A 'Sound improvement'.
Discussion
Following good advise from in here, I have replaced my old Tannoy Mk2 Gold speakers with a pair of Quad 21L floorstanders (used but immaculate). I am nothing short of amazed at improvement in the quality of sound from my system. My old speakers had only very recently given up life prior to which I was 100% happy with sound quality, shows just how used to it I was!
So following this little revelation perhaps I should think about upgrading my amp (NAD 3130). Again I am tempted to look at a used integrated amp rather than a shiny new one. I am going to budget around 400 pounds or so. I will also upgrade my existing CD player currently Marantz 65DX, again same budget area as amp.
Music I enjoy is a broad church although I do not listen to classical. Any suggestions as to which amp I should consider please.
So following this little revelation perhaps I should think about upgrading my amp (NAD 3130). Again I am tempted to look at a used integrated amp rather than a shiny new one. I am going to budget around 400 pounds or so. I will also upgrade my existing CD player currently Marantz 65DX, again same budget area as amp.
Music I enjoy is a broad church although I do not listen to classical. Any suggestions as to which amp I should consider please.
crankedup said:
Following good advise from in here, I have replaced my old Tannoy Mk2 Gold speakers with a pair of Quad 21L floorstanders (used but immaculate). I am nothing short of amazed at improvement in the quality of sound from my system. My old speakers had only very recently given up life prior to which I was 100% happy with sound quality, shows just how used to it I was!
So following this little revelation perhaps I should think about upgrading my amp (NAD 3130). Again I am tempted to look at a used integrated amp rather than a shiny new one. I am going to budget around 400 pounds or so. I will also upgrade my existing CD player currently Marantz 65DX, again same budget area as amp.
Music I enjoy is a broad church although I do not listen to classical. Any suggestions as to which amp I should consider please.
If you like the Quad sound then how about a clasic class A class amp like a Musical Fidelity A100?So following this little revelation perhaps I should think about upgrading my amp (NAD 3130). Again I am tempted to look at a used integrated amp rather than a shiny new one. I am going to budget around 400 pounds or so. I will also upgrade my existing CD player currently Marantz 65DX, again same budget area as amp.
Music I enjoy is a broad church although I do not listen to classical. Any suggestions as to which amp I should consider please.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSICAL-FIDELITY-A100-/2...
or if you want something more traditional a nice Rotel pre/power?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROTEL-RB-03-and-RC-03-Pr...
Thanks for suggestions, think I will pass on the A100 if only because concerns over parts. I won't be buying until after Christmas but welcome more suggestions. Problem buying used is that I am not going to be able to hear any combo' in action prior to purchase I suppose, unless I buy via a dealer perhaps.
The NAD amp was pretty good in it's day, and assuming it has no obvious faults probably still sounds pretty good.
It the CD player is in fine fettle mechanically, I would be inclined to splash out on a DAC first.
IF the DAC doesn't bring about a noticeable improvement, then I would look at replacing the amp (working on the basis that the amp is stifling the improvement bought about by the DAC).
The Marantz PM66Ki is a good bet, but even better would be a PM7000/7200.
ETA: Just 'Googled' the Marantz CD player and I note it has the "legendary" TDA1541 DAC and a swing arm mechanism - both of which were quite desirable items "in the day" and can be sought after even now.
It the CD player is in fine fettle mechanically, I would be inclined to splash out on a DAC first.
IF the DAC doesn't bring about a noticeable improvement, then I would look at replacing the amp (working on the basis that the amp is stifling the improvement bought about by the DAC).
The Marantz PM66Ki is a good bet, but even better would be a PM7000/7200.
ETA: Just 'Googled' the Marantz CD player and I note it has the "legendary" TDA1541 DAC and a swing arm mechanism - both of which were quite desirable items "in the day" and can be sought after even now.
Edited by TonyRPH on Friday 16th November 22:19
TonyRPH said:
The NAD amp was pretty good in it's day, and assuming it has no obvious faults probably still sounds pretty good.
It the CD player is in fine fettle mechanically, I would be inclined to splash out on a DAC first.
IF the DAC doesn't bring about a noticeable improvement, then I would look at replacing the amp (working on the basis that the amp is stifling the improvement bought about by the DAC).
The Marantz PM66Ki is a good bet, but even better would be a PM7000/7200.
ETA: Just 'Googled' the Marantz CD player and I note it has the "legendary" TDA1541 DAC and a swing arm mechanism - both of which were quite desirable items "in the day" and can be sought after even now.
My NAD performs as well as ever to my ears at least. Had minor problems earlier this year with swooshing noise when I used the volume control going up, cleaned it internally and used electrical contact spray and that seems to have cured the problem. As for the Marantz, again that works fine although the operating buttons have always felt flimsy and lacking a positive on/off, although they do work fine first time every time.It the CD player is in fine fettle mechanically, I would be inclined to splash out on a DAC first.
