In which order???

[stpierre76]

I know that speakers , amp and source are all as important as another in order to achieve best sound but I am unable to buy everything at once.I currently got a denon stereo amp, denon dvd/cd and focal speakers.My question is where do I start and what do I replace first in order to start seeing a improvment in sound quality?I am not 100% sure on system I want but definately got the hifi bug and want to build a decent mid to high hifi.Leaning towards primare i30, naim uniti, CEC 5300 amp wise and speaker tannoy dc8 or dc6t, spendor a5/6,sa1 or neat.

thanks in advance froggy

 

[jaxwired]

You'll get a lot of different answers to that question, but I'm happy to give my opinion. I would definately start with speakers first. And I'd spend as much as possible on them. Then you can build the rest of your system around the speakers. This approach also allows you to enjoy the biggest bump in sound quality at the outset. Of course the speakers will sound better with a better amp and source, but your denon will power most speaker fine in the mean time.

 

[stpierre76]

thanks for that input jaxwired.I will definately consider that option...

 

[respe]

you will see all sorts of replies, but as the speaker/room balance is the hardest thing to get right, I would also start with that. So speakers first, then the amp that can drive them in your room.

 

[Anonymous]

Speakers first, as jaxwired has said.

 

[ID.]

I've always gone amp first, but I'm now convinced that it should be the speakers.

As an aside, looking at the amps you are interested in, how does the pricing work out? Although the Primare is gorgeous, where I'm living the Primare is double the price of the CEC so I'd be interested to hear any impressions you had of the two.

 

[the record spot]

Must admit, I doubt it matters much, as long as you've got a clear understanding of why you're changing, what is falling short and perhaps addressing that element first.

The speakers don't necessarily make the greatest difference, so if the issue is with (for example) the CD player, it makes sense to look at that first, then try it out with your existing kit and then change as required subsequently.

I've changed all three components in the last couple of years and each has made a significant difference, so saying that the speakers are clearly the barometer by which you base your changes isn't entirely correct IMO.

 

[stpierre76]

thanks for your inputs and reply.I was thinking of changing amp first as was assured by my local dealer that the focal 706 speakers although not top notch are not that bad after all.I guess I ve got to prioritise my buying order.I am awaiting news from naim in regards to their new uniti/server and thelikes of other brands...

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi John

I too would suggest changing the speakers first.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[idc]

This is where auditioning and/or being able to return products as part of the conditions of sale becomes important. It does not matter which you upgrade first, so long as each step is actually an upgrade that you are happy with.

 

[Anonymous]

stpierre76:
I know that speakers , amp and source are all as important as another in order to achieve best sound but I am unable to buy everything at once.I currently got a denon stereo amp, denon dvd/cd and focal speakers.My question is where do I start and what do I replace first in order to start seeing a improvment in sound quality?I am not 100% sure on system I want but definately got the hifi bug and want to build a decent mid to high hifi.Leaning towards primare i30, naim uniti, CEC 5300 amp wise and speaker tannoy dc8 or dc6t, spendor a5/6,sa1 or neat.

thanks in advance froggy
it used to be the system is only as good as the source sent to the speakers
so it was source first either cd turntable now hi res computer sourced music, then it was amp and then the speakers,
so if you had a cheap pair of speakers fed by a expensive cd turntable this fed expensive amp you got the best sound from
your speakers, you then upgrade the speakers last,, as it used to be said feed rubbish in you get rubbish out.

 

[Anonymous]

Just my personal opinion.....Spend on a good pair of speakers that appeals to you and most importantly, suit your room size. As for amp and cd player, those are more flexible to choose about. Get an amp with the RMS slightly below your speakers maximum RMS (do some forum research on matching amp with your selected speakers, and audition them with a recommended cd player)...

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with those who say it doesn't matter the order changes are made. As long as you end up with a system that has synergy and puts a smile on your face. As you said, Focal makes good speakers and would likely pair well with the amps you are looking at. It could be that your Denon (you didn't mention which models) is the weak link, and so upgrading it would yield the most benefit.

Speakers of course are important, but I was surprised at just how big a difference a new amp or CD player can actually make. In your case, you are using a Denon universal player. Nothing against it, but a change of source to a dedicated CD player or device like the Uniti would likely yield a big improvement. I must say though, that I wonder if the Uniti would be as good as more specialized devices. It looks like a receiver, which usually have compromises, though I'm sure given it's Naim that it would be an extremely well built one.

 

[Anonymous]

Amp all the way. When I moved from a Sugden Mystro amp to my Spectral pre an power there was so much of the high-end sound coming out of my Spendor A5's. Recently my friend did the same thing with his Tannoy's and same thing. Unbelievable really. After that speakers for sure.

 

[Anonymous]

SlickenSmooth:Amp all the way. When I moved from a Sugden Mystro amp to my Spectral pre an power there was so much of the high-end sound coming out of my Spendor A5's. Recently my friend did the same thing with his Tannoy's and same thing. Unbelievable really. After that speakers for sure.
I would hope so considering the £20,000 or so price difference.

 

[Anonymous]

johnnyjazz:SlickenSmooth:Amp all the way. When I moved from a Sugden Mystro amp to my Spectral pre an power there was so much of the high-end sound coming out of my Spendor A5's. Recently my friend did the same thing with his Tannoy's and same thing. Unbelievable really. After that speakers for sure. I would hope so considering the £20,000 or so price difference.

Well, you can get it for much less 2nd hand. My friend bought the Spectral DMC15/ DMA-100S combo for around 5k 2nd hand and it took his Tannoys to previously thought impossible heights. My point is; from my experience it's better to have an good amp first with mediocre speakers than a ***** amp with good speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

There are no hard and fast rules. It's all about what kind of synergy that various pieces of gear have with one another. In some systems an amp change will make all the difference, in others a speaker change, and in others a change of source. It all depends on which piece of gear is the one that is the bottleneck. It could be an amp due to lack of power, or speakers with too heavy a load, a source for not having the right sonic attributes, etc. Replace the offending piece and you'll get improvement.