Hi Guys,
I am expecting some money in a few months time and I wish to upgade my system. Damn!!! The only solution for the upgraditis it seems is to do an upgrade!!
I currently have an HT system. I wish to improvise it for music purposes. I am not planning on getting rid of the HT, just do things to get better music.
Current System
Amp
Yamaha RXV 663
Speakers
B&W 602S2 for mains.
LCR 600S3 for center
B&W Rock solid for the rears.
DIY Sub with CSS SDX15 and Dayton 550w plate amp.
Sources
HTPC with essence ST, marantz 6000 OSE (dont use it much), denon tape deck (dont use it much), JVC XV-BP1 for blurays and mkvs.
Cables
generic MX cables.
Budget
I am expecting around 1 lakh, and I can generate another 20-30k by selling some of the gear. So my budget is around 1.3 lakhs. I can raise it for some really kick ass combo, but otherwise the budget stays.
The system is in my living cum dining room and its plenty large.
Music Preferences
Classic rock, blues, metal, jazz, classical, bollywood stuff. In the specified order of preference.
Speakers
I need to upgrade the mains Thats priority number one and I would like to spend the max of the budget on this. I want bookshelves, floorstanders are out (unless of course I just love it and there is no higher level bookshelf). Reason being, for the same amount of money, I can get better speakers and I already have a kick ass subwoofer.
Option 1 Just Upgrade the speakers
Currently I am eyeing the Usher BE718, B&W 805S (either used or from US). I also want to check out the spendor, ATC, ProAC etc. Any other recommendations? Can someone tell me which models from these guys will fit into my budget.
If I go for any of these speakers, most probably I will end up exhausting my entire budget. Is this a good option to go for the best speakers for the entire money, or should I split it between speakers and another amp/pre/pre-power combo.
What will give me better sound for music? An RXV-663 with BE718 or say for example a X-718 with a decent integrated amp?
Option 2 Upgrade speakers and Amp
Buy cheaper speakers say for around 70-80k and upgrade the Amp for around 50-60k. This option has various possibilities.
2.1 Pre-Amp
Buy a pre amp for music, use the Yamaha for amplification. This will probably rule out the power hungry Ushers. I am using the 2 extra channels for bi-amplification, though I suspect that wont make much of a difference, and the yammy doesnt allow me to do bridging.
Tube pre-amp. Might give best results, but will be a pain in the ass to match or so Ive heard.
Solid state 2 channel pre-amp. Which one?
2.2 Integrated Amp
Supposedly the best option. Any suggestions? I am not really interested in nad, CA, marantz, denon etc as I dont think I am going to get a lot of improvement over my 663. If its not a significant improvement, I am not interested. e.g. when I go from my 602s2 to 805s or be718, it will be a clear and significant improvement.
2.3 2 channel power amp
I think the pre-amp will be a better option than this as pre-amp affects the sound more. Am I right?
Need your help guys, I dont have much of an exposure to high end (or even mid end) gear. This upgrade and hence the thread will surely run for a few months as I am in the very initial stages of research.
the
Thanx.
I am expecting some money in a few months time and I wish to upgade my system. Damn!!! The only solution for the upgraditis it seems is to do an upgrade!!
I currently have an HT system. I wish to improvise it for music purposes. I am not planning on getting rid of the HT, just do things to get better music.
Current System
Amp
Yamaha RXV 663
Speakers
B&W 602S2 for mains.
LCR 600S3 for center
B&W Rock solid for the rears.
DIY Sub with CSS SDX15 and Dayton 550w plate amp.
Sources
HTPC with essence ST, marantz 6000 OSE (dont use it much), denon tape deck (dont use it much), JVC XV-BP1 for blurays and mkvs.
Cables
generic MX cables.
Budget
I am expecting around 1 lakh, and I can generate another 20-30k by selling some of the gear. So my budget is around 1.3 lakhs. I can raise it for some really kick ass combo, but otherwise the budget stays.
The system is in my living cum dining room and its plenty large.
Music Preferences
Classic rock, blues, metal, jazz, classical, bollywood stuff. In the specified order of preference.
Speakers
I need to upgrade the mains Thats priority number one and I would like to spend the max of the budget on this. I want bookshelves, floorstanders are out (unless of course I just love it and there is no higher level bookshelf). Reason being, for the same amount of money, I can get better speakers and I already have a kick ass subwoofer.
Option 1 Just Upgrade the speakers
Currently I am eyeing the Usher BE718, B&W 805S (either used or from US). I also want to check out the spendor, ATC, ProAC etc. Any other recommendations? Can someone tell me which models from these guys will fit into my budget.
If I go for any of these speakers, most probably I will end up exhausting my entire budget. Is this a good option to go for the best speakers for the entire money, or should I split it between speakers and another amp/pre/pre-power combo.
What will give me better sound for music? An RXV-663 with BE718 or say for example a X-718 with a decent integrated amp?
Option 2 Upgrade speakers and Amp
Buy cheaper speakers say for around 70-80k and upgrade the Amp for around 50-60k. This option has various possibilities.
2.1 Pre-Amp
Buy a pre amp for music, use the Yamaha for amplification. This will probably rule out the power hungry Ushers. I am using the 2 extra channels for bi-amplification, though I suspect that wont make much of a difference, and the yammy doesnt allow me to do bridging.
Tube pre-amp. Might give best results, but will be a pain in the ass to match or so Ive heard.
Solid state 2 channel pre-amp. Which one?
2.2 Integrated Amp
Supposedly the best option. Any suggestions? I am not really interested in nad, CA, marantz, denon etc as I dont think I am going to get a lot of improvement over my 663. If its not a significant improvement, I am not interested. e.g. when I go from my 602s2 to 805s or be718, it will be a clear and significant improvement.
2.3 2 channel power amp
I think the pre-amp will be a better option than this as pre-amp affects the sound more. Am I right?
Need your help guys, I dont have much of an exposure to high end (or even mid end) gear. This upgrade and hence the thread will surely run for a few months as I am in the very initial stages of research.
the
Thanx.