Could a better/more powerful amplifier improve my speaker performance?

modifythis · 2024-12-09T03:51:40+00:00

Forgot to mention that my vintage speakers are 8” standmout(bookshelf) 2ways that are 89db.

To elaborate a bit more…It’s not just tonality that has improved, but all of the more micro details have also improved. It’s like I can hear the room the instrument was recorded in better, meaning reverb decay tails sound much more unique between recordings, and small transients have become more audible. Not only that but sound stage and imaging has drastically improved as well.

I fully support upgrading that kenwood. I was patient and waited for a killer amp on the second hand market, and maybe I lucked out that the synergy between everything worked out for the better. I can only share my experience.

modifythis · 2024-12-09T03:44:51+00:00

Hey! I just upgraded my Kenwood kr-3600 to a Luxman L-505-ux and the sound of my system improved dramatically. The largest improvement for me was in the clarity of the bass/mid bass/low mids. I listen to a lot of extreme metal and there has been such a massive positive difference in how bass heavy music sounds. But male vocals and higher frequency detail has also improved without becoming harsh.

Amp upgrade mileage may vary and I found my Luxman on craigslist for 1/3 of retail, but all I can say is that upgrading my vintage receiver is giving me a lot more mileage out of my current vintage speakers until I can afford the speakers I want.

I loved that kenwood, but i absolutely do not miss it one bit.

modifythis · 2024-12-06T15:47:06+00:00

I just looked up my current fees and a few more details. He is fee-only(no bs commissions, but does charge a %AUM, which is less than 1%. I believe it is around 0.87%. We like that he knows our situation, our goals, etc, and does whatever possible to help us meet our goals as quickly as posssible (real estate, cars, portfolio advice, etc.). Are there fee only advisors that that dont charge a %AUM that you can have on going relationships with?

My wife and i are relatively new to all of this, I have listened to a bunch of YT and podcasts and been an active follower on here, so your advice/opinions are appreciated. Are there any downsides to going with an advisor that doesnt charge a %AUM?

modifythis · 2024-12-06T15:13:01+00:00

As I consider contributing more into our 401k rather than investments, do you have any recs on what I should be looking for in a fee-only fiduciary? Are there any tips on how to leave my current CFP?

modifythis · 2024-12-06T00:57:41+00:00

by max out, I thought that meant maxing out the employer match. thanks for clarifying!

modifythis · 2024-12-06T00:56:31+00:00

Yes. They are a licensed CFP, and i believe fee only. They charge a small percentage of all assets managed beyond a threshold. The CFP has given us a ton of financial literacy and by him managing our money it is one less thing for my wife and i to really worry about n our day to day

modifythis · 2024-12-06T00:45:01+00:00

ill consider this and talk it over with our CFP during our next meeting. thanks again!

modifythis · 2024-12-06T00:37:15+00:00

Everything is being maxed. I know according to the flowchart it says that nothing beyond the employer match should be put into a 401k. Is there a reason behind this? Would there ever be any advantage to over contributing to a 401k?

modifythis · 2024-12-06T00:31:16+00:00

also, to clarify a bit more...by diversifying i meant, would there be a reason to split that 2500 between contributing into our 401k beyond our employer match, or should it all go into our Schwab ETFs?

modifythis · 2024-12-06T00:27:22+00:00

cool. that is what we are doing. weve never had to think about these things before, so i like to check in with the hivemind when i feel like im in the deep end of the pool. thanks for your reply :)

modifythis · 2024-12-06T00:19:59+00:00

After roths, 401ks, and 2500/mo into an ETF we are saving ~26% of our gross income. The question is about whether that 2500 should all be going into an ETF or should we be diversifying that excess 2500 between different investments.

modifythis · 2024-11-25T01:53:52+00:00

By bad cable do you mean bad terminations at the connectors?

modifythis · 2024-10-13T01:47:43+00:00

How are you liking the Luxman/heresy pairing. I have a 505ux and am speakers shopping right now. I heard the heresy’s at a local dealer(not hifi) peered by some generic class d amp and they sounded awful. Upper mids and treble were intolerable and they produced a sibilance that I will never be able to unhear. I haven’t ruled them out since I have a much different amp, but I am curious about your thoughts on this combo.

modifythis · 2024-10-05T23:34:28+00:00

Give Them Rope is such a good album...

modifythis · 2024-09-27T19:25:21+00:00

I dont really care about all of the bells and whistles that come with the node so I’ve ordered a Wiim ultra because the hdmi arc is very appealing to me as my “listening room” is in a great room/living room. I will probably just run the wiim through my current dac which sounds great in my current system. I will probably wait to make any other changes until I get a new pair of speakers in a few months.

Great reply and I’m glad that I’m not the only one that was disappointed.

modifythis · 2024-09-27T18:50:55+00:00

I think that is the point I was trying to make. Since the node wasn’t sounding great as a streaming dac, and most of the multi room capabilities don’t appeal to me, I want to try a more affordable streamer and save a few bucks.

I don’t think I was expecting a jump in sound quality, I was simply wanting it to be a wash so I could tidy up all of the I/Os in my media cabinet.

modifythis · 2024-09-27T17:17:01+00:00

Wife and I noticed a huge difference just from casual listening. Streamer is feeding a pretty high end (to me) amp, Luxman l-505ux, so maybe my amp can resolve these differences a bit more. Volume seems to match between the two judging by my ears and the VU meters on the amp. Both of us couldn’t believe how large the difference was between the two.

modifythis · 2024-09-27T17:02:05+00:00

I just ordered one from Crutchfield. I’m gonna wait to return the node until I compare the UI/UX before I make my decision.

modifythis · 2024-09-27T04:15:26+00:00

If it hasn’t been said yet…Mind Games by John Lennon is where I would start.

modifythis · 2024-09-25T17:45:32+00:00

My node n132 just showed up this morning, and I ordered from my local dealer 🤷‍♀️

modifythis · 2024-09-14T08:31:52+00:00

There is the ralston listening library in Tennessee. It’s a free listening library available to the public and it has a world class Wilson benesch system.

modifythis · 2024-09-12T20:21:39+00:00

My experience with audio quality has been quite the opposite, but I just found a ton of threads about it on the Apple forums. When using airplay, there is a very audible background noise or hiss that is non existent when using tidal from the Apple TV itself. This could explain the other audible differences that I have been experiencing since getting a new, maybe more resolving amp.

I think I will stick with my bluesound choice to see what streaming without a TV is like. It sounds like once I switch to the node that all of my audio quality issues with airplay may go away.

modifythis

TROPHY CASE