How do I improve my current set up?

[egoold]

Okay a bit of background previously had a really nice Cyrus system with CD player, smart power amps and pxr. These powered a lovely pair os B&W (tiger eye) 805 signature speakers

unfortunately due to circumstances I sold all the Cyrus stuff, but kept hold of the B&W 805s. Last month I picked up an old Linn LK85 power amp so currently have a Sonos ZP80 combined with a Arcam SonLink feeding straight into Linn power amp.

Now using Tidal and been listening to some ’Masters’ stuff though it and it sounds okay. But want to get it sounding better. What Would you do to maximise the fantastic B&W speakers? Change the amp? Change the Sonos to a Yamaha WXAD-10 Or similar?

any help would be hugely appreciated

[Tony1963]

Budget?

I'd be looking at a Bluesound Node 2i. It's a well rated (for £500) wireless streamer with Tidal etc and hi res capability.

[legzr1]

Does the Sonos/Arcam kit decode MQA files? If not, the ‘masters’ you’re listening to will be 44.1/16 CD quality - that’s not a bad thing, it’s still capable of sounding excellent but those speakers of yours deserve so much better and will shine with top-notch source and amp.

Personally, I’d try eBay for a decent little Linn preamp to match the LK85 - feed line level from your DAC to the pre then onto the power amp. I’ve never really like digital volume control, even in pricey products claiming no bit-loss when attenuating input signals.

Depending on your budget I’d seriously consider this pairing. Class A will be sublime with those speakers.

https://hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/136333-alchemis...

Scroll down for images.

[egoold]

Think I will look for an Audiolab 8200p power amp or a pair of Cyrus smart powers or similar and sell on the Linn one.

[PM3]

I have a pair of Audiolab 8200P amps which I was bi-amping by Monitor Audio speakers ....and I love them. For connectivity and other reasons of aspiration( pointless acquisition syndrome ) I replaced with Musical Fidelity M6Si . Really, I think I prefer the 8200P's I probably only even need one of them for the speakers ,Thankfully I just boxed them up and kept them. As I use a Bluesound Vault now, I think I will sack of the M6 ( or just box up for now)
Anyway, short version....+1 for the beautiful analogue design and performance of the Audiolab amplifiers of past.

[egoold]

well just to update this, managed to sell the Linn for what I paid for it and have just managed to get an amazing deal on a second hand Quad Elite QSP , looking forward to getting it and getting it up and running