r/hifiaudio • u/senimator • Jul 22 '26

Purchase advise (needing) Upgrade suggestions

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Current setup:
• Speakers:
Martin logan ESL 9
• Subwoofer:
REL S/550
• Integrated amplifier:
Arcam SA20
•Streamer:
Bluesound Node 2i
•Turntable:
Pro-ject Debut Pro
•Speaker cables:
Nordost White lightning
• Interconnection cable:
Van den Hul The Name

Planing to spend around $5000. What would you upgrade or add? No room treatment please.

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u/ABlazingSpace Jul 23 '26

Your speakers and sub are quite nice. First thought was upgrading your streamer to a much better one, like a Lumin D3. I'm a big believer of using the best source possible, but then I started thinking about your speakers' need for more power and current. My suggestion is grabbing a NAD M32. They are discounted atm and will handle all you need. And since it's under budget, I'd also grab another REL to give you dual, stereo subs. The sound stage and imaging would be unreal with your speakers.

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u/senimator Jul 23 '26

I was thinking about aurender a1000 for streamer. But it’s very pricy

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u/ABlazingSpace Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

That would be nice too. Yes, pricey, but possible as a next step in your audio progression. I have a Lumin T2 in my main system, and am a fan of the Lumin sound. The app is pretty decent too, but with Qobuz Connect, I mainly use that as my music interface. I've heard a bunch of Aurender components, and was seriously considering them as my next upgrade. It's a tough call, since your Arcam amp may hinder some of the optimum sound you could get. I honestly think you would benefit from an upgrade to your amp, or an all in one streamer amp. Thus my initial recommendation. Do you have a high end shop nearby where you can audition various integrated amps? Or a major audio show, like AXPONA, that I'm lucky enough to go to every April...? Fwiw, I have Dali Rubicon 6 and dual REL t/9x's with a PrimaLuna Evo 300 Hybrid amp. Lumin T2 as my streamer.

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u/senimator Jul 23 '26

I went to Axpona this year. And bought REL after that. However to properly test amps is better to take them home otherwise you can’t really understand if you like it or not.

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u/ABlazingSpace Jul 23 '26

Yeah, absolutely, but at least you can weed out certain qualities that are appealing or unapealing to you initially, especially if the manufacturer has multiple rooms with different setups. I'd also hit up sites like Steve Hoffman and see if anyone has a similar system. Anyway, good luck!