest I start?

Avid Diva II SP TT
Nordost Tyr tonearm Cable
SME IV arm with a Benz Micro ACE S cartridge
Allnic 1201 Phono
Modwright LS 100 preamp
Modwright KWI 150SE power amp
Trenner & Friedl ART speakers on
Custom Design FS 104 stands
Usher component rack
JPS Aluminata RCA IC from phono to preamp
Antipodes Reference cable between preamp and power amp
Antipodes Reference speaker cable with Bybee speaker bullets
PS Audio P5 regenerator on Nordost titanium kones
Power cables: JPS Analogue, Power AC, Kaptovator x2 and Black Sand Violet MKIIx2

Thanks in advance for the suggestions,
Happy Listening
lleall
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rauliruegas
13,105 posts
 
Dear Lleall: As you said you have to try, a small room is not an obstacle: don't be worried because of that.

The main advantage to add two active subwoofers on true stereo fashion is that your main speakers will performs with higher quality performance because through them will pass frequencies from 80hz an up and this lower " severly " the IMD and THD and you will hear it. In the other side the subs will give you the best music foundation you can get and that no passive speaker can do it .

Anyway, you have the idea.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
lleall OP
17 posts
 
As an update, 2 months later.
I have purchased a pair of powered SVS cylindrical NSD subwoofers which will arrive sometime this week.

SVS suggested that I try the low-pass at:

'Since the ART speakers list a 44Hz extension I'd set the Low-Pass on each sub to between 45Hz and 60Hz (experiment for best blend) and set the Gain (volume) on each to taste until you get the amount of bass you like.'

As to the Lyra cart, I have read that the Delos may be better than the Kleos? I am still waiting to buy.

Thank you again everyone for the suggestions.
lleall OP
17 posts
 
I reread Raoul's link to subwoofers and I see that I should try around 80Hz to integrate my speaker and subwoofers instead. Down the road, I plan to add the Trenner & Friedl supertweeters when they become available. That would be the end of the journey for my speaker search.
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rauliruegas
13,105 posts
 
Dear Lleall: For what you posted SVS suggested that crossover frequency thinking to handle the main speakers fully: this means with out cut its natural frequency response and this is not what I recomend.

What I recomend is that your main speakers works from 80hz and up liberating it through a crossover from frequencies from 80hz and down and this is IMHO the main reason why add subwoofers to any passive loudspeakers. TO IMPROVE TO LOWER THE MAIN SPEAKERS IMD AND THD and obviously improving the IMD/THD system performance.

That is the first target and second target is to achieve better quality bass management with a third target that is to go deeper on bass with better quality.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
budburma
345 posts
 
I am considering taking the Antipodes reference plunge. The metallurgy in the interconnects look right up my alley! Are the speakers cables as much of and upgrade?

For you, I would suggest as many BMI power cords as you can afford, paricularly on your source gear. I have tried many and there are none better to my ear. The ones I have sold as I have upgraded have been universally held as the best the buyers have ever heard.....
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