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 2 responses by waltersalas


You will get lots of good advice here, bigbottle (nice moniker, BTW). I believe you are on the right track. I have a Supratek Syrah, and it mates just fine with the Bel Canto (which I had until upgrading to a Plinius SA 102). Both are good bargains in high end. You should be able to find an EVO 200.2 used for $1200-1300, if you decide to go that route.

As for turntable recommendations, contact members Twl or Albertporter. They are both very knowledgable and helpful and are especially adept in analog.

Welcome to the club. Good luck, and good listening.


Hey Bigbottle,

I was in the same predicament, waiting four months for Mick to finish my Syrah. I spent $650 for an Audible Illusions Mod 3, and wound up selling it for just over $600 once I got the Syrah. In effect, I "rented" the Audible Illusions pre for several months for less than fifty bucks. The Mod 3 is a terrific preamp and will make a great stopgap for you until your Supratek is ready. You might also look at a Rogue 66, which can be had for about the same $$$ and is highly regarded. Both should hold their resale value.

I really was surprised by how good the Audible Illusions was. Good phono stage, too.