advice for a noob

[cugel]

Hi, first post for me and glad to be here. Like a lot of noobs I am looking for advice on system upgrades etc. Currently I find my listening room to be ~10x15x8. So pretty small. I like to listen pretty loud; far above normal conversation but not obscene by any means. I don't get complaints from the wife if she is on the other side of the house. First and foremost I am a music lover and can't live without it. I don't know if that makes me an audiophile... Mostly pop, rock, vocals, you name it. My setup is pretty old and I picked it up piecemeal by scouring classified ads etc

Bryston 4b (pretty old but a brute; pre-toroidial transformers IIRC)
Perreaux pre-amp
Audio Alchemy CD Transport
PS Audio Digital Link II DAC
Rega RP1 turntable (most recent purchase; considering the upgrade kit)
Def Tech BP10s

I am underwhelmed by my system. Vocals on the BP10s can be sweet but highs and mids can get really harsh and fatiguing IMHO. Bass is lacking what I need. What would you do? Is it the speakers? Now I have been mainly looking at speakers online (under 2 grand) and do not know if my small room would benefit from monitors: LS50s, Aperion, PSB, Paradigms. Will these require a subwoofer for real low end? Also mid-size towers seem like a possibility as well from similar makers including Monitor Audio and Salk. OR am I polishing a turd here? Is it time to upgrade everything? Is any of this stuff "a keeper"? Could I spend about the same money on modern gear and have more time and pleasure listening (my end goal)?

Thanks for your input and don't worry about hurting my feelings but I am a noob...

cheers to all

 

[zieglj01]

The main issue is the speakers

I would aim for bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer

 

[markw]

The gear is good, very good. I'd stay with it.

I'd start looking at speakers but, in the meantime, a GOOD subwoofer will be a boon to any full range speakers you either have or will wind up with.

Ponder the Hsu and SVS websites and see what looks interestingto you.

 

[cugel]

Thanks
I have been looking at the SVS site and they seem like they put out products that are well liked and at reasonable prices. I will look at Hsu as well

cheers

 

[PENG]

For that size of room the LS50 and a good sub will work well.

 

[shadyJ]

You can't go wrong with some KEF LS50s, and a good pair of subwoofers. Hsu and SVS are great options, and Rythmik should be considered as well.

 

[zieglj01]

Along with a good ID sub - look at the MB Quart Alexxa bookshelf speakers
A real good close-out price
AS-B1PB (Pair) | MB Quart

 

[cugel]

I was afraid someone would say "pair of subwoofers"...
thanks for all of your input
still more research to do and beans to count

 

[ARES24]

pair? I was thinking four.

 

[shadyJ]

Four? At LEAST four. I was thinking four subwoofers per channel. I wouldn't even start with anything less than that. No worthwhile sound system can have less than four subwoofers per channel!

 

[cugel]

Four? At LEAST four. I was thinking four subwoofers per channel. I wouldn't even start with anything less than that. No worthwhile sound system can have less than four subwoofers per channel!

is it ok if my wife contacts you to verify this?