what should I look to do next?

[cstmar01]

SO seeing my new TT will be coming this week and I'll have a good analog source, what should I look into for a next upgrade? I know I need room treatments, as well as a better stand and a phono pre but I'm just looking at what would be considered the weak link then in my system.

What I have so far:
Adcom 5802
SEP-1/Parasound 2100 (I'll probably keep the SEP-1 just need the 2100 for the phono stage currently)
Polk RTA 15TL's not modded.
Pioneer 47AI
MIT AVT3 IC's
MIT T2 cables.
Pangea power chord.
The TT
Music Hall 2.2LE
What I was seeing was the Pio possibly. what do you guys think? I know its a starter 2 channel but just seeing what would be a good next step.

[Hawkeye]

There will always be weak link in any system if your into audio:D I'd honestly spend the cash on tuning the room with traps and absorbers. You may find your system is spot on once you deal with peaks and dips inherent in every room.

[jm1]

There will always be weak link in any system if your into audio:D I'd honestly spend the cash on tuning the room with traps and absorbers. You may find your system is spot on once you deal with peaks and dips inherent in every room.

I would also recommend updating the room before chasing any more equipment. You might be surprised with what you have.

[Erik Tracy]

I'd recommend a case of good Bordeaux or Burgundy and just enjoy the sonic goodness for a bit! Even rabbits need to rest from burrowing in the rabbit hole.:D

[concealer404]

+1 Room.

The CDP is about on par with everything else you're working with (minus the 5802), in my opinion at least.

[cstmar01]

Well I'll be doing the room treats as soon as possible, just not really sure what I'm all going to do for a layout with them ect or who I am going to go through for them (still researching). I've been trying to stock up on some good vinyl too lol. I think if I'm pretty happy with the 2 channel for now I might go back and focus on my HT possibly. Still want a different PJ for that at some point ect.

[NotaSuv]

I would also recommend updating the room before chasing any more equipment. You might be surprised with what you have.

true that... I was very pleasantly surprised..one of the best investments sound wise I have made and it should have been my FIRST upgrade....

[thsmith]

How old are the RTAs? Might consider freshing up the Crossovers.

[RuSsMaN]

I want dibs on the SEP when / if.

[cstmar01]

Haha, I'll keep you in mind if I decide to sell Russ but these new tubes you sent really made a huge difference and honestly is what is making me keep this and sell the parasound.

So gotta question. is there a good suggestion of how much/placement of room treatments should go? The one wall on the side has a door, the other side a window and the back has a closet. Not ideal I know but should I look at trying to place treatments across from each other, such as mirror each other?

I'm looking around at how much these things are and they find they aren't cheap so I want to make sure I'm doing it correctly.

[Hawkeye]

This site:http://www.realtraps.com/ probably has the best primer on how and where pieces need to go. Even though they are spendy, the knowledge is free and other options are available.

Be aware that some traps have solid wood backing (paneling) and in some cases that solid back is not a good solution, especially when bass trapping. If you have a door or window in the spot that needs trapping, you can consider a stand to give you the ability to move them when necessary.

One of the big things with any type of tapping is, you have to have enough. Placing one or two small panels and calling it done is going to be a disappointment.

Gordon

[madmax]

Room treatments and setup. They will give you the best bang for the buck.
madmax

[cstmar01]

Well I think I found some pannels to try out from Audio advisor. They are like 24X24 foam and are 80 bucks or so for 4 of them, so I'll probably get two packages and try them out.
Then I just need some bass traps is what I'm thinking about getting as I know I'll need those as well.


and I think I know what I want to do next for an upgrade, but its a big jump (at least to me) I was thinking about doing a Parasound JC2 pre with the JC mono blocks with a PS audio phono pre. I would probably buy use so its about a 6K or so I'm looking to spend but from what I hear the JC line is fantastic. Probably won't happen for awhile, but thats what I'm thinking.

