what should I look to do next?

cstmar01
cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
edited June 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
SO seeing my new TT will be coming this week and I'll have a good analog source, what should I look into for a next upgrade? I know I need room treatments, as well as a better stand and a phono pre but I'm just looking at what would be considered the weak link then in my system.

What I have so far:
Adcom 5802
SEP-1/Parasound 2100 (I'll probably keep the SEP-1 just need the 2100 for the phono stage currently)
Polk RTA 15TL's not modded.
Pioneer 47AI
MIT AVT3 IC's
MIT T2 cables.
Pangea power chord.
The TT
Music Hall 2.2LE
What I was seeing was the Pio possibly. what do you guys think? I know its a starter 2 channel but just seeing what would be a good next step.
Post edited by cstmar01 on
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited May 2010
    There will always be weak link in any system if your into audio:D I'd honestly spend the cash on tuning the room with traps and absorbers. You may find your system is spot on once you deal with peaks and dips inherent in every room.
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • jm1
    jm1 Posts: 618
    edited May 2010
    Hawkeye wrote: »
    There will always be weak link in any system if your into audio:D I'd honestly spend the cash on tuning the room with traps and absorbers. You may find your system is spot on once you deal with peaks and dips inherent in every room.

    I would also recommend updating the room before chasing any more equipment. You might be surprised with what you have.
    All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third, it is accepted as self evident.
    Arthur Schopenhauer
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited May 2010
    I'd recommend a case of good Bordeaux or Burgundy and just enjoy the sonic goodness for a bit! Even rabbits need to rest from burrowing in the rabbit hole.:D

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited May 2010
    +1 Room.

    The CDP is about on par with everything else you're working with (minus the 5802), in my opinion at least.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    Well I'll be doing the room treats as soon as possible, just not really sure what I'm all going to do for a layout with them ect or who I am going to go through for them (still researching). I've been trying to stock up on some good vinyl too lol. I think if I'm pretty happy with the 2 channel for now I might go back and focus on my HT possibly. Still want a different PJ for that at some point ect.
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  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,852
    edited May 2010
    jm1 wrote: »
    I would also recommend updating the room before chasing any more equipment. You might be surprised with what you have.

    true that... I was very pleasantly surprised..one of the best investments sound wise I have made and it should have been my FIRST upgrade....
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited May 2010
    How old are the RTAs? Might consider freshing up the Crossovers.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited May 2010
    I want dibs on the SEP when / if.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    Haha, I'll keep you in mind if I decide to sell Russ but these new tubes you sent really made a huge difference and honestly is what is making me keep this and sell the parasound.

    So gotta question. is there a good suggestion of how much/placement of room treatments should go? The one wall on the side has a door, the other side a window and the back has a closet. Not ideal I know but should I look at trying to place treatments across from each other, such as mirror each other?

    I'm looking around at how much these things are and they find they aren't cheap so I want to make sure I'm doing it correctly.
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited May 2010
    This site:http://www.realtraps.com/ probably has the best primer on how and where pieces need to go. Even though they are spendy, the knowledge is free and other options are available.

    Be aware that some traps have solid wood backing (paneling) and in some cases that solid back is not a good solution, especially when bass trapping. If you have a door or window in the spot that needs trapping, you can consider a stand to give you the ability to move them when necessary.

    One of the big things with any type of tapping is, you have to have enough. Placing one or two small panels and calling it done is going to be a disappointment.

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2010
    Room treatments and setup. They will give you the best bang for the buck.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    Well I think I found some pannels to try out from Audio advisor. They are like 24X24 foam and are 80 bucks or so for 4 of them, so I'll probably get two packages and try them out.
    Then I just need some bass traps is what I'm thinking about getting as I know I'll need those as well.


    and I think I know what I want to do next for an upgrade, but its a big jump (at least to me) I was thinking about doing a Parasound JC2 pre with the JC mono blocks with a PS audio phono pre. I would probably buy use so its about a 6K or so I'm looking to spend but from what I hear the JC line is fantastic. Probably won't happen for awhile, but thats what I'm thinking.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2010
    Refresh my memory Chris. Did your TT come with a record clamp? If not, that's where I would go first.

    If the source puts out garbage all the room treatments in the world is not going to make the garbage smell any better.
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Refresh my memory Chris. Did your TT come with a record clamp? If not, that's where I would go first.

    If the source puts out garbage all the room treatments in the world is not going to make the garbage smell any better.

    no it didn't come with one. Joe what do you think of this one.
    http://www.needledoctor.com/Rek-O-Kut-Disc-Stabilizer-Clamp?sc=2&category=421

    not really sure what makes a clamp better than others ect and didn't really want to spend a ton on it.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited May 2010
    x-over upgrade and a DAC
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2010
    cstmar01 wrote: »
    no it didn't come with one. Joe what do you think of this one.
    http://www.needledoctor.com/Rek-O-Kut-Disc-Stabilizer-Clamp?sc=2&category=421

    not really sure what makes a clamp better than others ect and didn't really want to spend a ton on it.

