Which Component Should I Upgrade??

[Jefhart]

I'm thinking about upgrading my system, which is decidedly mid-fi. At this point in time I can only do one component, and my question is which will yield the biggest bang for the buck.

I currently have a fairly old Onkyo integrated amp, Boston Acoustics T1000 speakers, the Sony CE775 SACD player, Denon 2560 CD player, and a Denon turntable. I'm not going to do the turntable, since, while I still have several hundred records, the bulk of my listening is on CD and SACD. The amount of money I'd need to spend to get real improvement on the turntable wouldn't be worth it considering the amount of vinyl I actually play. That leaves the CD player, Amp and Speakers. Not spending mega bucks (maybe in the $500 to $800 range), which component upgrade will give me the biggest improvement in your humble opinions?? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Jeff

[teaser5]

I'd say speakers.
Work from the end to the sources. That's what I would do
Good luck!
Peace

Norm

[Sckott]

Pluck the Onkyo and get yourself something nicer, maybe like a Adcom pre and Amp. You should be able to get both under $800 if you play your cards right. I use Rotel, and quite a few of the Pre's they have are really nice.

Sckott uses mainly tube amps, but for SS, I've really liked second hand Haflers. Early ones are not only powerful, but very quiet, and amazing performers.

Are you in love with your speakers? Those tend to be hard to beat in most rooms.... Are they still in good shape?

[EC3970]

I agree with Norm, speakers will have the most impact on sound per $. That and a better mastered disc.

[Claus]

I also they the speakers...

[Jeffrey]

Hi Jeff,

Me picks the final option (are ya totally confused yet?)...... the source. I think ya will get the most bang for the $ by improving the source (cdp, tt) first. :)

-Jeffrey

[PMC7027]

Jeff,
If you have room for them, I suggest you check out the Magnepan MG 12 speakers. Magnepan (www.magnepan.com) is offering them through the web direct for only $550 with a 60 day satisfaction guarantee.
(Being an Apogee owner I'm biased toward planar speakers).

Just my $.02.

[lsupro]

yep.. start with the speakers...

[audio]

Absolutely, the speakers. You can find some fantastic entry level audiophile speakers for under $800.

[Jefhart]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I am confused. I've got at least one vote for each component, with speakers leading the pack. I do like my current speakers quite a bit. The room is not ideal acoustically, it's the Living Room and there are couch, carpet and other situations that are not great. Once the kids are off to college maybe I can set up a specific audio room that I can optimize, soundwise. In the meantime, I'll have to mull the situation over. Keep the suggestions coming:)

Jeff

[Jefhart]

Originally posted by Sckott
Pluck the Onkyo and get yourself something nicer, maybe like a Adcom pre and Amp. You should be able to get both under $800 if you play your cards right. I use Rotel, and quite a few of the Pre's they have are really nice.

Sckott uses mainly tube amps, but for SS, I've really liked second hand Haflers. Early ones are not only powerful, but very quiet, and amazing performers.

Are you in love with your speakers? Those tend to be hard to beat in most rooms.... Are they still in good shape?

As mentioned above I am pretty happy with the speakers, and yes, they are in good shape. However I haven't really heard what's out their now, I've had the Boston Acoustics since 1991, so maybe there is something better out there for the price.

Jeff

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by Jefhart
I do like my current speakers quite a bit.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

That's why i would put the $ in your source/cdp. :)

-Jeffrey

[Gary]

There's lots of good stuff out there. If I were you, I would NOT be looking for a particular piece of equipment at this point. I'd start visiting places and seeing (and hearing) what's out there. Once you find a piece that impresses you, wait for a sale and then buy it! Or comparison price shop... talk 'em down in price.... wait for an "end of the line" sale... you know, get a "deal" or something!

Then continue on shopping around.... with a reduced list!

I think you have pretty decent speakers, too. Maybe they should be the last item on your list - unless you find the "bargain of the century"!

Happy hunting! :)

[Jack Keck]

Not knowing what kinds of music you like and what the bass capabiilities of your speakers are, this may be totally off the wall. How 'bout adding a subwoofer? You can get a fantastic Hsu, Adire, or SVS for the money you mentioned.

[AudioEnz]

Originally posted by Jefhart
I'm thinking about upgrading my system, which is decidedly mid-fi. At this point in time I can only do one component, and my question is which will yield the biggest bang for the buck.

I hate that phrase mid-fi. I've always seen it as a phrase invented by the worst of stereo snobs who want to make everyone else think that their spending lots of dosh on stereo somehow makes them superior. End of rant - for now.

I currently have a fairly old Onkyo integrated amp, Boston Acoustics T1000 speakers, the Sony CE775 SACD player, Denon 2560 CD player, and a Denon turntable.

Let's analise your system. From memory, the Bostons are an older but very good set of speaker (don't see much of BA here in New Zealand). The Denon is typical of the battleship Denon's - powerful weighty sound that is very good. The weakest link in your system is probably the amplifier.