[hearingimpared]

Refresh my memory Chris. Did your TT come with a record clamp? If not, that's where I would go first.

If the source puts out garbage all the room treatments in the world is not going to make the garbage smell any better.

[cstmar01]

Refresh my memory Chris. Did your TT come with a record clamp? If not, that's where I would go first.

If the source puts out garbage all the room treatments in the world is not going to make the garbage smell any better.

no it didn't come with one. Joe what do you think of this one.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Rek-O-Kut-Disc-Stabilizer-Clamp?sc=2&category=421

not really sure what makes a clamp better than others ect and didn't really want to spend a ton on it.

[dkg999]

x-over upgrade and a DAC

[hearingimpared]

no it didn't come with one. Joe what do you think of this one.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Rek-O-Kut-Disc-Stabilizer-Clamp?sc=2&category=421

not really sure what makes a clamp better than others ect and didn't really want to spend a ton on it.

That is not a clamp Chris, it is a weight which IMHO are useless without a outer ring clamp. The ring clamps are not cheap.

Save up your money and get this one. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

You can also get it at several other online stores and can haggle the price down. If you do get, I can send you a shim that will help stregthen the reflex action of the clamp.

I highly recommend it and numerous people in the club have purchased it and are very happy with the results.

[Toolfan66]

That is not a clamp Chris, it is a weight which IMHO are useless without a outer ring clamp. The ring clamps are not cheap.

Save up your money and get this one. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

You can also get it at several other online stores and can haggle the price down. If you do get, I can send you a shim that will help stregthen the reflex action of the clamp.

I highly recommend it and numerous people in the club have purchased it and are very happy with the results.




Hummmm.... [wondering why I don't have a shim] :p

Just teasing Joe...

[hearingimpared]

Hummmm.... [wondering why I don't have a shim] :p

Just teasing Joe...

You don't???:confused::confused::confused:

[Toolfan66]

x-over upgrade and a DAC

Agreed!!! but spike the 15tl's as well..

And what Joe said about the clear audio clamp..

[Toolfan66]

You don't???:confused::confused::confused:

"Nope" but I do own 2 ClearAudio Clamps.. LOL

[hearingimpared]

"Nope" but I do own 2 ClearAudio Clamps.. LOL

PM sent your way buddy.

[thsmith]

That is not a clamp Chris, it is a weight which IMHO are useless without a outer ring clamp. The ring clamps are not cheap.

Save up your money and get this one. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

You can also get it at several other online stores and can haggle the price down. If you do get, I can send you a shim that will help stregthen the reflex action of the clamp.

I highly recommend it and numerous people in the club have purchased it and are very happy with the results.

+1, that is the clamp Joe recommended me and it works great and the shims make it even better.

[cstmar01]

That is not a clamp Chris, it is a weight which IMHO are useless without a outer ring clamp. The ring clamps are not cheap.

Save up your money and get this one. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

You can also get it at several other online stores and can haggle the price down. If you do get, I can send you a shim that will help stregthen the reflex action of the clamp.

I highly recommend it and numerous people in the club have purchased it and are very happy with the results.

lol sorry I really didn't know the difference. I saw it under clamps at the website so I really didn't know. I also have been looking into getting a different platter thats offered by I think its Pro-ject. I'm having a big time issue with static so it might be that or the static gun you suggested and I'm going to look into both and see which one would be the better fit (they are around the same amount of money).
I've spiked the 15's and like the change, but looks like the clamp will be next then probably the room treatments then maybe the platter. and of course some new vinyl in between lol

[PSOVLSK]

+1, that is the clamp Joe recommended me and it works great and the shims make it even better.

+1...even on my entry level TT.

