Hello everyone,
I've got an upgrade itch on a Franken-system that was basically put together with extra stuff I had and am swamped in indecision and would be very interested in any input.
This is a 2.2 (?? 2 subs) system that is a secondary setup used for both movies and music. For music I typically airplay (also contains a cd player and turntable) to a 65 inch Sony OLED and from there the chain goes:
TV toslink out to an SMSL M300 DAC which uses balanced outputs to an SMSL HO200 (headphone amp that also works as a preamp), then RCA out to an Iotavx SA3, and again RCA out to a Parasound 2125v2 power amplifier, speaker level out to a NEOHIPO ET30 VU meter, then continues on to a set of Elac Debut Reference DBR62 bookshelves.
The Parasounds B speaker output goes to a Rel T9/x (using the B output to make it easy to disengage it if I want).
The IOTAVX SA3's sub output feeds a Rel HT 1205
I told you... Franken-System. So I'm aware that I am using 2 preamps in a daisychain, and am fairly confident that the balanced connection between the DAC and HO200 adds absolutely nothing. A lot of this configuration is just because "I can" and am a network admin / tinkerer at heart and if I have an advanced connection I try to use it even if it doesn't get me anywhere
Those are the only pieces of gear that I have that support balanced connections so I used them to try them out.
The system sounds great to me and anyone that listens to it but I want to upgrade it (this unstoppable upgrade urge is, FWIW, why I have Franken-systems from all the left over parts).
I'm also aware of the huge "Rel is just marketing hype" thread and honestly, a lot of that thread makes sense. I have another system that uses an SVS-SB1000 so I do have exposure to other subs but I do like the Rel's.
One upgrade I have been looking at is changing the speakers out for towers - maybe the Focal Chora 826's or Arendal's 1961 towers from their Outlet. My budget is about $1500 for this.
Other considerations are replacing the Parasound, or swapping out the 2 Rel subs for something else that is a single. Because of "real life" the 2 subs are currently side by side in the front of the room which seems to perform well vs. other places I have tried them.
I have a 9.2 system in the other room, so I'd like to keep this either a 2.1 or a 2.2.
Anyway, I tried to be as concise as possible. Would love to hear suggestions!
-JB
I've got an upgrade itch on a Franken-system that was basically put together with extra stuff I had and am swamped in indecision and would be very interested in any input.
This is a 2.2 (?? 2 subs) system that is a secondary setup used for both movies and music. For music I typically airplay (also contains a cd player and turntable) to a 65 inch Sony OLED and from there the chain goes:
TV toslink out to an SMSL M300 DAC which uses balanced outputs to an SMSL HO200 (headphone amp that also works as a preamp), then RCA out to an Iotavx SA3, and again RCA out to a Parasound 2125v2 power amplifier, speaker level out to a NEOHIPO ET30 VU meter, then continues on to a set of Elac Debut Reference DBR62 bookshelves.
The Parasounds B speaker output goes to a Rel T9/x (using the B output to make it easy to disengage it if I want).
The IOTAVX SA3's sub output feeds a Rel HT 1205
I told you... Franken-System. So I'm aware that I am using 2 preamps in a daisychain, and am fairly confident that the balanced connection between the DAC and HO200 adds absolutely nothing. A lot of this configuration is just because "I can" and am a network admin / tinkerer at heart and if I have an advanced connection I try to use it even if it doesn't get me anywhere
Those are the only pieces of gear that I have that support balanced connections so I used them to try them out.The system sounds great to me and anyone that listens to it but I want to upgrade it (this unstoppable upgrade urge is, FWIW, why I have Franken-systems from all the left over parts).
I'm also aware of the huge "Rel is just marketing hype" thread and honestly, a lot of that thread makes sense. I have another system that uses an SVS-SB1000 so I do have exposure to other subs but I do like the Rel's.
One upgrade I have been looking at is changing the speakers out for towers - maybe the Focal Chora 826's or Arendal's 1961 towers from their Outlet. My budget is about $1500 for this.
Other considerations are replacing the Parasound, or swapping out the 2 Rel subs for something else that is a single. Because of "real life" the 2 subs are currently side by side in the front of the room which seems to perform well vs. other places I have tried them.
I have a 9.2 system in the other room, so I'd like to keep this either a 2.1 or a 2.2.
Anyway, I tried to be as concise as possible. Would love to hear suggestions!
-JB
