|
|
Post by bruleto on May 18, 2015 18:45:29 GMT -5
Schiit Yggdrasil: $2299 Would be a must if you ask me. Your budget allows you to afford such an amazing DAC. Speakers are VERY subjective. I personally would recommend the Clearwave Aperture S52 Monitors: $2250. I used to own the DIY version and they are AMAZING. I will have another pair. A Parasound Amp would complement the above components very nicely. As I mentioned above, a Rythmik sub would also be wonderful. HOWEVER, I am also a BIG fan of the Electrocompaniet ECI 5 MK II or better yet the ECI 6 which is an integrated amp. It has it all in one source. I have extensive listening experience with the Mk II and think its awesome. They also make the most beautiful components available IMO. But that too, is subjective. Just my $.02 -Bill Edit: Since Dirac seems to be a hot topic in this thread, I'll comment. IMHO, you don't need Dirac in that small of space. Proper positioning and room treatments are MONUMENTAL at improving your overall sound quality. Dirac is awesome, and a great tool, but no where near as important as the former. I'm adding your speaker suggestions to my "items to research". It seems that the Schist Yggdrasil is DAC of choice of many. Definitely more than I originally had budgeted but I don't mind buying in phases if it leads to a better end result. Thanks for the input. |
|
|
|
Post by bruleto on May 18, 2015 18:49:29 GMT -5
+1 for room treatments ,I suspect the bass will be a issue with the almost cube like room dimensions. And small rooms. Bass traps will be a worthwhile investment. Many good points being made about changing course and focusing on room treatments first so that I will be able to properly evaluate my current equipment as well as anything new I get. |
|
|
|
Post by bruleto on May 18, 2015 18:52:59 GMT -5
Sonos and my existing Debut Carbon for vinyl. What phono stage are you using? Just the Pro-Ject Phono Box...the one that's ~$100. This was part of a starter system and I was very price conscious because I wasn't sure how much I was going to use it. I'm using everything a lot, hence my itch to upgrade. |
|
|
|
Post by bruleto on May 18, 2015 19:11:30 GMT -5
When I read that someone wants to make a significant upgrade in their system I tend to think the persons' intent is to spend money. However many a people that have heard my systems don't look at the big picture....money is relative...that is my personal belief. What you may consider expensive I may consider very reasonable. Hence there are people (no disrespect here) that say they want to do a serious upgrade and that upgrade has a small dollar value attached to it. This is not to say that one has to spend tens of thousands but I do believe that a respectable amount is necessary to achieve you personal gold. One rule of thumb that I have learned over the years is that if you do not have all of the finances at once. WAIT! Don't spend money frivolously only to be disappointed and having to sell that new investment only to move up to something more rewarding. We all make mistakes in spending our money on this hobby. I have...to the tune of mucho dinnero. Not this time. I made a significant investment recently with guidance from another forum member and I can say that I am very please if not euphoric to know that my 2channel system not only looks high end but delivers high end first class musical playback on both CD and streaming thru TIDAL. Significant upgrade....TUBES! low volume in triode mode delivers all the nuance I need for my B&W's with only 35watts per channel. That's no type error...you read it right. In addition a good processor/dac Try it...you will be in heaven What do you consider a respectable amount? Granted I'm not as well versed as you are but it seems that many people have put together systems that they love for well under $10K. Considering I'm coming from a pair of speakers I spent $400 on and an integrated amp that cast me $600, I thought $6000-ish would be a significant bump. If I find that I need to up that budget to get what I'm after then so be it but I think there's a point of diminishing returns. I don't have a particularly sophisticated ear and I struggle articulating what I hear/like using the audiophile vernacular. For example, I recently listened to a pair of Audeze LCD-3 powered by the OPPO HA-1 and I can't understand what all the fuss is about. In addition to them squeezing the crap out of my head, I couldn't get immersed in the music. The whole time, I was 100% aware I was listening through headphones and the soundstage (I believe I'm using this correctly) wasn't there. I'm pleased with the responses I've received on this post. This is exactly what I was looking for and why I posted. The research and discussed is almost as much fun as the listening...almost |
|
|
|
Post by brutiarti on May 18, 2015 21:33:54 GMT -5
