upgrade my technics set-up?

[Sorin_G]

Hi,

I've got a Technics SE-A900mk2 amp with Technics SB-CS75 speakers. Technics CD player, tuner and turntable.

I'm pretty happy with the sound, but can't stop thinking that technology should have evolved.

Recently I've listened to a Cambridge Audio CXA60 amp and Monitor Audio Bronze 6 speakers. To tell you the truth I wasn't blown away. It sounded good but I couldn't say they sounded better than my current setup. Especially at low levels where bass was missing. Perhaps I haven't auditioned for long enough, perhaps they weren't burnt in. At higher levels the bass was deep and very well defined, but somehow lacked the gravity that my Technics produce. Highs and especially the clarity were a little better.

Make me change my mind. Make me want to get new stuff. I would be hard pressed to change my amp as I love the VU meters, but for the speakers I could be easily swayed.

I'm listening to a very wide range of music, from house to heavy metal, from 80's to jazz, on vinyl, mp3s, cds and radio.

Love deep bass and it must be present at low volumes. Highs and mids must be crisp but not too much. For instance the B&W 601's have awful treble, too much, too metallic.

New or second hand, £300-400 tops.

Cheers,

Soz

 

[MeanandGreen]

So why spend money for the hell of it? Nothing much has changed, apart from connectivity. You could easily compare good 70's, 80's & 90's separates with good modern separates in terms of sound quality.

What would you want to improve with your current system? You would probably be better off looking at a speaker change first if you feel something is lacking as I doubt you'd find anything else 'needs' changing.

You may find a different sound, but not necessarily a better all round sound. I'd be careful here as it sounds like you may just have an itch which if scratched may open a can of worms.

 

[ID.]

Yep, hifi technology is pretty mature and hasn't come on in leaps and bounds. If you had connectivity or functionality requirements I could understand, but if you aren't convinced that there's a significant improvement, why bother?

CAD for the design of speakers has helped bring changes, but it sounds like you aren't particularly moved by the extra clarity or the tighter bass. Maybe you just need to double your budget *diablo*

But I expect that the end result will be dissatisfaction and box swapping as you try to get your old sound back.

 

[mikegtar]

I bought my SU-A900MK2 (integrated amp) about 20 years ago and still use it every morning, connected to a pair of KEF iQ5se floorstanders. Brilliant system. The amp is plenty powerful enough and has a great tone. My advice would be to upgrade your speakers. My Technics also worked extremely well with EPOS M12.2 standmounters on Partington Broadside speaker stands filled with Atabites.

If you can stretch to a pair of Kef LS50's (or find a good deal) then I think that would give you a real boost in performance compared to your existing speakers.

 

[Vladimir]

Buy the JBL LSR305 + LSR310S and be amazed. *dance4* *dirol* *music2*

 

[Sorin_G]

The thing is I grew up with Technics, I'm on my 3rd system. So the sound is rooted in my subconscious.

That's why it is difficult for me to be pleased with something else after only a short listening period.

I do like the extra clarity and highs, but I don't want to miss the bass. I'm one of those guys that turns the bass and treble controls all the way up except for heavy metal where I have the bass on 2/3.

 

[MajorFubar]

No one here going to tear you apart. If you've really got an itch that must be scratched, go take yourself down to a dealer and see what £250 buys you in terms of speakers (absolutely and definitely DON'T buy speakers blind off the internet, or should that be "don't buy them deaf"). But you seem so satisfied with the sound of your current gear that I wouldn't be at all surprised if you came out with the cash still in your wallet. Which is no bad thing, in fact it's excellent; forget trying to fix what isn't broke and instead spend it on beer / CDs / hooker / all of the above

 

[Vladimir]

John Lee Hooker - One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer

 

[MajorFubar]

John Lee Hooker - One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer

*music2*