[dvb]

I have a T7SL pre with phono:  upgrade cost $500.00
I have a 500ex amp:  upgrade cost: $349.00

I can afford to have one, but not both, upgraded to "R" status in the next few months.

My goal is to get more of that SET-type "presence" of from the system.

Which should I upgrade, the preamp or the amp?

[rickweed]

Hi DVB,

     I am fortunate to have the T-7 and 550 amp, both in the R version.  I know it seems spendy, but perhaps Frank will see you as an ongoing customer and give you a break if you talk to him about having both done.  It's only a suggestion and I have no business affiliations with AVA.  Frank has always treated me more than right and it's worth a phone call to hash it over with him.  By the way, I love his equipment.  It gives me not good, but great sound at what I call a reasonable price level.  Like so many, he has a customer for life with me.  I see no need to look elsewhere and one of the best things about his equipment is that it can be upgraded within the same box.  Oh, the T Dac which I just received last week is very very nice, and I highly recommend it to all.  Ok, lastly, to avoid getting nailed to the wall, yes there is plenty of other good equipment out there and some probably better than AVA in many people's book.  (am I safe from being crusified now?)  Hey, have a sense of humor, laugh, laugh, laugh.

[dvb]

Life is what happens to you while you're making your plans.

I came across a great deal on some high efficency/sensitivity speakers as a first step towards assembling a  SET system for my office.  The budget for R upgrades is blown for now.

Not a tragedy, because I am pleased with the system as it sounds now.  And, I'm not all that keen on sending my amplification away for several weeks just yet -- it is still too new to me.

When funds next permit, I'll probably elect to proceed with the R upgrade to the T7 -- my impression from what I have read (mainly from Frank!) is that it does do some nice things for the phono stage and for that sense of Presence I was discussing.