Thoughts on hiding upgrading.
Discussion
Hi all, I've had my system for around 25 years, comprising a Linn Intek amp, Linn Index speakers and an Arcam Alpha CD player. A couple of years ago I joined the vinyl revival with an Audio Technics turntable.
I've always been very happy with the sound quality and the system's used regularly and been 100% reliable.
The thing is I've got a big birthday coming up and thinking about treating myself to a new system. However, is it likely to be a big improvement on what I've got? The budget would be up to £3K. None of my mates or family are proper hifi fans so I've nothing to measure against without going round the specialist hifi dealers.. People have always said my system sounds good, it's just the traditional layout with speakers either side of the fireplace in the lounge.
I'm not bothered about streaming music and am happy with the skybox and Panasonic sound bar for general radio stuff. I wouldn't want to link the hifi into the tv for films etc.
Thoughts welcome!
I've always been very happy with the sound quality and the system's used regularly and been 100% reliable.
The thing is I've got a big birthday coming up and thinking about treating myself to a new system. However, is it likely to be a big improvement on what I've got? The budget would be up to £3K. None of my mates or family are proper hifi fans so I've nothing to measure against without going round the specialist hifi dealers.. People have always said my system sounds good, it's just the traditional layout with speakers either side of the fireplace in the lounge.
I'm not bothered about streaming music and am happy with the skybox and Panasonic sound bar for general radio stuff. I wouldn't want to link the hifi into the tv for films etc.
Thoughts welcome!
Index speakers were towards the bottom end of Linn's range, so I think you could do a lot better than that, if you're budgeting up to 3 grand. You have a huge amount of choice, and I think that getting out and listening to some options is probably the best way. It's the only way you can decide whether it's a worthwhile improvement for you.
E.g., you could go with active speakers, KEF LS50 as an example, or Genelecs if you can stomach the looks. Or you can get better quality small speakers, or floorstanders depending on how big your room is, and what constraints you have. Depending on what you pick, you might need more power from an amp that would need to be budgeted.
I wouldn't recommend a different CD player, it's a waste of money these days and the Arcam was well regarded.
If you do decide to try a digital source so you can stream content, you can get something that's nigh on perfect technically for no more than £100.
E.g., you could go with active speakers, KEF LS50 as an example, or Genelecs if you can stomach the looks. Or you can get better quality small speakers, or floorstanders depending on how big your room is, and what constraints you have. Depending on what you pick, you might need more power from an amp that would need to be budgeted.
I wouldn't recommend a different CD player, it's a waste of money these days and the Arcam was well regarded.
If you do decide to try a digital source so you can stream content, you can get something that's nigh on perfect technically for no more than £100.
When I saw the title, I thought it going to be asking about how to disguise hifi upgrades from the wife!
How do you like the current sound OP? And what's the main disc you spin, LPs or CDs?
Are the speakers original Index or Index II? I'd agree that the originals were middling (KEF drivers - still good, just bottom of the Linn range) and can be bettered, however the IIs were quite a step up. Similarly the Intek is by no means anything to be sniffed at.
Assuming you like the current sound, I'd take a staged approach and follow the Linn advice of starting at the source(s), rather than dropping £3k in one go. I can't imagine the Audio Technica turntable is getting the best from your discs, and unless you have an Alpha 9 (with the dCS Ring DAC), CD player technology moved on quite quickly in the 2000s.
Something like a Rega Planar 6 (£1400ish with the Elys MC cart) if you're more into LPs, or a Planar 3 with Elys MM cart (£600) if more into CD.
Then for CD I'd stay in the warm comfort of the Arcam sound, but just better, perhaps look for a CD192 (£300ish second hand).
See how that sounds, then address the speakers and finally the amp.
How do you like the current sound OP? And what's the main disc you spin, LPs or CDs?
Are the speakers original Index or Index II? I'd agree that the originals were middling (KEF drivers - still good, just bottom of the Linn range) and can be bettered, however the IIs were quite a step up. Similarly the Intek is by no means anything to be sniffed at.
Assuming you like the current sound, I'd take a staged approach and follow the Linn advice of starting at the source(s), rather than dropping £3k in one go. I can't imagine the Audio Technica turntable is getting the best from your discs, and unless you have an Alpha 9 (with the dCS Ring DAC), CD player technology moved on quite quickly in the 2000s.
Something like a Rega Planar 6 (£1400ish with the Elys MC cart) if you're more into LPs, or a Planar 3 with Elys MM cart (£600) if more into CD.
Then for CD I'd stay in the warm comfort of the Arcam sound, but just better, perhaps look for a CD192 (£300ish second hand).
See how that sounds, then address the speakers and finally the amp.
Nyloc20 said:
Hi all, I've had my system for around 25 years, comprising a Linn Intek amp, Linn Index speakers and an Arcam Alpha CD player. A couple of years ago I joined the vinyl revival with an Audio Technics turntable.
I've always been very happy with the sound quality and the system's used regularly and been 100% reliable.
The thing is I've got a big birthday coming up and thinking about treating myself to a new system. However, is it likely to be a big improvement on what I've got? The budget would be up to £3K. None of my mates or family are proper hifi fans so I've nothing to measure against without going round the specialist hifi dealers.. People have always said my system sounds good, it's just the traditional layout with speakers either side of the fireplace in the lounge.
