Advice, Please? I got an unexpected call yesterday...

stretchl
stretchl Posts: 1,334
edited June 2018 in Electronics
...and it turns out I have some extra liquidity which will enable me to upgrade my system.

I run lossless WAV files into a Squeezebox Touch and then to a Grant Fidelity Tube DAC-09. I'm primarily amping with a Yaqin MC-10t, but sometimes using an an Adcom GFA-555 II with my old Luxman R-115 amp as a pre. Speakers are LSiM-705's.

If you had $10k to upgrade this system, what would you do? I'm partial to tubes but would possibly... possibly... consider solid state. The McIntosh name and legacy has my attention, as it's never been in my price range before. But I'm very open to others.

Thanks very much -
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
- Isaac Asimov
Hi-Fi
Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
Cabling by Groneberg
Visuals
https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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Best Answers

  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    Answer ✓
    Maybe a MastersounD integrated? @DSkip
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Answer ✓
    I'd take aim at that Adcom/Luxman combo if it were me. Nothing against them, but for that kind of scrap - you could get into something like a Pass pre and amp that would likely be an eye opener.
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
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    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,529
    Answer ✓
    I'd start with the source. Although I use Squeezebox Touch players as WiFi streaming sources as a convenience there are more highly resolving devices available now.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,446
    Answer ✓
    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9000e-pass-labs-xp-10-linestage-warehouse-find-solid-state

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/PASS-LABS-XA30-5-Stereo-Power-Amplifier-Silver-Class-A-Stereophile/282987983249?epid=2282466573&hash=item41e365f191:g:GLYAAOSwjB9a0gyR

    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis8j474-ps-audio-perfectwave-dac-da-converters

    Here you go... you are all set.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,703
    edited June 2018 Answer ✓
    stretchl wrote: »
    ...and it turns out I have some extra liquidity which will enable me to upgrade my system.

    I run lossless WAV files into a Squeezebox Touch and then to a Grant Fidelity Tube DAC-09. I'm primarily amping with a Yaqin MC-10t, but sometimes using an an Adcom GFA-555 II with my old Luxman R-115 amp as a pre. Speakers are LSiM-705's.

    If you had $10k to upgrade this system, what would you do? I'm partial to tubes but would possibly... possibly... consider solid state. The McIntosh name and legacy has my attention, as it's never been in my price range before. But I'm very open to others.

    Thanks very much -

    You can't go wrong with McIntosh and Legacy. But I'm partial to both brands.

    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    Answer ✓
    If the SB touch is just simply passing the .wav through and outputting it via it's digital output, is it really imparting anything audible on the source material?
    Emlyn wrote: »
    I'd start with the source. Although I use Squeezebox Touch players as WiFi streaming sources as a convenience there are more highly resolving devices available now.

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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,529
    Answer ✓
    Clipdat wrote: »
    If the SB touch is just simply passing the .wav through and outputting it via it's digital output, is it really imparting anything audible on the source material?

    Yes, the power supply is one of its weak points that some workarounds have been developed for. FLAC is probably the best format to use with the Squeezebox over WiFi because of bandwidth and file sizes. The sound is really good, but there are better sources. The Squeezebox also can struggle with high resolution audio formats and can't handle DSD at all.

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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,981
    Answer ✓
    tratliff wrote: »
    stretchl wrote: »
    ...and it turns out I have some extra liquidity which will enable me to upgrade my system.

    I run lossless WAV files into a Squeezebox Touch and then to a Grant Fidelity Tube DAC-09. I'm primarily amping with a Yaqin MC-10t, but sometimes using an an Adcom GFA-555 II with my old Luxman R-115 amp as a pre. Speakers are LSiM-705's.

    If you had $10k to upgrade this system, what would you do? I'm partial to tubes but would possibly... possibly... consider solid state. The McIntosh name and legacy has my attention, as it's never been in my price range before. But I'm very open to others.

    Thanks very much -

    You can't go wrong with McIntosh and Legacy. But I'm partial to both brands.

    I might agree also, you can look for a used Butler amp too which I found matched up well. Also a better pre amp would help some too. Joule, Cary, Belles, Vac, VTL. Don't blow the wad on just speakers though, other things will take up some coin too. Cables ?? Pre ? Dac ? Amp ? If Legacys are up your alley, shoot for a used pair of Focus 20/20's. At around 2k for a used set, you get an awful lot of speaker for that coin and leaves lots of room to upgrade the rest of the system.

    This is really a loaded question with infinite responses.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
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    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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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    Answer ✓
    I agree with Tony, take your time, do some research and look for some good deals in the preowned market. I good pre is just as important as a good pair of speakers...and amp.
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Answers

  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    This is all such great feedback. And I'm sure there will be more from others. What a great community of folks. :)
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,446
    So.... what are you gonna do?
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    After careful consideration on all of our suggestions, he decided on a stereo dimensional array of Hello Kitty boomboxes.
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    So.... what are you gonna do?

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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Starting out with something I've wanted for a while and that can replace my Squeezebox touch and my crappy DVD player. (We don't watch many movies...)

    So...

    A ModWright Oppo BDP-105 with a matched pair of Sophia Electric Grade A 6SN7 matched pair (for player) and an Emission Labs 5U4G Mesh tube (for power supply) are en route to the house.

    Beyond that... we'll see... :smile:

    http://www.modwright.com/modifications/oppo-bdp83-and-bdp83se-mod.php
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    that modded oppo looks sweet!
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,446
    Nice score Stretchl… Look at this next.

    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis8jih9-pass-labs-x-0-2-solid-state

    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    That looks like a hell of a deal. But I’m thinkjng now that I may max my spending out at ~$5k or so. And I for sure don’t have an amp that would to a unit like this justice.

    I got my 705’s during the two for one sale you may remember from a while back. Wondering if I should sell them at a profit and upgrade to the 707’s. Haven’t really researched them in comparison since the sale, but from what I recall there was something that steered me away from the 707’s.

    Lots of thinking out loud here, obviously...
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    IMO, stick with your current speakers as they are fantastic.
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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    I seem to be wanting a bit more bass at times. Could obviously be due to other links in the chain...
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    What genre of music are you listening to where you notice that?
    stretchl wrote: »
    I seem to be wanting a bit more bass at times. Could obviously be due to other links in the chain...

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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Eh. I’d be hard pressed to say when I notice t. Larry listening to a lot of Willie, some Queen, The Who, R.E.M., Zep, Bach piano fugues... Hall & Oates playing now. So no rhyme or reason. I’ll have to pay more attention to when I need more cowbell... we, bass. :smile:
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    With that type of music/genres, I don't think moving to the 707 would net you any additional bass response.
    stretchl wrote: »
    Eh. I’d be hard pressed to say when I notice t. Larry listening to a lot of Willie, some Queen, The Who, R.E.M., Zep, Bach piano fugues... Hall & Oates playing now. So no rhyme or reason. I’ll have to pay more attention to when I need more cowbell... we, bass. :smile:

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