IF the DAC doesn't bring about a noticeable improvement, then I would look at replacing the amp (working on the basis that the amp is stifling the improvement bought about by the DAC).
The Marantz PM66Ki is a good bet, but even better would be a PM7000/7200.
ETA: Just 'Googled' the Marantz CD player and I note it has the "legendary" TDA1541 DAC and a swing arm mechanism - both of which were quite desirable items "in the day" and can be sought after even now.
Edited by TonyRPH on Friday 16th November 22:19
OK, introducing a DAC into my system will be a first for me, as a novice I am not at all sure where I would need to connect the DAC into my system!
I have had a look at some DAC's and the FIRESTONE SPITFIRE may well fit my bill. Just some guidence on the actual connections please would be appreciated.
I'm not familiar with the Firestone DAC.
I was thinking along the lines of an Audiolab / Cambridge or similar.
To connect a DAC into your system is simple;
On the back of your Marantz is a socket marked 'dig out' which you would connect (using a phono -> phono lead) to the 'coax in' or 'dig in' socket on the DAC (the naming varies but it will be clear). Then unplug the L & R 'OUT' audio plugs from your CD player and plug those into the L & R OUT on the DAC.
It's that simple.
This is what your CD player should look like at the back...
I was thinking along the lines of an Audiolab / Cambridge or similar.
To connect a DAC into your system is simple;
On the back of your Marantz is a socket marked 'dig out' which you would connect (using a phono -> phono lead) to the 'coax in' or 'dig in' socket on the DAC (the naming varies but it will be clear). Then unplug the L & R 'OUT' audio plugs from your CD player and plug those into the L & R OUT on the DAC.
It's that simple.
This is what your CD player should look like at the back...
And another reason why hi-fi is so subjective....
Back in the day, I had a NAD 3130 with Tannoy Mercury Gold MkII's, hooked up with a Dunlop SystemDek and Linn arm and cartridge. I loved the bright sound from the NAD and the clarity from the Tannoys.
Fast forward twenty five years and I still have SystemDek and thought I would resurrect a hi-fi system. I sourced a mint Quad 304, FM4 and 306 combination and paired it with Quad 11L's...
...and I hate it. The Quad 304 is known for being soft and the 11L's are not my taste at all. The brightness has gone, the sound is dull. In fact (and genuinely no lie) I'm now selling both and getting the same system that I had 25 years ago.
- so if your 3130 is mint, PM me
Back in the day, I had a NAD 3130 with Tannoy Mercury Gold MkII's, hooked up with a Dunlop SystemDek and Linn arm and cartridge. I loved the bright sound from the NAD and the clarity from the Tannoys.
Fast forward twenty five years and I still have SystemDek and thought I would resurrect a hi-fi system. I sourced a mint Quad 304, FM4 and 306 combination and paired it with Quad 11L's...
...and I hate it. The Quad 304 is known for being soft and the 11L's are not my taste at all. The brightness has gone, the sound is dull. In fact (and genuinely no lie) I'm now selling both and getting the same system that I had 25 years ago.
- so if your 3130 is mint, PM me
apguy said:
And another reason why hi-fi is so subjective....
Back in the day, I had a NAD 3130 with Tannoy Mercury Gold MkII's, hooked up with a Dunlop SystemDek and Linn arm and cartridge. I loved the bright sound from the NAD and the clarity from the Tannoys.
Fast forward twenty five years and I still have SystemDek and thought I would resurrect a hi-fi system. I sourced a mint Quad 304, FM4 and 306 combination and paired it with Quad 11L's...
...and I hate it. The Quad 304 is known for being soft and the 11L's are not my taste at all. The brightness has gone, the sound is dull. In fact (and genuinely no lie) I'm now selling both and getting the same system that I had 25 years ago.
- so if your 3130 is mint, PM me
A 3130 was sold on Ebay last week, apparently great condition all for 98 pounds. I will see how I get on with a DAC before deciding whether to part with my 3130, if I do I will be in touch.Back in the day, I had a NAD 3130 with Tannoy Mercury Gold MkII's, hooked up with a Dunlop SystemDek and Linn arm and cartridge. I loved the bright sound from the NAD and the clarity from the Tannoys.
Fast forward twenty five years and I still have SystemDek and thought I would resurrect a hi-fi system. I sourced a mint Quad 304, FM4 and 306 combination and paired it with Quad 11L's...
...and I hate it. The Quad 304 is known for being soft and the 11L's are not my taste at all. The brightness has gone, the sound is dull. In fact (and genuinely no lie) I'm now selling both and getting the same system that I had 25 years ago.
- so if your 3130 is mint, PM me
Subjective listening is true, when I auditioned my 3130 against two other amps, one of which was a Marantz IIRC I loved my 3130 for its smoother less bright sound! As you say, its all in the ears.
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