[daschtick]

Hello.  I am new to this forum, but extremely interested in what I have seen so far.  I am have been binge watching Danny's videos, and I am really impressed by his level of knowledge and his ability to explain things in layman's terms!

My current 2-channel audio system consists of a Rotel RB-1080 amplifier driving a pair of Paradigm Monitor 11 V3's through some mid-grade Kimber cable.   I am using a late 90's Harman Kardon Receiver as a pre-amp (as it has a volume controlled pre-amp output) and an Audioengine Bluetooth receiver for streaming via aptX.  Honestly, I am actually really happy with this system overall, including the Audioengine BT Receiver.  I never imagined that a streamed signal from my phone could sound nearly as well as it does, and allowed it has me to greatly expand my music library.  The added convenience has also enabled me to enjoy this system far more often than I ever did in the past.

That said, I would still be interested in doing a few upgrades to further improve the experience.

First, I would not mind replacing the HK receiver with a very simple pre-amp. A basic quality solid state unit with a single line input, a volume control, and a remote amp turn on signal is probably enough, as I stream just about all of my music through the Audioengine receiver.  I would prefer something at a sub $300 price point if possible.  Ideas?

Next, I am interested in the X-Statik kit, but the lack of a flat pack gives me pause.  Has anyone come out with a cabinet kit for these?  My next question is comparing these to my existing Monitor 11's.  I understand that the detail is going to be far greater, especially being partially open baffle, but I really enjoy the mid-bass and impact from the bass drivers in the Paradigms.  How will these compare?  Also, due to the layout of the room, I will not be able to move these 3 feet from the wall behind, but could possibly get away with some attractive dampening panel on the rear wall.  Is this going to be a problem, or should I stick with a standard closed box design?

Lastly, I am probably interested in a sub kit.  If I would purchase a single Servo Sub kit 4, and built it into an open baffle configuration, can I get away with positioning this elsewhere within the room?  My wife tolerates my hobby, but since this going to be in our living room, I have to make some concessions to keep momma happy.

Please let me know your thoughts on my ideas.  I realize that this may not be a sonically ideal system, especially with streaming over bluetooth.  However, like I stated earlier, I am very happy with my current system as is, but I am also interested in making a few cost effective upgrades.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

[Phil A]

Welcome!

[Phil A]

Would something like this be of interest?  https://www.schiit.com/products/loki

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Welcome from Minnesota!  Where in WI do you live?

You may want to consider the Pass Labs B1 Buffer/preamp kit.  You can build it for less than $300.  The biggest expense would be a
Blue Alps volume pot if you want the remote control version.  It has no gain so it is passive.  I built one with my son and it sounds great although we used boutique capacitors and resistors.  Otherwise I would go used and buy and old adcom preamp or Parasound on Audiogon.com.  Schiit  audio has a preamp called the Saga that can be used as solid state or tube.  But it is $399 and worth the money.

https://www.passdiy.com/project/preamplifiers/b1-buffer-preamp

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa3434-parasound-pre-amplifier-zpre2-solid-state

[daschtick]

Welcome from Minnesota!  Where in WI do you live?

You may want to consider the Pass Labs B1 Buffer/preamp kit.  You can build it for less than $300.  The biggest expense would be a
Blue Alps volume pot if you want the remote control version.  It has no gain so it is passive.  I built one with my son and it sounds great although we used boutique capacitors and resistors.  Otherwise I would go used and buy and old adcom preamp or Parasound on Audiogon.com.  Schiit  audio has a preamp called the Saga that can be used as solid state or tube.  But it is $399 and worth the money.

https://www.passdiy.com/project/preamplifiers/b1-buffer-preamp

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa3434-parasound-pre-amplifier-zpre2-solid-state

I live about 30 minutes NE of Milwaukee in Hubertus.  I was actually looking at the passive Schiit SYS for a measly $49, as this looks like it might actually be all that I need, as my preamp is located directly beside my power amplifier, and all really need is a volume control.  It sounds like the solid state version of the Schiit Saga may be available for $299, but I am not really sure why I would need further pre-amplification.  Would money be better spent a discrete DAC?  The Parasound unit looks nice too, but this too may be overkill for my needs.   The DIY kits are interesting, but a bit too industrial looking for our living room. 

Great suggestions - Thanks!

 

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome 

[JLM]

Welcome!