[hearingimpared]

lol sorry I really didn't know the difference. I saw it under clamps at the website so I really didn't know. I also have been looking into getting a different platter thats offered by I think its Pro-ject. I'm having a big time issue with static so it might be that or the static gun you suggested and I'm going to look into both and see which one would be the better fit (they are around the same amount of money).
I've spiked the 15's and like the change, but looks like the clamp will be next then probably the room treatments then maybe the platter. and of course some new vinyl in between lol

If they offer an acrylic platter jump on it however I know that Music Hall sells an acrylic platter as an upgrade so you might want to contact Stephen to obtain the platter at a discount. That combined with the Twister Clamp will improve the sonics greatly. Deeper tighter bass, blacker backround, more stable image & soundstage, pinpoint imaging etc. You also won't need a platter mat as you can couple the record right onto the acrylic platter.

As far as static goes, you will still need a static gun. Here is one from Mapleshade records that is less than half the price of the Zerostat and from my experience with them, they don't sell junk. Pierre is a rabid audiophile tweeker and sells high quality only.

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=IONOCLAST

With the money saved on you could also get this, I've been coveting this for awhile now. I'm not sure, but I think Stephen also sells this brush in various sizes.

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PHONO-BRU

[cstmar01]

Thanks for the info Joe, I'll be sure to look into it and probably grab some of the stuff soon!

[hearingimpared]

Glad to help Chris.

[cstmar01]

well today I bought this rack
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accsrack&1278270961
for the price it fit my budget just fine. I'll use it for now just stock and if I find it doesn't work for my 2 channel I'll put in my living room for the HT. This way I have some room to grow and I plan on still getting some better isolation for the TT and the CD player on the rack itself but at least I now have something to work with.

after this I'll be getting the TT clamp probably for my birthday (june 7th woohoo) and the anti static stuff.

[concealer404]

That's a cute rack.... ;)

[cstmar01]

That's a cute rack.... ;)

thanks Ben, I still gotta get the pink paint for it and then make some flowers on it. :p

[hearingimpared]

well today I bought this rack
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accsrack&1278270961
for the price it fit my budget just fine. I'll use it for now just stock and if I find it doesn't work for my 2 channel I'll put in my living room for the HT. This way I have some room to grow and I plan on still getting some better isolation for the TT and the CD player on the rack itself but at least I now have something to work with.

after this I'll be getting the TT clamp probably for my birthday (june 7th woohoo) and the anti static stuff.

That's the best part of this post! HEHEHE!!!:eek::D

[cstmar01]

stand didn't work for the 2 channel because the adcom didn't have enough clearance to breathe, soooo even VTI racks only have about .5 inches more clearance. Not sure what I'm going to do because that adcom runs hot and don't really want to have anything close to the top. probably will have to get the VTI rack and an amp stand blah.

[concealer404]

Put the Adcom on the top row, dummy. :p

And honestly... i think you're being too concerned with the heat aspect, or you play music about 3x as loud as i do. It would get warm in my rack, but not warm to the point that i was worried about it. You saw how crammed it was in there. If it weren't for the fact that my shelves weren't deep enough, i would have been perfectly OK with the breathing room that thing had in my rack.

[cstmar01]

Put the Adcom on the top row, dummy. :p

And honestly... i think you're being too concerned with the heat aspect, or you play music about 3x as loud as i do. It would get warm in my rack, but not warm to the point that i was worried about it. You saw how crammed it was in there. If it weren't for the fact that my shelves weren't deep enough, i would have been perfectly OK with the breathing room that thing had in my rack.

I guess it just scared me. The one day I had some music going for about 3 hours or so and it was pretty warm and warmed up the whole shelf pretty good above it. I just didn't want to kill my baby lol

[concealer404]

Meh. It's a big, bad amp, it's going to happen. :p

Throw a thermometer in there and see what it reads.

[cstmar01]

Meh. It's a big, bad amp, it's going to happen. :p

Throw a thermometer in there and see what it reads.

that and that thing was a PITA to get in and out of that rack.... good lord get down on your knees, try to take amp out current rack without dings, ok good, then place amp in tighter rack without dings, ok good, now amp doesn't fit like you want, repeat process.....haha

[concealer404]

Yep. My rack looks pretty. That's about all it's good for. It's an utter pain in the ass otherwise. I'm wanting to build one down the road, but i'll have to move out of here, first.

