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What would I upgrade next ?

qguy

qguy

Super Member
Don't get me wrong, I am pretty much very happy with what I hear with my system. In the past 30 years in the hobby I would know what to upgrade in my system, like I need a better loudspeaker that has better bass or I need a better amp to drive the loudspeaker. I think this is the only time that I do not have an idea on what to upgrade in my system. So if the system below was yours, what would you change ?

Source : Laptop via iTunes (no plans of going analog)
DAC : Musical Fidelity V90
Amplifier : Rotel 1090 power amp (no pre-amp)
Loudspeaker :Acarian Alon IV
Subwoofer: Rythmik F15
 
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You could try experimenting with different pre-amps. Sometimes they can "add" something to the chain, prior to the poweramp stage.

Of course, if you dont run phono, this is probably less important.
 
With very nice speakers like that - I'd be swapping in (and out) other power (and integrated) amplifiers to really make them sing.

I'm not sure how the newer rotel stuff sounds, and Im basing my opinion on the older stuff - but you could well find a better amplifier match (even if its only in terms of synergy) for your system.
 
Without a working budget for any such "upgrades" this would likely be a futile endeavor.

Also what I'd change is almost certainly entirely subjective.
So the value of any of my suggestions would be questionable @ best. :crazy:

That said...
I'd keep that Rotel RB-1090 power amp,it's a beast of an amp and I tend to like that sorta thing. :cool:
Next I'd lose the DAC & the speakers. o_O

Why you ask ?

For the DAC:
1. I dont like DACs that upsample (I prefer to listen to files in their native resolution).
2. I dont do high rez @ all (redbook only listener here) so I tend to favor vintage r2r DACs as SOP.

For the speakers,I dunno what to tell you,other than to say they just are'nt the sorta speaker I lust after.
Also I've never heard a pair so I have no idea how they sound (did'nt I mention my input may be questionable earlier ???).

Also here is where I'll throw in a random question...
What is being used for volume control for this rig ???
If it's the volume control in the laptop than you are likely chopping bits off the laptop's output to the DAC (thus losing some resolution).

So what I'd do:
Track down and purchase a nice preamp with XLR outputs for that monster Rotel power amp.
Track down and purchase a DAC that is more to my liking.
Track down and purchase some speakers more to my liking.

Some of that sorta stuff I already have around here (preamp & DAC),but what I dont really have are what I'd consider "endgame" speakers.
And here's where budget would come into play for me,as what I'd go after definitely corresponds to how much I would have to go shopping.

Anyhow I digress for now...
And yeah I know NONE of that was any help @ all,LOL. :blah:

Sorry 'bout that. :oops:

Bret P.
 
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I may sound like a broken record but, dammit, it's so true.

Change is easy, An improvement, not always guaranteed.

That being said, the most significant change would be different speakers.
 
Do you have a complaint about your gear? I don't like these open ended questions about gear upgrades. If you feel that something is lacking then an upgrade might help, but if you're just fishing for compliments or criticism I don't see any point. If you're happy with the sound quality you're getting from the gear you have, just enjoy it and buy more music instead of gear.
 
In the movie Hell or High Water, the old tough waitress asks the Texas Rangers “what DON’T you want?” I think you have have to ask yourself the same question! Do you really need to upgrade? What is missing from the sound of your system?
 
Thanks for all the responses.

I think my best approach right now is look into a pre-amp. Tubes maybe...
 
qguy said:
Thanks for all the responses.

I think my best approach right now is look into a pre-amp. Tubes maybe...
Click to expand...
Why, what is the complaint with the gear that you have? What are tubes going to give you that your setup isn't. If you just have money burning a hole in your pocket and just have to get rid of it, go for it, but just changing gear because some faceless person on the internet said you need something different to achieve audio nirvana, isn't a good way to spend your money.
 
Actually the tube pre-amp upgrade has been in my sights even before I created the thread, the recommendation by some of the members here just validates the path. Dont worry about wasting money, I always get to audition the gear before purchase or if that is not possible, I make sure that the item I am purchasing is an easy sell on the used market

halkaloogie said:
Why, what is the complaint with the gear that you have? What are tubes going to give you that your setup isn't. If you just have money burning a hole in your pocket and just have to get rid of it, go for it, but just changing gear because some faceless person on the internet said you need something different to achieve audio nirvana, isn't a good way to spend your money.
Click to expand...
 
Since the question is phrased "what would you change?"

I would agree with another poster here that using the onboard volume control of I tunes would be a significant limiting factor, as it decreases resolution if you are turned down significantly. So an active or passive pre amp is a good solution.

Secondly I have found that a music playback program for I tunes is a nice little bump in sound quality. I use Pure Music for the Mac Mini I currently use, in the past I have used Bug Head for PC based machines.

Step three would be quality cabling if its not already in place. I make no recommendations as there is a wide array of products to choose from. The second hand market can yield some great buys if in the right spot at the right time.

Finally, I would get the best DAC I could afford. Source components are always important, and while the V90 is a nice affordable DAC, improvements can be had in this category.

Of course this is how a simple pig looks at this scenario. Now we pigs like good food, soft hay, and warm sun. If you want another opinion go talk to the cows for they are wise. Do not listen to the chickens, as fowl are known liars and they cheat at cards.

Cheers
Mister Pig
 
xero-D-hero said:
Also here is where I'll throw in a random question...
What is being used for volume control for this rig ???
If it's the volume control in the laptop than you are likely chopping bits off the laptop's output to the DAC (thus losing some resolution).
Click to expand...
This was useful to me. On a system I have just setup, I am going laptop->HDMI TV -> Coax to DAC -> 1970's receiver. I was happy to find I can control the volume with the laptop, but now it is good to know I am losing something if I do this.

On the same system, when I go FireTV -> HDMI TV -> Coax to DAC - 1970's receiver, I can't control the receiver volume, only the TV volume.

I was going to build another system, Desktop -> Optical to DAC -> 1970's receiver, but I guess if I control the volume at the Desktop, I'll lose resolution there as well.

Good to know. I want to max the source volume, and control using the receiver volume.
 
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