Need to determine the weakest link

[FatmanSize48]

Hey I recently bought a stereo system but want to upgrade the lowest performing part. I have a Pinnacle Baby Boomer Sub, 2 Mirage OS3 Fs, 2 Mirage Mx, and 1 Mirage OS3CC. I also have a Denon 1611 and a stock Project Debut-III turntable. I'm pretty new to this, and I have no idea which of these is the worst (or least good, depending on how you look at it)
-Thanks

 

[goodman]

I'm not familiar with any of your gear, but speaking in general terms, the most readily discernable improvements are achieved by upgrading loudspeakers.

 

[m_vanmeter]

you have decent quality gear now, what - if anything - do you not like about your current system ?

 

[markw]

Excellent point from previous poster.

It's hard to determine where the problem lies without knowing what the problem is.

The general fall-back is speakers. They detemine the overall sound quality of the system. Either that, or the power cord doesn't cost enough.

 

[FatmanSize48]

To m_vanmeter
I do like my current system-it made my previous Bose system which cost twice as much look like $20 speakers from Wal-mart (I'm not shitting on Wal-mart here) but I bought my system knowing that I would slowly upgrade components one by one until I...uh...run out of money. The system is perfectly fine, my friends all love it, but it would be nice to have a better sounding system
Note-I only want to spend about $600, and upgrade maybe one thing
To markw
What do you mean by power cord? From what you say, it sounds like this could be an easy boost to the system. Right now I have the speakers and reciever getting power from 1 outlet, which is connected to 2 surge protectors. I have every slot full on them-I have my gaming console, TV, record player, wifi router, computer, and a bunch of chargers connected. I have noticed that only the top part of my floor standing speakers are being used-the rest of the sound is routed to my sub...do you think they could be a waste of space? I could have bought the bookshelf version of those speakers, which are pretty much just the top part of the tower...

 

[j_garcia]

To me, it looks like the receiver is the weak link there. $600 may not get you a sufficient upgrade from it, but I'd be looking for something with more power.

Not familiar with that sub, but specs seem decent enough to leave it.

Also sounds like your crossover in the receiver is set too high for your mains.

 

[markw]

The power cord crack was a joke, but it wound up serving a purpose after all. More on that later.

As was said previously, the only "real" audible improvement will be by replacing your speakers, and $600 won't buy all that much of an improvement. anything else will be "incremental" and barely noticeable, and the cost will be out of line with the audible improvement. A more powerful receiver might help a little, but $600 won't really get you any better.

Do a search on the term "point of diminishing returns".

I suggest that, until you can put a finger on exactly what's got your panties in a bunch with your system, you simply continue to save and listen to speaker that cost considerably more than what you currently have.

Anyhow, it's now later. By your so easily buying into this "myth", which is a popular way to separate desperate newbies (and some not-so newbies) in this hobby from their money, you show that are susceptible to the "puffery" that abounds in this hobby. Unlike Jack and the beanstalk, there are no magic beans in this hobby. Your best bet, for now at least, is to stick around here and read (and absorb) as much of the knowledge that's freely thrown around here before making any significant expenditures.

But, if you're bound and determined to throw good money after bad, have a ball. There are many other sites that will gladly provide you with enough ammo to drain your bank account.

P.S - click on the blue underlined word "puffery" in the body of the post. That blue indicates a link to another web site with more information on a subject.

 

[FatmanSize48]

To me, it looks like the receiver is the weak link there. $600 may not get you a sufficient upgrade from it, but I'd be looking for something with more power.

Not familiar with that sub, but specs seem decent enough to leave it.

Also sounds like your crossover in the receiver is set too high for your mains.

OK-As we all know, when we set our budgets, that is what we WOULD like to spend. If it would make a big enough difference, I would spend up to $1200

 

[FatmanSize48]

Look down a bit

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

First of all, lets define:
What are you uses for this system?
What are YOU feel current issues with your setup?
How big is your space and is it open to other rooms?

Imo Your mirage speakers are very efficient and present easy load for avr, but they don't dig very deep and need substantial support from sub.
Your sub has good and proven dual opposing design, but I don't think dual 8" drivers in sealed box do much in big room.

