Upgrade dilemma. Speakers, streamer or cables?

[Republicoftexas69]

While I agree - I am not sure why you responded to my post.

I was pointing out that the speaker and the room interact as a pair.


If one is not going to treat the room, or cannot treat it for a bunch of reasons, then selecting the speaker for the room is an option.

In any case with respect to the OP’s question - we are at least in agreement that it is not likely to be cables and electronics given the budget they indicated.

Okay

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Nope

Sure okay.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

While I agree - I am not sure why you responded to my post.

I was pointing out that the speaker and the room interact as a pair.


If one is not going to treat the room, or cannot treat it for a bunch of reasons, then selecting the speaker for the room is an option.

In any case with respect to the OP’s question - we are at least in agreement that it is not likely to be cables and electronics given the budget they indicated.

Cough.

 

[lordcloud]

While I’m a huge fan of room treatments, I have to disagree. Yes, room treatments often make a material difference. And they can be very cost effective. But equipment upgrades even in less than stellar rooms can also yield material performance gains.

While I don't wholeheartedly disagree with this, I don't agree with the idea that equipment changes are as, or more important than properly treating your room.

Yes, you'll hear a difference between two pieces of equipment in a non treated room. But you won't be able to hear what those pieces of equipment actually sound like. In fact, you don't know what your system actually sounds like.

I would take lesser quality pieces, in a very well treated room, over high quality ones in a non or poorly treated room. The room/speaker interaction, in my experience and opinion, is the biggest piece of the puzzle.

 

[treitz3]

Hi, What in your experience is needed in this situation? Your help please. Cables, speakers or streamer upgrade?

I’m pretty happy with my setup. It is balanced now. But now I’m in the position of a luxury problem. My set plays pretty nice. I have good sense of depth, with and hight. Tonal balance is really to my liking, with realism, texture and good color. I love a warm and engaging sound, which I have now. The only thing I would like more is that the music plays more open and effortlessly, with more flow and separation. With more greatness and 3D soundstage.

1st I’m doubting about new speakers, it almost always depends on the room if they can sound the best. And there is always a difference and shift in tonal balance / warmth which I fear a bit. I have 5k speakers now and want to upgrade to 8k speakers. (I’m not naming brands because of bias )

2nd I’m doubting about a new Auralic G2.2 streamer which is double the price of my current Auralic G1 streamer. But a DAC seems to make a lot of improvements in the areas I’m looking for without changing the sound to much. Also there is a 5 year difference between them.

3rd I know what cables can do. And I treat them as a component. I can upgrade the cord to my streamer with a AQ Hurricane Source, which has a Blizzard now. Also buy another Blizzard. So the remaining cables can trickle down to my other components. So 2x Blizzard on my LPS instead of Monsoon and 2x Monsoon instead of NRG-Z3 on my 2 subs. Valve amp and Niagara 3000 already have a Hurricane cord.

Having speakers for a home audition is the hardest of the 3.

What would you do, and why?

Thank you for your help!

Grtz

Hello and please allow me to offer you a very warm welcome to the What's Best Forum.

Given your budget and gear? I would invite you to introduce room treatments into the fray. They make more if a change than you may realize. FWIW.

Tom

 

[Wolff-]

Hi,

I’ve already done some room treatments while still keeping eye on the esthetics. That surely made a big impact.

My power is also pretty on point. A powerconditioner and extra powersupplies on my router and switch.

All signal cables are upgraded to what I’m willing to spend. The only thing is the powercable on my Altair G1 streamer which still could need a upgrade. The existing cable would go to my powersupplies then.

I’ve been listening to some great speakers the last few weeks. Those where playing on +50k electronics and 20k on cables. A complete overkill. I only have like 10k of electronics. But it just didn’t sound like +50k. Each time I came home from a demonstration and listened to my own set, I actually thought… damn, I own something beautiful. Of course the 50k sets have some features that surpass my set but less engaging.

Maybe those features like more holographic soundstage, more tangible and refinement could be added by upgrading the source, my streamer

I’m really happy with the tonality of my speakers. That’s why the speaker upgrade is off my list. If I want so much better, I need to spend twice that much and some other things I need to consider. I have a small room and my valve amp doesn’t accept every speaker with critical impedance.

