Chance to upgrade

The electronics are perfectly matched, and I wouldn't go changing any of the boxes. Do you have dedicated mains? If not, it's the top priority. Then come Powerlines. After that it's Super Lumina speaker leads and din to XLR interconnect. At least, that's what I did and I'm delighted with the results, though other leads are, of course, available. 

It's also an option to do nothing at all with the system, and spend the money on a holiday. 

As HH has said, the mains would also be my priority. It makes such a huge difference, and will keep giving more and more as you upgrade in the future.

This is a tricky one because as the Ravenous Fish said, you have a beautifully balanced system and if you go upgrading one item, say the power amp or power supply, you may put the system out of kilter and need to upgrade elsewhere to regain full potential. It then could become frustrating and costly.

I have a different system to yours but we both use a 250DR. I too upgraded to Super Lumina (IC first as I have separate streamer and pre amp, then SL speaker cables) and the improvement, to coin an overused phrase, was not subtle, even with my mid-classic black boxes. I use one Power Line at the moment and it gave a worthwhile uplift on my 250DR. So, I believe PLs offer great VFM as upgrades.

The 300DR could give you a nice uplift in SQ and control but the impact of this upgrade will be down to power amp/speaker/room matching. So I fear there is no substitute for lengthy home demos of Super Lumina, 300DR and maybe 555DR although I think latter is not where I would start. Of course demo each item in isolation and try to borrow each for at least a week.

Good luck, have fun, and let us know how it goes.

PS, HH hope you are feeling better.

Follow HH - have a dedicated radial spur installed with unswitched MK sockets and then home demo PLs.  

Everything else in your system is good.  

Regards,

Lindsay

The other thing is to ensure that you have a good quality stand for the boxes to sit on. If not, I'd rank that as top priority along with the mains. 

The 300dr is awesome. Once you've got it you've got it. I've got one and it's the foundation of all future upgrades. 

Give it a demo. You won't rest until you have. 

I hate to say this, but not everyone wants to be on an endless upgrade ladder. If one unbalances a balanced system, it so often ends in tears. 

+1

I am resisting the temptation to argue about interconnects because winding you up at the moment HH seems grossly unfair. I hope being home and not eating food cooked in Wales is having a good healing effect?

best

David

It's wonderful, thanks. My deaf ear is working a little bit too, which has cheared me up no end. 

Excellent.  I really expect your ear will come back, although as you know I am an engineer not a medic!

thinking of you

best

David

Hungryhalibut posted:

It's wonderful, thanks. My deaf ear is working a little bit too, which has cheared me up no end. 

Excellent news - a good indicator for no severe long term damage.

Your system sounds very well-balanced - I'd be somewhat frivolously inclined to spend the funds on one or more of (i) lots of CDs, filling in any gaps in your collection and (ii) some exceptionally fine wine, for now and, if you can, to lay down - for future listening sessions.

(Otherwise stand, mains, powerlines, SL stuff, but I'm not sure I would think about a new box...)

Hungryhalibut posted:

It's wonderful, thanks. My deaf ear is working a little bit too, which has cheared me up no end. 

This is very good news...

Hungryhalibut posted:

I hate to say this, but not everyone wants to be on an endless upgrade ladder. If one unbalances a balanced system, it so often ends in tears. 

Than you upgrade again to balance it and on and on on On!  

Get 300dr

555ps Dr

Powerlines

SL speaker cables

SL xlr interconnects

Don't forget to fraim Them!  

And wait for 372! 

This is a dream olan not Advice! 

Must agree with HH system balance is crucial a good rack,mains ,Power Lines and SL cables will get the most out of the nicely balanced system you currently have.

Coincidentally I have been into my local dealer this afternoon to discuss the SL cables and they are installing a demo set next Friday.

Balance is hard to keep with bank balance, if you upgrade a piece in a year is a long unbalanced way until you reach the end, the fortunate ones will go and buy the full set in one go off course not me.

Look at acoustic treatment of the room, rack (Fraim recommended), dedicated radial mains circuit, changing from PME to TT earthing, PLs.

Thanks everyone.

HH .. Glad that you are the mend!

I am going to ask my electrician to quote me for sorting a dedicated spur. We are due to re decorate so that fits well.

Re cables, I just can't justify spending that sort of money on these type of items.  I went down that road many years ago and every time a new 'reference' wire came to the market I bought it.  In hindsight, margins gains at best.  

Balance is key so if the the general consensus is that moving to 300DR amplification is a bit much then I might just stay where I am.  I just need to keep away from my dealers! The 555PS is def not on the cards.

Stu. 

Stu22 posted:

Current rig - N272/XPS DR/250 DR/Kudos C20 .... No Powerlines and using NAC A5 speaker cable. 

Really enjoy my system but have got a few quid set aside for an upgrade.

Hi Stu - you could always add a turntable 

HH's advice is probably the route to follow - but I am a big 300 fan - and a 300DR with a 555PS would be lovely  

Stu22 posted:

Re cables, I just can't justify spending that sort of money on these type of items.  I went down that road many years ago and every time a new 'reference' wire came to the market I bought it.  In hindsight, margins gains at best.  

Stu. 

I understand the sentiment, Stu, but SL cables were in a different league to all the previous cable upgrades I've tried over the years, and I have quite a few too.  I felt the improvement I heard in my system (and that was 282/SC/250.2, not the one I have now) was the equivalent of black-box upgrade. I think some others on here have equated the improvement in similar terms. Of course, you may not but worth getting your dealer to lend you some run-in SL cables to try in your system. You might be pleasantly surprised.

MDS posted:

Stu22 posted:

Re cables, I just can't justify spending that sort of money on these type of items.  I went down that road many years ago and every time a new 'reference' wire came to the market I bought it.  In hindsight, margins gains at best.  

Stu. 

I understand the sentiment, Stu, but SL cables were in a different league to all the previous cable upgrades I've tried over the years, and I have quite a few too.  I felt the improvement I heard in my system (and that was 282/SC/250.2, not the one I have now) was the equivalent of black-box upgrade. I think some others on here have equated the improvement in similar terms. Of course, you may not but worth getting your dealer to lend you some run-in SL cables to try in your system. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I hate using the +1, but...+1

Stu, open your mind to cables, I urge you. Don't let rip offs of the past deter you. Give SLs a home demo (speaker cables first then the DIN to XLR separately), I really think you will be pleasantly surprised. Of course get the dedicated spur in first, and as you have the upheaval of decorating it is a perfect time and not a huge cost.

As others have also mentioned, you do need a good rack and I, like others on here, rate Fraim.

There you go, dedicated spur, SL cables and Fraim, all significant upgrades and not a black box in site. And you get to keep, and maximise, the SQ of your well balanced system. If you get these in place, you will of course also maximise the benefit of ALL future upgrades.

N

Makes sense guys - thanks.

Dedicated spur first then I will take it from there ..... I am still not over the line in relation to cables but am open to being proved wrong.

Stu. 

Ps - I have a Fraim. 

Chris Dolan posted:

Stu22 posted:

Current rig - N272/XPS DR/250 DR/Kudos C20 .... No Powerlines and using NAC A5 speaker cable. 

Really enjoy my system but have got a few quid set aside for an upgrade.

Hi Stu - you could always add a turntable 

HH's advice is probably the route to follow - but I am a big 300 fan - and a 300DR with a 555PS would be lovely  

Turntable ... Too much hassle ��