My current system is below, I have included when I bought it and how much I paid as this has, rightly or wrongly, informed my thinking to date:
NAD C370 amp 2001, £405
Pro-ject The Phono Box preamp 2001, £40
Monitor Audio Silver 8i speakers 2001, £610
Rega RP 1 turntable (with original cartridge) 2011, £229
Bluesound Node2 streamer 2017, £475
The overall sound is pretty good but I want better - specifically to improve the soundstage, detail and low end. I am thinking I should replace the amp and speakers.
I don’t listen to vinyl enough to justify upgrading the turntable, but will upgrade the cartridge. I also have a CD player, tuner and tape machine - all rarely used so not planning to replace them, but would like to be able to use them with a new amp. I've not had the streamer too long so I am not thinking about replacing it just yet.
I started out thinking I should spend about double what my current components cost to get a good improvement, so about £2000 for amp and speakers and maybe another £300 on cartridge upgrade, cables (currently using Van Den Hul Snowtrack speaker cable and D102.3.8 interconnect) etc. I've no idea if I've got that right?
I have been looking at possible amps (Rega, Naim, Marantz, Roksan) and floorstanding speakers (Wharfedale, Fyne, Acoustic Energy, B&W) but having been out of the hi fi market for some time, realise I need to better understand two things:
1. the price/quality relationship – if I was to spend £3000 rather than £2000, would that make a significant difference? Of course this is largely subjective but more informed views than mine will help.
2. I use hi fi in the traditional way I guess (and resisted streaming for some time). I don't plan to use the TV, bluetooth, USB devices etc with the hi fi so I'm thinking I'd be OK going for a purely analogue amp? I want to keep amp and streamer separate for now, would prefer an amp with a phono stage and must have headphone output. I haven't really considered separate pre/power amps and imagine I would need to significantly up the budget for this?
I am talking to my local dealer but their time and stock seems very limited. I know I will need to wait for them to open to audition and make decisions but in the meantime I am trying to understand the above - any ideas and suggestions, for budget or specific components, would be greatly appreciated.
NAD C370 amp 2001, £405
Pro-ject The Phono Box preamp 2001, £40
Monitor Audio Silver 8i speakers 2001, £610
Rega RP 1 turntable (with original cartridge) 2011, £229
Bluesound Node2 streamer 2017, £475
The overall sound is pretty good but I want better - specifically to improve the soundstage, detail and low end. I am thinking I should replace the amp and speakers.
I don’t listen to vinyl enough to justify upgrading the turntable, but will upgrade the cartridge. I also have a CD player, tuner and tape machine - all rarely used so not planning to replace them, but would like to be able to use them with a new amp. I've not had the streamer too long so I am not thinking about replacing it just yet.
I started out thinking I should spend about double what my current components cost to get a good improvement, so about £2000 for amp and speakers and maybe another £300 on cartridge upgrade, cables (currently using Van Den Hul Snowtrack speaker cable and D102.3.8 interconnect) etc. I've no idea if I've got that right?
I have been looking at possible amps (Rega, Naim, Marantz, Roksan) and floorstanding speakers (Wharfedale, Fyne, Acoustic Energy, B&W) but having been out of the hi fi market for some time, realise I need to better understand two things:
1. the price/quality relationship – if I was to spend £3000 rather than £2000, would that make a significant difference? Of course this is largely subjective but more informed views than mine will help.
2. I use hi fi in the traditional way I guess (and resisted streaming for some time). I don't plan to use the TV, bluetooth, USB devices etc with the hi fi so I'm thinking I'd be OK going for a purely analogue amp? I want to keep amp and streamer separate for now, would prefer an amp with a phono stage and must have headphone output. I haven't really considered separate pre/power amps and imagine I would need to significantly up the budget for this?
I am talking to my local dealer but their time and stock seems very limited. I know I will need to wait for them to open to audition and make decisions but in the meantime I am trying to understand the above - any ideas and suggestions, for budget or specific components, would be greatly appreciated.