Speaker upgrade

[grimharry]

This may seem a stupid question but simply this. I have a pioneer a400 and wharfedale 9.1 speakers and am now toying with dali zensor 3 or maybe b&w 685 s2. The thing is I like the idea of a great sound would these the best way to go?

 

[Al ears]

This may seem a stupid question but simply this. I have a pioneer a400 and wharfedale 9.1 speakers and am now toying with dali zensor 3 or maybe b&w 685 s2. The thing is I like the idea of a great sound would these the best way to go?

Welcome to the forum. Both speakers you list are class acts. I would urge you to go and audition if you can. The B & W has had comments against it but I owned the original version and it was brilliant in my set-up. A lot is going to depend on your listening room.

 

[grimharry]

The room is 4.5x3.5m and laminate flooring but I suppose one of the main questions is am I going to say "wow that's do much better" or " if I listen really hard" .
Refering to comparing them I have the problem of being on the Isle of Wight so it means a ferry trip and not being able to try them using the a400.

Another thing is that sooner or later I will probably have to change my amp and hopefully for something like audiolab, roksan etc so the speakers would ideally be transferable. So any suggestions welcome.

 

[Vladimir]

My advice would be before changing the A400, clean the volume pot and selector switch with electronics cleaner spray.

 

[grimharry]

I am planning to get the amp serviced and getting the smoothing and decoupling caps changed.

 

[Andrewjvt]

I think the wharfedale 9.1s are very good speakers

 

[Vladimir]

I am planning to get the amp serviced and getting the smoothing and decoupling caps changed.

And up the bias current to 170mA. *wink*

 

[grimharry]

Not sure how far to increase it as I read in another thread some one recommended 60mA and whar effect will increasing it give in sound quality and how it will effect it's running

 

[Vladimir]

Look for Tom Evans mods to the A400 online.

 

[grimharry]

I've been looking at the mods and definitely what to change the caps etc and increasing the bias seams like a good idea.

 

[Vladimir]

Pioneer sets it at 25mA and Tom biased it up to to 200mA. However, considering I didn't feel like changing the transistor cooling paste at the time, I let mine run slightly cooler at 170mA. It runs hotter than typical, but not class A hot (1.3A and up). More like a Harman receiver.

 

[grimharry]

So apart from increasing the bias I'd be interested to know what other mods you would suggest all help is good

 

[Al ears]

Pioneer sets it at 25mA and Tom biased it up to to 200mA. However, considering I didn't feel like changing the transistor cooling paste at the time, I let mine run slightly cooler at 170mA. It runs hotter than typical, but not class A hot (1.3A and up). More like a Harman receiver.

Good idea but don't look too hard, still waiting for him to adjust Linear A and upgrade my Groove 20th Anniversary.

P.S.: Buy up any A300R you can find and he will make an amazing power amp out of it.

 

[grimharry]

Seems hard to find an a300r bit like rocking horse droppings

 

[Vladimir]

I also changed the large filter caps to Elna for Audio 2 x 12,000uF. IIRC I wanted to go bigger with 20,000uF Mundorf caps but I wasn't sure they would fit so I ordered the smaller Elnas.

 

[grimharry]

And can I take there was a noticeable improvement if so I'll do the same

 

[Al ears]

Seems hard to find an a300r bit like rocking horse droppings

I know, took me a while, but worth keeping an eye out for.

 

[Vladimir]

And can I take there was a noticeable improvement if so I'll do the same

It did drive a pair of current sucking AR-11B speakers with 12" woofers bit better with the new caps.

 

[grimharry]

Sounds like a plan then and thanks for your advice been a great help☺

 

[grimharry]

I'll keep an eye open for one and be in touch if one turns up at the right price

 

[grimharry]

What do you think made the biggest improvement caps or bias?

 

[Vladimir]

Good cleaning of the volume pot and selector switch. Biggest improvement by far.

Just set the bias at 150mA and change thermal grease on transistors. You don't have to upgrade caps if you have easy to drive speakers (8ohms, above 88db). I checked the old original Elna caps and they were perfect, I still keep them.

 

[grimharry]

Thanks for your advice and I'll do as you suggest I might change the caps for the sake of it though just for peace of mind. Must say again thanks for your help.