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Your thoughts on my quest for new speakers

I know this has been asked many times on this forum, but I would really like some input on my quest for new speakers.  I am currently running a Hegel 160 with Linn Majik 140 floor standing speakers and a Rythmik sub to fill out the bottom end.  I use the Hegel's built-in Airplay to stream Tidal (Hi-Fi only) to the Hegel.  I tried the Bluesound Node recently and found it actually decreased the sound quality, so I removed it from the system.  It seems the consensus is that Tidal Hi-Fi Plus is not worth the extra $10/month.  I listen to all types of music - with a focus on well produced recordings.

My listening room is a 30' x 13' rectangle with 9' ceilings and pretty good acoustics (I think).  The speakers are on a 13' wall.

Overall I am happy with my system and get a lot of pleasure out of listening to it.  But like many of us, I get the itch every now and then and wonder if I could improve the sound in some way. I think the Hegel is a solid contributor to good sound, so I plan to keep that and replace the speakers (although the Hegel 390 certainly is tempting).

Regarding price, I am willing to pay for good sound, but I subscribe to the theory of diminishing marginal improvement, i.e. $20k speakers are not twice as good as $10k speakers.  My sense is they are maybe 10% better (if that).  But let's not make this discussion about that.  My sense is $10k should get me speakers that are a solid upgrade from the Linns, but that is just a guess.

I am fortunate to leave near John Rutan's shop (Audio Connection) in NJ and spent a few hours with him last week.  He (as many of you know) is high on Vandersteens.  We listened to the Quattros for a while and they are great, but probably more than I want to spend and they would require I replace the Hegel as well.  We also listened to the Magnepan 3.7s and I was very intrigued with them - they really envelope you in the sound.  I am going back to listen to the Vandersteen Treos next week.

I listened to the 8 series B&Ws yesterday and really liked the 805s and 804s (I like the 801-803 as well, but too expensive).   They are also aesthetically pleasing, but that is not as important as the sound (of course).  I also listened to the Majico A3s, but I didn't find the $ worth it for the sound.

I also will listen to QLN, Boenicke, Focal and Harbeth at Park Avenue Audio next week.  The Boenickes really intrigue me.  The Buchardt S400 MKIIs also interest me, but wonder whether they are enough for my large room (even with the sub)?  I like that I can listen to them in my home for a period to be sure I like them.  They would be a nice low cost option.

So I would love to hear your thoughts on a good choice for me.  As I said, I think $10k is enough, but if there are some $15k speakers that would be a quantum leap forward, I would consider them.  I am open to used as well.

Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

 

 

 

jcs01

Showing 1 response by tweak1

tweak1
3,524 posts
 

Before commenting, I read the 2011 stereophile review of your Linns. The then $2995 MSRP is likely $10,000+ today. Knowing Linns long history of great sound, I would rebuild around them.

Technics has just come out with a MkII version of their SU- G700 integrated, based on SU-G 1000, which is GaN technology (although I see no mention of it in the review). I have a LSA Voyager 350 GaN amp that sets a new standard in my system, which has had many tube, class A/.Bs, class A as well as class Ds.

Within the review this paragraph reminded me of a personal experience with Genesis V speakers that I tried a number of amps on, but did not come alive until I got a Kinergetics KBA 75 class A amp:

Indeed, this is the key to the SU-G700 mk2, I think. As always in my reviews, I used a variety of loudspeakers but inevitably ended up with my classic Yamaha NS-1000Ms; they have a highish quoted sensitivity but ask a lot of any power amplifier, and have been known to reduce some to wobbling jellies. This new Technics amp simply had no fear; it drove these speakers with great authority, thumping out vast tracts of bass, and carrying bass transients with absolute ease. So, for example, loud hits of the bass drum kicked like a mule out of the dense mix during the latter parts of the song. 

OR, after reading the review, you might be inclined to spring for the Technics SU-G1000. Then later on pair either with the Technics SL-G700 CD/SACD/Streamer

hth

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