So what should be my next upgrade?

Milito · May 2021

I still have my last govt stimulus check of $1,400.00 and could spend a little more or spend even more if I sell some of my present audio gear.

I showed my wife the L700's and told her I could get rid of the sub if I got them which would give up a little more room on the wall all of my audio is setup on in our new house. She wasn't too keen on having wider speaker than my 705's, but didn't completely say no. I didn't tell her what they cost yet. Any other speakers around $3,000 -$3,500 that would give better bass response and overall that the 705's or should I keep them and upgrade my other equipment?

BTW my setup sounds better in our new house. We haven't got everything place yet so pardon the mess.

Yamaha RX-A2070, Music Hall A70.2 integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, HSU VTF-2 MK5, LSiM705, LSiM704, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Fluance RT85, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp

Emlyn · May 2021

I'm almost disappointed to say this, but I don't see anything that needs to be upgraded. The audio setup looks solid. Maybe consider a pair of matching subwoofers for better bass.

If this is a home theater system too, what's being used as the video source? May want to consider a 4K OLED display depending on what you have now.

Congrats on the new place.

Milito · May 2021

Thanks for the reply and it's good to be in a one story home again. I'm nearly getting too old for climbing stairs.

I really don't have room for another sub on that wall. I have a Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios. I would rather spend the money on audio than video as what we have is good enough for us.

marvda1 · May 2021

@Milito i would get rid of the sub and the plastic containers, mount the tv on the wall and get a smaller audio rack thus giving more room to spread out the speakers and it would look a lot less crowded.
maybe something like this.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_961S24/Solidsteel-S2-4.html

Milito · May 2021

Marv the plastic containers are from the move and not put up yet, we have items all over the house we haven't unpacked yet.

My wife won't go for an audio rack in the main room, I have already mentioned that to her.

marvda1 · May 2021

Milito wrote: »

Marv the plastic containers are from the move and not put up yet. My wife won't go for an audio rack in the main room, I have already mentioned that to her.

then once the sub and containers are gone, center the tv and widen the speakers.

TroyD · May 2021

Pretty solid rig.....I’d hang the TV on the wall. Maybe swim a little farther upstream with the turntable but, really, I’d by more music and call it a day.

audioluvr · May 2021

You definitely need to spend some money on pictures or tapestry or hanging plants. That room looks like a hospital!

BlueFox · May 2021

Good point.

PSOVLSK · May 2021

I wouldn’t get rid of the sub since the rig is also used for HT.

I tend to agree with most everyone else; you’ve put together a really nice system.

PSOVLSK · May 2021

audioluvr wrote: »

You definitely need to spend some money on pictures or tapestry or hanging plants. That room looks like a hospital!

Milito wrote: »

BTW my setup sounds better in our new house. We haven't got everything place yet so pardon the mess.

I would venture a guess that the room is not a finished product.

Milito · May 2021

Thanks for all of the comments. My system does sound a lot better than when I started out, I'm just wondering what my next upgrade should be.

Paul is right, the room is far from finished. All of our pictures and such are still in boxes.

SIHAB · May 2021

If you had anything to trade in, you could get close to the price of
a PS Audio Stellar power plant 3 power "regenerator".

rooftop59 · May 2021

Milito wrote: »

Thanks for all of the comments. My system does sound a lot better than when I started out, I'm just wondering what my next upgrade should be.

Paul is right, the room is far from finished. All of our pictures and such are still in boxes.

I agree with others that you have a really nice setup!

If you really want to upgrade, we need to know what you think needs improving. And whatever it is, I think it’s probably time to leave Polk 😢. As much as I like the 705s (and there was nothing NEW that could touch them at the adorama blowout prices), there are many better speakers are similar MSRP that can be had for $2000-3000 used. For instance, I liked the PSB imagine Bs better than my 703s (so @steveinaz’s towers would be awesome), and my Dynaudio contour 1.3 mkIIs absolutely destroyed them. I often see the Dynaudio focus towers around that price. The key is that you have to be willing to buy used...

Emlyn · May 2021

I was a bit confused by the use of L700. There's an R700 at $2K a pair and L600 at $3.5K a pair. Either of those are an excellent value when looking at the prices of new speakers from the competition. Both are a little different from the LSiM705 and each other but I wouldn't say there's a lot to be gained by going to the new models if someone already has the 705s. Slightly better bass and some changes in the top end for clarity. I would stretch to the L600 if I was looking to upgrade the speakers but then I'd also want the matching center speaker.

