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Raven Audio and Beyond...

Hello,
I'm hearing from a couple of you all about the RavenAudio product line.
I'm fairly new into listening/building a system for audio.
My current plan/aim is to build components for "rest of life" usage.  I'm not well to do and am looking into the Nighthawk and Blackhawk integrated tube amps.  
Currently, I have a Bifrost 2 Dac, Rega P2 turntable and Dynaudio X14s running out a cheap integrated Pioneer tuner/amplifier.
As I've been considering my next couple moves, Integrated Amp and upgrade in speakers, I bounce between the "first" move being either amp or speakers.
Lots of folks mention speakers first, rest after.  Since I appreciate the X14s for the limited sound, I wonder what kind of sense it makes to bump up the amp, integrate a couple subs and seek the "finish" speakers next.  After that, play with the rest of the components.

Currently, the room we listen to music in is 12' by 25', open frame ceilings that are 8.5' high.  

My questions are this:
What's your take on taking on the amplifier first, and setting up the rest after?
Am I going to notice the X14s responding well enough to help me learn more about the direction of my speaker choice later?

If I have some time before I can fully upgrade the speakers, would integrating a sub amp with the subs be a positive move?

FWIW, I plan to keep the x14s and other requisite equipment for the most part to set up/gift to others as I can.  I am interested in long-term enjoyment for music I love and a love for exploring music yet to be heard.

Thank you

mijale
harleyujoe's avatar
harleyujoe
24 posts
 

I will add this that my first year with Osprey & speakers and using all Raven Cables and Bifrost Gen 5 DAC that it took me close to year to get full sound from this system..I am using 6060 Yellows in first 2 rows and Raytheon Black Ladders 50's 3rd row and now using 4 Tong Sol 5881's ...I will also say if you move 2 of the 6060 tubes in any direction the sound changes drastically that it moves detail in music so much and this is were you take the time to roll tubes to tune it to your ears and if you move the other 2 tubes all I can say is be ready for some sweet sounds when you get it set up.. And this is were the magic of tubes shine . I also will note I am using SVS SB2000 Subs ..Patience with tube rolling plays big part and rewards to your music sound

mijale OP
3 posts
 

UPDATE:

After the thread started, and perspectives shared, I decided to do the following:

I couldn't shake the part where I'd not yet heard the X14s truly.  So, I picked up two REL t-5x Subs and installed.  This alone made a difference with the Pioneer.  The weight on the X14s opened up and thus more tone.

A Yamaha AS-1100 barely used became available to me.  I've found the threads here and other places regarding the Yamaha integrated amps to have a bit under the radar take on their gear.  I'd heard an AS-2200 for a short bit before and always kept their gear in the back of my mind.

Hooked up the 1100 today and, in all, definite upgrade.  The Subs are barely a week old with about 30 hours on them.  The amp is seemingly new/quite newish.  The X14s sound quite clear compared to the Pioneer with no subs. 

Looking to ride this wave for a bit.  Working on upgrading cables and smaller aspects for now.  Still looking towards building a setup I want for the long-term, but will be a bit more couple years down the line.

That is, unless something magical this way comes to kick it all in motion.

As it stands, I appreciate the helpful perspectives that came my way in regards to my initial post. 

mesch
3,424 posts
 

I believe you made a good choice. The Dynaudio stand mount speakers play best with solid state amplification that can drive 4 ohm loads. Should you find yourself with a speaker that is a true 8 ohm, and 90+dB sensitive then you can consider tube amplification. 

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