As of right now I've got $1,000 bucks to use towards a system upgrade. Before I continue, I have to say my system has never sounded better but there I always room for improvement right?
About my system: Its in a large open living room but I only sit 8 feet or so from my speakers. The system is a combo stereo/HT. I'm only interested in upgrades concerning stereo/music listening at this time so I will stick to the pertinent details. The equipment is as follows:
Speakers: LSA1 Statement monitors on Q acoustics concept stands
Subs: Rythmik E series 15" sealed subs x 2
Preamp/DAC: NuPrime DAC10
Phono Pre: Eastern Electric Minimax
Power Amp: Emerald Physics 100.2SE
Turntable: Clearaudio Concept
Phono Cart: Clearaudio Concept MC v1 w/ needleclinic sapphire retip
Digital Source: Toshiba Laptop running Tidal or JRiver into the NuPrime DAC10
Cables: Audio Art IC3SE interconnects, Clear Day Double Shotgun speaker cables and jumpers, RAC power cables
Room Treatments: Bass traps on walls and in corners, large area rug on floor, diffuser behind the listening seat, heavy curtains, i think the room is about as good as it can get without dropping major bucks
What i hear from my system: Nicely detailed, good low end reach and punch, fantastic soundstage that is wide and deep, pretty good imaging, neutral. I'd like a little more meat on the bones, and some more dynamic head room, even more improvement on the things i already have, i'd like vinyl to be a little more detailed and dynamic to match my DAC (vinyl is still a little more organic sounding with good recordings but the NuPrime is no slouch).
So here is what I'm considering:
1. Add a Marchand xm66 variable crossover to take some of the low end stress off of the LSA speakers. The Rhythmiks fill in the low end nicely but I feel as though the dynamics might be improved this way.
2. Upgrade the speakers. The affordable option is a pair of Philharmonic BMR's which reach down in to the low 30HZ range and should provide more dynamic headroom in my large listening area or save up to go BIG with something like Tekton Double Impacts or Philharmonic Phil 3's, which may make my subs superfluous for most music but should be dynamically limitless.
3. Change the cart. Not sure how much of an upgrade this would be but i'm super curious about the Audio Technica Art-9 and some of the offerings from Charisma. I feel like my vinyl front end is smooth and detailed but could use a little fuller sound on some recordings and a bit more dynamic oomph in the low end. But let me say that it makes the differences in an original Pink Floyd The Wall and the recent reissue known plain as day. The reissue is syrupy as hell and the original is just right. Keep in mind my system isn't overly warm, bright recordings sound just that way.
4. I have been very happy with the NuPrime DAC10 as a DAC and pre but i'm very curious about the TDSS internal upgrades as I've heard nothing but good things about how they take something great and make it even better. They are said to improve the pre function as well as the DAC function. Only $500 and would leave cash over for a head start on another upgrade.
5. Trade the Emerald Physics power amp for the NuPrime ST10. This really isn't something i'm jonesing to do as i think the EP is really good and the NuPrime might be a sideways move though i'm sure there would be some fantastic system synergy there.
Or i could just do nothing for now.