I'm not bothered about streaming music and am happy with the skybox and Panasonic sound bar for general radio stuff. I wouldn't want to link the hifi into the tv for films etc.
Thoughts welcome!
Personally, I'd replace only the amp and speakers, and concentrate on getting quality replacements.I've always been very happy with the sound quality and the system's used regularly and been 100% reliable.
The thing is I've got a big birthday coming up and thinking about treating myself to a new system. However, is it likely to be a big improvement on what I've got? The budget would be up to £3K. None of my mates or family are proper hifi fans so I've nothing to measure against without going round the specialist hifi dealers.. People have always said my system sounds good, it's just the traditional layout with speakers either side of the fireplace in the lounge.
I'm not bothered about streaming music and am happy with the skybox and Panasonic sound bar for general radio stuff. I wouldn't want to link the hifi into the tv for films etc.
Thoughts welcome!
It depends on a few things, the size of the room etc, bookshelf speakers or floorstanders? If I was you, I'd be looking at a new tube amp (specifically to get a new type of sound) and a decent set of speakers. The Wharfedale Lintons with optional stands look fantastic in a retro style, which would leave you with £2k for a decent amp.
Nyloc20 said:
Hi all, I've had my system for around 25 years, comprising a Linn Intek amp, Linn Index speakers and an Arcam Alpha CD player. A couple of years ago I joined the vinyl revival with an Audio Technics turntable.
I've always been very happy with the sound quality and the system's used regularly and been 100% reliable.
The thing is I've got a big birthday coming up and thinking about treating myself to a new system. However, is it likely to be a big improvement on what I've got? The budget would be up to £3K. None of my mates or family are proper hifi fans so I've nothing to measure against without going round the specialist hifi dealers.. People have always said my system sounds good, it's just the traditional layout with speakers either side of the fireplace in the lounge.
I'm not bothered about streaming music and am happy with the skybox and Panasonic sound bar for general radio stuff. I wouldn't want to link the hifi into the tv for films etc.
Thoughts welcome!
Bearing in mind you've been happy with the system's sound you could keep the Intek because it has a pair of Pre out sockets on the back and use these to feed active speakers. I've always been very happy with the sound quality and the system's used regularly and been 100% reliable.
The thing is I've got a big birthday coming up and thinking about treating myself to a new system. However, is it likely to be a big improvement on what I've got? The budget would be up to £3K. None of my mates or family are proper hifi fans so I've nothing to measure against without going round the specialist hifi dealers.. People have always said my system sounds good, it's just the traditional layout with speakers either side of the fireplace in the lounge.
I'm not bothered about streaming music and am happy with the skybox and Panasonic sound bar for general radio stuff. I wouldn't want to link the hifi into the tv for films etc.
Thoughts welcome!
Here are some links to some options which have RCA inputs which will work directly from the Inteks pre outs. This will be a simple solution and is likely to give a large step up in performance. Under budget too.
https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers...
https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers...
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/focal-shape-t...
Edited by Crackie on Friday 12th June 16:05
Thanks for the constructive comments folks, plenty to look into now. I realise I'm a bit out of touch! I'm going to get round some of the specialists when things open up to listen to some set ups. I think I went a bit low spec with the turntable so I expect to change that. Further advice welcome of course in the meantime!
By the way, can anyone correct the title please?.
By the way, can anyone correct the title please?.
just my two pence worth but how about this for a couple of options.
£3K is a really good budget, gives you lots of options.
Sounds like you are happy with the sound you have. IMO Upgrading can be a real rabbits hole and sometimes what you end with something that just sounds different rather than better!
why not try to either improve the experience or give yourself a bit more functionality by adding a really high quality component.
to improve the experience with a Linn set-up like yours, how about a really nice one of these, here's one new but lots of options also second hand. Great thing to own and pass on to the next generation
https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/linn-majik-lp12-turn...
the other way is functionality. I was dead against streaming but I have to say that it has totally changed the amount of different music I listen to. Even if you are a fan of a band and think you really know them, the streaming services dig up all sorts of additional music, collaborations, solo stuff from the individual members etc. They then lead you towards similar bands and open up bands and music you never would have come across. I listened to compilation of my most played music on tidal recently and I was shocked to see that my previously favourite bands were not even on it.
add one of these to your existing system?
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/naim-nd5-xs-2
Just a few ideas....
£3K is a really good budget, gives you lots of options.
Sounds like you are happy with the sound you have. IMO Upgrading can be a real rabbits hole and sometimes what you end with something that just sounds different rather than better!
why not try to either improve the experience or give yourself a bit more functionality by adding a really high quality component.
to improve the experience with a Linn set-up like yours, how about a really nice one of these, here's one new but lots of options also second hand. Great thing to own and pass on to the next generation
https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/linn-majik-lp12-turn...
the other way is functionality. I was dead against streaming but I have to say that it has totally changed the amount of different music I listen to. Even if you are a fan of a band and think you really know them, the streaming services dig up all sorts of additional music, collaborations, solo stuff from the individual members etc. They then lead you towards similar bands and open up bands and music you never would have come across. I listened to compilation of my most played music on tidal recently and I was shocked to see that my previously favourite bands were not even on it.
add one of these to your existing system?
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/naim-nd5-xs-2
Just a few ideas....
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