Build me a killer Rock/Metal Rig for 1K

AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP, AMP,

you have been given some good ideas on amps but I would stay away from the Golden Tubes unless you are real handy at fixing things. I have a friend, who is handy, owned 2 of the SE40s and never stopped working on them. He talked with lots of other owners and found the same trend. The Classe would certainly fit the bill if you can find one at $400-$600 (don't worry about age they have great build quality and are reliable). Would not do parasound, B&K, or Adcom, I don't think you will get the "warmness" you need alothough you would get all the balls. Not familiar with McCormick, outside of articles, but it might do the trick. Another couple of great values that should have the power needed:
*Audio Analoge Donizetti power amp...one for sale right now for $800 but that is a little high. You will have to wait and watch for the right situation since they don't come around too often. Great looking gear too.

*Marsh 200w - pushing your budget but there are 2 on AGON both under $900 right now.

Musical Fidelity - a little high but you might be able to find something in your range

Sim Audio - there is a W4070 right now for $650...killer deal. Older model but it would do the trick.

Electrocompaniet - in particular the AW60FTT...there was someone selling 2, $650 each, and his add is still up. I owned this and I like it better than anything else I have mentioned so far. Original retail was $1999 (a little high). Look under AW60 because the guy spelled Electro wrong. If you have to wait, I think it would be worth it. 60W of class A power (acts like 100+) and very warm (some might say dark...but what do they know)

NAD - known for being "dark" also but plenty of drive and headroom (their specialty) and you should be able to find an older retired model well within your budget.

ANOTHER THOUGHT: Consider an integrated and drop the pre tube requirement, it would save a lot of money and if you stuck to Sim, Musical Fidelity, Electrocompaniet and Sim (maybe even the NAD) I think you would find everything you want.

TUBE PREAMP, TUBE PREAMP, TUBE PREAMP, TUBE PREAMP, TUBE PR
Don't know the YS-Audio but I would take a chance for that kind of money.

Consance T99 retails for $799 and now comes with a remote option - you will have to look around to find the remote option and get it used. Maybe you can find a dealer willing to sell a "demo" to you. I bet they would like to move some of the equipment.

Call some dealers and see if you can find a used or demo piece at the right price.

CD PLAYER, CD PLAYER, CD PLAYER, CD PLAYER, CD PLAYER, CD
I wouldn't do anything out of my way to get SACD since there isn't enough software out there to please a Rock dude like you. However, if it comes with the deal, why not.

Sony - the Sony line is extensive and have changed models so many times it is hard to keep up. But study the line and almost anything you settle on will be a good buy. They have really done an excellant job on trickle down since the relase of SACD, specially the SCD-1.

Cambridge Audio D-500SE - mint unit for $250 right now on AGON...not SACD but you are going to have to go a long way to get better sound for the price.

There are others but it isn't necessary to look further.

CABLES, CABLES, CABLES. CABLES, CABLES. CABLES, CABLES
SPEAKER
Nordost Blue Heaven used - about $100 bucks a pair for 1m
or Nordost Solor Wind 1m pair $110 retail, tough to find used...all the Nordost is fast, great bass, and neutral. If you want coloration (i.e. warmth) go with Van Den Hul in this too...about the same price.

SPEAKER CABLE
Van Den Hul - The Wind MkII Hybred...now they changed the model number but I believe this is the same model I bought. Butt ugly but it will make your system sing...warmth and deep taught bass. 8ft terminated pair was around $175 retail...again, you will have to do some homework but it will be worth the work.

COUPLE OF OTHER THOUGHTS
1. Save some more money and get $1500 and the task will be much easier.
2. Consider selling the Theils and combining the money (again the $1500 for other would be best) then start from scratch so you don't have to worry so much about a hard-to-drive speaker. Triangle (both are 90db+ so any amp you want will do) Antal ($1500 retail) and Celius ($2000 retail)...not a better sounding speaker in that price range, though MANY others would disagree. I am not sure of how they would do with so much Rock music but I guess real well...you could even supplement with a used paradigm sub and kick some serious, heavy metal, guitar toten, funny cigerette smokin, thunder clappin, jaw-droppin, knee bendin, in-your-face, rock the house, slammin, ear-bleeding, love-makin, ROCK AND ROLL BABY!!!!!!

Have fun

I agree with hifiguy, great idea...CALL THEIL, they can tell you...I hear they have good service

have fun

cd

I thought you could get more for them...before you sell...get a clear idea of what road you would take if you had the money for them.

Are you going to take the same money and buy something else? If so, what? What will be "better" than the Theil's for $800ish?