If you are looking to improve movie experience, specifically tactile response your best bet would be to get bigger sub and next step do room treatments
This will be big improvement :
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/empire.html

(pun intended)

If you ok with existing bass and your system is in small room, your best bet would be to invest in room treatments.

 

[markw]

With receivers, when paying more, higher price buys you more features as opposed to more power. i.e: features increase more than power when you go up the rungs in the model ladder.

If you do choose to go for a $1,200 receiver, make sure it has jacks on the back so you can run external power amps should you decide you need more power. Many fine sounding systems consist of medium level receivers with powerful external power amps.

 

[FatmanSize48]

I use the system for a lot-listening to records, the radio, watching movies, tv, playing video games, and entertaining. I have a medium sized room, about 20x20, with high ceilings and hardwood flooring... I have 2 sofas, 2 bookshelves, a console, and a few tables. I do have thick draperies and a few pics on the walls, but that's about it...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

20x20 is medium to large room. I'd bet your Pinacle sub is feeling lonely and lost there...
I think a couple of Outlaw LFM-1's would make huge difference.

 

[j_garcia]

I completely agree that what we really need to know is what you don't like about it? What feels lacking?

The sub claims -3dB at 23Hz. Kind of doubtful for an 8" driver, but with dual drivers should have decent output. 20x20 is a good size room though and I'd eventually replace it. When the current receiver is the bottom model though (even though Denons are good), a receiver upgrade can only benefit here. My previous room was 20x20 and my midrange receiver did not have enough power to fill it even with fairly high sensitivity speakers (92dB).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

My previous room was 20x20 and my midrange receiver did not have enough power to fill it even with fairly high sensitivity speakers (92dB).

btw:
Does it make much different that OP's speakers are rated 8 vs your's av-2 at 4 ohm but similar efficiency?

 

[j_garcia]

btw:
Does it make much different that OP's speakers are rated 8 vs your's av-2 at 4 ohm but similar efficiency?

It does make a significant difference in power demand, but in my previous room, the 20x20, the 92dB speakers were Paradigms and they were 8 Ohm powered by a Marantz SR-6200.

 

[FatmanSize48]

I did a lot of listening, and I think that the record player lacks clarity in comparison to my CDs-I was thinking maybe a new phono cartridge may be in order...do you know any guys on the forum that know a lot about record players? I also realized that yes, I could use a little more "oomph"...
The receiver, as you said, is pretty bottom line, so maybe getting a new one of those would also be good...
For $1200 though, I could get either a combo of a new cartridge and receiver or a cartridge/sub combo...which do you think would make a greater difference in sound?
-Your humble audiophyte

 

[markw]

You might want to consider upgrading in phases.

1) You could spend 1200 on speakers, but your receiver might not be able to drive them to their full potential in a room that size.

2) You could, however, get one or two fine subwoofers and that would add impact to your sound, but you still might be a bit shy driving power your mains.

3) You could go for a cartridge and a phono preamp, but the prices for these are all over the place. It/they could eat up a lot of your budget. But remember, vinyl has a different sound from CD's and this might be what you are hearing, not a defect.

4) Or, you could bite the bullet and buy a mid-line receiver with more features (which you may or may not need) but will have more power and, if you play it might, have outputs to add external power amps should the need arise. Just make sure it's got a phono preamp or figure on a few hundred for an external one, which you may want anyway.

All are viable possibilities, but number four will position you for future growth in whichever direction you choose to go in in the future.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I use the system for a lot-listening to records, the radio, watching movies, tv, playing video games, and entertaining. I have a medium sized room, about 20x20, with high ceilings and hardwood flooring... I have 2 sofas, 2 bookshelves, a console, and a few tables. I do have thick draperies and a few pics on the walls, but that's about it...

What was not mentioned in previous posts is the effect of your acoustic space, your 20x20 room with its bare floor. Heavy drapes has limited effects and mostly in the upper frequency bands. Perhaps your room is the weak link?

 

[FatmanSize48]

What could I do with the room? I am definitely not adding carpet...