I owned a pair of the KEF LS50’s and they are awesome speakers, however I think that the H95 is a bit underpowered for them. They are a challenging load for an amp and require some current. Hegel is still a good choice, but I would go used and try to go up the chain a bit. A used Musical Fidelity M6si is a decent choice as well.
Seeking Advice to Improve My Audio System ($1000 Budget)
Hello everyone. I have started collecting physical media (mainly Classical Music, but also some Metal, and older singer/songwriter material) for a few years now, and have built up a collection that is mainly vinyl, but also some CDs. I have slowly built up a stereo system to support it. I am not very knowledgeable with audio equipment and feel like I am drowning in information, and so I have pieced together what there seems to be a consensus around with my budget. So far I have:
Audio Engine A5+ 150 W Speakers
REGA Planar Plus 1 Turntable with built in stage
SMSL PL200 CD Player
I use the RCA port for my turntable, and the aux port for my CD player.
Now I am wondering where I should go with my setup. I want my next investment to be around the $1000 range, but am not sure where to go with it. Should I get a woofer for the speakers and an external preamp for my turntable? Or at this price, am I better off looking for better speakers...or is there another weak point in my system? My main concerns are that the midrange and upper frequencies do sound muddy compared to other systems I have heard (but they aren't terrible) and while the bass isn't bad, it certainly could be enhanced.
As a final question, I am confused when it comes to the pre-amp. I don't quite understand how they work, and I am a bit confused and worried that I would run into an issue with my existing built-in preamp overriding an external one? Any advice?
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@OP Carlyleciv - To answer your question about preamps in simple terms: the preamp is the part of the amplification chain that takes the input signals, allows switching between them and volume control, and passes the signal to the power amp, which is the part of the amp that creates enough power to drive speakers. Those two parts can be separated - pre/power, or integrated. Many integrated amps include a phono stage. This is required for vinyl playback because the output of a cartridge is lowere than that of a CD player and phono also requires specific frequency equalisation because of the way records are cut compared to CD. Your one K budget is tight, but you can get a decent integrated amp like a Rotel A8 for under five hundred dollars. It's a properly engineered amplifier that sounds good. As a few posters have said above, the Kef LS 50 is an outstanding speaker though it really needs a more expensive amp to drive it. But if you could find a used pair they would still be a good buy. Buying new, you can get something like a Wharfdale Diamond, along with the Rotel for within your budget and have money left for some decent speaker cables. If you can sell on your existing speakers, the next priority would be speaker stands, followed by an upgrade for the Rega Carbon cartridge. I used to sell a lot of these type of entry level systems back in the eighties, but the recipe of a Rega with a decent integrated amp and a pair of stand mounted bookshelf speakers still hasn't changed, both to deliver good sound in itself and as the first stepping stone on the path to even better sound. |
If you're unsatisfied with the sound your system is providing, yes speakers would be the most significant upgrade. Do you live in an area with audio dealers or with a solid craigslist / FB marketplace? If you really want to stay under $1000 and get the best possible bang for your buck, I'd highly recommend trying to find some used active speakers that are in your price range. The Focal CMS range are professional monitors but will accept an XLR or RCA input and will blow away your current speakers. I see them going for like $700 a pair for CMS 65s, the larger ones. These things will absolutely crush your current setup and if you boost the bass, they actually hit below 40 hz pretty solidly. Otherwise, some used active KEFs (meta wireless) or other actives could be a straight steal for you. Then buy a wiim ultra for around $300 and you suddenly have come into the 21st century with a solid streamer and super solid speakers. Best of luck OP! Don't think you need to spend insane money to get good sound. You just have to open up your search to used, or find local dealers that can give you solid discounts and trial periods on gear. Don't just buy something off the internet because people say it's good. Test it in your room on your system!!! |
$1000 only these days.....?? Step a) Your current speaker is terrible/terrifying. Move it into the garage or deck for casual listening with bluetooth or something. Step b) Get a pair of these Tekton Lore Ref speakers for $810. It is a 96db sensitive speaker with some good extension, clarity, midrange, etc. You will understand it better when you start listening to it. https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/mid-towers/lore-reference/#color Step c) Get this fosi audio za3 amp for $150. Plug your cd player and turntable into it. Sum total = $960,
Step d) When you have a bit more cash later, get this subwoofer from verafi audio, verafi caldera 10 subwoofer for $200. Plug it into the sub-out of the fosi amp...and move it around in the room, till it clicks in place sonically. Sum total = $1160 Above mentioned steps should make your music a lot more enjoyable.
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