Sks ...
Sometimes you just come across the product that does it for you ... all that you need to do is to tell the voice inside of your head to keep quiet.
Back in 2000, accessories4less,com was liquidating the entire line of the 1995 Acoustic Research 303 series speakers for 25 cents on the dollar and the 303 model had been rated Class D and the AR-1 (from the HO series) were rated Class B. Not shabby.
Great speakers, but the line was not a success and my guess is that the AR name and the retro, tradtitional speaker styling may have contributed. I went with the AR 302 at $250 a pair ($1100 list), which were the way to go. The 10" woofer, which goes down to 35hz, does not produce the bass over tones that the 12" woofer in the 303 does. Check out my Main/Living Room System for a picture.
In 6 years of listening to other speakers, at the same list price and much more (Vandeys, Totem, Thiel, etc,) only a $3000 pair of Focus FS78se has ever tempted me mightily to jump. But $250 versus $3000 .... geez, I think that my brains are still intact.
Of the new products made today, I feel very strongly that the Prima Luna tube amplifiers are in this bargain, hard to beat category.
Stay with your Monitor Audios. Their budget line Bronze series (#4's) received a ton of positive reviews in the British press about two years ago. The Silver Series are reputed to be much better. The MF 3.2 is a very elegant sounding, musical, and detailed sounding amp.
If you feel like you must spend money (it happens), the Music Hall MMF CD25 cd player would be a nice, cost effective, and sweet sounding upgrade. But why ... you're essentially satisfied.
Someday I'll know that I will change my speakers ... the day has just not come yet.
Regards, Rich
Sometimes you just come across the product that does it for you ... all that you need to do is to tell the voice inside of your head to keep quiet.
Back in 2000, accessories4less,com was liquidating the entire line of the 1995 Acoustic Research 303 series speakers for 25 cents on the dollar and the 303 model had been rated Class D and the AR-1 (from the HO series) were rated Class B. Not shabby.
Great speakers, but the line was not a success and my guess is that the AR name and the retro, tradtitional speaker styling may have contributed. I went with the AR 302 at $250 a pair ($1100 list), which were the way to go. The 10" woofer, which goes down to 35hz, does not produce the bass over tones that the 12" woofer in the 303 does. Check out my Main/Living Room System for a picture.
In 6 years of listening to other speakers, at the same list price and much more (Vandeys, Totem, Thiel, etc,) only a $3000 pair of Focus FS78se has ever tempted me mightily to jump. But $250 versus $3000 .... geez, I think that my brains are still intact.
Of the new products made today, I feel very strongly that the Prima Luna tube amplifiers are in this bargain, hard to beat category.
Stay with your Monitor Audios. Their budget line Bronze series (#4's) received a ton of positive reviews in the British press about two years ago. The Silver Series are reputed to be much better. The MF 3.2 is a very elegant sounding, musical, and detailed sounding amp.
If you feel like you must spend money (it happens), the Music Hall MMF CD25 cd player would be a nice, cost effective, and sweet sounding upgrade. But why ... you're essentially satisfied.
Someday I'll know that I will change my speakers ... the day has just not come yet.
Regards, Rich