Should I upgrade?
 

I posted a couple of days ago re M3 problems, and can now see a resolution
once I have tracked down some Audax tweeters, however lurking here for a
few days was a mistake because it has set me wondering should I upgrade?

I run a real mismatch in that my system ranges from nearly 25 years old to
5 years, and comprises:

Meridian M3 speakers
Archaic meridian 101B pre-amp
Meridian 506 CD transport
Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Valhala and Stilton cartridge

We live in a tiny cottage, and listen to a wide range of music on vinyl
and CD ranging from Roy Harper through Lisa Ekdahl to Tricky with some
strange bits thrown in for good measure.

So my question is should I consider upgrading (maybe starting again from
scratch is a better way of putting it) and what does the group feel is
a good replacement or should I even consider an upgrade, and more to the
point what will it cost?

TIA

--
/d

Should I upgrade?
 

The message
from Ovenpaa contains these words:

I posted a couple of days ago re M3 problems, and can now see a resolution
once I have tracked down some Audax tweeters, however lurking here for a
few days was a mistake because it has set me wondering should I upgrade?

I run a real mismatch in that my system ranges from nearly 25 years old to
5 years, and comprises:

Meridian M3 speakers
Archaic meridian 101B pre-amp
Meridian 506 CD transport
Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Valhala and Stilton cartridge

We live in a tiny cottage, and listen to a wide range of music on vinyl
and CD ranging from Roy Harper through Lisa Ekdahl to Tricky with some
strange bits thrown in for good measure.

So my question is should I consider upgrading (maybe starting again from
scratch is a better way of putting it) and what does the group feel is
a good replacement or should I even consider an upgrade, and more to the
point what will it cost?

TIA

Why do you think your system is a mismatch, just because it has
components of varying ages?
What power amp are you using with your Meridian pre?

I don't have personal knowledge of the individual components to assess
where the weakest link or mismatch would be, but I find it hard to
imagine a scenario where a total replacement would be better than a
piece by piece upgrade--unless money is not a major issue! It would
probably focus the discussion more if you could indicate the sort of
money that you might consider spending.

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one. All this is also assuming
that you are able to sort out your speakers--looking at the discussion
on the other thread.

David

Should I upgrade?
 

David Holgate wrote:

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one.

You mean downgrade the preamp to a valve based one.

--
Eiron.

Should I upgrade?
 

Ovenpaa wrote:
I posted a couple of days ago re M3 problems, and can now see a resolution
once I have tracked down some Audax tweeters, however lurking here for a
few days was a mistake because it has set me wondering should I upgrade?

I run a real mismatch in that my system ranges from nearly 25 years old to
5 years, and comprises:

Meridian M3 speakers
Archaic meridian 101B pre-amp
Meridian 506 CD transport
Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Valhala and Stilton cartridge

We live in a tiny cottage, and listen to a wide range of music on vinyl
and CD ranging from Roy Harper through Lisa Ekdahl to Tricky with some
strange bits thrown in for good measure.

So my question is should I consider upgrading (maybe starting again from
scratch is a better way of putting it) and what does the group feel is
a good replacement or should I even consider an upgrade, and more to the
point what will it cost?

TIA


Tricky - the 'unknown' is the speakers; how well they work in your room,
tone etc. And if you change those once they're fixed (they're active I
take it) you'll need a power amplifier. Also how much you want to spend
.... and how happy are you with the present sound. I doubt you'd get
large improvements changing the pre/turntable/cd in any event.

If you were to look for new amplification/speakers Meridian stuff tends
to go for good prices on ebay.

Rob

Should I upgrade?
 

Eiron wrote:
David Holgate wrote:

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one.


You mean downgrade the preamp to a valve based one.


Pedant :-)

Rob

Should I upgrade?
 

The message
from Eiron contains these words:

David Holgate wrote:

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one.

You mean downgrade the preamp to a valve based one.

--
Eiron.

I thought someone would say that.

And *your* advice on the original question is...?

David

Should I upgrade?
 

You should not replace your system if you are happy with the sound. If you
decide to change your system you will certainly be able to get a different
sounding system without problem, however replacing components and just
improving your current sound is more difficult. You fail to suggest a
possible budget and I have no idea how much the M3 speakers will raise on
e-bay/similar.
As your power amps are part of the speakers and Vinyl must sound OK or you
would have changed it before, it only leaves your Pre amp and CD. The CD is
relatively new so that leaves just the Pre. I borrowed a 101B about 20
years ago and was not impressed buying an Albarry instead. This was
replaced with a Pink Triangle PIP II that I still use to this day and would
represent a substantial upgrade on the 101B. You could also get one now as
one is for sale at just £500 second hand. When considering new you will
need either to buy one with a phono stage or buy a separate phono stage.
Changing the pre amp should allow more information to reach the Pre as I
found the 101B to not meet the requirements of amplifying without removing
detail.
The magazines will imply that the latest kit is much better than older kit,
this is for the most case not true but you do get toys like remotes. Only
you can decide if the latest kit is worth trying. The best dealers will
work with you to create a short list before arranging a home demo but they
will want an eventual sale. Buying second hand is a gamble but if you buy
carefully you can always resell it for a similar amount. Ask advice of
friends, hopefully some might have Hi-Fi and will offer you a chance to hear
their systems. IMHO there is no substitute for listening to lots of
systems, you might be lucky and none sound better than yours !

