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Looking for advice

HorizonsEdge

Active Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
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First let me give you the hardware:
Nearfield (max 75-80db)
PC where I run spotify premium and amazon hd, currently trying to decide on what service i will stay with
Topping D30 dac
Sabaj A20a (previously used Aiyima A07 and Yamaha rs-202) (also tried a NAD 3020v2 but it over heated)
KEF Q150's + SVS SB1000
Standard OFC cables and inter-connects

This is a pretty decent setup to my ears. It is dead silent when music is not playing. When playing it provides the best sound stage I have ever heard but that is not saying much due to my limited exposure. I listen to classic rock, blues, new wave and occasionally opera. I can hear instrument separation distinctly. I am a big fan of guitar solos particularly Hendrix, Clapton, Santana and the obscure blues artists. Strangely enough I am also hooked on Puccini and Taylor Swift.


Comes down to this . . . .
Is there something I can add to this setup to get the most out of it (e.g. dac, pre-amp etc) or should I just save up for better speakers? or amp? is it my source material? I have not set an overall budget but I would like to stay under $1k per component unless the answer is keep everything and get different speakers. I am not looking for end-game but a noticeable step up in detail.

I like to plan and research and I honestly do not know what direction to go at this juncture. Help me decide on my next project?

Thanks
 

MaxBuck

Major Contributor
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May 22, 2021
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SoCal, Baby!
If I were you I'd save up for a pair of R3s. Or better yet Reference 1s, but that's a much bigger aspiration.
 

escksu

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
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If I were you I'd save up for a pair of R3s. Or better yet Reference 1s, but that's a much bigger aspiration.

IMHO, yes R3 will be a good upgrade. However, I don't know how well will your amps drive those speakers. I don't have any experience with class D amps and no idea how they sound like. But, I am tempted to give it a try.
 
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