I think that you can do a significant upgrade with 6k but probably it will not be enough for some ears here in the forum , well including me, but if you like to upgrade later and have fun doing that, that's the point. I will put your 6k like this: 1k for room treatment, 2k for speakers, 1.5 amp and 1 for preamp. dac between 500 and 2300  When I read that someone wants to make a significant upgrade in their system I tend to think the persons' intent is to spend money. However many a people that have heard my systems don't look at the big picture....money is relative...that is my personal belief. What you may consider expensive I may consider very reasonable. Hence there are people (no disrespect here) that say they want to do a serious upgrade and that upgrade has a small dollar value attached to it. This is not to say that one has to spend tens of thousands but I do believe that a respectable amount is necessary to achieve you personal gold. One rule of thumb that I have learned over the years is that if you do not have all of the finances at once. WAIT! Don't spend money frivolously only to be disappointed and having to sell that new investment only to move up to something more rewarding. We all make mistakes in spending our money on this hobby. I have...to the tune of mucho dinnero. Not this time. I made a significant investment recently with guidance from another forum member and I can say that I am very please if not euphoric to know that my 2channel system not only looks high end but delivers high end first class musical playback on both CD and streaming thru TIDAL. Significant upgrade....TUBES! low volume in triode mode delivers all the nuance I need for my B&W's with only 35watts per channel. That's no type error...you read it right. In addition a good processor/dac Try it...you will be in heaven What do you consider a respectable amount? Granted I'm not as well versed as you are but it seems that many people have put together systems that they love for well under $10K. Considering I'm coming from a pair of speakers I spent $400 on and an integrated amp that cast me $600, I thought $6000-ish would be a significant bump. If I find that I need to up that budget to get what I'm after then so be it but I think there's a point of diminishing returns. I don't have a particularly sophisticated ear and I struggle articulating what I hear/like using the audiophile vernacular. For example, I recently listened to a pair of Audeze LCD-3 powered by the OPPO HA-1 and I can't understand what all the fuss is about. In addition to them squeezing the crap out of my head, I couldn't get immersed in the music. The whole time, I was 100% aware I was listening through headphones and the soundstage (I believe I'm using this correctly) wasn't there. I'm pleased with the responses I've received on this post. This is exactly what I was looking for and why I posted. The research and discussed is almost as much fun as the listening...almost |
|
|
|
Post by bluemeanies on May 19, 2015 4:44:52 GMT -5
With that kind of money you should have no problem
I spent a little less than that and IMHO my 2channel system is sweet. I have only been in full operation for about a week and a half but have had three people taste test my system and they were really impressed. I left all of them seated in the sweet spot and said nothing more than what would you like to hear.
After that I let them do their critique. I have one friend who asks many questions. He recently purchased Focal speakers, Integra amp and processor for 5.1 and he admitted that my system sounded better than what he was getting from his Focal speakers in 2channel stereo.
I am interested in clarity, sonics, depth and soundstage when I listen to music...those obscure nuances,not headroom.
Headroom IMO is another adjective for LOUD.
I jumped into Bob Latino's m125tube smplifiers and purchased the Grace Design processor Dac...all manufactured in the USA.
If your are interested check out tubes4hifi.com.
Everything there is built to order. No mass production.
Let me tell you up front that there are no warranties however Bob Latino the East Coast distributed stands behind all of his products made by Dynaco.
It's a great learning experience which you are well rewarded.
Lastly, there are some naysayers towards tube amplifiers claiming they yield distortion. I personally have not witnessed that distortion. Also another claim I found to be false. I was always told that my B&W's were hungry for power and to extrude every ounce of music nuance I needed more power. Having tube amplifiers I am running my B&W804S speakers in triode mode with two output tubes @35watts per channel. Unbelievable as it sounds but 100% true and the sound is 100% accurate.
Good luck with your upgrade and I hope that this post gave you some food for thought.
|
|
|
|
Post by qdtjni on May 19, 2015 5:58:35 GMT -5
Did you try your 804S with any other amp(s)?
|
|
|
|
Post by bruleto on May 24, 2015 18:49:33 GMT -5
Wanted to provide a quick little update. I've been researching room treatments quite a bit and will be pulling the trigger very soon on an initial purchase. I figure I'll get a few at a time until I'm satisfied.
Regarding speakers, I actually pulled the trigger on a pair of the SVS Ultra Towers. SVS has a couple in their outlet store for $799 each with no damage. These have intrigued me a bit due to the positive reviews (though they don't seem to get much love in the Emotiva Lounge) price point and confidence in SVS as a company. Their generous in-home audition policy really makes it risk-free.
I'm going to start by trying them out with my existing Peachtree Decco65 though I'm sure they will be quite under powered. I'm still leaning toward the XSP-1 and 2x XPA-1Ls.
|
|
|
|
Post by Boomzilla on May 24, 2015 19:15:50 GMT -5
SVS makes good products. You'll probably find (as I did) that the first absorbers in the room will make a HUGE difference. After that, the effectiveness of additional room treatment falls off exponentially.
