System suggestions - what would you do?

[fanshawe]

Hi all,

I hope I have the right place for this thread, please let me know if not.

Here is my system, the relevant part for this discussion being amplification/speakers:

Roksan Xerxes TT with Rega RB300 and Ortofon 510 mkII
Musical Fidelity X-LP
Musical Fidelity X-PRE
(X-PSU powering the above two)
KRK Rokit RP5 powered monitors

I'm looking to change my powered speakers for something different, but I'm not sure exactly what I should do; by which I mean like for like componentry or splitting into separates. I have maybe £1200 to do it with...!

The reason for the upgrade is just that I think I can get more from my system; the RP5s are pretty good sounding for the price but don't have a great noise floor which is my main issue with them.

In searching for active speakers for a like for like swap, I've seen the Acoustic Energy AE1 Actives which could be a pretty good upgrade; also the Elac ARB51s could work (although I'd need to find some second hand to afford it!). Other than that I'm seeing a lot of 'wireless' speakers or those with digital DSP crossovers which don't really appeal to me. So the options are somewhat limited in my budget.

Or alternatively I could go into separates (power amp/speakers? or swap the preamp for an integrated in the process too?) but I'm not sure how far my budget will take me, unless I look for something used (which I'm not averse to doing).

So any suggestions and/or ideas would be very welcome. Cheers!

[rigger67]

The biggest single upgrade I ever made was buying two used Meridian monoblocks for £300.
They elevated the sound to a whole new level.
They've got lots of power and no matter what they're driving, they always make the speakers sound sensational.

I would definitely recommend the power amp(s) and passive speaker route.
You also have an infinitely larger range to choose either from, rather than limiting yourself purely to active speakers.

[AJSki2fly]

The Acoustic Energy AE1 Actives are likely to be a step up as are the Elac ARB51s(note using these wireless is not recommended due to SQ degradation).

If you mean not a good low end by "but don't have a great noise floor which is my main issue", then you possibly need to thing again the speakers you are using and are looking at will struggle to produce good and accurate low end bass as they are small bookshelf which limit the lower register reproduction. If this is your issue then you may need to thing again. In my experience and IMHO to get a reasonable low end and good balance reproduction then a floorstanding loudspeaker is more able to do so, although there are a few monitor type speakers out there that produce incredible range from low to high frequencies, but this then to be serious money £5k and above.

To get VFM then you may need to consider a good used power amp and driven floor standers, I used to run a Meridian 557 see https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285894008424?itmmeta=01J2K3461TDF3C3VER31N7V84J&hash=item42909c5e68:g:-dAAAOSwjiRmYEkR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4M0%2B2UxcG25w1wrBcAOxgIo7IJQ os653lDlepyxZspLyJSIGGHCIjx0zposBC5F%2FGRzCStHdyEy j99ZSDc5JHD3pCAT5CmG2oU%2FPZONnE5Hq3GmrHK5lrPPI4sa sfKmOnrm31GIT6yf6Nytiz%2FYbTcooKHTMsTOQaELuaauUXf% 2FyGRvw6stq5zgGIk1ig2QEeGy5i4M5OU0ViUknMYG0Tpo48rD fJgw8SGUUuvDFxLRFHw5Dkg1l82bSYdxZ7RQs1Y4TaK%2BSIhC UahVSXqRDQH9Q8hzn0fA70yKMm%2FEfW%2F3j%7Ctkp%3ABk9S R_rgkOOUZA these are superb, there are several others on here that use one. I would then initially consider something like https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204841037068?itmmeta=01J2K36KT5H1F8WCBKQPBXMZBF&hash=item2fb17a2d0c:g:5fwAAOSwVghmcdKm&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4B4cs3Mmo2E%2BLDIHQGAz153GFG8 tlVOiZBQFBODJzf94KApLhxjHlWiAVk2S1lWMzVXJzVfbtDikI c4fHzA5s6buGnfTHrG3g3LCsEzhEpvYevWlgmU9AG%2BZCyXYj GTaANRnfspI0%2FiGRbNgv%2FYmnzwDZlimTevdtGuSexxiUzS mNuGzcSSWDw%2B55Ao0d1Q3IH%2BbbvN9AT3mL2MDK6ph3P%2B dWOoMVAx4eXtFyfcA9AHtPPNTSgatZaC1McRiAbbUcN02d32J% 2FQEUwkjkQAf0k%2BPvVODVh%2BHrJue%2FrChhHva7%7Ctkp% 3ABFBMkr2a45Rk not perfect but will produce a very good overall sound, you can then think about speaker upgrading later on if you wish as the Meridian amp will drive virtually anything accurately.

