Advice on upgrade

[taleoffice]

Hello everyone,

I need your help a little bit, I am planning to upgrade my audio system. What I have at the moment:
Speakers: Elac Debut 6.2
Amplifier: Pioneer integrated amplifier A-10
Turntabel: Audio-Technica LP3
Streamer: Wiim Mini

Everyday usage: 33% watching tv/ 33% listening music from streaming (Tidal), listening music from vinyls.
The goal: improve the sound quality and connect the TV to the system
Budget: 700euros (up to 1000euros if the update makes a huge difference)
Ruum size: 20m2 (215 sq ft)

Thank you upfront!
Kristjan

 

[Mart68]

Do you have room space for some bigger, better loudspeakers? If so I'd start there.

 

[taleoffice]

Do you have room space for some bigger, better loudspeakers? If so I'd start there.

No too much space for the speakers.

 

[Mart68]

What about adding subs? The speakers you have are competent.

 

[taleoffice]

Similar problem over here

My first thoughts on my upgrade:

Amplifier: Wiim Amp
Phono amp: Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2
New cartridge: Audio-Technica VM520EB

That way I can connect my TV via arc HDMI to system.

 

[staticV3]

+1 for a WiiM Amp to replace the Mini and Pioneer A-10.

You may even want to consider the Amp Pro, which I just found out supports Dolby Digital decoding.

 

[taleoffice]

+1 for a WiiM Amp to replace the Mini and Pioneer A-10.

You may even want to consider the Amp Pro, which I just found out supports Dolby Digital decoding.

Yes, Wiim Amp Pro is also on list, but they are not selling it jet in Europe.

 

[taleoffice]

Little bit research and I came up with this:

Amplifier: Wiim Amp Pro
Phono amp: Pro-Ject Phono Box S2
New cartridge: Audio-Technica VM520EB

Yes/no/maybe?

 

[staticV3]

Little bit research and I came up with this:

Amplifier: Wiim Amp Pro
Phono amp: Pro-Ject Phono Box S2
New cartridge: Audio-Technica VM520EB

Yes/no/maybe?

I'd try the WiiM's built-in Phono Pre first. You can always switch to an external Pre later on.

Also, a UMIK-1 is highly recommended for accurate room correction.

 

[taleoffice]

Wiim's does have a built-in Phono Amp integrated? I didn't find no information on that. Also I was concidering Marantz M1 (or Denon analog), it is a little bit pricier.
Anyway, if anyone has other ideas how to upgrade my sound system I will be grateful.

 

[staticV3]

Wiim's does have a built-in Phono Amp integrated?

Ahh my bad, was thinking of the WiiM Ultra which has a Phono input with built-in Phono pre.

With the WiiM Amp and Amp Pro, an external Phono pre is mandatory.

 

[taleoffice]

I have thinking about the upgraiding and I came up with one idea - to keep system futureproof and easliy upgradable, all systems should be replaceble one by one.

Turntabel, preamp, streamer, amp and speakers.

So the system would be at start:
Turntable: Audio Technica LP3, new cartridge: Audio-Technica VM520EB or AT-VM95ML
Phono pre-amp: Pro-Ject Phono Box S2
Streamer: Wiim Ultra
Amp: Pioneer A-10
Speakers: Eleac Debut 6.2

 

[taleoffice]

Just recived my Wiim Ultra.
I installed it and made a room correction setup. That's what I end up with (also added room picture as well):

 

[Spkrdctr]

Just a quick idea. Looking at your room it seems you could really use some bigger speakers. But other than that I can't think of anything major to change in your system, You could pick up some more bass with bigger speakers too. Maybe double the size of what you have now? Put them on the floor on each side?

 

[JeremyFife]

Looks good Did you buy anything else or are you using the WiiM's phono (which sounds sensible)?

 

[taleoffice]

Just a quick idea. Looking at your room it seems you could really use some bigger speakers. But other than that I can't think of anything major to change in your system, You could pick up some more bass with bigger speakers too. Maybe double the size of what you have now? Put them on the floor on each side?

Yes, im totaly agree, this room needs bigger speakers, they are on the do to list (larger speakers, new phono and amp).

 

[taleoffice]

Looks good Did you buy anything else or are you using the WiiM's phono (which sounds sensible)?

At the moment im using WiiMs phono, but I will replace this with something better later (any suggestion up to 150-200euros?)

 

[JeremyFife]

At the moment im using WiiMs phono, but I will replace this with something better later (any suggestion up to 150-200euros?)

Honestly, I wouldn't upgrade the phono stage - not until you've upgraded Speakers.
I'd think seriously about changing your amp actually, unless you can't get the volume you want (or you hear noise, hiss, or distortion), and put that budget into even better Speakers. If you can't go loud enough cleanly then you need more power, but if it already goes loud enough, you already have the power you need (for now).

One to think hard about. I'm not sure that your TT supports much upgrading or any changes in the analogue chain other than a cartridge, but nothing more than Audio-Technica VM520EB or AT-VM95ML. Even then, only do that if you listen to vinyl regularly. Getting improvements here is going to be expensive and - my opinion, as an occasional vinyl user - really not justified. Leave the analogue rig alone now.

 

[taleoffice]

Thank you for the feedback. I orded the AT-VM95ML, it should arrive next week. Then after that I need to fill my speakers budget and explain to my wife why i need to do that
The budget for speakers is around 1000-1300 euro.

 

[JeremyFife]

Good luck

Before you do that ... how does it all sound now, with the WiiM Ultra and room correction applied?
If it sounds good, and gets loud enough for you it honestly might be good enough. The Elacs are pretty good so it's not as if you absolutely have to change them (although new speakers are very cool)