If you combine the sale money with other money you have saved what then? What speaker and then what approach on the rest of your system?

Are you sure you have to have a "tube pre" and are you sure you have to have seperate pre and amp?

Are you sure your budget is only $1000?

I would answer these questions first.
1. budget...how much do you have to work with all together, is there any flexibility and if so how far will you stretch?

2. Do you have to have tube-pre and seperate amp? If not, you probably can find solid state seperates that fit the bill or an integrated that takes you where you want to go. (also, an integrated saves you the cost of a pair of interconnects) Sim Audio Moon I5 ($1200-$1350 used).

3. If you forget the above and decide to sell the speakers, what them? $800? What can you buy that is better for $800? Will you combine other money, if so, it will change the whole dynamics of what you are doing. AN ASIDE: I am not saying these are "better" than the Thiel from a purest stand point, but given your situation here is what I think. If you go to change speakers, look at the PSB Stratus Gold (or Gold "i")...tons of ROCKIN Speaker(does well with finnese also). Goes down to mid thirties (literal chest slamming), plays very loud without losing focus and is reasonably priced. Can get the old Gold (not i version) for $600 to $800 and you can get the latest "i" version for around a $1000 (should be one on AGON now). I owned the old Gold and sold it to a best friend 2 years ago and they still are one of the best values in full range speakers you can buy (he still owns them, still likes them, still likes me). In my house (12x19x8 LR), when cranked, just using a top line receiver at the time, I could literally shake the house and slam you in the chest with the right music. Also, they are VERY VERY easy to match, run about 89db or 90db at 8 ohms so you don't need a lot of power to carnk them. I started out with a little 30 watt receiver (20 plus years old) and then graduated to a flagship Yamaha and then beyond to the "true" high-end stuff (although I am still amazed at how good some of the "cheap" "junk" is...it will often take you 85%-90% of the way). Each change I made they responded well and sounded better. Highly recommended. (since then I have owned Sonus Faber Gauneri (10k), Kharma Ceramique 2 (11.5k, JM Lab Minis (8200)...and have tried many many more, because I am good friends with a dealer, and the PSB can hold their own. I have asked myself many times if it really was worth 10 and 20 times the cost? Very subjective but I was lucky and only paid $500 for my PSB...you do the math, that is a lot of supporting equipment and/or a lot of music.

Let us know what you deicde, I am curious and hope the best for you.

charles

I am glad to see you go with the Electro. I don't know about the AW75 but I owned the AW60, as mentioned above, and have heard the AW120 and Nemos and they all have a similar sound so I suspect the AW75 will also. Now, the 75 is the amp you can bridge for 220w right? If so, you can save for a second one, bridge them and use them as mono blocks running 220 a side. That ought to rock.

Don't know the pre amp so I can't say. However, if you don't like it after a bit, you could try and different approach and sell it and the amp and buy an Electro integrated. Just a thought.

Cheap wire. How cheap? Nordost makes a inexpensive speaker wire that runs about $120 a 8 ft pair, if I remember right; it is called Flatline Gold Mk II. Both my kids use it.

Do you need interconnects too? I assume yes. If so, you will need two pair right? [source to pre and pre to amp] or is there something else in the chain? Again, with Nordost you can go with either Solar Wind (about $110 1M pair retail) or Blue Heaven (about $200 1M pair). Used? Blue Heaven is around $100 (currently one pair for this on AGON) and Solar wind, if you can find them, should run under $100.

There are others, but if this fits your budget, I think they will mate well with your system. Need to know how much you want to spend. If you can't find what you want, email me because I have an inside track to several lines (Nordost, XLO, Tara Labs, Analysis Plus, Van Den Hul, Harmonic Technology, Magnan, and...I don't remember them all but this is enough, right?)

Good listening, let me know what happens.

charles

Hey, here is a great deal on AGON for XLO, 10 ft just like you want. I have owned these and bought them as a present for my nephew and I think they are a steal for $110. Go to: XLO VDO ER-12 10ft speaker cable

If you got a $100 bucks you can't beat it.

ced

The Electro I was thinking about is the new 220. However, I recently emailed the manufactuer and asked about bridging on the AW60...I understand that all of their models will bridge. They sent me a diagram and explanation...very nice and very helpful.

I think the Nordost, or other flatwire products, would be the better route to go if you can swing the price. I know the Thiel sound and the Electro leans to the "dark" side (not bad more of a signature of warmth) and the Nordost works real well with both. I have tons of experience with a number of products around my Electro which stayed stationary throughout all the moves. That said to try and convince you to go with Nordost.

Anyway, I am excited about the new fun you have coming.

charles