Upgrade Path

dagame27

Hello all. I'm getting itchy to upgrade! Any thoughts on where I'd see the most benefit? I am roughly 50/50 HT and 2 channel. I use an Anthem Pre 2L (has an HT bypass) w/ B&K 200.5 AMP into my Von Schweikert VR2's for 2 channel.

halo71

A nice tube preamp has been the biggest improvement I've ever made. But I dont do HT though.

Wardsweb

Have you thought about adding a sub for home theater use and possibly for music.

dagame27

I have a pair of svs sb13 ultra...forgot to add that part.

dagame27

I also stream my music...I use a bluesound node into an Eastern electric minimax dac +

rooftop59

dagame27 wrote: »

I also stream my music...I use a bluesound node into an Eastern electric minimax dac +

Streamers make a difference. The node is great for what it is (I have two for whole home audio), but you can do much better. Throw out a budget and these fellas will help you spend it!

dagame27

I've been trading notes with Jody on that Cary integrated...so will use around $2k as the budget.

billbillw

In my opinion, the biggest upgrades come from significant changes to the main speakers or in the preamp and sources. You already have a tube preamp, and there are some expensive upgrades choices you could make to replace the Anthem, but I'm not sure that would be the best use of money.
Since you already have a separate system with a DAC, tube preamp, big A/B amp, and a streamer, I don't know that moving to the Cary Integrated would be the right move for you, even if it is better in some qualities. An all in 1 box like that is great if you want to keep things simple, but the fact that you already have separates, means you like to experiment and change out individual parts of your system. That's pretty common around here.
Are you absolutely in love with those VR2s? Changing those out might be where you can make biggest difference, even at a similar used price point. I don't have any recommendations for speakers since there are so many options new or used, and it tends to be a highly personalized choice. Just do your research, listen to the options if possible, and don't buy anything that can't be resold for a similar price. Speaker changes don't always gel with a room, or a system.
I probably had five or six different pairs of 2-ch speakers early on. Trying different styles, sizes, etc before I made a big move to get my Sony SS-M9. Those were ideal for me at the time and I built a system around them. 10 years later, I moved and they didn't work well in the room, so I tried a few different options before getting my current Revels. Some around here still keep half a dozen different pairs of 2-ch speakers, sometimes in the same room (you know who you are) in order to change them as the mood fits. I don't recommend that necessarily, but the more brands/models you try, the more you will narrow down what you really like the sound of most and then you can focus on some dream set that may take months or years to obtain...
Me, I'll hold out for a set of Revel Ultima Salon2. Might be awhile...

dagame27

Thanks. I plan on keeping the VR2, but am not opposed to move those to a secondary rig. I do have the matching center. Future state....all of my equipment is in the family room. I'd like to eventually simplify there, moving to two channel only w/ my theater rig in my basement.

heiney9

dagame27 wrote: »

I also stream my music...I use a bluesound node into an Eastern electric minimax dac +

I have both the EE Mini Max Dac Plus & the Supreme. Have you considered swapping the very vanilla sounding factory Op-Amp I/C's with discrete modules? Made a huge improvement.

Only reason I ask is it uses (2) dual channel and (2) single channel which are socketed for easy swapping. Parts Connexion out of Canada has the DEXA Ultimate Editions for 50% off.

https://partsconnexion.com/discrete/

Maybe you're not a diy'er but these made a very noticeable difference. And PC is a great to deal with.

H9

There are articles about swapping for the Plus. IIRC, the duals are for SS operation and the singles are for tube operation.

heiney9

Also FWIW the both EE dac's sound superb, excellent build and design, very good parts too. I'll be keeping them for a long time.

dagame27

Mine came with the op amps upgraded. I actually bought Jody's Cary integrated....the Mrs. Definitely wanted to downsize a bit. It'll be fun comparing its internal dac vs the EE.

heiney9

Great! Do post your impressions.

H9