Movin on up!

ratster
ratster Posts: 324
edited January 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
Made my first major upgrade this week.I got me a Rotel 1072 CDP modified by Music Fidelity(paperwork incl.).

Much,much, more detailed.

Now I'm gonna have to listen to all my CD's again to see what I have been missing.

So whats next?Speakers?Preamp?

Give me your thoughts/opinions.

Thanks,
Rhett
Main
Parasound P5
Parasound A21
CA music streamer
marantz 6005
Clear Day dbl.shotgun
Morrow Xlr
1.7 Maggies


Bedroom
adcom Gfp750
Adcom 555
Rotel 1072
CA tuner
LsiM703
Clear day dbl shotgun
Post edited by ratster on
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Comments

  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,171
    edited January 2012
    The 1072 right out of the box is a nice sounding player so I'd imagine it's pretty nice when modded.

    Pre-amp is definitely next.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited January 2012
    Congrats!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited January 2012
    Congrats on the new cdp!

    As for what next, when I swapped out my M70's for LSi 9's it was amazing what I had been missing...

    You can get the 9's or the 7's for really good deals.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited January 2012
    My vote is to upgrade speakers next. My first speaker were the Monitor 70's and it was a night and day difference when I upgraded to the Rti10's, although those only last me 9 months before I got something else because they sounded too bright for me. So I would agree with Upstatemax and go for some Lsi's.
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  • ratster
    ratster Posts: 324
    edited January 2012
    heiney9 wrote: »
    The 1072 right out of the box is a nice sounding player so I'd imagine it's pretty nice when modded.

    Pre-amp is definitely next.

    H9

    Seems like the GFP750 is the only Adcom pre that gets any love.Other suggestions?Not really sure I wanna fool with tubes but I won't rule them out.
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    Congrats on the new cdp!

    As for what next, when I swapped out my M70's for LSi 9's it was amazing what I had been missing...

    You can get the 9's or the 7's for really good deals.

    How big of a room are you using them in? Are you using a sub with them?

    Thanks for the replys gentlemen.
    Main
    Parasound P5
    Parasound A21
    CA music streamer
    marantz 6005
    Clear Day dbl.shotgun
    Morrow Xlr
    1.7 Maggies


    Bedroom
    adcom Gfp750
    Adcom 555
    Rotel 1072
    CA tuner
    LsiM703
    Clear day dbl shotgun
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2012
    The GFP 715 is OK! Next in line, so to speak. After that, I wouldn't bother with most Adcom pre-amps (they're passable, but not great).

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    I'm also gonna say speakers should be what you do next... then preamp.

    What's a ballpark budget?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • ratster
    ratster Posts: 324
    edited January 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    I'm also gonna say speakers should be what you do next... then preamp.

    What's a ballpark budget?

    Damn. I hate when ya'll ask that question,cuz I know your gonna spend it all.:mrgreen:

    Lets say $1500.
    Main
    Parasound P5
    Parasound A21
    CA music streamer
    marantz 6005
    Clear Day dbl.shotgun
    Morrow Xlr
    1.7 Maggies


    Bedroom
    adcom Gfp750
    Adcom 555
    Rotel 1072
    CA tuner
    LsiM703
    Clear day dbl shotgun
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited January 2012
    Peas don't burn on the grill........:-) Congrats on the upgrade. I would go speakers next, then a nice tube pre. I would give tubes a try. If your like most you wont be sorry you did. You can find some good deals here on CP or the Gon on the Anthem Pre-1L or Pre-2L usually in the 400-600 range. They are both great, especially for the coin.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited January 2012
    I disagree completely on the preamp being next. That 3490 is a great receiver that is capable of driving speakers way beyond the range of the Monitors you have now. Your speakers right now are by far the weakest link in the chain and you'll notice the greatest improvement by upgrading those.

    Depending on which speakers you go with, I would at least compare sound using the Adcom vs having that HD drive the speakers directly without the Adcom in the chain. I won't say you'll likely better because it'll depend on speakers, but I can name at least a few speakers that I know would sound better driven purely by that 3490 vs by the Adcom. I'm not second guessing your amp purchase or saying it isn't a good amp, it's just that the HK really is THAT good and has better synergy with some speakers.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    ratster wrote: »
    Damn. I hate when ya'll ask that question,cuz I know your gonna spend it all.:mrgreen:

    Lets say $1500.

    haha I know the feeling!

    You have a lot of options in that range. It's gonna come down to how much room you have, whether you want monitors or towers, and whether you prefer cones, ribbons, electrostats or what. Here's a top-of-the-head list that spans many genres of loudspeakers. All of them will blow your Monitors out of the water, and not by small margins.

    Magnepan 1.7's (or 1.6's and save same cash), Polk LSiM-703's, Polk SDA-SRS's (2.3's, 1.2's, TL's etc), Usher Audio BE-718's, Thiel CS3.6's, Fritz Carbon 7's, Totem (maybe the Hawk?), Vandersteen 3A's (or 2ce's).

    This is very much personal preference, but here's what I'd do:

    - Magnepan 1.6Qr's for around 800, and use the other 700 on a pre. The Adcom GFP-750 can be had in that range, but there are other good options, including tubed offerings, which is where I'd do. Maggies like them some tubes.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • autoconsortium
    autoconsortium Posts: 64
    edited January 2012
    With respect to a pre-amp...I ditched an Adcom GTP400 for a Lexicon DC-1 for a few hundred bucks (even sold Adcom on ebay for $150) and the sound difference is night and day. Bought the lexicon on ebay as well...when I did some checking, found out it was nearly $4,000 new. The DC-1 has a bypass mode which is great for two channel audio.
    Alex Cagann

    Polk SDA SRS
    Lexicon DC-1 preamp
    (2) Lexicon 501 monoblock amps
    Parasound CD Transport 1000
    Parasound DAC1000
    Nakamichi Dragon
    Nakamichi RX505
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  • ratster
    ratster Posts: 324
    edited January 2012
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    I disagree completely on the preamp being next. That 3490 is a great receiver that is capable of driving speakers way beyond the range of the Monitors you have now. Your speakers right now are by far the weakest link in the chain and you'll notice the greatest improvement by upgrading those.