Milito · May 2021

@Emlyn Yes, that was a mistake I meant to type L600.

@rooftop59 I'm not opposed to buying used as a lot of my system was bought used.

msg · May 2021

L600, L700, whatever it takes.

Clipdat · May 2021

If we have to, overnight Furutech parts from Japan.

PSOVLSK · May 2021

rooftop59 wrote: »

If you really want to upgrade, we need to know what you think needs improving. And whatever it is, I think it’s probably time to leave Polk 😢. As much as I like the 705s (and there was nothing NEW that could touch them at the adorama blowout prices), there are many better speakers are similar MSRP that can be had for $2000-3000 used. For instance, I liked the PSB imagine Bs better than my 703s (so @steveinaz’s towers would be awesome), and my Dynaudio contour 1.3 mkIIs absolutely destroyed them. I often see the Dynaudio focus towers around that price. The key is that you have to be willing to buy used...

Rosso Elba 2
Usher MD2

But as @Emlyn said, you run into center channel issues if you upgrade the mains.

I’m speaking from no experience here so this may be a ridiculous thought, but maybe a better streamer than the Bluesound???

dromunds · May 2021

What cartridge are you using on your TT? Also, I like the zphono a lot but that’s another upgrade option as it’s rather entry level, although great bang for the buck.

Milito · May 2021

@dromunds, I'm using a Ortofon 2M Blue Stylus on the Fluance RT 85.

jbreezy5 · May 2021

Milito wrote: »

I still have my last govt stimulus check of $1,400.00 and could spend a little more or spend even more if I sell some of my present audio gear.

I showed my wife the L700's and told her I could get rid of the sub if I got them which would give up a little more room on the wall all of my audio is setup on in our new house. She wasn't too keen on having wider speaker than my 705's, but didn't completely say no. I didn't tell her what they cost yet. Any other speakers around $3,000 -$3,500 that would give better bass response and overall that the 705's or should I keep them and upgrade my other equipment?

BTW my setup sounds better in our new house. We haven't got everything place yet so pardon the mess.

Yamaha RX-A2070, Music Hall A70.2 integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, HSU VTF-2 MK5, LSiM705, LSiM704, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Fluance RT85, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp

I agree with everyone that you have a solid set-up.

If you insist upon upgrading something, never eliminate a sub from your system. 😉

Good luck on your next upgrade selection!

audiojh · May 2021

Before upgrading any component in your system consider having your hearing checked to see if any change might be noticeable. I was concerned my old Polk LS90s were losing some pf their capacity and was starting to look for replacements, but I had a hearing test which identified weaknesses in my hearing range. I was skeptical at first because a few years ago I had had a similar test and gor what was considered a high end hearing aid, but it was awful, like listening to music through a hollow pipe, they helped some in hearing voice, but I could not wear them to listen to music. My recent test revealed more deterioration but I was assured that these were programmable and had a specific music program. I tried the sample, sat in my listening chair and tested with Patricia Barbers version of Coltranes Nardis which is a full range test, first with the aids of, and the switched to on: my jaw dropped at what I was not hearing. My memory had been compensating from memory what I was not hearing but could not come close to the now improved sound. $20,000 speakers could not have given me better sound than $5000 hearing aids, $50,000 speakers could not, so I now have thousands left over to buy new music.
My system: Jolida 302a recently upgraded and new EH EL34 tubes, Polk LS90 (old classical), SOTA Sapphire TT with a new Grado Timbre cartridge on Technics EPA arm, Audio Experience Phono pre amp. Now I have to decide what to upgrade with my new budget

Milito · May 2021

Thanks for the advice, but I already wear hearing aids and have a music setting with them which does improve the sound.

odcics2 · June 2021

After a few beers, all systems sound better. 👍

tratliff · June 2021

Milito wrote: »

@dromunds, I'm using a Ortofon 2M Blue Stylus on the Fluance RT 85.

I'm thinking like dromunds. That 2M Blue could be improved on rather easy. Over the last year I purchased a 2M Bronze and was never really satisfied with it. Just in the last week I changed it for a Denon 301 and that made a significant change for the better on that turntable.

audioluvr · June 2021

odcics2 wrote: »

After a few beers, all systems sound better. 👍

That's nothing. You should try weed.

So what should be my next upgrade?

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