Most bang for buck upgrade?

So we are all always on here talking about all these expensive items and upgrades, at least most of us are, but I’m curious to the “ so we are all always on here talking about all these expensive items and upgrades, at least most of us are, but I’m curious to see what some of the best upgrades for the least amount of money that some of you have come across in your journey?
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Comments

  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    Pass Labs X1 preamp. Yes, I paid 2 k for it used, BUT it opened up my entire system and took it to a place that I thought was not possible before,
    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
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    Lol. $2k is a lot of buck, but glad it changed everything. I guess if you look at most systems as a whole, that’s not that much to pay for such a huge upgrade.
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    That’s the way I see it too, and given that the X1 was 7k new, it is a steal at 2k.
    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
  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,305
    If you are currently running an AVR, the addition of even a modestly powered separate amplifier is a solid upgrade.
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    Agree completely. Did that a while back. And to further that, get a preamp that has HT bypass to upgrade the 2ch listening
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 6,646
    Replacing the tweeters in my SDAs.
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    Drew was just busting me up for double posting on that original post. Sorry about that guys I did not proofread and just hit post

    I hope one day I get to hear these famous SDA’s
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    Weird. I was just texting Drew that he should get those (I think same models) from you
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    I am looking forward to hearing them and seeing them as their descriptions on the Rosso website (enclosure materials) is quite interesting

  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    I guess along the lines of Johns thinking, even though it was close to $2k, one of the biggest changes in my system (sans speakers) was the AQ Niagara/Thunder combo. It’s changed so many aspects of sound and even visuals (tv) that it kinda blew my mind.
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    In general I'd say 2 things, as far as cost vs audible differences:

    1. Turntable cartridge change
    2. 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
  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,505
    For me, it was the Boulder amp.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    edited January 2019
    For me, since I'm a budget minded DIY'er, speaker crossover upgrades was a big jump. Then the B&K Reference 50 pre/pro I picked up for $100 (thanks to @Tonyb 's lead)
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • rpf65
    rpf65 Posts: 2,127
    I’ll probably go with the Panamax power conditioner I’m still using. Bought it for half price, open box with no box available, for $150. Never had a power conditioner before that one, and the improvements to both audio and video amazed me.
  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,043
    How far back can one go? I can remember when a Realistic mpa250 was a huge step forward for me for short money. But for the past couple years upgraditis has steadily become much more expensive. I'm thinking my dreadnaught has to be one my better bang for the buck upgrades over the past few years. A quieter background and the ability to monoblock the sda's are big steps in the right direction.
  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,505
    Dang it!!!
    Viking64 wrote: »
    Joey_V wrote: »
    For me, it was the Boulder amp.

    It's "bang for BUCK", not "bang for MORTGAGE". :p
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    OK, I'll try learning how to read...I didn't read the last sentence and thought you were asking for our opine, bang for your buck, on you're audio journey since you have new speakers.

    Mine was when I purchased the Dyn C4's, I needed good power as I already owned the C1's

    The Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks purchase was the biggest bang for the buck. 250watts per channel of Nelson Pass class A power for under $7k. That included purchase, shipping, and refurb. That's at least 1/3 of current market price for that much quality and power. My Dyn's loved me for it too!!
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    I’m sorry but I’m just gonna go ahead and say it here, I called it… 5–6 p.m.
  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,009
    Joey_V wrote: »
    Dang it!!!
    Viking64 wrote: »
    Joey_V wrote: »
    For me, it was the Boulder amp.

    It's "bang for BUCK", not "bang for MORTGAGE". :p

    Yea, I just thought maybe a Boulder amp 2060 could be in my future so I checked them out.

    :o:s

    I don't see one of those in my future upgrades. :'(
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    MIT cables. Every other cable I've tried didn't make music like the MIT's.
    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

  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    For me, gotta be 2 things (of many changes this past year):

    The VTL tube pre-amp. Going from the Rotel 1580 SS pre to the VTL was a major leap for me.

    Of course my SDA SRS's! :smile:

    The extra bit of sweetness for me is all the great deals you can find here on CP. Yeah I'm a little further behind on many of the journey's here, but I'm happy to take your hand-me-downs! :smile:

    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    My Parasound A31 brought my HT rig to a whole other Level.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    audioluvr wrote: »
    For me, since I'm a budget minded DIY'er, speaker crossover upgrades was a big jump. Then the B&K Reference 50 pre/pro I picked up for $100 (thanks to @Tonyb 's lead)

    And, I may say, you have the satisfaction of the DIY! Well done sir! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,126
    DSkip wrote: »
    It might sound absurd, but the Rosso Fiorentino Fiesole. Once I got this speaker it changed what I thought was possible with music reproduction. This speaker and the Volterra continue to have that same impact on clients who hear them in my space and are my best selling products. You can spend multiples and not get close to the reality they present.
    After hearing the Pienza at your place, I'd love to hear the Fiesole or Volterra. Honestly, of all the stuff we listened to the Pienza has haunted me the most. I keep wondering if those were paired with the right subs could they out perform a lot of towers? Or maybe I just need to hear some more Rosso towers?

    As far as my bang for the buck, I've mostly done vinyl the past few years, and I think the phono stage is often overlooked/under appreciated. I honestly believe phonostage upgrades have made more significant changes than cartridge changes or turn table changes in my system. I would image a DAC likely holds the same relevance in the digital chain when you get it right.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    Dave, did you ever get your 1C' s finished????
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    audioluvr wrote: »
    Dave, did you ever get your 1C' s finished????

    Nope. Look at em everyday while in the basement. But yes, I do plan to finish them! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Another thing for me was getting a SACD player. Picked up a nice Marantz DV7600 on CL for a hundie, and wow! Pink Floyd DSOTM sounded brand new to me! Been on a SACD journey now, with limited titles, but the search is fun! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,346
    The biggest bang for the buck for me was two things. A pair of SDA 2.3TLs. Actually, make that two pair but both are gone.

    And, my introduction to the magic of a tube preamp, Anthem Pre-2L, by the honorable Dorokusai. I still have one of those, but it led to much more expensive things!