What was the most significant change to your system?

tommyt21
tommyt21 Posts: 685
edited December 2012 in The Clubhouse
Also what was the biggest bang for the buck in terms of reaching audio nirvana?:mrgreen: In the poll please choose the top three things you did to your system that you felt had the biggest improvement.
Living Room
Fronts: RTi A7's
Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
Front Heights: Rti A1
Surrounds: Rti A3
Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

Acoustimac red suede panels
Post edited by tommyt21 on
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,602
    edited December 2012
    For me it was a pair of Infinity RSIIIa's with EMIT's. :cheesygrin:
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,957
    edited December 2012
    The wife......downhill from there.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited December 2012
    Tommy, your going to get waaayyy to many different votes on this.

    I will say that the best idea if your trying to figure out what to change is to make sure your source is as high quality as possible, then make sure you have good clean power for your speakers, and then make sure you have really good speakers. The rest does indeed change sound quality, but if those three pieces are high quality you will be very happy.

    Are you debating what parts of your system to upgrade, or building an entirely new one? Depending on the answer to this it changes what we may recommend you mess with.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • tommyt21
    tommyt21 Posts: 685
    edited December 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Tommy, your going to get waaayyy to many different votes on this.

    I will say that the best idea if your trying to figure out what to change is to make sure your source is as high quality as possible, then make sure you have good clean power for your speakers, and then make sure you have really good speakers. The rest does indeed change sound quality, but if those three pieces are high quality you will be very happy.

    Are you debating what parts of your system to upgrade, or building an entirely new one? Depending on the answer to this it changes what we may recommend you mess with.

    No, I'm pretty happy with my system, I have a couple things I plan on doing like upgrading my Sub yet again to a VTF-15, Also doing the X-Over mods on my A7's and adding more room treatments. I was just curious what others felt there biggest changes were.
    Living Room
    Fronts: RTi A7's
    Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
    Front Heights: Rti A1
    Surrounds: Rti A3
    Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
    Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
    TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
    Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
    XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

    Acoustimac red suede panels
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited December 2012
    Stop using Apple TV's for music servers and connecting directly with a computer , I have both a PC and a Mac for these duties. I plan on buying a brand new Apple Mac Mini after Christmas.
    Listening to music over USB , HDMI , Optical with internal or external DAC's with the right software out classed my Cambridge CD player. That is something the Apple TV's could never do. It has always been a compromise for connivence. I now learned this not needs to be.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited December 2012
    The most significant? The purchase of my Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus speakers.

    When I upgraded the X-Overs in my Sda's and SRS2's the increase in sound quality was huge. Well worth the cost and effort.
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  • tommyt21
    tommyt21 Posts: 685
    edited December 2012
    NJPOLKER wrote: »
    The most significant? The purchase of my Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus speakers.

    When I upgraded the X-Overs in my Sda's and SRS2's the increase in sound quality was huge. Well worth the cost and effort.
    I'm also a big fan of the X-over upgrade.
    Living Room
    Fronts: RTi A7's
    Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
    Front Heights: Rti A1
    Surrounds: Rti A3
    Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
    Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
    TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
    Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
    XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

    Acoustimac red suede panels
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  • Amherst
    Amherst Posts: 695
    edited December 2012
    Speakers are the single most notable change for me. Not a whole lot that can beat a nice large set of towers along with proper amplification to drive them.
    For those of us into digital a high quality external DAC is another greatly noticeable difference.
    Parasound C1, T3, HCA-3500, HCA-2205A, P/DD1550, Pioneer DV-79avi, Oppo BDP-83, WD Media Server W/HDD,
    Dynaudio Contour 3.3, Dynaudio Contour T2.1, Polk OWM3, Polk DSW micropro 1000 (x2),
    Pioneer Kuro 50" Plasma, Phillips Pronto Control w/Niles HT-MSU.
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited December 2012
    Tubes. Enough said
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  • laotzu61
    laotzu61 Posts: 327
    edited December 2012
    RTA 12B's; amplifier,
    "The symbol is not the reality"
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited December 2012
    Interestingly, nothing is a day/night difference. Instead everything just makes it better and better. Upgrade to a preamp and amp, it got better. Add a second amp, it got better. Upgrade the DAC, and it got better. Upgrade the speakers, and it got better. Add brass footers to all electronics, and it got better. Upgrade the interconnects, and it got better. Upgrade the power conditioner, and it got better. Upgrade the power cords, and it got better. Upgrade the speaker cables, and it got better. Upgrade the music server, and it got better.

    It is a thousand little things that all produce improvements.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • gce
    gce Posts: 2,158
    edited December 2012
    So far for me, crossover mod's, upgrading subwoofer and source (lossless).
    Anaheim Hills CA,
    HT 5.1: Anthem MRX 720 / BDP-Denon DBT1713UD / Polkaudio LSiM703 / W4S mAmp's / Polkaudio LSiM706c / Polkaudio LSiM702F/X's / SVS PC12-NSD / Panasonic TC P55VT30

    2 Channel: Rogue RP-5 / WireWorld Electra power cord / Marantz TT-15S1/ Ortofon - Quintet Black MC / Marantz NA8005 DAC / W4S mAmp's / Synology DS 216+ll-4TB / Polkaudio LSiM703
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited December 2012
    Honestly... it was my SDA's... but the biggest difference in my 2-channel rig was going from the AVR to true separates.
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited December 2012
    Thinking of my 2 channel now and it's difficult to list only one thing. Everything is incremental relational:

    Huge change was going to a NOS DAC. Also, acquiring and modding 2.3TL's, upgrading power amp to dual mono, upgrading to a tube pre from a nice NAD pre, building the 800VA AI-1 interface then upgrading it to the 1000VA.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    edited December 2012
    1. Upgrading my vintage Perreaux preamp to the latest and greatest from Perreaux SM6P MKII.
    2 Upgrading my vintage Perreaux PMF 3150 amp to Perreaux Prisma 750 monoblocks.
    3. Moding my SDA SRS1.2as -- with a lot of advice and help!
    4. Upgrading my digital source to the Cambridge Audio azur 840C.
    5. Upgrading my speaker cables to Morrow SP7s.
    6. Upgrading my interconnects to Audioquest King Cobra XLRs.

