2. amps-preamps
  3. 1079461449

Suggestion please: How to improve sound.

As a new comer to audio world, I gradually build my system:

Theta Data II transport.
Theta Pro Basic II DAC.
Audio Research LS-15 tube preamp (superb).
Aragon 8008 Mk2.
NHT 3.3.

All cables are Monster's at this time. For speaker cables, DIY cat5 is on the way. I am using gauge 12 generic cable now.

This system sound pretty good to me. However, I feel it should sound better. The only A/B test I did is to compare preamp to Myryad MP100 and Threshold F10, LS-15 sounds absolutely better, smooth and more musical. I also compare Aragon amp to Threshold S300 and seems NHT 3.3 likes power.

Overall, I feel this system could sound more transparent and more airy. Since I have no chance to do many A/B test to pickup the best equipement, I would like to hear some comments from real audiophiles here. Which is bottle neck in my system?

But I don't have too much money to burn. I once heard Pass Lab X350 which superb, but it is just too expensive. I was thinking about Aragon Palladium. I wonder if upgrade from 8008 to Palladium with more power will improve a lot?

Any comments are welcome and thanks in advance.

Roy
roy2001

Showing 1 response by exertfluffer

exertfluffer
270 posts
 
I like what's mentioned above. I've sold the 3.3's for years, and am familiar with sound.
What you might want to sometime consider is a differnt amp with those, and even "bi-amping"! If you found an amp who's midrange and trebble where pristing sounding to your ears on those speakers, you could easily pick up something like a Parasond HCA1500, 2200, or 3500 to drive the bass woofer(bottome posts), and a sonically superior Pass X150 or something on top!..which would go good with those speakers probably.
Bi-amping these speaekers would give you more dynamics, and a better "top end" option optimally. Heck, you could even try tubes up top if wanted. Otherwise, there are much better amps out there than the 8008(I've sold and owned that amp). And bi-amping would give you the power and flexibility. Also, try upgrading tubes on the LS16, which I've also owned/sold over the years.
Acoustics, set up, source matching, cabling, power conditioning, and tweaking is the other steps. good luck
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