There is a used pair of Spendor SP2/2 on eBay right now for $500. Lovely speaker and in great condition. |
lots of great equipment to explore. remember, each piece needs to work well with the others, and your room, and your musical and sonic preferences... |
I traded for some Silverline Minuets a while back. Smallest speaker I've owned. I'm shocked at how satisfying they are. My audio buddy is shopping for some now. Used I'm guessing they run $300-350, as they have been around a few years. Latest version is 699? I think. Reviews online are plentiful.
Of course, your ears and your money... best to listen to something in your room before buying if you can.
Best,
gary
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Hello @pawadalla, and welcome to the community.
Since you're new to the game, I thought it might be helpful to lay out a list of brands to look out for. You've entered a new level, with new players. Say goodbye to your old friends Sony and Kenwood, and say hello to your new friends:
Here are the brands I would suggest looking in regards to bookshelves in your price range (used):
Totem
B&W
Sonus Faber (the Concerto can be had for around $750)
Vienna Acoustics
NHT
ELAC (Uni-Fi UB5 is getting STELLAR reviews, comes out soon)
Wharfedale
Paradigm
Proac
B&W, NHT, and Paradigm have products spanning the spectrum from basic consumer to high-end, but in your price range each of their offerings should be high quality.
Now in the amp/preamp department, same drill. These are quality brands with offerings in your used price range:
NAD
Adcom
Musical Fidelity
Emotiva
B&K
Outlaw
Rotel
Starting out, you may be better served with an integrated amp. That means your amplifier has multiple inputs for each of your components, and also controls the volume. In the future, you may want to get separate components for these duties.
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Check out the PC Sprout integrated. 50 wpc, includes DAC, phono preamp, headphone amp, usb, and bluetooth. About $500 at most sites. Not a receiver, but you could probably pick up a used tuner fairly cheap, and still have $700-800 for speakers.
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A used pair of Vandersteen 2C's would fit your budget! |
As an update to my last post: The 325BEE remains for sale. The seller is asking $300 plus shipping. You might offer the $300 to include shipping.
Underwoodwally is offering the Micro Mega MyDAC for $249. I think this to be a very good DAC that would not be bettered at that price. He also sell the LSA Model 1 speaker at $599. Both on Audiogon, his number is listed. I am not affiliated however have talked to him and he is helpful.
You might consider purchasing a integrated amplifier and DAC with the intention of keeping them for the long haul and getting a modest used pair of speakers for the short term to provide yourself with music while exploring the speaker market in search of a pair that truly 'floats your boat’. Purchasing new (to you) speakers is the single best way to upgrade a system and open a new window to one’s music library.
A couple retail outlets to contact are Audio Advisor and Music Direct. I have dealt with both to satisfaction.
I believe a very satisfying system can be had with your budget. Might take some time and effort. It is about the journey. For example, I put together a 2nd system for just around your $1200 budget and at ~50% of retail. It consists of the NAD 326BEE integrated, B&W 685 speakers with 4 column steel stands, MHDT Paradisea+ DAC, M2tech USB/SPDIF converter, Audioquest sidewinder interconnects and Type 4 speaker cables. It took time but was worth it. Enjoy your journey!
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You need to consider your listening space as a big part of your decision. So, size, shape, layout, and construction, if you are planning to stay put for some time. For example, reach out to the community, dealers, and even manufacturers, about recommending a speaker in your budget based on your room. Different speakers do not all work in the same space. And, supporting equipment must best match the speakers. Don't rush in, and research instead. And, because you don't have a lot to spend right now, consider the types of music that you enjoy the most. If you have the chance to listen to any of the gear you're considering, bring that music along. There may also be an Audio Show that you can go to and listen. Kenny |
Thanks for the responses. I certainly appreciate them.
My digital sources will be mostly live recordings of bands such as Umphreys Mcgee - they play everything from jazz to metal. It will be an iPhone or a computer. I know many of these are poor quality, which will be accentuated with good speakers.
Mainly, I want to mention that I do not plan to build a large vinyl collection. Maybe I will want to down the road, perhaps I will be ready to buy a new system by then.
But for this system, I'd like recommendations based on no vinyl. After some thought, floor standing speakers will probably be best for me as I would prefer not to havea separate Sub. I would be willing to spend my limit, $800, on those.
thanks again for the recommendations, and please keep them coming. I would love as much info as possible to research.
--Patrick
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Agree on the Vienna Bach, but at your price I would wait for a Bach Grand |
I own the NAD 326BEE and think it to be an excellent option given your budget ($550 new retail). I believe there is a used C325BEE for sale here on AG. Buy a used DAC that will accommodate your digital sources (what are they?). Buy used interconnect cables off Ebay or here on AG. Check out Markertek or Blue Jean Cable for speaker cables. I am hesitant to recommend speakers as what is best is subjective, however would suggest buying a used pair of bookshelves at ~$500 Those with 87dB or better sensitivity and 8ohm impedance.
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213 running makes some good suggestions. I would add that you look at some of the other gear in the NAD line up, and also check out Cambridge Audio's options. Marantz also makes a two-channel integrated with an onboard DAC that you can probably source at a discount. For speakers, I think you're gonna want floor standers to get the bass reinforcement you're looking for at that price range (full range monitors are very spendy). There are a couple pair of Vienna Acoustic Bach's for sale on Agon right now (one on the east coast and the other on the west). I'd take a good look at the Vandersteen 1s or 2s as well.
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I recently bought an integrated amp that I'm really impressed with for the money, and at a pretty good discount. For you I'd suggest the Nad C356DAC, normally it goes for about 900, but is on sale at this time of year as they clear out the factory refreshed stuff.
You should be able to get it for about $650 at spearitsound(click on the "used, demos and specials" link on the home page), if you are decided on getting a DAC, which is a module installed in this Nad. Speakers, for 800 or less, you might be better off with a bookshelf as towers at this price range are pretty entry level.
A great option for bookshelf speakers is an internet direct dealer like Ascend Acoustics. The Sierra-1 outperforms anything at the same price range of $750 because they don't have the usual mark up of the wholesale/retail brands.
A couple of really good options to chew on! |