[hearingimpared]

stand didn't work for the 2 channel because the adcom didn't have enough clearance to breathe, soooo even VTI racks only have about .5 inches more clearance. Not sure what I'm going to do because that adcom runs hot and don't really want to have anything close to the top. probably will have to get the VTI rack and an amp stand blah.

Is this the VTI rack you are using;

http://www.audio-video-furniture.com/Common/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?ID=779

If it is, it fit two Adcom 565 mono's on the bottom with no sweat!!! When I had them, I had them powered up 24 x 7.

[hearingimpared]

Put the Adcom on the top row, dummy. :p

And honestly... i think you're being too concerned with the heat aspect, or you play music about 3x as loud as i do. It would get warm in my rack, but not warm to the point that i was worried about it. You saw how crammed it was in there. If it weren't for the fact that my shelves weren't deep enough, i would have been perfectly OK with the breathing room that thing had in my rack.

DUH!!! Then where does the TT go???:p;) and you're right about over worry on the heat.

[concealer404]

Is this the VTI rack you are using;

http://www.audio-video-furniture.com/Common/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?ID=779

If it is, it fit two Adcom 565 mono's on the bottom with no sweat!!! When I had them, I had them powered up 24 x 7.

It's strange, everytime i see a VTI rack, my pants don't fit right for a little while. Wish i had room for a two-row rack like that, rather than my stupid tower crap.

[hearingimpared]

that and that thing was a PITA to get in and out of that rack.... good lord get down on your knees, try to take amp out current rack without dings, ok good, then place amp in tighter rack without dings, ok good, now amp doesn't fit like you want, repeat process.....haha

Alright now I'm going to call you a dummy. You place the first platform down, then place the amp, then place the second tier on it points. See easy!

[cstmar01]

Alright now I'm going to call you a dummy. You place the first platform down, then place the amp, then place the second tier on it points. See easy!

well the way the rack went together was upside down so I would then have to hold the amp upside down, place the rails and yeah, that would be even harder lol. :p

[concealer404]

DUH!!! Then where does the TT go???:p;) and you're right about over worry on the heat.

I'm too old to deal with those big black cd thingies. :p

[hearingimpared]

well the way the rack went together was upside down so I would then have to hold the amp upside down, place the rails and yeah, that would be even harder lol. :p

I didn't realize you had the tower rack! UGH!!

[hearingimpared]

I'm too old to deal with those big black cd thingies. :p

Excuses lame excuses!!!:p

[cstmar01]

thanks guys lol.

Well I didn't get the VTI rack but I got the 4 shelf and 3 shelf units that I posted the link to on audiogon. I'm using the 4 shelf for 2 channel and the 3 shelf is being used in my HT. I figured that way if I decided to upgrade my 2 channel rack I'll move it into my HT as if I go with an external amp and get a PS3 I'm going to need another one anyways and this way they all match and didn't cost an arm and a leg. 2 racks for 200 bucks can't really go wrong.

[hearingimpared]

Chris are you able to open up the vertical posts and shot load them?

[cstmar01]

Chris are you able to open up the vertical posts and shot load them?

yes and no. The way they go together is there is a very slender threaded rod that goes from the top of the rack to the bottom then you slide the larger post over it, then the shelf then another smaller (in length not diameter) post over the rod, ect. You would have to fill each level with shot or sand, and while it could be done would be a huge PITA but I'm sure it would help make the stand more stable ect. I might try it with the 4 shelf that I have for the 2 channel right now. the 3 shelf in the HT I'm not too worried about.

[heiney9]

Die spammer

[leroyjr1]

Get them 2.3's:)

[cstmar01]

Die spammer

gee thanks lol :p

and Lee, I want to, I didn't know if you got my last message about those, I know I could get down to Milwaukee (hopefully as long as work doesn't come up) on the 12th.