aerochrome2
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- Nov 29, 2020
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Hi all! I would love some advice on upgrading one or more components of the budget system I have been slowly building over the last few years. I am trying to figure out where to get the most value / improvement out of the potential upgrades.
My use case is a single (near field) listening position at my desk. I listen to music 6+ hours a day, but almost never listen above 75 DBs or so. I strongly prefer a system that can excel at lower volumes. The room is 18x10 with the speakers on stands to either side of my desk at the front of the room (i.e., along the 10 foot width of one wall). The room has glass walls, but is fully climate controlled, secured, etc.
Chain:
Option 1: Add a Second SVS SB-1000 PRO with the goal of flattening the curve on my low frequencies (not for extra bass). Unfortunately, the room is tight and I could only add the second sub about 2 feet to the right of my existing sub (i.e., also under my desk, but to the other side). I wouldn't have much if any room to experiment with positioning since the rest of the room has furniture, etc. for other uses, and I worry about the potential dual-sub benefit with them being so close together. (Cost = approx. $500 - $600).
Option 2: Replace Emotiva BasX with something focused on SINAD like the Topping LA90, or a prebuilt Hypex NC252MP or Hypex NC502MP from Buckeye or another company. (Cost = $600 - $1,000 depending on model, minus return from sale of existing amp).
Option 3: Replace the KEF Q150s with another passive speaker (perhaps the LS50 Meta). (Cost/Budget = $1,000 - $1,500 depending on model, minus return from sale of existing speakers).
Option 4: Replace the Emotiva BasX and the KEF Q150 with an active studio monitor like the Genelec 8320a or Genelec 8330a (Cost/Budget = $1,300 - $1,800 depending on model, minus return from sale of existing speakers and amp).
Option 5: something I haven't considered. (Cost/Budget = $1,000 - $1,750) - I am not inclined to upgrade the turntable right now as it was my grandfather's and has sentimental value. I also can't do much with room treatment since it is a shared space.
I am not fixated on any of the specific replacement options listed above, but these are some options I gravitated towards browsing these forums - as such any other recommendations would be appreciated on that front as well.
Based on an all-in budget of around $1,750 - I am thinking I could do both options 1 and 2 (or do just one and save up for the next upgrade in a year or so). Or choose option 3, option 4 or option 5 alone, and again, save up for future upgrades.
My use case is a single (near field) listening position at my desk. I listen to music 6+ hours a day, but almost never listen above 75 DBs or so. I strongly prefer a system that can excel at lower volumes. The room is 18x10 with the speakers on stands to either side of my desk at the front of the room (i.e., along the 10 foot width of one wall). The room has glass walls, but is fully climate controlled, secured, etc.
Chain:
- Sources: (1) Android tablet with UAPP to stream primarily Tidal and SiriusXM and (2) Vintage 1979 Mitsubishi DP-EC2 Turntable; with upgraded Ortofon OM 20 -->
- (2 only) Phono Preamplifier - Emotiva SP-1 -->
- ARC Room Correction: MartinLogan Unison -->
- DAC: SMSL M500 -->
- Integrated Amplifier: Emotiva BasX A-100 -->
- Speakers: KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speakers and SVS SB 1000 Pro Subwoofer
- Interconnects / speaker wire: good enough
Option 1: Add a Second SVS SB-1000 PRO with the goal of flattening the curve on my low frequencies (not for extra bass). Unfortunately, the room is tight and I could only add the second sub about 2 feet to the right of my existing sub (i.e., also under my desk, but to the other side). I wouldn't have much if any room to experiment with positioning since the rest of the room has furniture, etc. for other uses, and I worry about the potential dual-sub benefit with them being so close together. (Cost = approx. $500 - $600).
Option 2: Replace Emotiva BasX with something focused on SINAD like the Topping LA90, or a prebuilt Hypex NC252MP or Hypex NC502MP from Buckeye or another company. (Cost = $600 - $1,000 depending on model, minus return from sale of existing amp).
Option 3: Replace the KEF Q150s with another passive speaker (perhaps the LS50 Meta). (Cost/Budget = $1,000 - $1,500 depending on model, minus return from sale of existing speakers).
Option 4: Replace the Emotiva BasX and the KEF Q150 with an active studio monitor like the Genelec 8320a or Genelec 8330a (Cost/Budget = $1,300 - $1,800 depending on model, minus return from sale of existing speakers and amp).
Option 5: something I haven't considered. (Cost/Budget = $1,000 - $1,750) - I am not inclined to upgrade the turntable right now as it was my grandfather's and has sentimental value. I also can't do much with room treatment since it is a shared space.
I am not fixated on any of the specific replacement options listed above, but these are some options I gravitated towards browsing these forums - as such any other recommendations would be appreciated on that front as well.
Based on an all-in budget of around $1,750 - I am thinking I could do both options 1 and 2 (or do just one and save up for the next upgrade in a year or so). Or choose option 3, option 4 or option 5 alone, and again, save up for future upgrades.