I used to own a pair of the and if you can push the boat out a bit more financially then then these will sound superb https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395383099983?itmmeta=01J2K3BN1WF8R9P5FRPHX630E1&hash=item5c0eab524f:g:Fo8AAOSw6b5mNhRg&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8NqJSx%2Bc8NxJaI79r1dvQducJ6i vWS9dHXBeltnxI%2Fi2%2FNNACJ1%2FXd%2BLy8L6079k0WtUd 642RUW1VznljiqjAZ%2FY7bqB9FpccTWx2m%2BHuggPCAlinv6 sowIerq%2FlCVVTzi0HCHCfGx12iK4naMT4wl8dv9mtmdgCc0j 6MNhdXpx8a9g4J4WHVcSTP%2FyaUQ3NCaxvV6FZX%2BoQvL1Sn ZAqUtJQaV1i34QbOMg9tajM5WQ3qigkaBd2zCbSWA3MCc0Zm3Z gl8HKbU3UmBtu6YuFKuyRCyEA0WRZSKA1RIOh91hHKzBhRRD27 1wR%2FGMLerNmEg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMhNGu45Rk, Vienna Acoustics are not that well known over here but they are outstanding speakers and are very good value for money and are beautifully constructed. One this to be aware of is they should be placed 0.5m from a rear wall to avoid bass re-enforcement.

The Meridian 557 with Vienna Acoustics Mozarts would be an excellent choice IMO, having had both I am talking from experience.

I hope this helps a bit.

[fanshawe]

Thanks both, this really is helpful :) I had a feeling that going for used separates would get me more for my money!

I hadn't considered Meridian before but I'll stay on the lookout now - are they pretty reliable? There are a few Musical Fidelity options I could look out for too, the X-A50 etc.

@AJSki2fly - the 'noise floor' issue I referred to is background noise rather than bass performance. I do like the look of those Dalis though, very tempting! Active floorstanders don't seem to be available anywhere near my price range.

[AJSki2fly]

Thanks both, this really is helpful :) I had a feeling that going for used separates would get me more for my money!

I hadn't considered Meridian before but I'll stay on the lookout now - are they pretty reliable? There are a few Musical Fidelity options I could look out for too, the X-A50 etc.

@AJSki2fly - the 'noise floor' issue I referred to is background noise rather than bass performance. I do like the look of those Dalis though, very tempting! Active floorstanders don't seem to be available anywhere near my price range.

Meridian 557 are very reliable never heard of one failing, they have two large capacitors which are often replaced after about 25 years or so, and a few other bits about a £200 job if needed.

The Vienna Acoustic Mozarts sound amazing!

[fanshawe]

Still mulling this one over. Your mention of Meridian has led me down the M2 rabbit hole now... They seem to be just the ticket but I'm unsure of whether my preamp will play nicely with them.

[Macca]

on paper at least your pre-amp should work fine with Meridian power amps.

[AJSki2fly]

Still mulling this one over. Your mention of Meridian has led me down the M2 rabbit hole now... They seem to be just the ticket but I'm unsure of whether my preamp will play nicely with them.

M2's can sound very good, Meridian did not do much wrong in that era. However when they initially started moving to the digital gear processor(DSP) set up stuff they could be troublesome. I had a friend who spent around £35K on a Meridian DSP system, trading in a Meridian 500 system, he regretted it greatly, then engineer came out many times and in the end they refunded him.

[rigger67]

My Meridians haven't missed a beat in the ten years or so that I've owned them.

They're built like tanks and are rather beautiful, if you like brutalist architecture as I do:lol:

https://www.audioscope.net/images/meridian_205_mono_power_amplifier-2.jpg

[Gazjam]

+1 on Meridian amps.

Have a 557, its a beast of a thing.
Immense power and drive, but runs cool.

May get a 2nd one to biamp at some point.

[losepete]

I quite agree with the Meridian route - I use a G61R SL dsp with G55 power amp in bridged mode powering Proac D20R speakers.
This was an upgrade to my previous setup: Meridian G01 pre with 2 Meridian 205 monoblocks powering Proac Studio1 speakers.

Yes, definitely recommend Meridian pre/power with Proac speakers

You may find this website useful to checkout Meridian products https://www.meridian-audio.info/showman.php?manid=1 along with the main site, The Hitchhikers Guide to Meridian https://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

[Rush2112]

Meridian is a great option there are others to consider, subject to budget of course and finding them !

Rotel Michi - Krell - Audio Research - Lumley Reference - Chord - DNM

Back in the day (showing my age here) I had Musical Fidelity P180’s with the CRPS power supply now that was a combo that punched way above its price point ! They produced some fine amps historically but not familiar with more recent products.

I have to say active speakers have never wowed me enough to off set the lack of upgrade flexibility although I do remember being impressed by the early Meridian active’s but they were not cheap !

[Rush2112]

Meridian is a great option there are others to consider, subject to budget of course and finding them !