    Depending on which speakers you go with, I would at least compare sound using the Adcom vs having that HD drive the speakers directly without the Adcom in the chain. I won't say you'll likely better because it'll depend on speakers, but I can name at least a few speakers that I know would sound better driven purely by that 3490 vs by the Adcom. I'm not second guessing your amp purchase or saying it isn't a good amp, it's just that the HK really is THAT good and has better synergy with some speakers.

    Please give me your suggestions on speakers.Right now I'm leaning towards the Lsi9's or 15's.I'm really liking the price of the 9's.
    Main
    Parasound P5
    Parasound A21
    CA music streamer
    marantz 6005
    Clear Day dbl.shotgun
    Morrow Xlr
    1.7 Maggies


    Bedroom
    adcom Gfp750
    Adcom 555
    Rotel 1072
    CA tuner
    LsiM703
    Clear day dbl shotgun
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  • ratster
    ratster Posts: 324
    edited January 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    haha I know the feeling!

    You have a lot of options in that range. It's gonna come down to how much room you have, whether you want monitors or towers, and whether you prefer cones, ribbons, electrostats or what. Here's a top-of-the-head list that spans many genres of loudspeakers. All of them will blow your Monitors out of the water, and not by small margins.

    Magnepan 1.7's (or 1.6's and save same cash), Polk LSiM-703's, Polk SDA-SRS's (2.3's, 1.2's, TL's etc), Usher Audio BE-718's, Thiel CS3.6's, Fritz Carbon 7's, Totem (maybe the Hawk?), Vandersteen 3A's (or 2ce's).

    This is very much personal preference, but here's what I'd do:

    - Magnepan 1.6Qr's for around 800, and use the other 700 on a pre. The Adcom GFP-750 can be had in that range, but there are other good options, including tubed offerings, which is where I'd do. Maggies like them some tubes.

    I like how you think and I love the look of Maggies but I'm not sure that me and my equipment are mature enough for such fancy things.
    Main
    Parasound P5
    Parasound A21
    CA music streamer
    marantz 6005
    Clear Day dbl.shotgun
    Morrow Xlr
    1.7 Maggies


    Bedroom
    adcom Gfp750
    Adcom 555
    Rotel 1072
    CA tuner
    LsiM703
    Clear day dbl shotgun
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited January 2012
    ratster wrote: »
    How big of a room are you using them in? Are you using a sub with them?

    Thanks for the replys gentlemen.

    13x18

    No sub. I love my LSi 9's, but I go back and forth on a sub...

    If do get one, it will be a small sealed unit. Just something to help fill out the bottom end.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2012
    Speakers
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2012
    Have to agree on speakers. LSi-9s are a good choice if you're on a budget! Though I can tell you that if you put that Adcom 555 on the Monitor 70s you "will" hear them open up more than what you're hearing now.

    Even so, the Monitors have their limitations. And the Vifa tweeter is really, really smooth and "musical" by comparison.

    I run a couple of LSi-7s on a NAD integrated in a 10 x 17 x 8.5' space--usually without the sub. Fills the room up fine. I've heard a number of speakers in the 7s price range and some twice the price. And I'd say they can "hold" their own, unless you really really really have to have a "hot" high end like B&Ws (for example [Dan-mantis: you know you like it "Hot", enough said]). I'm not a fan! But you should listen to a number of speakers (bookies). There are a lot to choose from. And some very very nice bookies out there.

    Have fun!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Lietuvis91
    Lietuvis91 Posts: 908
    edited January 2012
    I have both, and with enough power I like listening to both. Like CNH said, it really is surprising what good dear does to the sound quality of the m70s thought...
    Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:

    M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires

    Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :

    LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    ratster wrote: »
    I like how you think and I love the look of Maggies but I'm not sure that me and my equipment are mature enough for such fancy things.

    You kiddin' me? Your CDP, pre, amp, and cables are easily Maggie-worthy!:biggrin:
    Please give me your suggestions on speakers.Right now I'm leaning towards the Lsi9's or 15's.I'm really liking the price of the 9's.

    I thought your budget was 1500?

    If you want to spend less, but are still interested in Maggies, look at the MG-12's or MMG's.

    Everyone who's interested in 2-channel ausio should hear Maggies at some point, and preferably in their own system.


    Good luck on the journey; you've amassed a quite respectable system so far!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • ratster
    ratster Posts: 324
    edited January 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    You kiddin' me? Your CDP, pre, amp, and cables are easily Maggie-worthy!:biggrin:



    I thought your budget was 1500?

    If you want to spend less, but are still interested in Maggies, look at the MG-12's or MMG's.

    Everyone who's interested in 2-channel ausio should hear Maggies at some point, and preferably in their own system.


    Good luck on the journey; you've amassed a quite respectable system so far!

    Thanks. I will check them out.
    Main
    Parasound P5
    Parasound A21
    CA music streamer
    marantz 6005
    Clear Day dbl.shotgun
    Morrow Xlr
    1.7 Maggies


    Bedroom
    adcom Gfp750
    Adcom 555
    Rotel 1072
    CA tuner
    LsiM703
    Clear day dbl shotgun
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