Very basic question about upgrading/expanding a system

[Lavane]

At 87db these are not very efficient. The frequency response is stated as 40-20000Hz but doesn't qualify this with a +/- rating in db. I think you are right that this is your weak link. If you have the space, go with big speakers 12 inch or 15's and you will notice a remarkable difference IMO.

I have a pair of speakers rstrd at 91db. Even with the 5.5 wpc tube amp that's connected to them the speakers get pretty loud with ample low end grunt. If you find some decent speakers in the 90+ db range you will get a lot more out of the Pioneer. Maybe look for ported speakers if you like a more pronounced bottom end?

 

[imral3]

@saltland Can you post a pic of current speaker layout? To what kind of musics do you most listen?

 

[rickb119]

I don't get the reference to "hitting the FM button" when you want to mute a commercial. I use a converter box and it comes with a remote and I hit "mute" when I want to mute a commercial. Should be the same if just using a TV. In other words, I use vintage and mute it at the source, not the amp.

I actually didn't word that well, or correctly. No mute button involved. By hitting the FM button, the receiver now plays whatever station (usually jazz) I have tuned in instead of the TV audio. Thus, in effect, muting the TV audio. When the commercial is over, I hit the button that sources the TV audio.

 

[KarlK]

If you like the sound of the Pioneer SX 727, keep it! Maybe spend a little for a refresh on it.

I'm with the others, keep the 727. It's the predecessor to the SX-650 and like the latter Pioneer's specs for it are very conservative, in other words it puts out more power than what Pioneer says. 37wpc? Yeah, right. Cursory research on Google says otherwise. So it's not necessary to upgrade it if power output is the concern. It has enough to fill a room with enough dB's to make the walls rumble, depending on speakers.

 

[KarlK]

What brand are your towers? There are a lot of good tower speakers that work fine for stereo such as KEF and Polk.

Or Paradigm slim towers though they ere a little more expensive since they do not have a truly basic series like Polk. Potent though. 90's vintage Energy or Mirage also worth considering imho.