Others' experiences may differ, but the above is my experience in a nutshell.
(Others will also tell you "that's because I'm a nut." LOL)
Boom
|
|
novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,230 
|
Post by novisnick on May 24, 2015 19:16:26 GMT -5
Fair enough but "good and cheaper" can be as subjective. So secondly, what is the "good and cheaper" alternative where you can have DIRAC for all sources? Personally, I do not need Dirac or a 2k processor for my two channel listening. Moreover, I do not even use a preamp for my two channel set up. Maybe one day my preferences will change as I am an open-minded individual. There seems to be no answer to the OPs question, just that there is something that won't get an answer to. and a personal preference that was not the question. What is the answer?   Just as curious as the OP. |
|
|
|
Post by bruleto on May 24, 2015 19:28:06 GMT -5
SVS makes good products. You'll probably find (as I did) that the first absorbers in the room will make a HUGE difference. After that, the effectiveness of additional room treatment falls off exponentially. Others' experiences may differ, but the above is my experience in a nutshell. (Others will also tell you "that's because I'm a nut." LOL) Boom May I ask where you bought your room treatments? I've been looking at GIK, ATS Acoustics and Acoustimac. |
|
|
|
Post by pedrocols on May 24, 2015 20:08:50 GMT -5
SVS makes good products. You'll probably find (as I did) that the first absorbers in the room will make a HUGE difference. After that, the effectiveness of additional room treatment falls off exponentially. Others' experiences may differ, but the above is my experience in a nutshell. (Others will also tell you "that's because I'm a nut." LOL) Boom May I ask where you bought your room treatments? I've been looking at GIK, ATS Acoustics and Acoustimac. How handy are you? You can try built some yourself and save quite some cash... |
|
|
|
Post by Boomzilla on May 25, 2015 6:11:15 GMT -5
May I ask where you bought your room treatments? I've been looking at GIK, ATS Acoustics and Acoustimac. I bought ATS, and have been very happy with them. |
|
|
|
Post by dga on May 25, 2015 9:18:04 GMT -5
I went through a similar exercise recently for my home office. 14X16X10. I've cannibalized the home theater and am playing with room treatments now. I did try the 2 channel DIRAC on the iMac and couldn't decide if I liked it better or not, so saved the $450. My speaker list was B&W 804D, Revel F208 and Goldenear Triton One. For me, it wasn't close, especially if you want to stear clear of subs. As I've ditched the TT (can't stand getting up that often) and gone exclusively to computer based music, the DC-1 serves well as a preamp. There may be better DACs but I can't give up that volume control or remote. If you use Tidal and have a digital collection, please look at ROON for managing and playing it. If you're a music lover, it's amazing.. Lastly, get a good comfy chair for that desk. You're going to be spending a lot of time there.  |
|
DYohn
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 18,352
|
Post by DYohn on Jul 25, 2015 10:25:34 GMT -5
FWIW: As an experiment I moved the Yggdrasil out of my HT and into my 2-channel system replacing my beloved but long-in-the-tooth Kora Hermes. OK. The sound signature is very different, but there's just something... more realistic, more nuanced, more detailed... Now I have to buy another Yggdrasil.
For reference, my 2-channel setup is fairly high-end: Devore Orangutan 96's, Shindo Cortese amp, Leben RS28 pre, source Northstar 192 transport.
|
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Honorary Emofest Scribe
Posts: 14,756
|
Post by klinemj on Jul 25, 2015 10:32:24 GMT -5
So to hear of the impending loss from your wallet.  Mark |
|
|
|
Post by Boomzilla on Jul 25, 2015 10:49:48 GMT -5
So to hear of the impending loss from your wallet. Mark ROTFLMAO - I'll remember that one! |
|
|
|
Post by mepositive on Jul 25, 2015 11:20:38 GMT -5
Your initial request, bruleto, is quite interesting since I seem to have an office set up exactly like you seem to be looking at. Its a 16X15 space and in it I have the Pendragon, XSP, ERC, XPA-1Ls, XDA, dbx II, XRef 12, and Scout 1.1. Its an awesome set up - but I plan to move some of it into my living room soon and replace my office set up with new gear. Most likely, I will replace my speakers and the DAC.
My current set-up is awesome sounding and if you went with it, you'd never miss anything. The only upgrade I'd suggest is the DAC.
|
|
