What’s the next step?

[CW22]

Hi,
My current setup consists of:
Amp: Rega Elex-r
Streamer: Audiolab 6000N
Speakers: Wharfedale Denton 85

What’s the best upgrade for a noticeably better sound while also keeping future component upgrades in mind?

 

[abacus]

The room is the biggest influence on sound, so make this as good as it can be first.

The biggest improvement in any system is always the speakers, as they are mechanical devices.

Bill

 

[Al ears]

Agreed.
If you are simply streaming then speakers are your first items to upgrade.
Or you could simply enjoy what you have......

 

[Integralista]

Good turntable with MM cart will be a real sonic upgrade for you. Something like Rega Planar 3 with Rega ND 3 or ND 5 or even older Rega Exact MM cartridge. Hearing how good it will sound, you may forget streaming (my experience). Rega Elex-R is very good amp. New Elex Mk4 is some 20% better but it is not a great gap. Wharfedal Denton 85 are very good small speakers. You prefere just bookshelf speakers? Which cables, power filter, rack do you use? BR

 

[CW22]

Good turntable with MM cart will be a real sonic upgrade for you. Something like Rega Planar 3 with Rega ND 3 or ND 5 or even older Rega Exact MM cartridge. Hearing how good it will sound, you may forget streaming (my experience). Rega Elex-R is very good amp. New Elex Mk4 is some 20% better but it is not a great gap. Wharfedal Denton 85 are very good small speakers. You prefere just bookshelf speakers? Which cables, power filter, rack do you use? BR

Thanks for your reply! I’m sure I will consider buying a turntable in the future but as for now streaming has my preference. I’m currently studying and live in a student house with a small room for my own. Thats why I prefer bookshelf speakers. All components are set up on a low cupboard. I don’t use a power filter, for speaker cables I use QED XT40i’s and for interlinks I use Audioquest golden gates

 

[Din5]

Just be happy with what you have at the moment, until you get a bigger place / room. I'm sure your current setup sounds just fine .

 

[Al ears]

Thanks for your reply! I’m sure I will consider buying a turntable in the future but as for now streaming has my preference. I’m currently studying and live in a student house with a small room for my own. Thats why I prefer bookshelf speakers. All components are set up on a low cupboard. I don’t use a power filter, for speaker cables I use QED XT40i’s and for interlinks I use Audioquest golden gates

In that case get some isolation boards under those speakers as set-up is far from ideal like that. Wait until you have somewhere to set them up on decent stands before spending any more money

 

[RoA]

As a student you are supposed to be poor so stop being stupid, get off Hifi forums, study and make your parents proud.

We'll speak again once you've graduated and paid your loans off.

In other words, when you're about 55 and move in to your first rented flat.

Joking aside, do you just want to spend money or is there actually anything wrong with what you have? There is always better and it's a bottomless money pit.

However, if you really feel like not eating for a few months, I would personally get a nice headphone system.

 

[Jasonovich]

Hi,
My current setup consists of:
Amp: Rega Elex-r
Streamer: Audiolab 6000N
Speakers: Wharfedale Denton 85

What’s the best upgrade for a noticeably better sound while also keeping future component upgrades in mind?

I would keep the speakers for now.
If you have no constraints on your budget and you're thinking mighty big.

Change your streamer to Eversolo DMP-10 and possibly the best integrated amp on the market Atoll IN400 EVO Integrated Amplifier.
Ok cough cough, that'll be ten grand please! 😅

Seriously though @RoA is absolutely right, focus on graduating.
Hifi is a money pit with a bottomless hole.
You have an excellent setup, there's really no crazy rush to waste your money.

Atoll IN400 EVO Integrated Amplifier

The Atoll IN400 EVO is an integrated amp-preamp with high musical capacity. The concept is based on technical and aesthetic choices dedicated to optimal musicality.

dougbradyhifi.com

Eversolo DMP-A10 Network Audio Streamer, Black at AV.com

Eversolo DMP-A10 Network Audio Streamer, Black at AV.com

www.av.com

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hi,
My current setup consists of:
Amp: Rega Elex-r
Streamer: Audiolab 6000N
Speakers: Wharfedale Denton 85

What’s the best upgrade for a noticeably better sound while also keeping future component upgrades in mind?

It doesn't really work that way. The biggest improvement you could make is to improve your room and your speaker positioning. As those options aren't open to you at the moment you should just enjoy what you have.

 

[SenseiKofi]

Hi,
My current setup consists of:
Amp: Rega Elex-r
Streamer: Audiolab 6000N
Speakers: Wharfedale Denton 85

What’s the best upgrade for a noticeably better sound while also keeping future component upgrades in mind?

get a umik-1 and take some MMM RTA measurements from your seated position... that should give you a tangible snapshot of how your speakers are coupling with the room and if you need to do some tinkering, be it speaker movement around the room, actual acoustic treatment and DSP

 

[matthewpianist]

I wouldn't do anything at this point, apart from perhaps sort out a headphone amp and some nice headphones.

If you're not bothered about that (and the restrictions to your listening time in a shared house/student digs), then the only thing I would consider changing is the streamer, but no need to go further than a WiiM Ultra.

Otherwise, simply enjoy the music knowing that your arm will stand big upgrades to the rest of your system over time.

 

[Al ears]

I wouldn't do anything at this point, apart from perhaps sort out a headphone amp and some nice headphones.

If you're not bothered about that (and the restrictions to your listening time in a shared house/student digs), then the only thing I would consider changing is the streamer, but no need to go further than a WiiM Ultra.

Otherwise, simply enjoy the music knowing that your arm will stand big upgrades to the rest of your system over time.

Yes, pity he didn't buy an amp with inbuilt headphone amp.
I doubt he'd notice the change in streamer apart from useability, and he wouldn't need it's preamp functions.

 

[RoA]

Yes, pity he didn't buy an amp with inbuilt headphone amp.
I doubt he'd notice the change in streamer apart from useability.

I am an Audiolab fan but their streaming platform is not great from a usability point of view 👍