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Back to it - Practical speaker upgrade

I am looking to upgrade my family room system. I have a mid-fi setup that includes a Rega Mira amp and decent digital sources, cables, etc.. that I use for both TV and 2 channel audio. This is in the family room and the amp must do double duty and be reliable. I have older Infinity Beta 40 speakers (which surprisingly sound ok) but I have been looking to upgrade (and not getting around to it). I demoed Rega RS5 recently, and while it was nice, it didn’t strike me as a significant enough upgrade. I listen to jazz, acoustic music, some rock, some classical. I value timbre and timing, and I don’t need a ton of bass. I don’t like analytical sound or fake hi-fi “detail”.

My room is an open concept 14’ x 25’, with 8.5’ ceilings and approximately 10’ listening distance. There is a half wall that opens up to a 20’ x 14’ kitchen area.

I also have a 14.5’ x 18.5’ living room/library where I could potentially add a second system.

Here are the options I am considering:

1. Upgrade my speakers in the family room and spend $3-5k. I’m open to upgrading the Rega as well but would need something with enough inputs to accommodate other sources (TV, DVD, etc…)

2. Take the same money and set up a second system in the 14.5’ x 18.5’ living room/library with another amp and speakers — For example, a tube or hybrid integrated and nice bookshelf speakers, for example.

Any thoughts on which direction you would go? And, any tower speaker recommendations for 5k and under with good WAF that would work well with the Rega? The new Focal Aria line looks nice but I haven’t heard them.

Thanks.

braudio7

Showing 3 responses by braudio7

braudio7 OP
35 posts
 
Thanks, celtic66 -- My question is directed more to approach than individual components. Presently sources include a Cambridge 640c CD player, and a Squeezebox through a Musical Fidelity DAC. I have AZ and Audioquest ICs and upgraded AC stuff.

I didn't think the RS-5 speakers sounded bad, but they didn't blow me away either. Your point about the Mira being decent but maybe not up to the task is true, hence my question about going the second system route altogether, as there is less compromise in that approach.


braudio7 OP
35 posts
 
Based on the number of responses, I think I wasn't clear on the question. I thought there would be more interest in this. This isn't a gear question so much as an approach question. I'll restate it a different way:

The options I am looking at are:

1. Invest my budget into a nice speakers for the family room and leverage my existing setup.

2. Invest in a second system for another room where I have more flexibility with amp, placement, etc...

Option 1 leverages existing gear, but introduces constraints; for example, I need to have a reliable amp that will do double duty for multiple sources, including TV.

Option 2 offers increased flexibility -- I can get another amp and speakers -- but a second system means splitting the same money over two systems.

My question then is really which tradeoffs make the most sense? Obviously I know this is something I have to answer, but curious as to see if others have made these choices, and what their outcomes were.
braudio7 OP
35 posts
 
Thanks for sharing, xti16. mesch, I'd say you summed it up here, and why I am leaning towards the second system. Being in the family room and having other A/V responsibilities, my primary system has too many constraints. With the breadth of affordable gear available right now I'm thinking I'm better off finding an amp/speakers with nice synergy -- and that's all I have to think about. I'm thinking small integrated with bookshelf possibly, and that is not a choice I would make in the primary system.
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