Amp or speakers?

[jipsom]

Hey everyone.
I've got about £1500 budget to upgrade either my amp or speakers (I will upgrade both, but its one piece a year at that budget). So which should I choose? Which will give me the most improvement? Here is my kit and my intended upgrade:
Roksan Kandy MkIII -to- Pathos Logos (second hand)
Monitor Audio GX50 -to- Martin Logan SL3 (second hand)
I've spent a lot of time deciding on those components. Please don't turn this into 'what about a Sugden/MF/Krell etc. *biggrin*

 

[DocG]

Hey everyone.I've got about £1500 budget to upgrade either my amp or speakers (I will upgrade both, but its one piece a year at that budget). So which should I choose? Which will give me the most improvement? Here is my kit and my intended upgrade:Roksan Kandy MkIII -to- Pathos Logos (second hand)Monitor Audio GX50 -to- Martin Logan SL3 (second hand)I've spent a lot of time deciding on those components. Please don't turn this into 'what about a Sugden/MF/Krell etc. *biggrin*

Hi jipsom, welcome to the fun!

I think the Logos with the GX50s could be a very fine combo, and the amp keeps a lot of speaker options open for the future. It'll drive nearly everything. And those looks...

The SL3s are another kettle of fish! Haven't heard this specific model, but MLs sound very special, unbeatable if you like what they do! BUT (and that is a big BUT indeed!) they are very demanding for the amplifier that drives them. I heard the Ethos, driven by Accuphase, and it sounded rather good, but harsh when turning it up a little. So if you choose the ML route, you must know that it will take time and effort (and money) to find suitable amplification. I'm not sure at all the Kandy can tame them (for the year to come). Keep that in mind when deciding...

BTW, the switch from GX50s to SL3s is quite a paradigm shift! Could you try if your room can cope with the ESLs before you would commit?

EDIT: one more thought. ESLs don't always age so well. So after a couple of years, they might need servicing or parts exchanges.

 

[Infiniteloop]

Hey everyone.I've got about £1500 budget to upgrade either my amp or speakers (I will upgrade both, but its one piece a year at that budget). So which should I choose? Which will give me the most improvement? Here is my kit and my intended upgrade:Roksan Kandy MkIII -to- Pathos Logos (second hand)Monitor Audio GX50 -to- Martin Logan SL3 (second hand)I've spent a lot of time deciding on those components. Please don't turn this into 'what about a Sugden/MF/Krell etc. *biggrin*

Hi jipsom, welcome to the fun!

I think the Logos with the GX50s could be a very fine combo, and the amp keeps a lot of speaker options open for the future. It'll drive nearly everything. And those looks...

The SL3s are another kettle of fish! Haven't heard this specific model, but MLs sound very special, unbeatable if you like what they do! BUT (and that is a big BUT indeed!) they are very demanding for the amplifier that drives them. I heard the Ethos, driven by Accuphase, and it sounded rather good, but harsh when turning it up a little. So if you choose the ML route, you must know that it will take time and effort (and money) to find suitable amplification. I'm not sure at all the Kandy can tame them (for the year to come). Keep that in mind when deciding...

BTW, the switch from GX50s to SL3s is quite a paradigm shift! Could you try if your room can cope with the ESLs before you would commit?

EDIT: one more thought. ESLs don't always age so well. So after a couple of years, they might need servicing or parts exchanges.

Spot on.

I had a pair of MLs and after about a year one of the panels came loose and needed replacing. They are very demanding of Amps too.

 

[Vladimir]

 

[CnoEvil]

On balance, I'd go with the Pathos.

 

[jipsom]

A concise answer followed by agreement all round. Thanks guys. *good*
It sounds like I need to do some more research into ownership of the SL3s. I didn't realise they were akin to woning a classic car (they sounded beautiful, tho). Also, I got the MAs for just £400 so I can always sell them on later without too much loss. So - Pathos it is. I'll jump back on and let you know my thoughts once I've got it.

Thanks again,

Rich