Rotel Michi - Krell - Audio Research - Lumley Reference - Chord - DNM

Back in the day (showing my age here) I had Musical Fidelity P180’s with the CRPS power supply now that was a combo that punched way above its price point ! They produced some fine amps historically but not familiar with more recent products.

I have to say active speakers have never wowed me enough to off set the lack of upgrade flexibility although I do remember being impressed by the early Meridian active’s but they were not cheap !


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240720/69a253b0f4286175eabd491df9a4b19b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240720/e615c70f47299a184400ff43bdcdcfd4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240720/49707a08df1f62a00fcdb5b84a1dbd88.jpg

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[Macca]

Meridian is a great option there are others to consider, subject to budget of course and finding them !

Rotel Michi - Krell - Audio Research - Lumley Reference - Chord - DNM

Back in the day (showing my age here) I had Musical Fidelity P180’s with the CRPS power supply now that was a combo that punched way above its price point ! They produced some fine amps historically but not familiar with more recent products.

I have to say active speakers have never wowed me enough to off set the lack of upgrade flexibility although I do remember being impressed by the early Meridian active’s but they were not cheap !


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240720/69a253b0f4286175eabd491df9a4b19b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240720/e615c70f47299a184400ff43bdcdcfd4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240720/49707a08df1f62a00fcdb5b84a1dbd88.jpg

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When you said Michi I thought you meant the old Michi, which was class, not the new stripy ones that remind me of that star trek episode.

This:

https://i.ibb.co/7xcf0mx/michi.jpg (https://ibb.co/0pN7zbp)

Not this

https://i.ibb.co/D4GK0Sz/Star-Trek-Let-That-Be-Your-Last-Battlefield-2.webp (https://ibb.co/y0hsHbd)

[Kember]

I’ve had MF stuff galore in the past but I’m now largely in the more modern Meridian camp - DSP actives and an 808 v4/210/218 set up. (I must update my signature!)

I do still have a fair amount of 500 and G series kit, the G stuff largely for AV duties.

The 500 series stuff is a good and flexible shout. It is still high quality, reasonable value, in plentiful supply and relatively easy to service.

For an old fart like me, having everything running off one remote also has its advantages.

I’d also point out that, should your interests take you there in due course, there are really good digital options including a DAC - the 566 - with switchable inputs (3 rca SPDIF and one optical) and a very good FM tuner. The 562 allows analogue to digital conversion of other sources if you want to move over to Meridian DSP speakers. The preamp is nice and I have personal experience of the very well executed MC phono stage, which is a bargain if you can find a unit that has one installed. Others tell me that the MM unit is good.

P

[Rush2112]

When you said Michi I thought you meant the old Michi, which was class, not the new stripy ones that remind me of that star trek episode.

This:

https://i.ibb.co/7xcf0mx/michi.jpg (https://ibb.co/0pN7zbp)

Not this

https://i.ibb.co/D4GK0Sz/Star-Trek-Let-That-Be-Your-Last-Battlefield-2.webp (https://ibb.co/y0hsHbd)

Absolutely, couldn’t find a picture of the classic red end cap ones ! They were seriously good !


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[Rush2112]

My memories of these go back to my friend’s time as a hi-fi retailer and the great times spent at his shop.

Nigel stocked an eclectic mix of brands including:

DNM, DPA, Meridian, Micromega, Audio Research, Krell, Sonus Faber, Rotel and Michi, B&W, Martin Logan, Koetsu, Tom Fletcher Nottingham Analogue, Michell, SME, Wilson Audio, Ruark, NVA, Pink Triangle, Lumley, Jecklin Floats, IOTA Audio Design, Cogan Hall, Transparent, Silver Sounds, Rega, etc, etc


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[Macca]

My memories of these go back to my friend’s time as a hi-fi retailer and the great times spent at his shop.

Nigel stocked an eclectic mix of brands including:

DNM, DPA, Meridian, Micromega, Audio Research, Krell, Sonus Faber, Rotel and Michi, B&W, Martin Logan, Koetsu, Tom Fletcher Nottingham Analogue, Michell, SME, Wilson Audio, Ruark, NVA, Pink Triangle, Lumley, Jecklin Floats, IOTA Audio Design, Cogan Hall, Transparent, Silver Sounds, Rega, etc, etc


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Something for everyone there.

[Rush2112]

Something for everyone there.

Yes he is certainly a music lover first and a retailer second. He was also one of the first dealers to be offered the then newly launched Wilson Benesch turntable and ACT One tone arm.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240724/afef533b04f425a47424c63f71f5910e.jpg


He has now returned to turntable design and manufacturing having spent time with Tom Fletcher at Nottingham Analogue before being involved in the retail arena. Here’s a couple of Nigel’s turntables. https://www.iota-audio-design.com/

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240724/254a0bcb4acd5f8e43f3eac64ac645d9.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240724/515abb09af27542c8eb2fce24cd85ab4.jpg