I have been following this forum for about a year now and it has definitely helped me improve the sound of my system without much expense. I now find myself ready to step up and spend some money for the next few steps in my adventure. I have come up with 4 areas that could help me rise to the next level. I would like advice on which order you would take these steps. I have ability to spend $2-$4k every 6-8 months.
I currently love my system, but I can hear room for improvement. With the right record, I can turn it up to around 100db and it blows me way. Other records don't sound so great even at lower volumes. I know that recordings differ, but the bass gets boomy and the details are lost far too often. I can't help but feel that with improvements in my system all records would sound much better. I want to widen that sweet-spot. BTW I do clean my records, it's not pops, it's the richness, details and bass definition that is off on some recordings over others.
My system so far:
- Turntable: Thorens TD:150 / original Kugel arm / DL 160 re-tipped by Sound Smith / on springs-maple board-springs.
- Power: McIntosh MA 8900 / original power cable / orange fuse (it does make a difference)
- Cable: Blue Jean 12
- Speakers: Belle Klipsch / ALK Extreme Slope crossovers / Dynamat dampened / on Hardwood sprung floors away from side and back walls / toed-in. My system has been build around these 70's era speakers. I am emotionally attached to them, they have a great story.
- Room: 25' x17' open space and lively / slanted ceilings / 3 windows on one long side / carpets and curtains. Listening couch is 9' way from speakers, somewhat mid-room.
Below are the items on my list of improvements in no particular order:
- Source: a. Replace the arm on the current TT (AMG 9W2 is an easy swap I am told). b. Replace the whole rig. I have always wanted to have a Thorens TD-125 and I am in contact with Dave from Vinyl Nirvana. Besides being the same vintage to my speakers it has a more easily swappable arm-board. Arms on my list include Audiomod, Origin Live, Groovemaster, SME, Thomas Schick and a few others. IMPORTANT: I got ahead of myself and purchased a Sound Smith Zephyr MMIC that I would like to use on the next arm. It was too good to pass up...
- Phono Pre: I am most interested in Decware and Herron. Decware would need a Step-up transformer for the Zephyr MMIC
- Isolation: Solidsteel wall shelf for the TT. Townsend speaker bars for the 18" x 29" base (I don't think they make podiums that big). I was originally going to put them on Pavers, but I feel that I should go big after hearing reviews on the Townsend ability to isolate. (buy once buy well)
- Cables and other items: Power cords, better speaker cable, other isolation, room treatment.
Thank you for your time and helping me wade through his information.
Eddie
