so here's the plan

ohskigod

with the new house and car purchase, the funds for upgrades are virtually non existant. while I am happy with my theater and 2 channel rigs, there is one thing in each that could be addressed

for the 2 channel, I'm thinking a better tube pre might be needed to get the most out of my system. the Dodd rocks, dont get me wrong, but I'm thinking I have the equipment to warrant a step up in the tube pre department. I'm thinking used in order to stretch my buck.

for the theater, the room I have can use a little more sub. My 142.5L shiva box is a great sub, but I have a little too much room to have it fill the bill with authority. the Hsu stf2 doing rear sub duty fills the gaps, but I'm wondering if I should just get an SVS and be done with it.

while I said I am broke in terms of the audio funds at the moment, I am in the process of selling some surplus stuff. its stuff I love to death, but dont use. (note the vandersteens in the flea market, and a club polk member who at the moment shall remain nameless has laid claim to my SDA-1B's) this alone I am hoping to get me around 900 bucks combined. If I figure on selling the Dodd down the road, thats another 300 (thats what I got it for, I wouldnt sell it for more unless no club pol member takes it, which is doubtful )

so I'm figuring a 1200 dollar budget for either endeavor. any of you guys have any thoughts. think I'm going in the wrong direction? I notied that guy in NY selling Carver Monoblocks, and i've thought about that too, but I dont think they are that much better than my 4.0t to the point that I would blow off upgrading the pre.

steveinaz

The question you have to ask yourself is "what is it about the Dodd you don't like?" or do you just feel you should have a better pre, well, because. The reason I ask is because you said your other equipment "warrants" a preamp upgrade; I don't really understand this, if you like what the Dodd does, why upgrade?

On the sub issue, could you sell both the Hsua and 142.5L to finance an SVS?

ohskigod

now that you mention it, there is nothing about the Dodd I dont like, however, there was nothing I could put my finger on that I didnt like about the Radii pre I had before it, and yet, I like the Dodd more. ALOT more . so you might be on the right track there. your right, I could sell the other 2 subs, but I might hold onto the Hsu since I was considering using it in the gaming rig.

Like I said, I'm really not sure, but make no mistake, I have no major issues with either rig. I could go downstairs, sit in my chais lounge and listen to my 2 channel for hours and just chill. that notwithstanding, I am wondering what improvememnt I could get with a better quality pre. I would actually love to hear the difference between the MLP and the ELP in my set up.

reeltrouble1

OSG,

First go get the rear sub and stack it on top the front, you might just be amazed at what stacking can do, besides its not going to hurt to try.

The MLP is at least two levels above the ELP, but a costly little devil unless you can find one used. Have you rolled the best of the 7308 into the ELP?Deep in my heart I want that Dodd RLP that RuSs has but no cabbage for that right now, think about it though. You have heard the Cary and the hot rod Anthem so there you go.

The silver 9t are excellent with the Amazings but you really need the pre more and way more than any ole sub. The pre is very important since it amplifies that delicate little signal from your source, thats where your next level lies my friend, then the amp.

RT1


RT1

cfrizz

ohskigod wrote:

now that you mention it, there is nothing about the Dodd I dont like, but make no mistake, I have no major issues with either rig. I could go downstairs, sit in my chais lounge and listen to my 2 channel for hours and just chill.

Then this is PRECISELY what you should do. You want to spend money just to be spending money! If it's not broke stop trying to fix it!

Buy some new music & get some more movies and enjoy what you already have for a while!

ohskigod

allright, I got 2 for leave the pre alone, and 1 for upgrade the pre.
cfrizz, you make a great point, but if I sell the stuff I'm selling, I'm going to put in back in to one of the rigs. I dont pocket $ from what I sell, I reinvest. its part of the hobby. I'm blessed to where I am not broke and need that money to make ends meet. actually, it is motivating me to clear some stuff out of the house, which makes the wifey happy, whch is not an insignificant part of this move.

since I have projects earmarked for the house with my "discretionary funds" (translation, fun money I spend on my hobbies ), that just means I only have the $ from what I sell and my goal is to extremely limit, or eliminate any out of pocket.

Reel, got your point on the pre first before any amp upgrades, thats pretty much what I figured. Stacking the subs will be tough, since my DIY is upholsterred, and the smaller HSU is downfiring and spiked (baaaad combo for stacking). I have another Dayton 12" DVC, which is a virtuall match for the Shiva, and might build another 142.5L box to match with the one I got. allready got the amp for it, just gotta get building materials and time to do the project.

I'll figure something out across the board, everyone should have the insignificant problems I have

TroyD

IF you are going to upgrade anything, I'd say the pre. Only on the basis that the amp, while you can buy better, is going to cost more and have less effect on the chain.

BDT

steveinaz

Based on what you've said, I personally don't see a weakness in your 2-channel rig, so I'd vote for an SVS if you're itchin' to upgrade something...

Don't get caught up in the hype that says you need to spend more and more. If you enjoy your preamp--stick with it. Bigger (money) isn't necessarily better...

reeltrouble1

Sell the ELP to Frizz, buy the MLP for Lou!!! Its about time Cathy got some tubes in her life!!!

RT1

Lou, I just got done listening to the Amazings with the ELP and the silver 9. Great little pre, gives that chesty sound with percussion that pumps the heart up a notch. You could keep it for a long time and be very happy (of course Frizz would be missing out), the mlp just goes a bit deeper with a touch more detail and smoothness on the top. In my rig its better than the Cary, but hey thats just me. How long you had the ELP, I think what Steve is saying is true you got to live with the stuff, kick the tires a bit, get a nick, but then I expect you know that.

Yea man, I hear you we got problems. :cool:

cfrizz

LOL! Thanks but no thanks RT! I am very content with my system. It does everything that I want it to do, is as up to date as it needs to be for now. And it sounds great!

Somewhere far into the future, when digital amps start to flourish & the prices come down, I will get a 5 channel 200 watt amp to run all my speakers.

Until then, I'm going to sit back & enjoy the tunes & movies with what I got!

Cathy

shack

Just send me the money you are thinking about using to upgrade and I will send you an email at least once a week telling you how great your rig sounds. Positive reinforcement is a wonderful thing. It will take all the guesswork out of what to buy and you will get all the "warm and fuzzies" about how good a rig you have. Sounds like a Win-Win to me.

ohskigod

well, I got time before the stuff i have gets liquidated, thanx for the thoughts. its something to chew on. well see what happens

audiobliss

shack wrote:

Just send me the money you are thinking about using to upgrade and I will send you an email at least once a week telling you how great your rig sounds. Positive reinforcement is a wonderful thing. It will take all the guesswork out of what to buy and you will get all the "warm and fuzzies" about how good a rig you have. Sounds like a Win-Win to me.

ROFL Great idea.

Sounds to me like you should look at a new tube pre if you're going to upgrade something. Of course, an SVS would be nice, too, but then I wouldn't be able to jump on your ELP!! :D

SCompRacer

My tube pre should be here by the 26th, so if your interested in an MLP let me know.

F1nut

Upgrade the pre amp and don't look back.