    That is not a clamp Chris, it is a weight which IMHO are useless without a outer ring clamp. The ring clamps are not cheap.

    Save up your money and get this one. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

    You can also get it at several other online stores and can haggle the price down. If you do get, I can send you a shim that will help stregthen the reflex action of the clamp.

    I highly recommend it and numerous people in the club have purchased it and are very happy with the results.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,264
    edited May 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    That is not a clamp Chris, it is a weight which IMHO are useless without a outer ring clamp. The ring clamps are not cheap.

    Save up your money and get this one. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

    You can also get it at several other online stores and can haggle the price down. If you do get, I can send you a shim that will help stregthen the reflex action of the clamp.

    I highly recommend it and numerous people in the club have purchased it and are very happy with the results.




    Hummmm.... [wondering why I don't have a shim] :p

    Just teasing Joe...
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Hummmm.... [wondering why I don't have a shim] :p

    Just teasing Joe...

    You don't???:confused::confused::confused:
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,264
    edited May 2010
    dkg999 wrote: »
    x-over upgrade and a DAC

    Agreed!!! but spike the 15tl's as well..

    And what Joe said about the clear audio clamp..
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,264
    edited May 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    You don't???:confused::confused::confused:

    "Nope" but I do own 2 ClearAudio Clamps.. LOL
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    "Nope" but I do own 2 ClearAudio Clamps.. LOL

    PM sent your way buddy.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited May 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    That is not a clamp Chris, it is a weight which IMHO are useless without a outer ring clamp. The ring clamps are not cheap.

    Save up your money and get this one. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

    You can also get it at several other online stores and can haggle the price down. If you do get, I can send you a shim that will help stregthen the reflex action of the clamp.

    I highly recommend it and numerous people in the club have purchased it and are very happy with the results.

    +1, that is the clamp Joe recommended me and it works great and the shims make it even better.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    That is not a clamp Chris, it is a weight which IMHO are useless without a outer ring clamp. The ring clamps are not cheap.

    Save up your money and get this one. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

    You can also get it at several other online stores and can haggle the price down. If you do get, I can send you a shim that will help stregthen the reflex action of the clamp.

    I highly recommend it and numerous people in the club have purchased it and are very happy with the results.

    lol sorry I really didn't know the difference. I saw it under clamps at the website so I really didn't know. I also have been looking into getting a different platter thats offered by I think its Pro-ject. I'm having a big time issue with static so it might be that or the static gun you suggested and I'm going to look into both and see which one would be the better fit (they are around the same amount of money).
    I've spiked the 15's and like the change, but looks like the clamp will be next then probably the room treatments then maybe the platter. and of course some new vinyl in between lol
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,204
    edited May 2010
    thsmith wrote: »
    +1, that is the clamp Joe recommended me and it works great and the shims make it even better.

    +1...even on my entry level TT.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2010
    cstmar01 wrote: »
    lol sorry I really didn't know the difference. I saw it under clamps at the website so I really didn't know. I also have been looking into getting a different platter thats offered by I think its Pro-ject. I'm having a big time issue with static so it might be that or the static gun you suggested and I'm going to look into both and see which one would be the better fit (they are around the same amount of money).
    I've spiked the 15's and like the change, but looks like the clamp will be next then probably the room treatments then maybe the platter. and of course some new vinyl in between lol

    If they offer an acrylic platter jump on it however I know that Music Hall sells an acrylic platter as an upgrade so you might want to contact Stephen to obtain the platter at a discount. That combined with the Twister Clamp will improve the sonics greatly. Deeper tighter bass, blacker backround, more stable image & soundstage, pinpoint imaging etc. You also won't need a platter mat as you can couple the record right onto the acrylic platter.

    As far as static goes, you will still need a static gun. Here is one from Mapleshade records that is less than half the price of the Zerostat and from my experience with them, they don't sell junk. Pierre is a rabid audiophile tweeker and sells high quality only.

    http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=IONOCLAST

    With the money saved on you could also get this, I've been coveting this for awhile now. I'm not sure, but I think Stephen also sells this brush in various sizes.

    http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PHONO-BRU
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    Thanks for the info Joe, I'll be sure to look into it and probably grab some of the stuff soon!
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2010
    Glad to help Chris.
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    well today I bought this rack
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accsrack&1278270961
    for the price it fit my budget just fine. I'll use it for now just stock and if I find it doesn't work for my 2 channel I'll put in my living room for the HT. This way I have some room to grow and I plan on still getting some better isolation for the TT and the CD player on the rack itself but at least I now have something to work with.

    after this I'll be getting the TT clamp probably for my birthday (june 7th woohoo) and the anti static stuff.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited May 2010
    That's a cute rack.... ;)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited May 2010
    concealer404 wrote: »
    That's a cute rack.... ;)

    thanks Ben, I still gotta get the pink paint for it and then make some flowers on it. :p
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