Test, Test, Test
New system/room, upgrade amp or preamp first?
Hi all! This is my first post here but I've been an active A'gon'er for many years.
I recently built myself a listening room in the basement. Nothing too exotic in terms of the actual room construction, but I do have 4 OC703 acoustic panels on the wall for front wall reflections and for first reflections. I had a friend build cabinets and I did the crossovers and assembly of Troels Graven's ScanSpeak 3-way Discovery monitors. Just got them done yesterday, they sound very good but need a while to break-in.
I am currently using Jriver set to DoP, out via USB to a Schiit Loki DAC, then on to a Marantz SR-685 5.1 receiver acting as a preamp, and finally on to a B&K AV5000 5.1 separate amp (5 x 105), obviously only using two of those channels. I have the sub out of the Marantz y'd and connecting to two BIC F12's, used only to fill in the lowend. They aren't the most musical subs obviously but they do a fine job to my ears for 45-50Hz and below. They provide a satisfying weight to the sound without dominating the room.
So, I'm pretty OK with the DAC and source. I'm basically using two repurposed home theater components so those are next on my list to upgrade. The room is small, 13 x 10 (speakers are 82" apart, my chair is 82" back from the center point, about 3' from the back wall). I have kicked around an integrated amp but I do prefer separates if I'm being honest. If I have a $1500 budget for ONE component, what should I be looking at first - addressing the AVR-turned-preamp, or the B&K amplifier? The item not chosen for upgrade at this point will be addressed in another 2-3 months.
It's tough to judge a system with such new speakers but so far, the sound is well-dimensioned for both width and depth, though depth is a bit shallow. Voicing is wonderful, thanks in part to the 4" ScanSpeak midrange (wired out of phase with the woofer and tweet).
My listening tastes are varied but primarily I prefer Rock, Metal, and am starting to get more into blues and jazz. I do some orchestral stuff here and there as well as instrumental concerts (violins and piano). Any and all opinions are welcome, I can clarify whatever is necessary. Thanks!
I recently built myself a listening room in the basement. Nothing too exotic in terms of the actual room construction, but I do have 4 OC703 acoustic panels on the wall for front wall reflections and for first reflections. I had a friend build cabinets and I did the crossovers and assembly of Troels Graven's ScanSpeak 3-way Discovery monitors. Just got them done yesterday, they sound very good but need a while to break-in.
I am currently using Jriver set to DoP, out via USB to a Schiit Loki DAC, then on to a Marantz SR-685 5.1 receiver acting as a preamp, and finally on to a B&K AV5000 5.1 separate amp (5 x 105), obviously only using two of those channels. I have the sub out of the Marantz y'd and connecting to two BIC F12's, used only to fill in the lowend. They aren't the most musical subs obviously but they do a fine job to my ears for 45-50Hz and below. They provide a satisfying weight to the sound without dominating the room.
So, I'm pretty OK with the DAC and source. I'm basically using two repurposed home theater components so those are next on my list to upgrade. The room is small, 13 x 10 (speakers are 82" apart, my chair is 82" back from the center point, about 3' from the back wall). I have kicked around an integrated amp but I do prefer separates if I'm being honest. If I have a $1500 budget for ONE component, what should I be looking at first - addressing the AVR-turned-preamp, or the B&K amplifier? The item not chosen for upgrade at this point will be addressed in another 2-3 months.
It's tough to judge a system with such new speakers but so far, the sound is well-dimensioned for both width and depth, though depth is a bit shallow. Voicing is wonderful, thanks in part to the 4" ScanSpeak midrange (wired out of phase with the woofer and tweet).
My listening tastes are varied but primarily I prefer Rock, Metal, and am starting to get more into blues and jazz. I do some orchestral stuff here and there as well as instrumental concerts (violins and piano). Any and all opinions are welcome, I can clarify whatever is necessary. Thanks!