Suggestions on next step please.

mcullinan · « **on:** 20 Mar 2009, 02:11 pm »

Ok I have Epos M5 in my upstairs system. I have the music running from my Mac to a Theta 396 18bit DAC(optical) then to a GFA5300 from Adcom and BlueJean Cables. I want better sound. I have a tight budget of less is better.

To get the most improvement should I buy a NEW amp, perhaps an integrated? Or new speakers? Its a small room with weird angles so there is no optimal anything.
Any help would be spectacular!
Thank you
Mike

turkey · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 02:22 pm »

Quote from: mcullinan on 20 Mar 2009, 02:11 pm

Ok I have Epos M5 in my upstairs system. I have the music running from my Mac to a Theta 396 18bit DAC(optical) then to a GFA5300 from Adcom and BlueJean Cables. I want better sound. I have a tight budget of less is better.

To get the most improvement should I buy a NEW amp, perhaps an integrated? Or new speakers? Its a small room with weird angles so there is no optimal anything.

Getting better speakers is almost always the best way to improve a system.

In your case, adding a subwoofer might work out well. The M5 on its own looks rather limited in terms of power handling and bass. It should do much better with a sub. (In fact, the M5 doesn't really look like a full-range system to me; it needs a sub to work properly.)

BobM · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 02:23 pm »

Save your money, buy some good wine instead and treat your wife to a nice dinner out and some KAPOW afterwards. Bet it will sound better afterwards.

You may be subject to that 90% bonus tax and have to give it all back afterwards.

Bob

mcullinan · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 02:35 pm »

Kapow is just a matter of percentage of "begging" to "forking over the dough" ratio.

Maybe some small floorstanding speakers, I know the Epos are limited, but they do have a nice sound within their range. The Adcom is grainy but fairly powerful. What will give me the biggest return on investment.
Mike

BobM · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 02:56 pm »

How about some of these:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/clt.pl?spkrfull&1226250506&clout&3&4&

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1242698283&/Vandersteen-2Ce

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1242675661&/Paradigm-Export-BP

and many others.

turkey · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 03:25 pm »

The Epos M Sub would seem to be a logical choice.

There are some inexpensive subs on the market that might also work well. For example, PartsExpress has a number in the US$100-150 range.

chadh · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 03:56 pm »

If I might be forgiven for a terribly self serving post...

I'd suggest picking up a whole new, but pre-owned system of items available right here on AC. How about...

Tim's Kestrel Hotrods

My Channel Islands chipamp monoblocks

Roy's Mapletree 3A linestage, or Iron Lion's EVS Ultimate Attenuators.

Chad

mcullinan · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:12 pm »

hehe... So the consensus is either a sub or small floorstanders. hmm...
Mike

WGH · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:12 pm »

Mike - I still use an Adcom GFA5400 in my wood shop but before it was in my shop I used it in my home, as you mentioned the sound is powerful but slightly grainy. The 5400 was replaced by an Anthem PVA2 and I noticed deeper, more defined bass and a much smoother sound.

The Anthem amp is just sitting in my closet unused since moving to an all AVA system. PM me if interested.

Changing amps will be more subtle than changing speakers, but the Adcom will impart it's signature on new speakers too. A sub could be an interesting solution. I used to have one of those Dayton $100 subs, it was OK for a home theater but lumpy and ill-defined with music so I sold it to a friend who is deaf in one ear for his home theater.

Wayne

JLM · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:18 pm »

If you don't have an "optimal" room, the best bang for the buck would be headphones.

Emil · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:25 pm »

Mike

Why not a Creek integrated. Epos and Creek is like peanut butter and jelly.

How big of a room are we talking about? Can you dedicate this room for audio?

BobM · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:25 pm »

You may wnt to take a trip over to John's (tubelover) in Long Beach and hear the Meadowlarks he has for sale.

Emil · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:28 pm »

....oh, and dont forget a Nait 5i. Sweeeet

How much is your wife allowing you to spend?

mcullinan · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:31 pm »

Quote from: Emil on 20 Mar 2009, 04:28 pm

....oh, and dont forget a Nait 5i. Sweeeet

How much is your wife allowing you to spend?

Under a grand...

ANd the room is small, Id say 12 x 14 with an L cut in it.

Emil · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:37 pm »

Quote from: mcullinan on 20 Mar 2009, 04:31 pm

Quote from: Emil on 20 Mar 2009, 04:28 pm

....oh, and dont forget a Nait 5i. Sweeeet

How much is your wife allowing you to spend?

room size? can dedicate the room for audio?
Under a grand... ANd the room is small, Id say 12 x 14 with an L cut in it.

woodsyi · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 04:43 pm »

Quote from: Emil on 20 Mar 2009, 04:28 pm

How much is your wife allowing you to spend?

What's all this talk of being allowed? Are we not Men here? Go out and charge that card like a man. Act like a man, at least until the bill comes due.

Adcom is good for subwoofers and surrounds. I would change the amp to a good 50W PP tube amp and be mesmerized by the sultry harmonics of female vocals that will give you a HO. aa

mcullinan · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 05:22 pm »

Yeah the Adcom is like the Caveman of amps. Powerful, will last forever, but not enough brain to catch all the musical nuances in music. hmm..
Mike

turkey · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 05:27 pm »

Quote from: BobM on 20 Mar 2009, 04:25 pm

You may wnt to take a trip over to John's (tubelover) in Long Beach and hear the Meadowlarks he has for sale.

I swore off of 1st-order crossover speakers. They always sound kind of ratty from the drivers getting into trouble.

turkey · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 05:34 pm »

Quote from: mcullinan on 20 Mar 2009, 05:22 pm

Yeah the Adcom is like the Caveman of amps. Powerful, will last forever, but not enough brain to catch all the musical nuances in music. hmm..
Mike

They're not that bad sounding. I prefer other brands, but in this case I really don't think that they're the limiting factor.

turkey · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Mar 2009, 05:36 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi on 20 Mar 2009, 04:43 pm

I would change the amp to a good 50W PP tube amp and be mesmerized by the sultry harmonics of female vocals

You don't need tubes to be mesmerized.