I'm selling stuff like a crazy man, gearing up to buy ......more gear. Top on the list of new things coming in: the new Toft Trident console coming out in April. I'm signed up and psyched about that puppy.

Here's the question. I've got about a grand extra to play with. I've upgraded my room to where my Yamaha MSP5's sound amazingly better. They're nice monitors and I'm used to them, but I know there is better out there.

If I were going to further improve my monitoring chain, should I:

1. Buy new monitors in the price range (Dynaudio BM5A or Event Precision 8's);

2. Keep the Yammies and get a good DAC (Benchmark or Lavry...if it passes Dot's muster).

Right now I monitor analog off the Mix Wiz or analog out from a Masterlink. The Masterlink's D/A is definitely not its strength.

Based on your experience, which component would you upgrade 1st and why?

shortyprs, I'd recommend getting monitors first. There's no sense in sticking a $1000 DA in your system if you don't already feel your monitors are kickin.

That would allow more flexibility to do a few things. Compare the new monitors directly to your Yamaha MSP5's. Plus, if you have some new monitors, then you can sell the Yamaha MSP5's and put that $ towards the purchase of a good DA.

On the Lavry DA10, we're still waiting and it should be next week when I can check one out and A/B it against the DAC1. Keep in mind the DAC1 is already industry-proven and has been now for a few years. My DAC1 is still the single one piece of gear in my studio that I would not replace with anything else.

DAC1 and Dynaudio have been an absolutely killer monitoring system for me over the last two years. And even though I audition a lot of gear, that combo has stayed and I've felt no desire to switch out to something else.

Bonjour Shorty. What good is a high-dollar stereo DAC going to do you when you acquire that fancy-smancy Toft?

I recently moved back home (I'll probably take next semester off to restore my money, health and semen.), and decided to devise my room (that's right, only one room this time around...) around my glorified boombox... Much to my amusement it only took a few frustrating hours to strangle oodles of pre-subsequently discovered sonics out of my modest setup.

My point -- You could very well get superior results by tediously dicking around with the decent shit you’ve already got than ponying up for more. There will always be a later and greater product you can improperly place waiting for your hard earned income, but once you’ve learned how to get the absolute most out of what you’ve got, you can effortlessly apply that knowledge to fine-tuning something new and improved.

I do recall, from numerous of your previous posts that you put a lot of physical effort and research in to obtaining you’re ideal guitar setup (tubes, speakers, pedals, ect…), so for all I know you’ve already invested tons of time into speaker placement and acoustic design… So please do not take the above rant personally, Shorty.

I too have a DAC1, and I agree with Dan’s belief that it is indeed pretty damn dope...

P.S. I finally set up a 9’ equilateral triangle with my mid-field, KRK V-8’s. I knew that 6’ wasn’t enough… but I didn’t think the difference would be worth my time and space… But, boy was I wrong. Ya dig?

P.P.S. My GearSlutz reply is: Go with the monitors this month, and the badass DAC the next-- if you bourgeois ass has anything left after taxes!

P.P.P.S. And buy both site unheard!

-Dusty

quote:

Originally posted by Dot:
shortyprs, I'd recommend getting monitors first. There's no sense in sticking a $1000 DA in your system if you don't already feel your monitors are kickin.

Yeah, What Dan said. I am a really big fan of the precision 8s.

Dusty! Welcome back!

Dot, Ronan and Dusty, sometimes I ask questions just to hear others tell me what I shoulda, oughta knowd in my head. I was looking hard at that DAC, then I said to myself, "Self, you've got MSP5's." Thank you for the helpful slaps upside the head!

Now, Dot and Ronan, I wish you guys would do a shoot out between the Precision 8's and the Dynaudios. That would help this poor fool a lot!

sorry shorty, got nothing to add (except I think monitors too....)

just wanted to chime in on the

"Dusty - long time no...etc"

Dusty! Long time no type.


As a Dynaudio BM15A owner, I too would love to hear a Dyn vs. Event Pcn. 8 shootout.


I also agree that there's no point in getting a good DAC if you can't hear what it's doin. Monitors first, DAC a definite second (you'll want to anyway when you hear the new monitors).

Now, why can't Bush get this kind of consensus!??!


(Sorry Bush fans, the devil made me do it!!!!! Hee, hee, hee.....)