If you had to choose

R_burke · « **on:** 1 Sep 2005, 05:13 pm »

I have the bug and desperately need to spend ~$1,000 on my system. I've narrowed it down to two choices, what would you choose between:

Modifications to my Shanling CD T-100 CDP or
Tube based linestage pre-amp

Here's the rest of my set-up:

Innersound ISIS Hybrid Electrostatic speakers
REL Strata III subwoofer
Sonic Frontiers Power 2 amp - panels
Adcom GFA 5800 amp - woofers
Shanling CD T-100 - direct to amps

gonefishin · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Sep 2005, 06:01 pm »

What room is your system in? Do you have any room tretments up?

If you don't have any room treatments up yet, and your able to put them up...I'd vote that the money go toward room treatments.

The other components could be addressed later>>>

just a thouhgt

dan

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Sep 2005, 06:37 pm »

I've always believed the preamp is the heart and soul of a 2 channel system and that's where I would put the money, assuming $1K would get me a reasonable upgrade over whatever my current preamp was.

MarkM · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Sep 2005, 06:50 pm »

If $1000 is your budget for a pre, I would seriously consider the new Van Alstine T-8 preamp, have one-pretty good for the $$$. Considerably better pre than my Adcom GFP-750.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Sep 2005, 07:02 pm »

What do you feel is lacking in your system?

_scotty_ · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Sep 2005, 07:27 pm »

R_burke, How long have you had your current set up and what is it missing
or failing to do.Phil asked a very good question here.

Quote

What do you feel is lacking in your system?

You need to be able
list your expectations system-wise and then go about fullfilling your requirements. Until you know what you need that $1k might be better off not being spent on some kind of upgrade right now. You might be wiser to save up until you have 2 or 3 grand and spend it on something else in your system.
Scotty

R_burke · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Sep 2005, 07:31 pm »

Quote from: PhilNYC

What do you feel is lacking in your system?

Hoping to get a little "fuller" sound. I am very happy, but it sometimes seems a bit lean or fuzzy. I was thinking that the boost of a pre-amp or cleaning up the source might help. Don't need more volume, and can't afford a speaker upgrade.

_scotty_ · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Sep 2005, 08:02 pm »

R_burke, the very first thing I noticed in all the reviews of this speaker is that they have a very small sweet spot. I would play with the speakers postioning and toe in this might make some of the fuzziness go away. Room treatment
immediately behind the speakers and positioning the speaker closer to the wall behind them may bring up the the transition zone between the woofers and the electrostatic panel. The phasing on your REL subwoofer may need to be reversed depending on where it is positioned in the room. It's output can cancel out your main speakers output at some frequencies depending on the subs xover frequency and phase. This can cause all of the problems you have described. Scotty

meilankev · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Sep 2005, 12:52 pm »

My attitude is that anytime I come into extra cash, I look to spend it on more albums. Give me $500 for audio? I'll spend it on albums. Give me $1,000? I'll spend it on albums. Give me $5,000? I'll spend it on albums.

Of course, I'm addicted to music - not audio gear.

Kevin

PhilNYC · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Sep 2005, 02:56 pm »

Quote from: R_burke

Hoping to get a little "fuller" sound. I am very happy, but it sometimes seems a bit lean or fuzzy. I was thinking that the boost of a pre-amp or cleaning up the source might help. Don't need more volume, and can't afford a speaker upgrade.

My first reaction is to get a preamp; the lack of fullness is (in my own personal experience) one of the characteristics of running a CDP direct to an amp that has made me a big proponent of preamps.

My second reaction is to ask if you've tried or heard a Shanling CDP with the mods you're considering. As always in audio, hard to make a decision about gear without hearing it first.

R_burke · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Sep 2005, 03:54 pm »

Thank you all

I am going to rethink my desires and in the meantime play around with some room treatments, speaker placement and buy some new music to listen to. After all is said and done, it's the music that I'm most interested in. Maybe even spend some money on a new chair, there's a lot to be said for listening in comfort, but that's a new thread.........

boead · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Sep 2005, 09:25 pm »

Many that are using this LOVE it to death.

It’s a line stage preamp/cathode buffer.

http://www.decware.com/newsite/zbox.htm

Poll

What would you choose