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Which to Upgrade first? My Amplifier or Speakers?

I have owned a nice system for years, but I am hardly an audiophile. You people impress me with your depth of knowledge of audio. I've been following this site for some time. This is my first post.
From time to time I replace or upgrade components. I've got a tricked out Linn Sondek LP 12 turntable. I recently acquired a McIntosh MP 100 phono amp and am hearing LP's now that exceed anything I've heard on CD's and equal if not exceed the output of my SACD's. I bring this up only to give a flavor of what I listen to.
The issue is as follows: I have a McIntosh MC 206 Amp that I bought in 2003 that puts out 200 watts per channel. I have no issues with it, although I've never had anything to compare it with. I've read some impressive reviews of how much of a difference an amplifier can make to the quality of sound output. For speakers I have Magnepan 3.6R's that I also bought in 2003. I love them. I can only afford to upgrade one at a time - let's say in the neighborhood of 10 - 12K. So, I'd like to hear what this august body has to say about which I should upgrade first and why? The amp or the speakers? Thank you.
normantaylor
optimize
164 posts
 
It is so easy to just swap components. But room treatment is a totally different animal. You need to know what to strive for and which/where the issues are in your environment.

I believe you need measurements so you don't wasting your time.
Some even goes so far and say:
"If you don't have listed on YOUR system in a treated and well controlled room. Then you haven't heard the capability of your system."

I have measured dedicated 2ch rooms there bas frequencys have still being in the room after 1000ms. That shows clearly that we have difficult to hear other sound details that your speakers and system is playing during the time when a prior sound is still bouncing around in the room. And hide/smear over it.

So with that reasoning above your system consists of: "TT, amp, speakers AND the room"

If you fix that your room then you will be able to hear how good the rest of your system for the first time. And if you just keeping and swapping out components less than optimal room conditions than that is also a waste of time.
f917025
81 posts
 
seems like you don't need to replace the amp or speakers.
you can replace interconnects or speaker cables if they are not good enough.you can get another small component like an ifi tube buffer or a schiit loki eq which can let you tune the tone better. if you've never done any room treatment that's the missing link and it could be even pricier than 10k. 

ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
The room.
Only if it is seriously flawed. Rooms can be designed & furnished that don't require 'treatment'

Having worked in and built recording studios, a lot of the treatment I see on line is hideous. Many retailer room treatment is all wrong.
8th-note
345 posts
 
My recommendation is to take part of your upgrade budget and a couple days of PTO and attend AXPONA this winter. This will help you calibrate your expectations by hearing other systems. You will get a chance to hear a wide range of speakers and electronics but most important it will give you a good sense of how your system stacks up to the current state of the art. Besides, it's just plain fun to geek out on this hobby for 3 days.

My guess is that you will conclude that your system sounds pretty damn good. That was certainly the case with me. I heard many rooms where the value of the cords, cables, and interconnects exceeded the value of my entire system and the whole thing didn't sound as good as my setup. I also heard other rooms that sounded gorgeous and it helped me better determine where my system could use improvement.

You have a very difficult upgrade situation because you are starting from such a solid platform. It's a good problem to have.
pizzano's avatar
pizzano
14 posts
 
A pair of REL top notch subs will upgrade your low end and also your midrange/soundstage
and especially with the Maggies, plus you will have some cash left over, object here is to allow the maggies you love sound that much better!!!!
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