    If you ask me tomorrow, this list may change in order. The more the mod'd SDAs burn in, the more beautiful they sound!
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited December 2012
    Actually I would change my vote if I could to source material. I used to be a all MP3 kinda guy until I came here. That in its own sense was the most significant change. I think that applies to most here actually.
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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited December 2012
    I would have to say my biggest improvement was adding in my carver c-1 and m1.0t. So much changed from soundstage to bass response, to clarity.

    Like previous people have said little things make a difference. Toeing my speakers in spiking my speakers and subs and placing them on tile plinths improved things. Discovering vinyl for the first time was an eye opener as well

    This hobby is evil. When just the smallest changes make a difference you always find your self striving for that possibility of a little bit better
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2012
    Speakers.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited December 2012
    From your list - amp, room treatment and sub. Obviously, the best bang for the buck is a room treatment.
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited December 2012
    Tubes, tubes, and more tubes.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2012
    Well recorded content make a bigger difference than you want to admit.
    Jake
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  • rromeo923
    rromeo923 Posts: 1,513
    edited December 2012
    Tubes and in my SDA's (RDO's and crossovers)
    I got static in my head
    The reflected sound of everything
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  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited December 2012
    Rediscovering all of my Red Book CD's again with a Tubed CD player.
    In the short time that I've been using my tubed CD player, I've noticed the sound is somewhat comparable to good vinyl. However, it has to be a good recording. If the mastering is not that great, it's better ripped with my external dac and Pure Music player.

    I would have to say it's 4 things for me; source, amp, preamp and speakers.

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
    Denon 3312ci
    Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
    Samsung LN46A650
    SVS PB-12-NSD sub

    Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
    W4S ST250
    Lsi 9 (mods)
    W4S DAC-2
    Mac Mini
    Audio Aero Prima CD player
    Pro-Ject debut
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,013
    edited December 2012
    Speakers, speakers, speakers. Did I mention speakers by chance?

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,516
    edited December 2012
    The source, it always starts with the source. You can have great speakers, great amps, etc., but without a great source it doesn't matter what speakers you have, what other gear you have, it will always be lacking.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2012
    For the theater room it was adding the Amps to the equation.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2012
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Speakers, speakers, speakers. Did I mention speakers by chance?

    Tom

    Precisely. I can make a $29 Hello Kitty CD player sing with excellent speakers, I CANNOT make a $7500 cd player sing with $29 speakers. Source is extremely important, just not as important as speakers IMO.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Slinger182
    Slinger182 Posts: 512
    edited December 2012
    Next on my list.

    Crossover upgrade on my front 3. Which I've ordered the DIY kits from VR3.

    Speaker/interconnect cable upgrade. I'm currently doing the demo of the MIT shotgun S3.3 and have been quite impressed to say the least. They are probably out of my price range but damn they sound good.

    Sub woofer upgrade. My 505 does pretty good for movies. I stopped using it for music.

    I'd love to build a separate 2 channel rig but that's just not going to happen anytime soon. When I do then I'll worry about sources, new amp and possibly tubes.
    Panny 55-st30 plasma
    Pioneer vsx-1121
    Parasound 2100 pre
    b&k tx4430 amp
    Oppo bdp-83
    Monster HTS 3500
    polk TSi500s Vr3 Fortress modded
    polk CS20 center channel Vr3 Castle modded
    polk Owm 3 surrounds
    polk PSW505
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  • tommyt21
    tommyt21 Posts: 685
    edited December 2012
    Slinger182 wrote: »
    Next on my list.

    Crossover upgrade on my front 3. Which I've ordered the DIY kits from VR3.

    Speaker/interconnect cable upgrade. I'm currently doing the demo of the MIT shotgun S3.3 and have been quite impressed to say the least. They are probably out of my price range but damn they sound good.

    Sub woofer upgrade. My 505 does pretty good for movies. I stopped using it for music.

    I'd love to build a separate 2 channel rig but that's just not going to happen anytime soon. When I do then I'll worry about sources, new amp and possibly tubes.

    I would love to see pics on your Xover upgrade. When I upgraded from the Psw505 to a HSU movies and games were in a whole nother level of awsome. I rated a Subwoofer Upgade as one of my biggest changes. Along with X-over and Room Treatments. Many people have said source, but we primarily do Blu-rays so my source was already pretty good.
    Living Room
    Fronts: RTi A7's
    Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
    Front Heights: Rti A1
    Surrounds: Rti A3
    Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
    Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
    TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
    Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
    XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

    Acoustimac red suede panels
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,516
    edited December 2012
    I can make a $29 Hello Kitty CD player sing with excellent speakers

    No, you can't.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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