System improvement options

[SantanaCorreia]

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.

Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

[hifinutt]

you can always improve on speakers , is it standmounts you are wanting ? and what is budget

[SantanaCorreia]

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.

Enviado do meu SM-A320FL através do Tapatalk

[jandl100]

The speakers seem OK - good review here https://www.whathifi.com/monitor-audio/silver-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!

[Macca]

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.

[walpurgis]

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.

[SantanaCorreia]

The speakers seem OK - good review here https://www.whathifi.com/monitor-audio/silver-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

[SantanaCorreia]

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.

Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

[Macca]

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.

[Bourney]

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.

[Floyddroid]

The best I've heard most MA speakers is with valve amplification. They just seem to work really well together.

[Mystic Mac]

I once auditioned some PMC20.21s with a Naim Nait 5si and an Audiolab 8300a, and I found the Audiolab light years ahead in terms of enjoyability. The Naim was a bit shouty, whereas the Audiolab & PMC combo produced a sweeter sound, but that was just my personal experience/preferences.

However, Stereophile did a review on the Creek Destiny amp and said it paired amazingly well with the Monitor Audio Silver RS6 which I imagine shares some characteristics with the later RX6. The reviewer was so taken by the performance he bought the amp for himself... https://www.stereophile.com/content/creek-audio-destiny-integrated-amplifier-page-2

[SantanaCorreia]

I do also find the Audiolab to be very flat. Maybe sometimes a bit blend.

The pairing with the MA works wonderfully for jazz. When it comes to rock is not that good. Almost all my friends agree with me. Also works wonderfully with fado, but many of you dont know it so it is not a refrence.

With indie, the music style I listen the most, I would prefer a bit more bunch.

Anyway I believe the system should play everything well and not just one music style. Dont want and dont need that kind of handicap.

I will try to audition that creek. Is it a new one or an older model?

Anyway I was trying to get some excit

Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

[Mystic Mac]

I think the Creek Destiny was replaced by the Evo 50 and 100 models.

[walpurgis]

However, Stereophile did a review on the Creek Destiny amp and said it paired amazingly well with the Monitor Audio Silver RS6 which I imagine shares some characteristics with the later RX6. The reviewer was so taken by the performance he bought the amp for himself... https://www.stereophile.com/content/creek-audio-destiny-integrated-amplifier-page-2

The Creek Destiny 2 is remarkable. I've tried one and thought it had the best of everything and no negatives that I could hear. The previous Destiny (1?) apparently offers much the same.

The Destiny 2 is now discontinued, but I'd love to own one. A good second hand one should be around £750 to £950 depending on where you buy.

[Mystic Mac]

The Creek Destiny 2 is remarkable. I've tried one and thought it had the best of everything and no negatives that I could hear. The previous Destiny (1?) apparently offers much the same.

The Destiny 2 is now discontinued, but I'd love to own one. A good second hand one should be around £750 to £950 depending on where you buy.

I sometimes contemplate swapping it for a Yamaha A-S1100/2100, CA1010, or even a vintage Luxman for the looks...but I fear it would be a drop in sound quality, besides I kinda like my Creek’s abilities. So my next move will be to grace my amp with some “better” speakers than what I have.

[Macca]

What are you thinking of getting then Justin? Speakers are by far the most interesting component IMV.

[Mystic Mac]

What are you thinking of getting then Justin? Speakers are by far the most interesting component IMV.

The million dollar question!! Well, my room is 3.2m x 4.4m so humongous floorstanders are out... I fancy trying Neat Iota Alphas, PMC20.22, Neat SX2, Spendor A1 & A5r & S6e.... But going on what I’ve read about my amp and my own limited experience I think I should maybe try out some speakers that have a slightly brighter nature Kudos X2, Tannoy XT6F or some MA’s. However, I’m open to trying anything!!

I did audition some KEF R300 but in my room the bass was way too much, even with the bungs in place.

[Macca]

That room is a drawback for size, I've had rooms of similar size in the past and there is a limit to what you can get away with. Big Tannoy dual concentrics will work if you want to go large, just get the cab that suits the room in terms of bass extension. You'll still get the scale of a big speaker and they won't set off the room nodes.

Or you could consider Yamaha NS1000M. They need to be used quite close to the wall for the right balance, which suits a smaller room, and they don't have deep enough bass to get your room going, and they are a proper high end speaker that can still be had for reasonable money.

You Creek amp would be fine with either, I reckon.


Anyway, you'll get a million other suggestions no doubt :)

[jandl100]

Err ... isn't this a bit rude chaps?
Luis was asking about his own system ....

[Macca]

Fair point, things got a bit sidetracked as usual.

[Mystic Mac]

I do also find the Audiolab to be very flat. Maybe sometimes a bit blend.

The pairing with the MA works wonderfully for jazz. When it comes to rock is not that good. Almost all my friends agree with me. Also works wonderfully with fado, but many of you dont know it so it is not a refrence.

With indie, the music style I listen the most, I would prefer a bit more bunch.

Anyway I believe the system should play everything well and not just one music style. Dont want and dont need that kind of handicap.

I will try to audition that creek. Is it a new one or an older model?

Anyway I was trying to get some excit

Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

Hi Luis, please let us know what amplifier you try with your speakers, I’m very interested in the outcome. Thanks

[SantanaCorreia]

Well... Let me update this.

Finding good used equipment has been quite a journey.

For the new amp.

I am between, right now, creek a50, a 100, naim 5i, naim 5si, primare i22, i32.

I believe creek would give me the best result...


Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

[rmcin626]

Well... Let me update this.

Finding good used equipment has been quite a journey.

For the new amp.

I am between, right now, creek a50, a 100, naim 5i, naim 5si, primare i22, i32.

I believe creek would give me the best result...


Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

I have a Primare i32 and very happy with the sound

[SantanaCorreia]

I have a Primare i32 and very happy with the soundHave you heard the i22?

Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

[rmcin626]

Have you heard the i22?

Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

Yes but the i32 is worth the extra cost, if you can afford it

[SantanaCorreia]

Yes but the i32 is worth the extra cost, if you can afford itWhat did you notice between the two?

Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

[Stereosane]

If you can find an Audio Analogue Cresendo give it a try.

I used a Nad C316, Arcam A18, Rotel, Valve Audio Exclame and the AA Cresendo on mine and the Cresendo really showed me what my Rx6 were made of...solid meaty bass great detail whilst never been bright, definetly more punch and weight to the sound and very musical.

In the end I found the Rx6 are extremely sensitive to Bad recordings and very compressed recordings, I found they favor Jazz and Acoustic stuff more than the livelier stuff, I eventually sold them.

Primare should also work very well.

[rmcin626]

What did you notice between the two?

Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk

Improved soundstage, better bass control generally everything a bit tighter. If the i32 fits your budget then you will be happy with it there is a bit of a price difference.