Improve my system, 7k budget

Inspired by the audio sweet spot thread i am seeking advice on improving my current set up. My current gear is over 10k in total which some have contemplated as a sweet spot for diminishing returns. I am hoping for some big, not so diminished, returns with a 7k investment into my existing situation.

My current gear:

Hana SL lomc cart
VPI Prime turntable
Arcam Rphono phonostage
Parasound Hint 6 integrated
GoldenEar Triton 2 speakers

So, with 7k USD what would you do to improve the sound? Please, no suggestions for cables or power conditioners. Also, this rig is for vinyl playing only. No DAC suggestions please.

Thank you for your sincere suggestions on how to get better sound.

 

Perhaps Phono stage and cartridge? Is there anything you don't wish to change? 7K is lot of money and at the same time it isn't to replace some components and get a big difference unless you buy second hand.

 

I would focus on the speakers.

 

I'd say a SoundSmith Sussurro mk II (both VPI and SS recommend each other frequently) for $5k and a $2k phono stage.

 

Any specific suggestions?

 

Perhaps you could expand a bit on what your listening priorities are. What musical attributes are most special to you?

 

I am not emotionally attached to any piece in the system. My first thought would be that an upgrade of the VPI will yield only diminishing returns in sound so i think that would be the last piece to upgrade in the system.

 

Mostly jazz and acoustic music. Typical audiophile preferences for holographic soundstage, detailed yet warm....

 

Can you describe your room? There are quite a few comments concerning room setup in the referenced thread.

 

Yes, I'd start with the room - speaker placement, acoustic treatments, and so on.

 

Room is a variable. I am on a telecommuting detail on the west coast right now renting a place. After a year i will be out of here and onto a new rental. So room dimensions will be changing. I do have two GIK acoustics "free stand" panels that i use to knock down first side reflections. These things are great as they are mobile.

 

If you are happy with your speakers I would focus on the source: change of cart to a Hana ML or the new AT Art 9 and the phonostage to a Sutherland or Herron.

If you aren't happy with your speakers I would put the budget into that.

 

Here is a pic of my room treatments a few years back (different gear now all around): Post photos of your systems/rooms here! (Part 15)

 

Yes, i was thinking about both of those suggestions, especially a sutherland. But i am not satisfied with the speakers....got these on a whim on audiogon a while back out of curiosity because of all of the reviews. I like them enough, but am ready to move on from them for sure.

 

If you like living dangerously an expensive cartridge and a phono stage remain my choices.

Otherwise just keep the Hanna and get an expensive phono stage like Audio Research, Rega Aura.

I have a cyrus signature with the additional power supply and I am very pleased with the sound, the two units might be 2K plus in the US and you could put the rest -or even save some money- into a Benz, Lyra or one of the higher Ortofons.

 

Nice! It depends on what you are (or are not) hearing now that is making you want to take it to the next level. My first impulse would be to say that the front wall of brick could be pretty reflective and if those GIK panels are 4-6" thick or less, perhaps you might add some full-on bass traps in the corners.

But I think we'd need a bit more detail from you about what you are looking to improve (frequency balance, bass, imaging, and so on).

 

At 91dB efficiency, 8ohms and with active bass drivers, I'd be very curious how your Triton 2's would sound with a nice, medium-powered tube amp - like a Leben CS600 or LM845ia. Acoustic jazz may be magical with that combo (especially the midrange magic) but I've never heard those components paired. It may be worth seeing if a dealer would let you audition and it would absorb your $7K nicely. Ha.

 

In that case I love PMC they might be harder to come by over there and they have just jacked up the prices with the recently released version but you might still make it to a pair of Twenty5.24i plus two sets of GaiaIII feet, they are worth a listen and they have a lot more bass than what they would appear to.

 

I would second all of those suggestions and I thought of making them myself (literally the same ones - ML or Art9, and a Sutherland or Herron phono stage) and wish I had now. But I'll just say that I concur with that assessment. Use the leftovers for more vinyl.

 

Is the Arcam an improvement over the phono in the Hint6?

If so, then seven grand would go a long way toward upgrading the whole preamp/amp part of the chain.

 

I would also be interested to hear your thoughts on the Tekton Electrons versus the Triton twos

 

The problem is, your system is very well matched, so a $7K bump up on any one component will mean you'll need a bump up on the other components as well, to keep things on a level playing field.

 

Tests show your speakers at 90dB sensitivity. A quality 60 watt tube amp may be an upgrade. You will also need a good tube phono amp. Don't buy a Bob Latino amp. You need higher quality/performance. At least a $3K amp. Atma-Sphere M60 would be great. Perhaps 30 watts is ok, the Atma-Sphere M30 is less expensive.

 

Why not change to a Parasound JC3+ phono? Or JC3 Jr.

 

You have what I would think is a nice setup currently.....but making changes, I would likely go phono stage, and then perhaps speakers or cartridge. Lots of options with that amount of money for both/all of these.