What would you change in this system?..

[GeoffP.]

Source is an Auralic Altair G2.1 running Tidal, amp is a Rotel RA-6000 going into PMC Twenty25 23i speakers. What if anything would you change and what to?   :)

[StereoNET]

What is it you like or dislike about the current system? What would you like to achieve?

[BATMAQN]

All seems like pretty good gear like Marc said what do you not like, the sound/ flavour, look or are you bored with it?

 

Me personally I'd throw in a Sansui amp but thats my answer to pretty much everything 

[Satanica]

Room acoustics, consider in room frequency response improvements, especially under about 200hz - 300hz. Use EQ and/or room correction software and whatever accompanying hardware is required. 

 

I think it's difficult to answer what do you want to improve, when one doesn't know everything that is possible. If I think about it, I think that includes me. 

[Skeptical]

I sold my Altair and bought a Wiim. Paid out a debt with the difference in $ for no loss of SQ and better functionality, including room correction. 

[GeoffP.]

I'm very happy with my system, sounds amazing, just getting the upgraditis

[Satanica]

5 minutes ago, GeoffP. said:

I'm very happy with my system, sounds amazing, just getting the upgraditis

 

Fair enough, without knowing anything about you, I assume that improving overall room acoustics or the in-room lower mids and especially bass electronically is not going to cure that.

So with that said, if I were you, I would definitely focus on the speakers as they are pretty much always the weakest link. If you decide that's what you want to do, don't rush out and buy something, take your time.

[StereoNET]

2 hours ago, GeoffP. said:

I'm very happy with my system, sounds amazing, just getting the upgraditis

 

In that case, maybe consider another source? Have you considered a turntable and vinyl? That would keep you entertained and keep the upgradeitis at bay for quite some time.

[Al.M]

Change the speakers to a proper 3 way driver design to get better midrange and bigger woofer for more room filling bass, potentially. A hybrid panel two way driver may also achieve similar.

 

Aliante or ATC, similar speakers for similar money.

 

 

[andyr]

22 hours ago, GeoffP. said:

Source is an Auralic Altair G2.1 running Tidal, amp is a Rotel RA-6000 going into PMC Twenty25 23i speakers. What if anything would you change and what to?   

 

As Marc asked:

 

17 hours ago, StereoNET said:

What would you like to achieve?

 

Without a clear statement of what you feel could be bettered (and what types of music you listen to   ), it's hard to make useful suggestions.  However, two things about your system stand out, for me:

1. although the RA-6000 has a decent amount of power ... a good power amp (driven from the 'Pre-outs') would, I'm certain, make your PMCs sound better.  Something like Hugh Dean's 200w "Maya" - or even a March Audio P422 ... or a pair of 421s.
2. add a sub (or two!) to the mix.  (The RA-6000 is stated to have 'Sub out'.)

 

 

 

[Satanica]

35 minutes ago, andyr said:

add a sub (or two!) to the mix.  (The RA-6000 is stated to have 'Sub out'.)

 

As you might know, I like subwoofers.

But I'm always reluctant to recommend unless someone is "all in".
By "all in" I mean most likely some sort of crossover, time alignment, phase alignment, EQ of both subwoofers and mains.

 

EDIT: By adding a subwoofer to this system, one is going from a 2 way, to a 2.5 way or 3 way system, so it's a big change.

Edited November 19, 2024 by Satanica

[StereoNET]

5 hours ago, GeoffP. said:

I'm very happy with my system, sounds amazing, just getting the upgraditis

 

It's very hard to make "gear" suggestions when we are working with the above statement.

Hence, my suggestion of trying something new while continuing to enjoy the amazing sound they are already experiencing.

Further improvements, as others have already mentioned, could some with looking the room, acoustics, speaker placement optimisation, cables, all for the sake of having fun.

But I wrestle with making upgrade suggestions when it sounds like you're genuinely enjoying what you have. Don't chase the dragon. It's expensive, frustrating, and for many, can even lead to falling out of love with the hobby.

The grass is not always greener.

[Keith_W]

I would change your football team to something a bit more purple, red, and green. 

[rantan]

1 hour ago, StereoNET said:

The grass is not always greener.

 

Quite often it is brown, spiky and full of thorns.

[StereoNET]

I'm still picking thorns out some year's later. But I have occasionaly found patches of green.

 

I don't want to be Mr.Negative ... and this forum/website/community/publication is built around the very need (desire?) for upgrades. 

But I hate to say tens of suggestions thrown at someone - when they already love the sound they have.

As I mentioned before, it can be a costly merry ground of sidegrades, downgrades, two steps forward, one step back. If that's what you're in it for - "the gear", then go for it! But if it's about the music, and you're already enjoying it - then enjoy it as it is. Or play with some other aspects of the hobby, but don't go needlessly chasing something that may or may not exist. 

 

The more you learn and experience, the harder it often becomes to appreciate.

[blakey72]

I'd have to agree with Mr. Negative above  a journey into the deep, deep dark vinyl may tickle that upgrade bug (with some decent expense). I fell a few years ago and love it now but if you're determined to just upgrade something I'd do the amp. I know some flames will come and I'm ready with a fireproof blanket but speaker amp matching can make all the difference.

 

Having PMC's myself I wouldn't consider Rotel to be the best match. I think PMC's love nice clean power/current and a dash of warmth. I've had quite a few different amps driving my PMC's and I think the best to my ear have been the Exposure 2010S2 and the Plinius 9200.

