Upgrade from Quad 11L?


My current setup:

Music Hall cd25.2
Music Hall a25.2
Quad 11L
Onkyo T-9 tuner
Audioquest Alpha-Snake interconnects
No-name 12-gauge speaker wire

The 11Ls just replaced Paradigm Mini Mk3s. A big improvement: I love the Quad's detail, clarity, and pace. So much that I'm contemplating an upgrade to Quad 12Ls (if I can find the old version) or Quad 12L Actives (which I know I can get; the MH a25.2 would serve as a preamp).

My sense is that the system as it stands is well-balanced, and I'm actually very satisfied with what I hear. So I'm trying to decide whether this is an itch I should scratch. My suspicion is that I should stand pat and think about long-range upgrades rather than tinker now, but input would be helpful. I listen to all kinds of music, but Wilco and Radiohead are playing most often. Thanks.
afranta

Showing 9 responses by afranta

Many thanks to all! I'm going to think hard about working on cables, wires, and isolation devices (although I've always been skeptical about spending $100s rather than $10s on wire). Thanks for the suggestions about where to start.

Timru's experience with the 12L actives is helpful; I no longer feel like I'd be missing out if I don't go in that direction. And I like the idea of making the most of what I have. (I'm going to read your review of the 11Ls, Guido. I do love them.)

"The Bends" is my favorite Radiohead as well, Timru, but I've been blown away by the recording quality of "In Rainbows" (and Wilco's new album, too).
I'm intrigued by the idea of adding a sub (there is a sub out on my MH a25.2). What would I need to consider?

Tubes are interesting, too, but maybe down the line ...

Thanks for the feedback!
Unfortunately, I'm limited in what I can do with the room. I don't have room for stands, so the speakers are on the same media console as the electronics (and tv). But it is a rigid metal stand, and, while it's not ideal, I don't think it's too bad at my normal listening levels.
Bluetack I can do. Thinking about Isopods or Herbies Footers (as Jgiacalo suggested) under the cdp and amp, too. (The metal stand means that I need something soft, I think.)

As for a sub, Chazz suggested a HSU VTF or Aperion 8. Any other ideas?

And thanks again for all the helpful suggestions.
Thanks for the isolation ideas, Knownothing. I'll start with the cdp.

The James sub is out of my range right now, Timrhu. But it sounds like people have gotten good results adding a sub to the Quads, and there seem to be good options in the $600-750 range (HSU, SVS, REL, maybe Martin Logan Dynamo? and the Aperion 8 is much cheaper). A question for another thread ...

The more I listen to it, the more I like the new Wilco. "Sky Blue Sky" grew on me in the same way (I went from thinking it was nothing special to loving it), and I think this one's even better.
With only a single preamp/sub out on the MH a25.2, it looks like I am limited to Rel (as Bob suggested). Of course I only figured this out when a sub started looking like a good idea ...
Still thinking about an upgrade, but right now a sub isn't practical--nowhere to put it and two little kids running around the "listening room"--so I'm considering adding a power amp (and using the MH a25.2 as a preamp for now). And I've got a maple cutting board on its way ...

All the responses were really helpful, especially in confirming my feelings about the Quad 11Ls.

Thanks.
I stuck with the Quad 11Ls--and changed everything else! It sounds like your experience with the 11Ls, with different electronics, is pretty similar to mine.

The first thing I did was add a PS Audio A100, which was great, and I tried QED Silver Anniversary bi-wire cables. I also thought hard about a sub, but placement was a problem, and I decided that I was happy with monitors. I also decided that I didn't really want to move to separates, and got good deals on a Naim Nait 5i and CD5i, which I'd been interested in for awhile. So I sold the Music Hall stuff and the PS Audio (and went to DNM cables). I'm really happy with the setup now. I was immediately struck by how much better internet radio (streaming via a Squeezebox) sounds through the Nait, but the clincher was that mediocre recordings I hadn't been able to listen to at all (early Husker Du, for example) now sound great. Naim, at least at the low-end, doesn't do the transparency and soundstaging thing as well as the Music Hall/PS Audio combo, but it has me listening to a lot more music (and listening less to the gear).

In the end, I'm very satisfied with the 11Ls, especially with the current setup. They're fabulous speakers, and work extremely well in my less-than-ideal space (on a console eight inches from the wall). I think I'd have to spend considerably more to improve on them. Feeling settled at home leaves me free to tinker with my cheap office setup.