Worth upgrading?

[ianshreeve27@]

Recently stopped working and have time to actually listen to some great music again. I've put together a cheap set up based on what I had back in the day; Arcam Alpha 7 and Wharfdale 9.1's with good quality stands and cables, and a Wiim mini streaming Spotify and Qubuz. It's not perfect, but the 'musicality' is 10/10, ie I'm tapping my feet and really enjoying listening time. So.... we all know how the bug bites.... Could it be even better!! What if I bought better speakers?? My question then is, how much would I need to spend to get something that's noticeably better?

 

[skinnypuppy71]

It's a rabbit hole, if your feet are tapping away and you’re happy enough with the sound, you can happily leave it as is, unless you have a couple of grand to spare. That's circa what you'd need to spend for a decent revamp to improve the overall setup...in my honest opinion.

 

[ianshreeve27@]

It's a rabbit hole, if your feet are tapping away and you’re happy enough with the sound, you can happily leave it as is, unless you have a couple of grand to spare. That's circa what you'd need to spend for a decent revamp to improve the overall setup...in my honest opinion.

Mmm, I did wonder if that might be the case.

 

[Tessie]

I upgraded from the Diamonds 12.1 speakers to Acoustic Energy speakers. The Diamonds are still very good speakers and i will keep them.

Good upgrades are these:

• Dynaudio Evoke 10
• Spendor A1.2
• Epos ES-7N
• Fyne Audio F500SP
• PMC Prodigy 1
• Buchard S400 MKII

 

[Al ears]

I upgraded from the Diamonds 12.1 speakers to Acoustic Energy speakers. The Diamonds are still very good speakers and i will keep them.

Good upgrades are these:

• Dynaudio Evoke 10
• Spendor A1.2
• Epos ES-7N
• Fyne Audio F500SP
• PMC Prodigy 1
• Buchard S400 MKII

Possibly agree here, if you feel the itch. However, speakers would be my first approach, but getting the right one for your room demands a home audition

 

[Integralista]

Hi happy listener. I also recommend not to twist around a system, that you are happy with. To get reasonably better speaker means you will need later upgrade of amp, streamer, dac, cables, power filter etc etc...You may try to play more with positioning of you speakers, more comfortable chair for listening, small fridge for wine or good beer..., small acoustic optimalizations of the room (carpet, limit reflective surfaces...) or buy a turntable and some LPs....😆

 

[ianshreeve27@]

Hi happy listener. I also recommend not to twist around a system, that you are happy with. To get reasonably better speaker means you will need later upgrade of amp, streamer, dac, cables, power filter etc etc...You may try to play more with positioning of you speakers, more comfortable chair for listening, small fridge for wine or good beer..., small acoustic optimalizations of the room (carpet, limit reflective surfaces...) or buy a turntable and some LPs....😆

I think that's possibly the best 'upgrade' advice I've ever seen 👌

 

[matthewpianist]

What, if anything, do you want to improve about the sound? That would help in directing your thinking.

If nothing is standing out as a deficiency and you are enjoying your music, either stick as is, or add vinyl.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Recently stopped working and have time to actually listen to some great music again. I've put together a cheap set up based on what I had back in the day; Arcam Alpha 7 and Wharfdale 9.1's with good quality stands and cables, and a Wiim mini streaming Spotify and Qubuz. It's not perfect, but the 'musicality' is 10/10, ie I'm tapping my feet and really enjoying listening time. So.... we all know how the bug bites.... Could it be even better!! What if I bought better speakers?? My question then is, how much would I need to spend to get something that's noticeably better?

The speakers are OK, but probably the weak link.

You have a decent amp, all be it one without loads of power. This isn't a problem, you just need yo make sure you don't buy speakers that need more power.

The WiiM Mini doesn't have a great DAC, there are lots of options for decent external DAC for around £100.

Finally, have a play with your speaker positioning, it can make a massive difference.

 

[Jasonovich]

I know the feeling, once you have the itch.
Telling you to repositioning the speakers won't make it go away.
I would say if you're going to upgrade do it incrementally.
I would change the speakers first, the Dali Oberon range is nice, and possibly upgrade the streamer to a WiiM Ultra.
The Ultra will also give that user interface experience, not always about the sound quality ☺️👍

 

[Fandango Andy]

Recently stopped working and have time to actually listen to some great music again. I've put together a cheap set up based on what I had back in the day; Arcam Alpha 7 and Wharfdale 9.1's with good quality stands and cables, and a Wiim mini streaming Spotify and Qubuz. It's not perfect, but the 'musicality' is 10/10, ie I'm tapping my feet and really enjoying listening time. So.... we all know how the bug bites.... Could it be even better!! What if I bought better speakers?? My question then is, how much would I need to spend to get something that's noticeably better?

Sorry, forgot to answer the actual question. There are lots of great speakers between £350 and £400 that should show a real improvement. A few to consider:

Q Acoustics 5010 or 3020c
DALI OBERON 1
Triangle Borea BR03

 

[Entrigo]

Recently stopped working and have time to actually listen to some great music again. I've put together a cheap set up based on what I had back in the day; Arcam Alpha 7 and Wharfdale 9.1's with good quality stands and cables, and a Wiim mini streaming Spotify and Qubuz. It's not perfect, but the 'musicality' is 10/10, ie I'm tapping my feet and really enjoying listening time. So.... we all know how the bug bites.... Could it be even better!! What if I bought better speakers?? My question then is, how much would I need to spend to get something that's noticeably better?

Hi. I had the Diamond 9.1. Then three and a half years ago, I heard a record I knew well through my brother in law's 90's Focal speakers and I was genuinely gobsmacked at the difference. Of course I knew the Diamonds - though pretty good - were pretty cheap as far as speakers go, and I thought I didn't care much about "hi-end stuff", as I used to think about it...

Long story short, three/four months later I bought a pair of Focal Aria (not being able to find the exact model he had haha). Cost me £600, as opposed to the Wharfedale Diamonds but... It's a different world, let me tell you. As the Richer Sounds sales assistant said "it's not as if they are in a different league - the play altogether a different sport". Sales exaggeration it might have been, but he was on t something. Musicality in spade, fine detail aplenty, entertaining still, but what really blew me away is the soundstage - you know when you hear people say "it's as if the musicians are in the room with you"? Well, that. Exactly that.

Still to this day I have friends (those with "cheap and cheerful" speakers) commenting on how great they sound.

Of course after that - as you said, it's very much a matter of how far the "bug bite infection" spreads. Since upgrading speakers I have upgraded:
- turntable
- amp twice
- CD player
- streamer (from an UBER cheap Google Chromecast to the Wim pro - which is still holding out)
then bought an external phono stage/preamplifier and upgraded it. And I am currently planning my next turntable upgrade,..

In short, you will most likely hear a considerable difference in upgrading speakers, but do so at your peril.

And I would strongly suggest looking at the second hand market. I no longer buy new.

Enjoy, whichever way you go!