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Upgrade from Audio Physic Virgos to ???

Hi Folks:
I've been enjoying my Audio Physic Virgo IIs for about a year and a half now, but am getting the upgrade bug. I'm keen to hear some upgrade suggestions. I love the Virgos, especially the soundstage they provide. However, I'm assuming that with more $$ I should be able to get even speaker for my money. I'm particularly interested in hearing from ex Virgo owners who've upgraded and have been happy with their new speakers. I'm also particularly interested in high efficiencey designs as I may move to lower output amps like SET or OTL. A couple of speakers I'd be interested in are JM Labs Mezzo Utopia, AP Avanti III and Coincident Total Eclipse. My room is relatively small though (the Mezzo Utopia may be more appropriate given room restrictions) at about 14by16 feet. Current system includes Blue Circle BC2 amps (75wpc, class A), Supratek Syrah preamp, YBA CD1a cd player, Teres 135/OL Silver/Shelter 501mk2 vinyl rig. Thanks,
Outlier.
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Showing 2 responses by outlier

outlier's avatar
outlier OP
381 posts
 
Hey GregM, thanks for the good advice. Yea, I might consider just holding still with the speakers if the upgrade would be too expensive for a small improvement, but I'm really keen to see if such an upgrade would make a significant, material impact on the sound. My budget would likely be about $5k for a used set of speakers. In terms of acoustic treatment, I just ordered some today believe it or not. I'll see how it works out - it's ProForm stuff from Audioadvisor. The price seemed really cheap - $149 for twelve 24inch by 24inch foam treatments. I'm excited to try them. Also, I plan on upgrading my turntable next month from Teres 135 to 245 which should set me back $1,100 but I'm finding it real hard to fight that upgrade bug ;-)

Finally, on the cable front, I think things are 'in hand' there. I'm using FIM Gold PCs for power amps, a far cheaper Shunyata Sidewinder for preamp, but I think my preamp is rather indifferent to PC used, so I'm not sure money will be well spent on upgrades there. For ICs and SCs I use 47Labs OTA Sakura. I'd be keen to try upgrades there but I'm not sure if I'll get much improvement without spending a lot of money. I'm open to ideas though. Thanks!
Outlier
outlier's avatar
outlier OP
381 posts
 
Thanks for all the advice. The introduction of a power conditioner like the Sound Application may be a good way to go. I used to have a PS Audio powerplant but found it a bit problematic, and I found it only really helped the digital front-end (in my system anyway), and I listen mainly to analog now. The Sound Application stuff seems quite pricey though, for what may be a small improvement.

On the subwoofer front, I once had a REL Strata II, used with the Virgos, but I found the extra bass unwelcome. The RELs are supposed to integrate with a system better than any other sub, but I found the bottom end a bit boomy. Hence I sold the sub, and was happier with its absence.

Avanti may be a way to go because it's hopefully just 'more Virgo' but a bit more bottom end (but likley much more effectively integrated than adding a sub). I think the Wilsons are simply beyond my pricepoint. I could likely find the Avantis for less than $7k used, but the Wilsons would be a bit more. Also, I'm still very tempted by JM Labs Mezzo Utopia - it should match well with a movement to lower power SET or OTL amps over time too. Anyway, thanks again for the advice. Cheers,
Outlier.
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