Good luck
Regards Richard
New Ash Green Hi-Fi Club
"Ovenpaa" wrote in message
. ..
I posted a couple of days ago re M3 problems, and can now see a resolution
once I have tracked down some Audax tweeters, however lurking here for a
few days was a mistake because it has set me wondering should I upgrade?

I run a real mismatch in that my system ranges from nearly 25 years old to
5 years, and comprises:

Meridian M3 speakers
Archaic meridian 101B pre-amp
Meridian 506 CD transport
Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Valhala and Stilton cartridge

We live in a tiny cottage, and listen to a wide range of music on vinyl
and CD ranging from Roy Harper through Lisa Ekdahl to Tricky with some
strange bits thrown in for good measure.

So my question is should I consider upgrading (maybe starting again from
scratch is a better way of putting it) and what does the group feel is
a good replacement or should I even consider an upgrade, and more to the
point what will it cost?

TIA

--
/d

Should I upgrade?
 

On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 12:28:07 +0000, David Holgate babbled on about:


I don't have personal knowledge of the individual components to assess
where the weakest link or mismatch would be, but I find it hard to
imagine a scenario where a total replacement would be better than a
piece by piece upgrade--unless money is not a major issue! It would
probably focus the discussion more if you could indicate the sort of
money that you might consider spending.

The problem was coming here! Then I had this sudden urge to delve
into system upgrades and such. I am more interested in what an
ideal system would be and at what cost, and as such have not set a budget.

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one. All this is also assuming
that you are able to sort out your speakers--looking at the discussion
on the other thread.

The speakers are active, so the amplifiers are built in.

--
/d

Should I upgrade?
 

In article , Ovenpaa
wrote:
I posted a couple of days ago re M3 problems, and can now see a
resolution once I have tracked down some Audax tweeters, however lurking
here for a few days was a mistake because it has set me wondering should
I upgrade?

I run a real mismatch in that my system ranges from nearly 25 years old
to 5 years, and comprises:

Meridian M3 speakers Archaic meridian 101B pre-amp Meridian 506 CD
transport Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Valhala and Stilton cartridge

We live in a tiny cottage, and listen to a wide range of music on vinyl
and CD ranging from Roy Harper through Lisa Ekdahl to Tricky with some
strange bits thrown in for good measure.

So my question is should I consider upgrading (maybe starting again from
scratch is a better way of putting it) and what does the group feel is a
good replacement or should I even consider an upgrade, and more to the
point what will it cost?

Hard to say. You may well find that various speakers will give various
results in you room. However it is hard to predict what you may prefer to
the M3's.

FWIW I am a long time fan of Meridian for CD, and Quad ESL's for speakers.
But this is largely a matter of taste and circumstances, so it does not
follow that you would agree with me.

The real question is that you have to decide that if you can replace the
tweeters, will you remain happy with the results? If you have no reason to
feel dissatisfied, then I would not suggest changing anything simply
because you have used it for years. Only change if there is some good
reason to feel a specific change may be for the 'better' in your own
assessment.

Is there any specific aspect of the results you get that you would like to
alter (assuming the M3 tweeters are replaced OK)?

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

Should I upgrade?
 

The message
from Ovenpaa contains these words:

The problem was coming here! Then I had this sudden urge to delve
into system upgrades and such. I am more interested in what an
ideal system would be and at what cost, and as such have not set a budget.

I really don't think there is such a thing as an ideal system, just many
possible fine systems. All the famous British hifi names are worth
investigating. To start with a bit of window shopping, you can look at
the recommended components in some mags, e.g. Hifi World, or even
Stereophile.

Richard Wall's advice applies: listen as widely as possible and don't
assume that new is better. If at all possible, visit a few dealers, and
work with the one who seems most helpful with advice and letting you
listen to a range of options, new and used.

When you've narrowed down your choices, ideally you should try to hear
what your short list sounds like in your own home. Assuming you are
serious about a purchase, a good dealer should be able to arrange this.
Have fun. There's no rush is there?

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one. All this is also assuming
that you are able to sort out your speakers--looking at the discussion
on the other thread.

The speakers are active, so the amplifiers are built in.

Thanks, I should have realised that!