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Help building new system: devore, verity or Sonus?

I'm getting a dedicated room for my gear, but the room is tiny, at 11.5' by 11.5' with about 9.5' ceiling.

I've been listening and reading up on a lot of speakers and the one's I'm most curious about are Devore Fidelity's The Nines or Super 8s, Verity Audio Finn (possibly Rienzi) and the Sonus Faber Liuto.

My current system is a McIntosh MA6600 with Dali MS4 Euphonia's, Clearaudio Turntable, and MHDT DAC with Mac Mini and Denon 3910, and Harmonic Tech. cables. I listen to folk, singer-songwriter, jazz, classical, female vocals, classic and indie rock, as well as solo guitar work. I Prefer smaller scale groups and intimate recordings.

My previous experience with the Dali's in a small room makes me feel they will be too much. I will treat the room as best I can, but WAF is a big issue.

I want to build my system around my speakers, and am in the NYC area, so can demo a lot. I'd prefer to buy from a dealer probably. I am looking to build a system that is very natural sounding and has some life and emotion to it, with no listener fatigue. I like: nice, taut, round bass that isn't boomy, muddy, or over-pronounced; sweet highs that are neither syrupy nor hyper-detailed and analytical; lush but not over-romantic mids.

I'd like to spend under $7,000 on the speakers. What do you guys think about the McIntosh with the speakers I listed? I am happy with the McIntosh, but would consider changing to something else if I found it didn't pair best. It's a small room so don't want anything that runs super hot.

Any other speakers I should try out? Any particular speaker/integrated amp combos you guys love?

Sorry this is so long, and thanks in advance for the help!
brookjoo
brookjoo OP
26 posts
 
Thanks Toudou: I thought of that too, but it won't work because of a closet and a window in the room.

Jdoris: I'll keep you updated about what I hear, starting now:

I listened recently to the Liuot's with an Audio Research Company VSi60 and an Ayre cd player (7xe or something like that). The sound was truly lovely. It was incredibly pleasing to listen to, my only nitpicks were that the soundstage was perhaps not as deep or as tall as my current setup, but I'm in a BIG room now. Frankly, in some ways I could have easily just bought that setup outright (minus the CDP) and been a happy camper.

I listened to the Nines a couple of weeks back with a friend, who is purchasing them, and loved them. I heard them with a luxman amp, I believe, which sounded authoritative and very natural--a striking combo. I heard them again at in Living Stereo recently, with a Leben amp. I really wanted to love this, because I love the look of the Leben, but I thought the Luxman was significantly better on the bottom end. I agree with what everyone says, though that In Living Stereo is a great place. If I go with the Nines I will probably go there. I'm going to go back and listen to the Finns I guess, when I have time.
mordante
511 posts
 
I know there are some speaker brands out there that make speakers that are meant to be placed against the wall. Would that be an option?
brookjoo OP
26 posts
 
I wouldn't rule it out, but would need them to be sold locally. I'll buy amps and other pieces of equipment without listening, because it's easy for me to ship if I don't like. Speakers, however, I prefer buying new from a dealer so I can listen to them, obviously, but also becasue shipping is a huge pain, and I like a warranty with my speakers.

Some seam to feel that I should go with monitors. I'll give a listen, but for some reason I'm not as sure about monitors. Will go back and listen to the DeVores. Any other monitors people think would be a good stand in for a smaller floor stander?
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Brookjoo,which specific Luxman and Leben amps did you hear. I assume maybe they were integrated amps.
jetrexpro
506 posts
 
Brookjoo,

Did you happen to go Sound by Singer near Union Square and hear the Nines with the Pathos TT?
Has anyone out there heard this combo?
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