I heard a pair of Wharfedale 10.2 speakers paired with a Creek Evolution 50A integrated last weekend at a friend's house and I thought the system sounded very good. It was set up in an average size bedroom and filled the room nicely - his son's room. Don't know exactly how much he paid for the system but I think its within your price range. He's an avid audiophile so I know he did a solid research before selecting this gear.
Help Me Choose (new) Bookshelf Speakers, and Integrated Amplifier for $1300 and under!
Hello Audiogon Community,
I would like to buy a pair of bookshelf speakers and an amplifier for a smallish living room, for $1300 or less.
My decision was Elac UB5 and Yamaha 701 amplifier. Is this the best decision??
Some notes... I do not need a dac! A phono stage would be nice, but I have a music hall mini. My turntable is Music Hall MMF 5.3 We listen to all music, mainly acoustic, classical and jazz. We prefer a neutral, accurate sound.
Thank you for your help and input!!!
I would like to buy a pair of bookshelf speakers and an amplifier for a smallish living room, for $1300 or less.
My decision was Elac UB5 and Yamaha 701 amplifier. Is this the best decision??
Some notes... I do not need a dac! A phono stage would be nice, but I have a music hall mini. My turntable is Music Hall MMF 5.3 We listen to all music, mainly acoustic, classical and jazz. We prefer a neutral, accurate sound.
Thank you for your help and input!!!
20 responses Add your response
Alright friends, I think I am coming closer to my decision, I would call a few Elac dealers and see what integrated amps they recommend. I know that not every unit of a given product run is perfect, but I bought one of the first Outlaw RetroReceivers and I was absolutely underwhelmed and sent it back. A couple good integrated amp candidates would be something in your price range from Marantz or NAD. It turns out Elac makes an integrated amp, too. |
Might as well spend half that and save the other half by going with Emotiva. Specifically, their ta-100 integrated and airmotiv-b1 bookshelf speakers. https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/pres-and-pros/ta-100 https://emotiva.com/products/speakers/airmotiv-b1 |
A lot of good choices. The ELAC's are very good. My choice of a integrated would be the Rogue Audio Sphinx. Clean, simple, 100 watt/Ch. class D power section with tube pre. Has a good phono section and headphone amp section. Highly rated. Some good used prices out their for this integrated.... Cheers, Tim |
I used a NuPrime IDA-8 integrated with the ELAC UB-5s, thought it was a great combination of smoothness, imaging, detail and dynamics. I did not, however, use the analog inputs, as you would be with your Music Hall front end. Julie Mullins in her Absolute Sound review of the IDA-8 amp, extensively listened to a vinyl source through the analog inputs and was so impressed she bought the trial sample. Occasionally, the ELACs go on special for $399 a pair, and I've seen demo Nuprime IDA-8s at $899. Also, if you can find a dealer who carries both brands, you should be able to get a system price close to your $1300 target. |
The elacs are quite good for the money. I was very impressed I setup a atmos theater used for 2 channel audio as well for a friend with the Marantz SR7010 for the pre a mcintosh 7108 amp with elac ub5s and a dual velodyne 12" powered subs. They sound quite good. I was impressed. I didn't like the B5s as much. The ub5s have better topend with the intigrated tweeter/mid-range driver. For the price it's a no brainier. I have since bought a pair for work paired up with a Peachtree Nova 150 for our commen area for my office staff. The girls crank it up all the time and it gets loud. As for speakers they are a great budget choice. I wouldn't recommend the Peachtree as there is no phono stage. But it's a great little amp none the less. |
Used Parasound HCA-1000 or 1500a amplifier Used Parasound P/LD1100 preamp and Dynaudio Emit M20 and what ever source you want. I think the UB5 was a good choice I bought a pair of B6 second hand when they first came out on eBay for $190 but just picked up an Immaculate pair of Tannoy Mercury MX2-m for $115 form the bay and in my room they sound identical. In this hobby I think it's more fun to have components gives it that old school feel to have a preamp and power amp makes set up fun and its cool to look at. Just my two Penny's cheers guys. |
I own the following system and use it in my bedroom. Assuming you will be buying new. Outlaw Audio RR 2160 @$800 Wharfedale Denton Anniversary speakers @$500 Outlaw comes with built in phono. Have used the previous incarnation (2150) for the past 12 years. http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2160.html https://www.cnet.com/news/outlaw-audio-rr-2160-the-audiophile-choice-for-stereo-receivers/ https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/wharfedale-denton-80th-anniversary-bookshelf-speakers-pr http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/index.php/loudspeakers/65-reviews/519--wharfedale-denton-80th-anniversay... Rich |