2. misc-audio
  3. 1143564116

HELP NEED UPGRADE ADVICE

Hi,

Sorry to be so vague in the heading, but I would really appreciate help from the Audiogon experts. Anyway, I can only make one upgrade at this time and would like opinions. Right now my system consists of the following:

VTL MB185 Mono Amplifiers
Counterpoint 5.1 preamplifier
Sony C555ES SACD Player
B&W 801 Matrix 3 speakers.
Cardas Golden Cross Speaker Cables
Various Audioquest and Siltech interconnects.

Now, I only have about $1800.00 or so to spend on the next upgrade and was wondering if anyone could tell me which of the following they think would give me the most improvement (until my next upgrade in a couple of months)

1. Sony C555ES cd upgrade by SACDMODS. about $800.00

2. VTL 5.5 preamp. (to replace unmodified Counterpoint)about $800.00 final cost, because I'll be welling my old preamp.

3. Northcreek B&W 801 crossovers. $1600.00 final cost

I could do the first two upgrades for the same final cost, but I'd really like to keep the Counterpoint for a week or so to compare to the VTL before I sell it. Either way, I really could use some advice.

Thanks.
kensetsu
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
Nice system. What's the problem? Follow the sound for upgrade. Usually improvement is in getting better recordings! Spend your money there and get to listen to 'live' music events.
kensetsu OP
60 posts
 
Well... All of you make me feel pretty good about my choices of components... although, I am starting to hear a tiny bit of noise coming through the speakers.. Since this noise is there even when the amps are turned off, I'm going to assume that it's time to have my 17 year old Counterpoint preamp looked at. Any ideas why I have a tiny bit of a hiss when their is no signal.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
If it did not hiss in the past...check tubes. BTW, what tubes are you using?

Dave
kensetsu OP
60 posts
 
Hi,

I did recently change the tubes, but I did have a slight hiss prior to this also. Right now, I believe that I have Telefunkens in there. However, I collected tubes for years so they could be Amperex or Mullards, etc. I have about 30 NOS 6DJ8s by those manufactures. Actually, come to think of it, I think I actually have Bugle Boys in there. To tell you the truth, I never really believed the hype about differences in tubes until I replaced the Platinum Ram tubes with the Bugle Boys. Oh My God!!!! The Bugle Boys buried the low noise Ram tubes that I had in there. Perhaps I should did into my private stash of unused tubes more often. I'm not sure why I collected them since I never actually used them.
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