Source, amplifier or speaker upgrade?

[bingcrosby]

Hey guys,

Looking for some advice. My main system is a Musical Fidelity A3.5 Cd player (~ $2600 AU), A3.5 integrated amp (~ $2600 AU) and Mission 782 loudspeakers (~ $2300 AU). Nordost Red Dawn interconnects and Blue Heaven Rev II biwire speaker cable and a Thor smartboard thingy with filters.

Where should I go next for a more involving, neutral, cleaner, detailed, faster and more dynamic and bigger sound? Naim/cyrus electronics or B&W/audiovector speakers?

Thanks,

Peter.

[Sol]

I'm of the opinion it's source first speakers last! Much of the sound quality is set at source ...

have you tried headphones and dedicated headamp?

How do you listen ... background, blasting, or critically?

What exactly is wrong with your current set up?

[bingcrosby]

I have Sennheiser HD 650 with MF X CAN v3 (unmodded and with slight channel imbalance problem). LOVE the sound of the HD 650s (smooth with detail), I would probably go solid state next I think with the headamp.

I think the biggest problem is synergy - laid back amplifier with not the best bass control with smooth side of neutral speaker with side firing bass units (need to be well controlled to sound tight). Cable is also smooth sounding. Speakers are shortish, so for best results its best to sit on the floor (but I could build some plinths too - if somebody could recommend how to do this or some good not ultra expensive commercial ones that would be cool).

Things can get a bit messy when the volume is loud - but at the same time it needs to turned up a bit to get the bass kicking. Its nice with classical, but lacks a bit of speed, detail and power with piano music. Its not the most engaging setup. I listen to a lot of male baritones (Bing and Frank) and they sound a tad murky and lost - maybe to do with the 200 Hz cross over to the floor driver (middle C 256 Hz and they would be under that maybe down to 100 Hz).

I haven't ever really liked my MF kit that much, mostly because of the slight channel imbalance in the amp (its in the repairer for this at the moment) and the internest slagging.

I recognise my speakers limitations but I like them still. I too appreciate the value of good electronics, with the MF kit my dad's 1980s quadrals sound like a different speaker, and actually better my 782s in some areas.

Also with the headphone set up, and listening by switching through the tape output of the integrated, the difference between my old Grundig DVD and the MF CD isn't actually as big as one would expect.

In terms of product age and usage:
- 782s 2000 released bought 2005 used as rears until late 2006 - European loudspeaker of the year 2000 under 1000 pounds
- MF kit released 2005 bought late 2006 (but the CD player I am told is not much more than an X ray v 3 which is a fair amount older)

I think, being mission speakers, they might also go best with cyrus. The original technician at the distributor said they are good enough to show up better sources, but you can't expect to through major amounts of power at them and still expect ultra clean sound.

Thanks!!!

Upgrade options:

Naim XS series
Cyrus 8
Audiovector S3 signature (cool upgrade concept)
Bowers and Wilkins 804s (less likely)

[bingcrosby]

Sorry - also can get a bit harsh up high at louder volumes.

[FauDrei]

IMO audio chain importance goes like this (copy of my post from "the other place"):

1. headphones (speakers)
2. source (DAC, CD, turntable...)
3. amplification
4. everything else (cables, snakeoil...)

I've learned that wrong way: first I got a good amp which revealed that my source isn't up to the task. In turn, when I got a really good DAC the capabilities of my phones were questioned and phones replaced.

The quantity/quality of SQ improvements goes in opposite direction (as listed): you will benefit most from good headphones. Comparably smaller but significant SQ improvement comes from good source (given that you do not listen to ill produced music from sub-par storage media - f.e. Oasis 128 kbps mp3s). This leaves good amplification as smallest, but still important, SQ jump. After that, if accompanying components (cables...) are not seriously flawed or technically incompetent - you just tune your system to your personal likings.

All this - IMO of course.

[Deleted]

FauDrei
Tycho Magnetic Anomaly One

Any reason for choosing 1? You confused the birds out of my belfry when you had 5 ;D

[lini]

Peter: I could imagine that trying a nice subwoofer would be a good idea, if you want to stick with the 782s...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

[FauDrei]

Nov 6, 2009 1:57:22 GMT @cjarchez said:

Tycho Magnetic Anomaly One

Any reason for choosing 1? You confused the birds out of my belfry when you had 5 ;D

Sorry for hijacking guys... just to answer Chris...

Well, five was the "first non used number" in a sequel that, I see, you are also familiar with... but then I realised that it really should be number one:

...as in Reference One

[bingcrosby]

Hehe, that head amp sure does look nice. Geez, a new pair of HD800s would see a lot of use too (hell of a lot cheaper than speakers). Any thoughts on these new cans?

Its funny, that $700 AU for the HD 650s is the one thing I would keep if I could only keep one piece of HiFi. The MF and mission combo IMO was beaten by my old gaming (not audiophile) soundcard with HD650. And you can listen to ANYTHING ANYTIME with cans.

Any tips guys to make a less fatiguing headphone system - one that you can listen to a whole new album without track skipping?

Do any of you guys have experience with a Naim headline?

Manfred,
I have the matching sub for the 782s the 78as. Its a bit too difficult to integrate properly with the speakers in a stereo setup, although it adds more bass a low volume levels its sound is just too intrusive. I have two pairs of 782s (e8c centre), and when I decided to go stereo I just pulled the rears off the back!

I don't suppose specs would help anyone out?