any input on what to upgrade next to the this system to the next stage . speaker cable ? interconnect ? I listen to classical music with some jazz. thanks
I don't agree that you need to switch speaker brands, try out the newer B&W diamond speakers, such as the 802Ds instead. I'm currently using the 802Ds and compared to the 801Ds and 800Ds they are without a doubt the best deal in the whole diamond line. The 803Ds just don't compare without the Marlan head. Definitely upgrade those speakers next. Everything else in your system is electronics and those don't change a lot sound wise among comparable quality and price ranges over a decade, while speakers are one of the only things in high end audio whose quality changes vastly in a decade. So if you must upgrade (and I would with those old B&Ws you are currently using) the speakers will give the most noticable difference sound wise. Until you upgrade those speakers, you probably won't even notice any changes you make in the rest of the system.
Other things to consider which are just as important as the speakers are speaker positioning and room treatment. I would hire a professional to set up your room for the best speaker and listening positions as well as treat the room so you get the best sound in your room for your speakers. Of course, upgrade the speakers first so the designer knows what speakers to set the room up for. I recommend Rives Audio for acoustical engineering as I have used them and they are absolutely fantastic.
System edited: i am using the krell AVS as a poorman processor /preamp right now. when i using the sony 707/scd1 as transport to krell, it sounds alot better than when i using optical out from my Apple airport.(same cable) why?. Any way to improve the sound from apple airport? a new processor? thanks
I would recommend getting all you cabling on Audiogon. You will save at least 50%!! I agree with Wk9000... Change out those B&W's to Dynaudio or similar.
The speakers are the weak point- And you can use good cables. Great speakers are a lot of troube to get because dealers can't afford them. I'm using Pro-Ac 3.8 and I do like them but they just don't contain things that cost 7k. I liked the JMLabs Utopia speakers but again throwing money at it isn't always the answer. I heard the Thiel speakers with Levinson and it was quite impressive- quite crystal clear, but you can't play iy too loud- and again 6 or 7 k. You can get a similar acoustic kit with the scanspeak speakers at www.madisound.com for $1100 and see if you like that. Also- you can use a smaller speaker- maybe a spendor and see if your good front-end gear makes the little guy sing. Lets see.. speakers.. I've heard silverline and eclipse- not bad but not a big deal. I did like the Joseph Audio RMI22- very fast. Audio Physics- yes sound good a tiny overpriced speaker. You can hit the recommended speaker page at welbourne labs www.welbournelabs.com quite a list of high efficiency ideas in there. I have the Sony, and heard closely the Levinson. The new Levinson is quite transparent and it won't let you down- Unfortunately the SACD is not really very good- sony has 9 cheap solid state op-amps in the gain stage. So the Sony is feeding a bit of fuzz (harshness) though otherwise is quite ok. Aside from an expensive dac you can warm it up with Cables. audioadvisor.com allows a 30 day trial and they have Audioquest and Kimber. Also try www.eaudionet.com. He has the Zen and other fine cables and he will audition them if you agree to spending at least 15% of what you send back.
If i were you i'd upgrade your speakers. I'd buy a pair of Dynaudio Confidence 5s. Especially as your amp is perfect for them. Everything in your system seems top of the line or rather very well matched except for those speakers. Please give the dynaudios a listen... you will thank me.
Have you tried the Acoustic Zen Cables, I have them with B&W's and sim audio stuff and they are great, they add body which is sometimes needed with the sound of the B&W's and the neutrality of something like Levinson stuff up front. I would suggest the Hologram speaker cable and one silver interconnect for the front end and then copper for the rest, tell me what you think Jason
