What is the weakest link?

[CnoEvil]

Thanks.

The plan is:

1. Replace DACMagic with a better DAC.

2. Bring £2k (my budget) speakers back home from different manuf. - PMC, Proac, Spendor, other suggestions...?

3. Pick "the best" speakers.

4. Replace the amp as tha last component in the system.

Not a bad plan, though before you spend money on a DAC, you should hear what a good Streamer (Linn / Naim / Cyrus) can do.

The other thing to consider, is that by getting certain speakers first, you could be limiting the amps you can choose....ie. Valve amps could well need easy to drive speakers, and SS Class A often need reasonably sensitive speakers.

You might like to consider going on an amp pilgrimage first (even if you don't buy one at this stage)....as what you like, may determine the speakers you go for.....just a thought.

eg. Lavardin make lovely sounding amps, but the cheaper ones work best with speakers, whose impedance doesn't drop through the floor.

 

[floyd droid]

Nice one Cno, you have just saved me a bucket full of typing :clap:

 

[CnoEvil]

Nice one Cno, you have just saved me a bucket full of typing :clap:

 

[floyd droid]

Have you got a 'propper' hifi dealer close by, if so use him. Not bloody several oak trees or richer for poorer sounds and the like. How did you arrive at your current set up ( I have a sneaky feeling I know whats coming here). Get a Dealer to codge a couple of set ups together that give a totaly different sound to what you have got now , showroom dem will do. Then if you prefer a more laid back sound ,work around that. If you like something more in yer face, work around that. Get a good working relationship going with a Dealer who cares about his customers (you) and his music, not a till filler. Ask questions, tell him what you like , more importantly what you dont like. If he does not do home dems,walk away and find another.

If the Dealer starts on the 'this is brilliant dont you think' tread carefully. If he says 'ok you have heard that option , what dont you like about it ' you are halfway there.

Where are you based if you dont mind me asking ?.

 

[eliotn]

I'm based in Bristol.

The current system was put together at SevenOaks (Bristol).

I auditioned 4x different speakers (B&W, KEF, MonitorAudio, Tannoy) with 4x different amps (Marantz, Yamaha, NAD, Rotel) and 2x DACs (CA and Baresford).

 

[CnoEvil]

I'm based in Bristol.

The current system was put together at SevenOaks (Bristol).

I auditioned 4x different speakers (B&W, KEF, MonitorAudio, Tannoy) with 4x different amps (Marantz, Yamaha, NAD, Rotel) and 2x DACs (CA and Baresford).

There is nothing wrong with those brands per se, but the only way to hear some great alternatives* is to winkle out a specialist dealer.

* Lavardin, Electrocompaniet, Musical Fidelity, Audio Analogue, Sugden, Pathos, Unison Research, Icon Audio, Puresound, Audio Note, Sonus Faber, Audio Physic, Focal, Triangle, Vienna Acoustics, Usher, Epos etc etc

 

[eliotn]

So the key question is:

Shall I start with the amp or with the speakers?

If I start with the speakers, I will be auditioning them with the exisitng Marantz PM6004 amp (home demo).

If I start with the amp, I will be auditioning it with KEFs Q300 (home demo).

Which approach do you recommend and why?

 

[GCE]

First it's better to look for the speakers that you prefer; when you find these, you can bring your Mara in shop, like I did with mine; when I heard the B&W 603 they were driven by a big tube amp = aggressive sound and harsh, incredible!! Switched to an ss amp Meridian 80 W-ish = the sound became softer, but with poor basses!!

I know it should be the opposite, but this happened...so no way with those babies; but....

...last chance was to carry my poor pm 6004 ( 45 w-ish ) in shop drive = miracle: big bass, at low volume too and mild mid & highs.

And so I have purchased these beautiful 603 S2 II hand and in my living room they are sound even better than in shop!

By the way, they are far better sounding and made than the newest and 2 time expensive B&W 684!

Sorry for my bad english, I'm writing from Florence, Italy; just my 2 pence ...

 

[CnoEvil]

So the key question is:

Shall I start with the amp or with the speakers?

If I start with the speakers, I will be auditioning them with the exisitng Marantz PM6004 amp (home demo).

If I start with the amp, I will be auditioning it with KEFs Q300 (home demo).

Which approach do you recommend and why?

IMO. It doesn't matter so much which you buy first, as long as you've decided on the Type/Class of amp you are going for....ie. come up with a rough long term plan.

Also, I personally would rather live with cheaper speakers driven really well, than good speakers driven no more than adequately...but this preference is not universally agreed upon.

The only way to get to hear what the type of brands I've listed sound like, is to go off the beaten track a bit.

eg. Creek + Epos are worth hearing

 

[floyd droid]

I'm based in Bristol.

So not a million miles away from some good dealers then, if you have wheels that is. Audio Destination at Tiverton is only an hr away, Mike is a top banana bloke. Gulliford Hifi at Exeter not too far away. Southwest Analogue at Zummerzet for some nice valvey stuff. Audience at Bath.

Matey who dealt with you at several acorns was prolly stacking shelves in Asda the day before,lol.

Do some shop research it will pay in the long run.

If you find yourself down here in 6 finger land you are more than welcome to pop in my place for a listen to something way different to what you have got. Pretty sure we could sort that out .

 

[CnoEvil]

If you find yourself down here in 6 finger land you are more than welcome to pop in my place for a listen to something way different to what you have got. Pretty sure we could sort that out .

This is an offer the OP should seriously consider (imo)....learn a lifetime's worth of knowledge in an afternoon!