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Recommended one make systems?

Man, do I love music! I am so thankful to have grown up in the South were just about everyone plays an instrument or sings. Being a part of those Saturday evening pack porch picking sessions, Sunday morning worship services, riverbank practice sessions...whatever....really ingrained a deep reverence and appreciation of music. Anyway, on to adulthood and only having time to myself late in the evenings to enjoy music. My present system just does not have the presence that live music has. But, then again, does anything?

What one make system really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up? What gets your toes tapping? What stirs your soul? I've read tons of reviews from noted reviewers, but how do these one make systems compare in real life? I think I would like to try the Quad 909/99 CD-P2, Krell 400xi/SACD Standard, NAD M3/M5, NAIM NAIT 5i/CD5i, Ayre AX-7e/CX-7e or maybe even the Cambridge 840A/840C. Which systems have I missed that are head and shoulders above these? Granted, these would have to be used to fit my budget, but I am a patient man.
My present speakers are Quad 21L's, which may need replacing to bring out the beauty of these systems. Care to share your thoughts?

Thanks!
6stringsling

Showing 3 responses by 6stringsling

6stringsling OP
4 posts
 
Well, sort of. I found a Quad 99 preamp and 909 amp and brought them home. Needless to say, I haven't been to these boards in about four months. I'm still using a NAD C542 CD player with pretty good results and the Quad 21L's remain in place. I am pining pretty badly for the Quad 99 CDP-2, as I believe that this will really be a large source improvement. The 99 pre's phono amp is strong... I sold my Bellari a few weeks after receiving the Quad gear. I'm also getting an itch for a pair of Quad electrostatics, but those my take a while to obtain. I'm using Kimber Kable interconnects and will hopefully get some Kimber 8TC soon. Has anyone had any experience with Kimber Kable looms? What else has worked well for you?
6stringsling OP
4 posts
 
Timrhu, no nastiness noted. It's all good!
6stringsling OP
4 posts
 
WOW!!! Thanks so much for all the great information and suggestions. My reasoning (please remember that this is only my second attemp at putting together a musical system) for a one make system is that I would hope that there would be synergy created by the designer/designers of each brand. I certainly hope that brand X uses their own CD players to test and voice their preamps/amps, speakers, etc. Maybe this isn't the case and I'm just naive. But, and again this may be my naivity, just because CD player Y is rated at 5 stars and integrated Z is also rated at 5 stars, do they work together in a musically pleasing manner? Also, I should have been clearer in my initial post in that I am seeking a CD source and preamp/amp or integrated amp only. No turntables.....yet, no subs and definitely no tuner. Just a CD based system. And I know that only a few manufacturers produce their own cabling and ICs, so that would have to come from elsewhere (which is another debate altogether). So, with the clarifications, which CD/Preamp/Amp or integrated (SS or tube, either can be great) one make systems are available that are musically and emotional with their delivery? Thanks again for the great recommendations. I've really got some homework to do, but this is fun! I may give the Quad 99 CDP2/909 a shot first and go from there.
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