 

The Exposure, now the 2510 is a warm, very smooth amplifier which has ample power 75w/ch to power the PMC's in an average size room. The Plinius isn't quite as warm but has excellent control. My model the 9200 is old and harder to find. The newer model is the Hautonga which is quite powerful at 200w/ch however maybe a little more forward than the 9200. 

 

The PMC speaker owners thread has other opinions on good matching amps which would be worth having a read of. I mean you could look at other speakers as they are what will make the most difference but the PMC sound is hard to match/better when you like it.

 

I have mine on standby with big Focal's doing the main work now but when I bring the PMC's back into the system they shock me just how good they are compared to the Focal's which are twice the price. 

 

Oh and spending around $500 on room treatment is very worth it for improving what you already have.

[Almaz]

So many paths to choose, and plenty of exciting experience's to be had.

Sounds like you already have a good thing going on.

I do agree with Andy about adding a subwoofer, especially if as Andy says you’re amp has a sub out. It will certainly make a substantial difference.

Enjoy.

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

If you love how it sounds then maybe divulge in some more content, be it LP's, SACD, CD's, Streaming Services, Roon etc. Focus on the music and how you interact with it and enjoy

 

I was going to suggest subs and room eq like @Satanica because they have easily been the biggest upgrade I have made to my system, but I made that suggestion to a mate of mine and he didn't have the patience for the room eq, then sold the lot (at a loss) to go back to basics. Each to their own.

[maximus]

If your room is big enough, consider the 24 or 26i's, they're a big jump in all round presence and staging, you'll notice it immediately. After this , eventually a better amp as @andyrindicated.

Either way, it's going to be expensive. 

[gemini07]

For every 1,000 members who comment on specific items, brands, and also broader observations, you'll get 1,000 different ideas. Then you'll get differing opinions on those ideas, and ideas on the ideas, etc., etc. It's called opening up Pandora's Box...

 

My suggestion is that you take your time to visit and enjoy other members' systems, and experience what hi fi shops have to offer. Enhance your personal knowledge and understanding of both what is there and more importantly what you like. 

[blakey72]

11 hours ago, maximus said:

After this , eventually a better amp as @andyrindicated.

Either way, it's going to be expensive. 

Hey hey hey Mr blakey72 also indicated a better amp, can't let @andyr take all the credit 

 

Seriously though, it really comes back to what Marc @StereoNET said. If you have an upgrade itch you are wanting for something different or better. I'm personally really happy with my current main system and I haven't got any of that 'I want to upgrade', feeling, I'm happy as it is. 

 

Is for my other systems yeah the bug cuts hot, and it cuts deep! 

 

 Here's an idea just to try to get a slightly different flavour. Have you tried to use the Auralic as the pre-amp and the Rotel's home theatre bi-pass feature as the power amp. It may change the sound to better or worse. 

[maximus]

Apologies @blakey72, saw the Plinius and Exposure write ups, but stepping up to Sanders/Bryston/Naksa  would probably be more beneficial. I have the Bryston 4b3, it truly is a step up from my previous Plinius P10, which was darn good power amp, especially at the price.

The Bryston's got more control and sounds quieter, there's a sense of ease with the amp, but as I mentioned from a previous post, it's at a large cost.

Another amplifier that can be had cheaply on SNA is the Naim Supernait 3. This is an ideal pairing with the Ops PMC's and is used extensively across the UK. It's an exciting amp, robust, full bodied and engaging.

The good news is, there's so much good gear at ridiculous prices on SN, it's a great time to be starting out on a system build.

 

[blakey72]

1 hour ago, maximus said:

Apologies @blakey72, saw the Plinius and Exposure write ups, but stepping up to Sanders/Bryston/Naksa  would probably be more beneficial. I have the Bryston 4b3, it truly is a step up from my previous Plinius P10, which was darn good power amp, especially at the price.

The Bryston's got more control and sounds quieter, there's a sense of ease with the amp, but as I mentioned from a previous post, it's at a large cost.

Another amplifier that can be had cheaply on SNA is the Naim Supernait 3. This is an ideal pairing with the Ops PMC's and is used extensively across the UK. It's an exciting amp, robust, full bodied and engaging.

The good news is, there's so much good gear at ridiculous prices on SN, it's a great time to be starting out on a system build.

 

Haha no I wasn't having a go ay ya, just stirring andy a bit mate. Yeah the Bryston are very good with PMC. Probably the most recommended for the brand in fact. 

 

I just mention Exposure and Plinius because they are two that worked and I had experience with. Bryston gear isn't cheap either but very nice 

Edited November 21, 2024 by blakey72

[bzr]

On 18/11/2024 at 12:28 PM, GeoffP. said:

Source is an Auralic Altair G2.1 running Tidal, amp is a Rotel RA-6000 going into PMC Twenty25 23i speakers. What if anything would you change and what to?   :)

Every bit of gear you buy is an emotional response to your life at that time. Your brain will relate to the energy & the emotion, in the sound of the music that you recognise, as a diet that is soulfood.  I once had a pair of McIntosh 2301 amps with Stradivari speakers, at the time they were paired with very desirable front end electronics from MSB & Soulution  I now have KEF LS50II wireless & a computer for the last 4 years. I'm quite happy with it all.  Be careful about your needs

[maximus]

I'll take the Macs and the Strads, thank you very much