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Next upgrade on Usher & Primaluna rig??

I'm contemplating my next upgrades. Would love your thoughts and ideas. Here is my setup:

Lossless Files (using apple lossless but have Flac, Wav & Aiff duplicates)
Apple TV > unknown decent quality optical cable to...
Rega Dac > low end Monster RCA cable to
Primaluna Dialogue One > bi wire, 4 ohm connected to low frequency, 8ohm connected to high frequency. Low end speaker cables, unmatching >
Usher Be-718 speakers
VTI Metal stands

This is my approximate score of each sound characteristic that comes to mind (less emphasis on actual score, but rather how each relates to each other):

Sweet midrange - 90%
Soundstage - 65%
Detail - 75%
Controlled, tight bass - 60%
Realism - 80%
Dynamics - 80%

Here are the upgrades I have in mind:

-Mac Mini (replace ATV. I often have cuts in my wifi connection making it quite irritating, plus the added benefit of sound improvements)
-Usher rws-708 speaker stands (tighten bass)
-Acoustic treatment (I'd rather wait on this due to possibility of moving)
-Upgrade speaker cables (2 matching pairs)
-upgrade interconnects
deetothevee

Showing 3 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,837 posts
 
I suspect at this point for significant change you either need higher efficiency more tube amp friendly speakers or throw more power and current at the Ushers. Rogue Sphynx hybrid integrated might be worth a try for that.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,837 posts
 
DOug,

CAn you recommend a specific package of tweaks along the lines you identify to address the OPS issues?

THat would help take the guesswork out of that approach at this point as opposed to focusing on optimal amp.speaker matching, which to me is a much easier thing to assess to get to a good place first before then perhaps trying various wire and similar tweaks.

Tweaks are tweaks. THey can make a significant difference but only up to a point. Plus it is much harder to assess exactly what to expect up front when making a change. A lot of experimentation may be needed to get it just right.

Better to address the bigger fundamental issues first and tweak from there in my mind.

OPS move to biwiring off high and low target impedance outputs on amp was a step in the right direction in regards to a better amp/speaker mating, but more may still well be possible there. Moderate power tube amp integrated + Usher might sound quite nice, but I suspect a much better mating is possible still to get things to a much higher level.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,837 posts
 
If the issue is mainly room acoustics at this point, then equalization of some sort is certainly a viable option. Audyssey is one solution that others whose opinion I trust have leveraged with great success.
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