Because I’m really enjoying my speakers a new thought arrives and I’m thinking of upgrading the crossovers with better components. I contacted Tony Gee and he told me the sound signature / character will remain the same. For me that sounded like something I need to look into and perhaps solves my search of the musicality I’m looking for.

 

[Lee]

Hi,

I’ve already done some room treatments while still keeping eye on the esthetics. That surely made a big impact.

My power is also pretty on point. A powerconditioner and extra powersupplies on my router and switch.

All signal cables are upgraded to what I’m willing to spend. The only thing is the powercable on my Altair G1 streamer which still could need a upgrade. The existing cable would go to my powersupplies then.

I’ve been listening to some great speakers the last few weeks. Those where playing on +50k electronics and 20k on cables. A complete overkill. I only have like 10k of electronics. But it just didn’t sound like +50k. Each time I came home from a demonstration and listened to my own set, I actually thought… damn, I own something beautiful. Of course the 50k sets have some features that surpass my set but less engaging.

Maybe those features like more holographic soundstage, more tangible and refinement could be added by upgrading the source, my streamer

I’m really happy with the tonality of my speakers. That’s why the speaker upgrade is off my list. If I want so much better, I need to spend twice that much and some other things I need to consider. I have a small room and my valve amp doesn’t accept every speaker with critical impedance.

Because I’m really enjoying my speakers a new thought arrives and I’m thinking of upgrading the crossovers with better components. I contacted Tony Gee and he told me the sound signature / character will remain the same. For me that sounded like something I need to look into and perhaps solves my search of the musicality I’m looking for.

Can you respond to my earlier question?

 

[Wolff-]

Can you share in detail what your current stereo is and what dimensions and layout your room is?

My stereo now consist of
Spendor A7 speakers, Auralic G1 streamer, Pathos TT hybrid amp, 2x REL T5/x subs, 2x Farad Super3 LPS, AudioQuest Niagara 3000 powerconditioner, all AQ powercords, AudioMica signal cables, SR and QSA fuses. And acoustic treatment.

My room is L-shaped. Where my speakers stand (square part) is 13x14ft and the other (rectangular) part is 11x13ft.

Speakerplacement is optimal as can be.

Grtz

 

[Lee]

My stereo now consist of
Spendor A7 speakers, Auralic G1 streamer, Pathos TT hybrid amp, 2x REL T5/x subs, 2x Farad Super3 LPS, AudioQuest Niagara 3000 powerconditioner, all AQ powercords, AudioMica signal cables, SR and QSA fuses. And acoustic treatment.

My room is L-shaped. Where my speakers stand (square part) is 13x14ft and the other (rectangular) part is 11x13ft.

Speakerplacement is optimal as can be.

Grtz

Looks like a great system!

 

[Wolff-]

Looks like a great system!

Thank you. And yes it is but there is always an itch

 

[audiobomber]

My stereo now consist of
Spendor A7 speakers, Auralic G1 streamer, Pathos TT hybrid amp, 2x REL T5/x subs, 2x Farad Super3 LPS, AudioQuest Niagara 3000 powerconditioner, all AQ powercords, AudioMica signal cables, SR and QSA fuses. And acoustic treatment.

My room is L-shaped. Where my speakers stand (square part) is 13x14ft and the other (rectangular) part is 11x13ft.

Speakerplacement is optimal as can be.

Grtz

You don't mention a source. How are you sending music to the G1?

 

[Wolff-]

It’s a Auralic Altair G1, streamer and DAC. Via a Silent Angel Bonn N8 switch with a Farad Super3 power supply.

 

[audiobomber]

It’s a Auralic Altair G1, streamer and DAC. Via a Silent Angel Bonn N8 switch with a Farad Super3 power supply.

Your network definitely has room for improvement. I also use the N8, with audiophile ethernet cabling, followed by an opticalModule Deluxe, Finisar SFPs, single-mode fiber and an EtherRegen. Linear power on all.