2. misc-audio
  3. 1037561496

Hierarchy of upgrade path

Dear members. Recently I have upgrated my system and I am happily rediscovering my music collection. A new search is beginning as I am planing to optimize this system over the next 1-2 years and here is where your input and experiance is requested. I have placed dedicated ac lines, PS Audio ac outlets, PS Audio Lab Cable II to the amp and mini Lab Cable to the CDP straight from the wall. Audio Physics Virgo II are driven by Vac 30/30 MK II with golden dragon tubes, Wadia 860x is the source and JPS Ultraconductor interconnects and speaker cables complete this system. Based on reading past forums I have put together a list of improvements and would like your input on qualitative and quantitative gains one might expect in this system from one or all of them. I enjoy all kinds of music but listen most often to single female and male vocalists, jazz and classical. Any suggestions are welcome however I prefer to keep it simple and not get into vinyl at this time.
1. Nirvana s-x or Audience Au-24 interconnects
2. Audience Au-24 speaker cable
3. Vac factory upgrade to MK III SE level.
4. Great Nothern Sound top upgrade for the Wadia
5. W.E. 300B/other tubes (generaly not recomendet by vac)
6. PS Audio 600 series ac regeneration for the amp
7. REL Storm or Stadium
Thanks in advance for your input and taking the time on this forum
endoit

Showing 4 responses by dennis_the_menace

dennis_the_menace's avatar
dennis_the_menace
467 posts
 
i got the Wadia about six weeks ago. it's definitely more what i was looking for in a player, but the improvement coming from the upgraded CD player is still much more subtle than the improvement i got from upgrading my amp. i'm pretty happy with how things are sounding... so not planning on anything in the near future. at least with the cd player. i will have a new preamp coming next year from mick maloney.
dennis_the_menace's avatar
dennis_the_menace
467 posts
 
Endoit, I have a Wadia 860x, and in the manual it says that it has it's own power conditioner built in; Wadia recommends plugging directly into the wall.

In my system, I didn't like the Wadia direct into my VAC 70/70 mk3. too dry. i'm using my VTL IT85 as a preamp, with 7316 amperex bugle boy tubes, and it sounds just as expansive, yet deeper. Speakers are ML Aerius, which may be part of the reason I don't like my player direct into the VAC.
dennis_the_menace's avatar
dennis_the_menace
467 posts
 
honestly, I was surprised that I didn't like the Wadia direct. you're right, it must be a function of my speakers or cabling, because the VAC is awesome. I have tried Western Electric, Golden Dragon and JJ 300bs, and I like the JJs the best. Seriously, for this amp, the Western Electric weren't any better than the JJs. I'm sorry I spent the money...

For 6SN7s, I've tried Sylvania VT231, Sylvania 6SN7W (black base), TungSol black glass, round plates, GE 6SN7B, RCA 6SN7A, and KenRad black glass VT231. The KenRads easily won... awesome BIG BIG sound, rich and deep, warm, yet not dark or subdued. The KenRads are awesome...

I have thought about an upgrade to Sig status, but I'm outta cash. Maybe in a year or so. The VAC sounds great as is... I'm going to try and get my turntable working. I'm a total idiot with analog stuff, and this is a good place for me to devote neurotic audio energy, without blowing a hole through my checking account..
dennis_the_menace's avatar
dennis_the_menace
467 posts
 
just an Ultimate Outlet by PS Audio... honestly, not that big of a sound difference for me. I got some aftermarket powercords also, and couldn't hear much with them either. I'm still pretty new, so I may not be very sensitive. Definitely would be interested in hearing your view of the GNS mods on your Wadia. That's definitely more doable then the signature mod at VAC.

I'm also about to try some RCA grey glass VT 231s. I'll post my impression of these when I get them...
More to discover