Some people will suggest putting your money into new speakers. But that's often not the smartest move. Speakers can only reproduce what's fed into them, so if your amp is not that good, then a better set of speakers can do nothing to improve that.

I'd ben looking at a good and grunty integrated amplifier if I was in your shoes. Going by the weight of the amplifier, rather than its power output, is a better indication of how well the amp will drive and control the speakers.

Try something like the Rotel 1060 or Rega Mira integrated amps. Find a dealer and take in your Onkyo to compare.

Good luck and have fun!

[Jefhart]

Originally posted by Jack Keck
Not knowing what kinds of music you like and what the bass capabiilities of your speakers are, this may be totally off the wall. How 'bout adding a subwoofer? You can get a fantastic Hsu, Adire, or SVS for the money you mentioned.

I listen to all types of music, from Rock to Jazz to Classical to anything in between. My current speakers do a very good job on the bass, so I don't think a subwoofer is for me, at least not until I go multi-channel, which could be a long way away, if ever. Thanks for the response and suggestion, though.

Jeff

[RDK]

Jeff, you didn't mention what you think may be the deficiencies of your current system - what about it are you unhappy with? Or are you just like me and want to try something new (but affordable) that might make you go "oh wow!" ;)

If you want to have some fun, why don't you test the waters with an inexpensive tube amp? Maybe a simple SET since it's about as far from solid state as you can get. Check out the Decware Zen or the Bottlehead kits. You can at least read about the theory behind SET amps on this site...

http://www.decware.com/zpage1.htm

Antique Sound Labs also have a really cheap pair of monoblocks that I've heard are really good for the price (less than $250/pair).

Ray

[Dave]

Originally posted by RDK
Jeff, you didn't mention what you think may be the deficiencies of your current system - what about it are you unhappy with? Or are you just like me and want to try something new (but affordable) that might make you go "oh wow!" ;)

If you want to have some fun, why don't you test the waters with an inexpensive tube amp? Maybe a simple SET since it's about as far from solid state as you can get. Check out the Decware Zen or the Bottlehead kits. You can at least read about the theory behind SET amps on this site...

http://www.decware.com/zpage1.htm

Antique Sound Labs also have a really cheap pair of monoblocks that I've heard are really good for the price (less than $250/pair).

Ray
Like Ray says. Then a couple of sets of the SH recommended Grover IC's. Then your speaker cables and then your SACDP, and finally if you still aren't happy...do the speakers. Just my 1.29 cents.

[Jefhart]

Nothing specific wrong, that I can put my finger on. I guess I AM looking for that "wow". Thanks for all the posts, I have a lot of food for thought.

Jeff

[Craig]

Originally posted by Jefhart
The room is not ideal acoustically, it's the Living Room and there are couch, carpet and other situations that are not great.
Jeff

Start at the bottom and work your way up, change the carpet! :)

[stever]

I've got the same BA speakers and an Onkyo tuner amp -- I love the speakers and the Onkyo has always been more than I really need. I chose to upgrade to an SACD player and new interconnects for the SACD player.

[RDK]

In case you missed this thread. I can't think of a better way to spend $200 in your situation. It's fun and educational!

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15156

[proufo]

I believe thare's little you can do with that amount of money, specially if you don't want to invest them in the analog front end.

Save them until you have, say, at least $2500 for a really better set of speakers. Kepp the pait you already have for the ocassional m-ch SACD.

Or spend it right now in music. Music is always the better investment unless there's something in your setup that annoys or distracts you. Thinking about upgrades is a sure way to get distracted. Enjoy the music!

[Jefhart]

Originally posted by RDK
In case you missed this thread. I can't think of a better way to spend $200 in your situation. It's fun and educational!

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15156

I saw the thread. This stuff intimidates me. I'm really not good at building things, wish I was, it looks like it could be fun.

Jeff

[Jefhart]

Originally posted by proufo
I believe thare's little you can do with that amount of money, specially if you don't want to invest them in the analog front end.

Save them until you have, say, at least $2500 for a really better set of speakers. Kepp the pait you already have for the ocassional m-ch SACD.

Or spend it right now in music. Music is always the better investment unless there's something in your setup that annoys or distracts you. Thinking about upgrades is a sure way to get distracted. Enjoy the music!

Pablo, you're probably right. Most of my money has always gone towards the music in the past. I probably couldn't appreciably upgrade my system for that amount of money. I mean, I am basically happy with it, I guess I was just getting restless. I always dream about better sound. Sometimes familiarity breeds contempt. I've had the current setup for quite awhile now. I guess I need to stop buying so many CD's and DVD's and save for a major overhaul. I might still consider upgrading the Amp though.

Thanks again for all the responses, I knew I could count on you guys to come up with interesting suggestions.

Jeff