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Thread: System improvement options

  1. #1
    Join Date: Oct 2016

    Location: Lisbon, Portugal

    Posts: 105
    I'm Luis.

    Default System improvement options

    Dear friends,

    My system consists of:

    Pi3
    Iqaudio dac pro
    Audiolab 8000s
    MA rx6

    As an alternative I have a cd player Cambridge Audio 340

    Would like to improve since I think the amp an speakers could do better.

    What do you think?
    Go for a DAC?
    Use the Audiolab as a Preamp and add a power amp?

    Many thanks.

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  2. #2
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: west mids, UK

    Posts: 3,261
    I'm Phil.

    Default

    you can always improve on speakers , is it standmounts you are wanting ? and what is budget
    ou might slip, you might slide, you might
    Stumble and fall by the road side
    But don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down
    Remember you're walking up to heaven

    Don't let nobody turn you around
    … Walk with the rich, walk with the poor
    Learn from everyone, that's what life is for
    And don't you let nobody drag your spirit down

    Eric Bibb

  3. #3
    Join Date: Oct 2016

    Location: Lisbon, Portugal

    Posts: 105
    I'm Luis.

    Default

    The speakers are floorstanders and I don't think they are the weak link.

    They were by far the most expensive part. They match the amp pretty well.

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  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: gone

    Posts: 11,519
    I'm gone.

    Default

    The speakers seem OK - good review here https://www.whathifi.com/monitor-aud...ver-rx6/review
    Every make of speaker has a distinctive sound, if you like the MA sound then stay with it!

    What are you looking for from an upgrade in terms of different sound quality, Luis?
    And how much are you willing to spend?
    No matter what price hifi you have, there is always a way to improve it.
    From another thread, you seem to be going for a new DAC - the XiangSheng!
    If I were you I'd wait till you get that and then see if you want to change anything more.
    - my guess is that you will be happy for quite a while!
    .

  5. #5
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,737
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    I know a lot of people don't like Audiolab but I've always found them to be okay if not outstanding. You could certainly make an improvement there, would probably have to spend a bit though.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: Southall, West London

    Posts: 51,621
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Macca View Post
    I know a lot of people don't like Audiolab but I've always found them to be okay if not outstanding. You could certainly make an improvement there, would probably have to spend a bit though.
    I agree. I've not found Audiolab gear particularly exciting, but it is inoffensive sounding.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Oct 2016

    Location: Lisbon, Portugal

    Posts: 105
    I'm Luis.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jandl100 View Post
    The speakers seem OK - good review here https://www.whathifi.com/monitor-aud...ver-rx6/review
    Every make of speaker has a distinctive sound, if you like the MA sound then stay with it!

    What are you looking for from an upgrade in terms of different sound quality, Luis?
    And how much are you willing to spend?
    No matter what price hifi you have, there is always a way to improve it.
    From another thread, you seem to be going for a new DAC - the XiangSheng!
    If I were you I'd wait till you get that and then see if you want to change anything more.
    - my guess is that you will be happy for quite a while!
    For now will be the new DAC, the Pi Hat for Spidif out instead of the Iqaudio DAC, a power supply for it and maybe the cable speakers with bananas on them.

    I have t ordered the DAC since there are no european seller available.

    Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date: Oct 2016

    Location: Lisbon, Portugal

    Posts: 105
    I'm Luis.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Macca View Post
    I know a lot of people don't like Audiolab but I've always found them to be okay if not outstanding. You could certainly make an improvement there, would probably have to spend a bit though.
    I know that. I got it after having 3 different amps. This one is like the best I had in 'not getting in the way of the music'.

    After this one maybe another Audiolab, Primare or Yamaha. Really dont know.

    I could invest 1k but not for now.

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  9. #9
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,737
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    Would need to be more than 1K I think, unless you buy second hand. Wouldn't your 8000S would cost about that if they still made them, maybe a bit more? I think you would have to step up to the really serious stuff to get a jump in performance.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  10. #10
    Join Date: Dec 2012

    Location: Stoke on trent

    Posts: 956
    I'm Steve.

    Default

    Audiolab has a distinctive non sound. It's a bit matter of fact and bland (probably means accurate!) but tidy and balanced. I went a long way down the audiolab path! I then tried a cheap rega pre and power. It was then I realised I wanted a bit more boogie and groove than what the audiolab sound gives. I guess it depends on what you're after but my guess is that a change of amp would bring improvements in the areas described above. Think along the lines of the higher model primares or a modern Sugden.

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