Am familiar with most of your brands.  Had a Rotel "2.1 A/V" receiver - it was a dog, poor sounding and died right after the 10 year warrantee expired.  Have heard several Paradigms of that model line, sound OK but nothing about them stood out - mid-fi sound.  Replaced the Rotel with a factory refurbished Harmon Kardon receiver for 20% of the cost - sonically performed much better but kept blowing diodes.  A friend had GR Research monitor for a few years, pretty duddy sounding especially in treble response, he now runs Elac speakers.  Not a fan of GR Research, designs are decades old, Danny keeps finding different ways to use the same woofer and tweeters, even using the same driver as a woofer and midrange in the same speaker (X-Statik for instance) which makes no sense.

Presentation between open baffle and monopole will be different, but in general I'd say less defined.  And the X-Statik is an MTM design, which was intended for A/V use and increases efficiency of midrange/woofer drivers but also cuts impedance in half.  MTM design can cause phase cancellations if your head isn't exactly between the midrange drivers. 

[daschtick]

Interesting feedback, especially about the GR Research designs - definitely not what I have seen from many others. I may have to dig a bit deeper into this.

In other news,  I actually looked up the receipt for Paradigm speakers and Rotel amp, and these items are already 18 years old, and the HK Receiver that I am using as a pre-amp is 25 years old!   To my ears, these speakers still sound as impressive to me as the day I brought them home, and the Rotel amp has been rock solid cool running workhorse.  I still frequently drive this system hard, and it continually performs extremely well.  To be honest, I am not aware of any glaring shortcomings with this system, however, I am interested in potential upgrades if worthwhile, but within a reasonable budget.

[Peter J]

Welcome!

Am familiar with most of your brands.  Had a Rotel "2.1 A/V" receiver - it was a dog, poor sounding and died right after the 10 year warrantee expired.  Have heard several Paradigms of that model line, sound OK but nothing about them stood out - mid-fi sound.  Replaced the Rotel with a factory refurbished Harmon Kardon receiver for 20% of the cost - sonically performed much better but kept blowing diodes.  A friend had GR Research monitor for a few years, pretty duddy sounding especially in treble response, he now runs Elac speakers.  Not a fan of GR Research, designs are decades old, Danny keeps finding different ways to use the same woofer and tweeters, even using the same driver as a woofer and midrange in the same speaker (X-Statik for instance) which makes no sense.

Presentation between open baffle and monopole will be different, but in general I'd say less defined.  And the X-Statik is an MTM design, which was intended for A/V use and increases efficiency of midrange/woofer drivers but also cuts impedance in half.  MTM design can cause phase cancellations if your head isn't exactly between the midrange drivers.

You know, JLM, it's apparent you have an axe to grind with Danny, but dispensing your bias as if were everyone's truth just isn't a very nice thing to do.

To use the same driver in different configurations is wrong somehow? What are the rules exactly?
Have driver manufacturers come up with magic bullets in recent years that somehow change the basic function of their products?
MTM as an A/V design? How much A/V oriented audio was being developed in the 60s and 70s when the design was pioneered?
Head in a vise? That analogy is typically used to describe off axis response in the horizontal plane. If you're right in your assessment, the audio world is rife with problematic designs. I wonder how it got by everyone for all these years?

C'mon man, lighten up. Just because it's not your cuppa, doesn't mean it's wrong.

[ArthurDent]

Greetings & Welcome to AC daschtick   

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I live about 30 minutes NE of Milwaukee in Hubertus.  I was actually looking at the passive Schiit SYS for a measly $49, as this looks like it might actually be all that I need, as my preamp is located directly beside my power amplifier, and all really need is a volume control.  It sounds like the solid state version of the Schiit Saga may be available for $299, but I am not really sure why I would need further pre-amplification.  Would money be better spent a discrete DAC?  The Parasound unit looks nice too, but this too may be overkill for my needs.   The DIY kits are interesting, but a bit too industrial looking for our living room. 

Great suggestions - Thanks!

There are many reasons to get a good preamp.  First off, they do affect the sound, most in a very positive way.  They can add gain and volume.  They have multiple inputs and outputs for DAC, CDP, Phono, etc.  The outputs can be used for subwoofers. 

A good DAC is worth its weight in gold.  But your sound is only as good as the weakest link.

As far as the B1 looking industrial, there are many options for a chassis.  I bought a nice Aluminum Chassis from china that looks professional.  Or you can build one out of wood. My son built one out of wood using Maple and and exotic african wood for the face plate.

Good luck in whatever you decide.