Help me take it to the next level

murphy11 · « **on:** 13 Jan 2006, 07:55 pm »

Hey guys,

I'd appreciate some recommendations on taking my system to the next level.

System currently is:

EA turbomodded Sony 7700 w\ Jensen 4-pole cap w\o superclock
EA turbomodded Perpetual Technologies P3a DAC w\ superclock (getting Oct mods now)
Perpetual Technologies P1a w\ SOCS for Onix Ref1
Monolithic P3 power power supply
Revelation I2s cables
Venhaus 1.5 cryo Pulsar digi w\ silver Nextgen
Spelz anticables
Onix Ref1's w\ Osiris stands
ONIX A-60MKII integrated amp

Speakers won't change until I move (no current plans to move) so they are staying in the system. I'm guessing that the next upgrade will be a new pre\amp combo or a new integrated. I'm very happy with the setup now, but am wondering how much better the setup can get by spending 2500 on either a sweet pre only (eyeing the Melody 1688II) or putting the money into a pre\amp combo.

woodsyi · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 08:15 pm »

How is your room in terms of acoustics and what power conditioning are you using? I got fairly adquate equipments put together and these two things are responsible for allowing them to perform to their abilities. If you don't get these two right first, you may not hear the improvement even if you do upgrade the electronics.

zybar · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 08:24 pm »

I agree that money should go into room acoustics before anything else.

If that is already done, you can improve your source by going computer + modified Squeeze Box for probably not much more than what you could get for your current gear.

That would mean you could still get yourself a killer preamp, or if you don't have multiple sources, use the SB to feed right into a new amp.

George

warnerwh · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 08:33 pm »

I'll third the recommendation of room treatment. At least first reflection points and a couple of bass traps minimum.

murphy11 · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 09:59 pm »

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I don't have any power conditioning ... probably an oversight I should take care of. Can't do much of anything re: acoustics; the 2 channel is in our living room and I'd never get treatments past the wife.

I am intrigued by computer audio and have read nice things about the EA offramp, but am not yet ready make the leap.

The good thing about the current location is all of the equipment is relatively safe in the bottom of an armoire and I spend most of my free time in the living room. Downside is no acoustic treatment opportunities and I'd never be able to sneak larger\better speakers into the LR.

Upside to moving the system downstairs is I could add treatments and swap the Ref1s for the upcoming ONIX Strata minis. Downside is I have 3 kids under the age of 8 and I do not trust nice gear downstairs until they get much older.

I don't see a realistic way to move the system so the biggest upgrade opportunity seems to me to be the integrated amp ( or do nothing which would be OK because to me it sounds great)

warnerwh · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 10:02 pm »

The Behringer DEQ 2496 with the ECM 8000 microphone can help alot. It's not a substitute for room treatment but can help tame the tonal balance in your room considerably especially since you don't have any room treatment.

Marbles · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 03:23 am »

Murphy, one of the great things about Ea, is that Steve has a demo Turbo off ramp that you can try.

I HIGHLY recommend you try it. I also had the EA modded Sony S7700 to an EA modded PT P3a Dac and can tell you the Turbo Off ramp (Foobar2K to SRC 24/96 upsampling) blows it away.

It will be your next step up.

Rocket · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 04:15 am »

Hi,

How good is the onix amplifier?

Regards

Rod

fredgarvin · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 04:18 am »

I, like you, amnot interested in going computer. I think the new Stratas will be a big improvement, but for me, the new VMPS with waveguides are the next step up. The Stratas look like a VMPS knock off with nicer cabinets and a powered woofer, and they will sound real nice I would bet. But the new VMPS waveguides sound very intriguing... a planar without the restrictive sweet spot. I am happy with my Onix 120mkII and agree you should think speakers rather than a new amp. Cheers!

konut · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 04:56 am »

Considering the restrictions of your situation, I would recommend a Sunfire Super Jr. subwoofer. It's a small unobtrusive sub that will add a foundation to the music at an acceptably low distortion level.

JLM · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 11:43 am »

Look into Eighth Nerve for "minimally invasive" room treatments.

Don't know the Onix, but your source is big league stuff, so I'd definitely look there too. Look into "integrated amp inqury" threads here at AC.

The need for power conditioning is very site specific IMO and can get into a rats nest of issues/expenses.