[clipped]

Happy New Year everyone,

I am just looking for some advice and feedback regarding my next upgrade.
My current system is the following: Ultra DAC, 550 double amp, Avastar pre-amp all driving a pair of HT3's in a 17x14 foot room. My transport is an Oppo cd player.
I know it sounds terrific, at least to my ears but as you all know  it never stops lol
Obviously I can call Frank for an honest assessment but just looking for some other opinions, so let me have it.
Thanx in advance.

[ArthurDent]

Kind of depends on the budget, or the sound you are looking for I'd think. The 600R upgrade has gotten very good reviews. Isn't there an Ultra-Vision DAC now too ? Don't know if you'd call it an upgrade, but a side-step would be the UltraValve. More tubes.  Then again Jim would probably be happy to build you a nice pair of SS 10s or 12s. Looks like a very sweet system as-is in any case. Good luck with the monkey...   

[clipped]

Budget always figures in, just not sure where to spend. The SS's are a huge expense not sure if the money is better spent on the electronics or the speakers.
Regarding the sound I am just looking for better, I guess, whatever that is
I recall a big improvement when I upgraded the amp to the double, all other upgrades where subtle. There is where the question is, will the next electronic upgrade be worth the expense or do I go for the SS's???
By the way anyone interested in buying any of my current gear so I might be motivated to break the bank?

[ArthurDent]

Guess that means I'll get hit with a double upgrade when I can afford it. Take my 550 to dbl on thru to the 600R. It never ends, so all we can do is 'grin & bear it'. At least with Frank's gear upgrades are an option, rather than having to sell and start from scratch. Happy listening. 

[avahifi]

Actually I would suggest you consider the Ultra II upgrade to your DAC ($300) for a nice musical upgrade if your budget is tight.

It is not as big a leap forward as the Fet Valve R series amplifier upgrades, but it is pretty obviously more musical for a reasonable price.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[rlee8394]

Guess that means I'll get hit with a double upgrade when I can afford it. Take my 550 to dbl on thru to the 600R. It never ends, so all we can do is 'grin & bear it'. At least with Frank's gear upgrades are an option, rather than having to sell and start from scratch. Happy listening. 

You shouldn't need to take a double hit. The double-die Mos-Fets are included in the new 400R and 600R systems.

[ArthurDent]

You shouldn't need to take a double hit. The double-die Mos-Fets are included in the new 400R and 600R systems.

Granted, but it's not the old $300 upgrade either. When the budget allows I'll get with Frank or one of the crew. For the time being I'll just have to suffer with what I have.    Ultra Pre, FV Ultra 500, Insight+ DAC (the original Insight with op-amp upgrade), and my Song Towers. Or the work system I'm listening to now - Insight+ 250, T-8 pre, Ultra DAC, & DQ DCM-7s.

[clipped]

Actually I would suggest you consider the Ultra II upgrade to your DAC ($300) for a nice musical upgrade if your budget is tight.

It is not as big a leap forward as the Fet Valve R series amplifier upgrades, but it is pretty obviously more musical for a reasonable price.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Hello Frank!
Thank you for the advice, I have a question, I failed to mention the DAC is in the small chassis, is that a problem for this upgrade? I always understood that was an issue in the past.
Taking away the cost factor, for now, what should be the next move for me?
Thanx again, Geo.

[avahifi]

We can indeed do the Ultra II upgrade to an Ultra DAC in the small chassis.

No problem.

This upgrade will be your most cost effective and lest expensive nice upgrade at this time, assuming you can't afford the Fet Valve amp upgrade now.

Frank

[clipped]

The amp upgrade is within the budget for sure, I wasn't sure if it was the next/best move given the my current system. I assumed the amp was the strongest piece in the chain  I guess??
I am just trying to get a handle on the best upgrade path for my system.
Please advise
By the way I also have a pair of Songtowers driven by AVA's intergrated amp and that is really the most impressive sound for the $ I have ever heard 

[avahifi]

If you can afford the amp upgrade, then go ahead and do it first.  Dynamics and transparency out of this world.

The Fet Valve upgrade includes all double die output mos-fets of course.

Frank

[clipped]

Then it is an amp upgrade  , I will do it after the Super Bowl, I can't listen to the NFL via the TV sound system, spoiled I assume, so I don't want to remove the amp and send it out at this time.
Thanx again for the input, I will be in touch, the price I think was $1999?