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Am I going insane?

I am not what most of you would call an audiophile, although I do appreciate a nice soundstage. I figured this was a good place to ask my questions. First I want to give you my situation though...

Last year I bought the Sony 40"XBR. I love it. Now it's time to purchase a very modest sound system for HT and 2channel. I don't have ANY equipment yet. I do know that the speakers are the first, most important piece to aquire.

So, I was at a dealer last week. I was listening to the B&W CDM NT1 series in both 5.1 and 2 channel. The sound was clear and I was pretty impressed. This is the B&W series (at least retail) that is in my price range.
Then, the fella helping me switched to the Boston Acoustics VR-M60s, with the matching center and surrounds. I thought that the BAs sounded better...much better...more free, less boxy. Both sets were being played from a Yamaha reciever (not hifi to be sure, but I can't afford good components yet). AM I NUTS? Would seperates make this setup sound better? The room was setup nicely, at least as far as my limited experience can tell.

Since then I have listened to a PSB setup, but wasn't as impressed. I also teased myself with a BEAUFIFUL Sonus Faber setup that I might be albe to afford in about 1000 years. I am looking for other options, but am limited by around a $2000 budget for speakers. If I can get something used that is higher quality (but able to be pushed from a reciever for a while), I certainly will go that way. I read similar posts as this regarding Thiel 1.5s. I am searching for a place to hear these.

I have decided to go with the Velodyne SPL800 or SPL1000 sub, as I really liked how it dissapeared in the B&W and BA setups.

Please help a really green newbie who is trying to get some bang for bucks.

Thanks,
Z
zstokes
devaaudio's avatar
devaaudio
40 posts
 
Hi,

If you are willing to be patient then keep your eye out for a pair of Linn Ninka's. They go for around $1000 used and sound incredible. They are perfect for future upgrading because if you stay with Linn amplifiers you can eventually go "active". This makes a pair of $1700 speakers sound like $3000+. In addition, the company has strong research/development roots and they make very nice products that withstand the test of time. I also agree with other members about going for Rotel, NAD, HK, for receivers instead of Yamaha, Sony, Pioneer, etc. Good Luck!
zstokes OP
124 posts
 
Thanks to all who have replied, and are yet to do so!

So, I am almost convinced to find a decent pre/pro and amp instead of a reciever. I would like to get a pre/pro capable of DTS, and am definitly going to have to buy used. For starters, I am thinking of the pre/pro and a good 2channel amp, adding a 3channel later for center and surrounds.

So I guess along with my request for speakers to listen to, I am also asking what would be a good pre/pro +2channel amp combo for around $1000 used, that would also allow me to add another 3channel amp later for HT?

When I told my wife that would like to buy a nice sounding audio setup to go with the new TV, she first said..."Zach, what's an 'audio setup'? That sounds expensive!. I know how you are!' was the line I believe...how many of you have heard something like this, I can only imagine.

So thanks again for helping me down the right path. I'm sure I will appreciate it when I'm listening to whatever it is I end up with!

Z
dlyman235b
1 posts
 
A speaker worth checking out if you can find a dealer is the new POLK LSI line. I prefer the LSI7 (smaller bookshelf) to the CDM 1NT and it can be purchased much cheaper as can the bigger LSI9 bookshelf. This is based on many listening sessions with the B&W at different show rooms. To my ear the Polk's sound better. They are smooth, not the least bit bright which is a plus when running on a receiver. I'm using a Denon receiver and they sound great together. They seem to be very musical speakers and sound great with movies.

May be worth a listen....
jimmy2615
436 posts
 
I don't normally join in these sorts of discussions when all the good advice has already been given, but I wanted to second P mmk's post about brightness. It may be an assumption of course that the Boston's are brighter in sound than the B&W's, but if it is true, then the advice is something I have defintely experienced - - the demo sounds good, and then even after you get it home for a while, but after a time you start craving less "sheen" or even harshness and more accuracy/mellowness, which in my opinion usually means more realistic. Also, Jameswei's post is also excellent advice - watch out, you may start wanting to upgrade constantly. The only way out is to buy either the cheapest thing out there (of the decent equipment) and be content knowing it sounds pretty good for pretty cheap, or buy the best you can't afford (credit!) that you won't be able to upgrade for a long time!
That's it, as always though, have fun.
neubilder
129 posts
 
I LOVE hearing direct comparisons made between B&W and Polk. ;-)
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