What Would You Do?

squeeb

Not the TV show... I will have a couple thousand dollars burning a hole in my h/t / 2-channel pocket. I have some things milling around that I think I want to do. Just seeing what others would do in a similar situation. My setup is in my signature. Approximately 50% H/T and 50% 2-channel. If you choose "Other", please explain.

Thanks in advance for voting (plus, I have not seen a voting thread for a while).

1. Upgrade SDA SRS 2's - they are blade/blade and understand they can be TL'ed.
2. Upgrade Amplifier - from Adcom 5503 to ?? (Krell, Parasound, etc.)
3. Upgrade Blu-Ray - from Pioneer to Oppo 103, 105 or 95.

oldmodman

I tried to vote for two different choices.

Upgrade both the speakers and the amp. Either will make quite an improvement (maybe).
Doing the upgrade yourself on the speakers is very satisfying and the improvement isn't subtle.
And it's probably less expensive than the amp upgrade.

EndersShadow

Eh, I say the amp. A better amp will make speakers sound better NOW, plus then when you eventually upgrade your SDA's they will sound even better THEN on a better amp.

Since you have the SDA's you dont have to worry about finding them to upgrade them, you can upgrade them whenever you want, as well as buy whatever replacement parts you need should stuff burn out.

The blu-ray is at this point almost pointless IMHO to upgrade. Every year newer digital stuff is out making the year before models cheaper. You dont need to worry about finding a decent blu-ray player for a long time. Finding a good used amp that doesnt need a re-cap thats used can be a much harder thing to do.

trav0810

I voted for the SDA Upgrade...for exactly the same reason as Ender voted amp! lol

Upgrading the speakers should be an immediate improvement. Then when you ad a better amp to push them...it'll be like hearing those speakers for the first time.

although from an economic standpoint...you can upgrade the amp while you have the $2K cash in hand...then you can upgrade the SDA's a little at a time where you won't need a huge chunk of cash all at once!

EndersShadow

trav0810 wrote: »

Then you can upgrade the SDA's a little at a time where you won't need a huge chunk of cash all at once!

That was my point, especially since you can now basically build new crossover without the existing inductors (since you can get totally new ones). This lets him go part by part without opening up his babies till he has all them in hand and even on the boards themselves.

tonyb

Can I pick all 3 ?

cnh

SDAs love themselves some "tubes"!!

cnh

dudeinaroom

I also said speakers. I was on the fence though, could have said amp just as easily. SDAs and Parasound are nice together. You can get a nice used Parasound for a grand and still have a Grand for your speakers. A tube amp of a tube preamp with a Parasound is a nice combo, you want to make sure it's a newer tube amp though, the older ones can sound a little lean on the bass because of the mismatch in impedance. I had a Scott tubed pre here for a visit, and it was nice with my Parasound, the bass was slightly lean, but the sound stage was awesome.

squeeb

BTW - I LOVE this forum. You guys are awesome - great advice. Now at least I don't feel as bad about not knowing which direction to go. I do plan on doing all 3 in time. I also plan on upgrading my projector at some point but agree the way technology is going it may be best to delay that with the BR player.

tonyb wrote: »

Can I pick all 3 ?

Oh, I wish I could and then some. However, the drought in Colorado burned up my money tree this summer.

SDA1C

Amp...find a Sunfire to match that pre.

BlueFox

What cables (power, interconnects, speaker) are you using?

squeeb

BlueFox wrote: »

What cables (power, interconnects, speaker) are you using?

Signal Cable Analog Two ICs (both amp and blu-ray). Signal Cable Analog Two speaker cables (L/R/C), MIT (mis-coded ones) for surrounds and Canare star quad 14AWG (Blue Jean Cable) for surround backs. APC power conditioner with Magic Power cord.