my hifi.... how can i improve?

Hi, a little bit about me..
i'm 20 and all the money i earn atm is goin towards my a/v. I am very happy with my hifi, but am always looking for ways to improve...

my hifi consists of:

Quad 99 cd-s
quad 99 pre
quad 99 stereo amp (powering mid/treble)
2 monoblock amps (powering bass)
chord chorus biwired cable
quad 22l loudspeakers
silver core mains cable
mains purifying block

my main question is... if i swapped the original 99cd for the new cdp2 (24bit upscalling etc..), and run it through the 99 pre as a seperate (instead of using the not-so-good inbuilt preamp), will i have a noted improvement for the extra cost?

also, would a sacd player make a big difference (i have never heard one)

Thankyou for any help or suggestions,
matt

 

oh dear... sorry for the picture being sooooo big!!lol

 

start with the cheap stuff, like moving your speakers a foot forward from the TV.

 

yea, i know that they are a bit too close together, but i have seriousspace limitations

 

Hi - to be honest IME the Quad pre-amp is the weak link. I find them to be a bit uninspired and uninteresting.
A good new pre-amp would inject a bit more musical enthusiam into your system.

Of course, you wouldn't then have such a pretty stack!

Or (shameless plug ) the LAT SS1000 speaker cable I have just put up FS in the Classifieds would also do your system a power of good! (Actually, it really would!)

 

why have you got the quads next to another pair of speakers?

looks a bit like a shop!

 

Yeh, you need to get rid of most of that junk. You're never going to get decent sound with all that clutter.

 

the other speakers are mission m35... they are linked to the television. i use them for parties because they are good at pumping sound at high volumes.
For those who suggest 'weak links', please qoute an alternative.. pre amp etc, otherwise you are just confusing me. If you can pick a weak link in my system, you must bare the knowlege to suggest an improvement.
also, would the 99cdp2 improve?
thanks,
matt

(how can you call my collection 'clutter'?, thats just rude!)

 

another thing... i love music and sound, but please dont suggest anything rediculous... ive already spent about 2 years pay on this hifi (work at waitrose:SLEEP: ), i know most of you guys have hifi setups that cost more than houses..!!.. but i just want good quality for a good price (why i chose quad), they seemed to give the most high-end sound for the price, for me at least.
any suggestions to tweak my system?
cheers

 

er........not quite, regrettably.

 

oh yea... one more thing to ask..
The quads are currently standing (spikes) on wooden laminate flooring..
Would placing solid granite blocks underneth as plinths give a noted improvement to the sound?
thanks

 

Certainly, from what I've learned recently, I would think moving your speakers into some free space, with plenty of distance betweeen them(as much as you can), would be very beneficial.

I stand to be corrected here; speakers (certainly stand mounters anyway) I think work best pointed towards a focal point....the speakers a nd the listener should form an equilateral triangle.

From personal experience, the more exact you can get the distance from you to the speaker (comparing the two speakers) the better.......but get 'em out of corners!!

Thats my two penn'orth!




David

 

....probably, I would think.

it'll certainly be DIFFERENT.

whether its better or worse, somewtimes you have to live with stuff for a bit, then decide if you ahve gained something (or not)

 

you might also like to consider experimenting with foam pipe insulation (readily availably from the likes of b+q etc)

Its inexpensive+very good for putting componants on.

Try 1/2 inch to 1 inch slices(perhpts thicker if your speakers are heavy), three , two at the front, one at the back.

 

looks soemthing like...(provided this works...)



http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q115/davidf_photo/Picture2048.jpg


although you pobably don't need quite as much as that

ideas courtesy of zanash btw!!

 

thanks david..

 

you're welcome.

 

Upgrade path

Matt,

Correct positioning of the speakers costs nothing & is the first thing to do.
In equipment terms, if you like the overall 'tone' of your system, a real improvement can be had by selling your 99Pre & CD-S & buying a 99CDP2.
Use the CDP2 variable output into the amps you've got.
The CDP2 is a MUCH better player than the CD-S, the 99Pre is not the most transparent of components, if you only listen to CD or other digital sources you won't miss it.
The 99Stereo is a great amp, really underated & the 22Ls are a good match.
I can't comment on the 'speakers suggested by others etc., but I know the sound of your components very well & what I've suggested will have have the same character, but be so much better. Book yourself in for a dem at a local dealer.
The CDP2 is a very fine disc spinner, hard to beat for the price. It's very even handed, it just plays music.
Another good way to get the best out of your 99series components, if you're not already, is to use the QUAD-Link interconnects, fully balanced & simply the best way to do it.

Hope that helps,
JG

 

I might also add, Matt, that considerable (massive actually) sonic gains can be made in terms of further vibration management......but be warned, that they are such that once you start (as I know!), you won't stop!



David