2. amps-preamps
  3. 1039334358

New system advice?

Howdy,

Well,
four weeks ago I set out to do a HT system.
Started out buying a Marantz AV receiver. Followed that with a pair of Matrix 805's, HTM center, DM602's for the rear channels, a CDMCSE for rear center, and a Sunfire Truesub MK4 to shake the windows. Nordost solar wind
cables, and an Onkyo DVD/CD changer.

Heard a friend's Tyler Linbrook monitors and was blown away.(Gotta have more!!!)
Ordered the Linbrooks from Ty, and figure the HT idea is not what I want to do now. (Five and seven year old kids) I never get to watch much more than Monsters Inc anyway.

My father in law has a room full of old jazz LP's, so
I am going to set up a decent 2 channel with phono instead
of the HT. (I wish I could do both, but budget and room prohibit)
I am probably going to sell everything that I already bought, and start over with the 2 channel in mind.
It was fun to buy, listen, and play.
Anyway to make a long story longer, The Linbrooks are on the way, I am considering ordering a Supratek Syrah for the pre and phono(4-6 month wait at this point) or a CAT pre used.
Any thoughts on the pre's would be appreciated.
In need of advice for the amp and turntable. I probably have $4K to spend on "quality pre owned" equipment.

Tubes or SS for the amp? Linbrooks are 92db 4 ohm.
Thinking about cary V12i, Rogue Magnum 88, Bel Canto EVO 200 or ????

I have no idea on where to go on the turntable arrangement.

New at this, but having lots of fun so far.
Can't wait to listen to the LP's!

Thanks for your thoughts
bigbottlebob

Showing 3 responses by twl

twl
3,251 posts
 
Well, this is a tough call, because you have to split the $4k between a phono rig and an amp. They are both important, and you have some good quality other stuff to match up to.

If I had to make this call myself, and had 4 ohm 92db speakers, I'd look at a good used 300B tube amp. Like a Sun Audio, or Welborne Laurel for around $1200 used(tough, but can be done).

Then I'd spend $2800 on the Analog rig. A Teres model 245 in rosewood for $2k new, an Origin Live OL-1 arm for $450 new, Expressimo Heavyweight counterweight for $90 new, and Denon DL103R for $230 new.

The Supratek Syrah has a phono stage capable of handling the DL103R just fine. I have already gotten feedback from people who have used this combination succesfully.

Then go to the Triode Guild website, and follow the recipe for home brewed cables for SETs, that Harvey had cooked up before he died. That's what I use. Cheap and Good.

This will yield you an extremely good, all-tube system, with a killer analog front end. You will not be prepared for how good this will sound. It will shock you.
twl
3,251 posts
 
The used route is usually the one I take, when I can. In the case of this TT, I seriously doubt that you will find one used. Anybody that has one, knows what they've got and they have no intention of letting it get away from them. As far as performance goes, there is no used TT in the world that can match it for the price. So, if you go used, you may save some money, but you won't get as good of a sound. I think a used Linn would be a good buy if you want to keep it around $1k.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Bob, the OL-1 arm(modded RB250) is available from any Origin Live dealer. I got my OL Silver from Galen Carol Audio in Texas, but there are a couple of OL dealers that advertise on this website, in the Audiogon classifieds under "Analog". The Heavyweight, you have to order from Expressimo Audio direct, and have to specify "OL model". The Rega stub is not the same. It's about $90.

No matter which model you select, you get the same bearing and motor/controller, so the heart of the lowest model is the same as the top-of-the-line. You can upgrade any model to the top model in any increment you want.

If you get this table, you will never need to buy another TT. In top model form, it is very close to the best of anything made, in performance. This value cannot be beat by anything in analog today.

There are only about 300, or so, of these TTs out there. They are very low production, and have no dealer network. You save money by dealing direct with the factory.

The fact that it looks great doesn't hurt any either.

There is a dealer on A'gon, that is a Shelter cartridge dealer as well as OL dealer. He is advertising on the Analog classified section. You can get the cartridge and the tonearm from him. He may even have the counterweight.
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