Vimberg,Magico or Tidal great sound.
Speaker Upgrade Recommendation for Current Analog System - under $10,000 Budget
Music lovers/audiophiles, looking for input.
Considering a speaker upgrade to full range, floorstanders. Current analog system setup - recent full upgrade to Jolida JD 202 intergated amp. (40 watts), VPI Scout w JM 9 arm, Benz Mirco L2 cart, Tyler Acoustic Reference Monitors, ACI Force sub, Jolida JD 100 CD player. Have enjoyed current system for 15+ yrs. COVID and my location presents a challenge to auditioning. Based on articles and reviews narrowed considerartion to Salk Songbird3 BeAT, GoldenEar Triton One.R, Nola Contender S3. Refined to GoldenEar and Nola speakers. Seems GoldenEar may be the easiest for place in room. Reviews show them to share simular sound signature. Alternative option: switch out ACI Force for two Rythmik F12G subs, upgrade phono pre-amp and call it a day.
Listening room - 12' X 30' (configuration - odd shaped third floor (main room has window well, with narrow 6 ft. hallway to steps w/ separate room by steps). Favorite genries: Jazz and R&B, however, love music (1500 LP's). Probably last system change, looking at retirement with more time to enjoy my music. Appreciate the input.
Considering a speaker upgrade to full range, floorstanders. Current analog system setup - recent full upgrade to Jolida JD 202 intergated amp. (40 watts), VPI Scout w JM 9 arm, Benz Mirco L2 cart, Tyler Acoustic Reference Monitors, ACI Force sub, Jolida JD 100 CD player. Have enjoyed current system for 15+ yrs. COVID and my location presents a challenge to auditioning. Based on articles and reviews narrowed considerartion to Salk Songbird3 BeAT, GoldenEar Triton One.R, Nola Contender S3. Refined to GoldenEar and Nola speakers. Seems GoldenEar may be the easiest for place in room. Reviews show them to share simular sound signature. Alternative option: switch out ACI Force for two Rythmik F12G subs, upgrade phono pre-amp and call it a day.
Listening room - 12' X 30' (configuration - odd shaped third floor (main room has window well, with narrow 6 ft. hallway to steps w/ separate room by steps). Favorite genries: Jazz and R&B, however, love music (1500 LP's). Probably last system change, looking at retirement with more time to enjoy my music. Appreciate the input.
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Thanks to all, as you see don't use site to post often. Normally just read discusions & reviews to stay oin top of things (Audiogon'ers rock). Not looking for wall thumbing bass; detail, acurracy, CJ CD, Sony DVD). Many of the suggestions seem to focus on music & video based speakers. Looking exclusively for 2 channel music, got separate system in family room for HT (Anthem MRX 520, AE Aegis 1,3, center and sub, Pioneer 55 HD TV). I'm an old school, if its good stay with it. Leaning now towards Nola Contender S3 and LSA 20 Statements & Signatures. Anyone heard Raven CeLest speaker? |
Tannoy legacy Ardens for that size room. You will not be disappointed. Hands down The Best for the money you are looking to spend, under 10k. They are 4k each, so 8k for the pair, under budget and gorgeous sound And looks. My Eatons are the 10" stand mount babies ($2750 each), but boy what a sound...a Destination speaker, why futz around, buy the best! Each pair of Tannoys is hand built by one person at the Coatbridge Scotland factory. One of the Oldest speaker manufacturers in the world, now 95 years.... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannoy |
OP — I’ve owned a pair of NOLA Contender 2s for 5 years. Really lovely speaker. Happy to discuss my experience, compared to owning Vandy Treo CTs, NOLA KOs, Harbeth 30.2s, Wilson Audio Sabrinas, and recently, DAWs. Don’t know the Golden Ears sound, but Sandy Gross is a good friend of my neighbor. If you are near Maryland, consider borrowing my NOLAs for a few weeks. And I’d give you a great deal on either my NOLA KOs or Contenders. |
You can pick up a pair of used Vandersteen model 5As for way under $10K and build around them. That is where I would look. IMO most of the recommended speakers mentioned above are not there with the 5As. My experience comes from listening to so many speakers in many audio clubs, dealers, audio shows (I am a manufacturer), etc. I am not a huge Vandersteen fan boy or anything but they do so much correct plus having a build in adjustable sub helps with room interactions. Happy Listening. |
JRW1971- I live on Salisbury, Maryland Eastern Shore. Thank you for the input and audition offer. May be in touch. I'm leaning heavily towards the Nola Contender S3. Found a dealer who will sell me a new pair for $5500 ($6900 list) shipped from factory. Once I find out return/audiiton policy for Contenders that may be my move. Second place at this point are LSA 20 Statements, they have 30-day audiiton policy ( 10% restocking +shipping cost). Outside consideration Raven CeLest. Thanks to all fellow Audiogon'ers for your insights and input. Learned alot of new brands I never heard of before. Learned I can get excellant speakers under $7000 and save "mad money" for a new pre-phono amp. Prior to COVID, I visited high-end audio stores across the country when on the road for my job. Listening sessions were my past-time when I had free moments. Missed thoughs days. Still open to suggestions, probably looking to stay under $7000 thanks to the suggestions provided. |
We are a golden ear dealet the triton 1ts area phenominal set of speakers and an incedibile bargain The 1rs are a gigantic leap over the original tritons they have outstanding bass and fill up a big room A huge soundstage and good clarity makes the triton 1rs the best buy in your price range They can be driven by an inexpensive amp but will really shine with better gear We have a perfect trade in amp a prima luna dialogue hp with kt150 tubes The combo sounds amazing And we can work with you Dave and troy Audio intellect nj Golden ear dealers |
Before you run...... 1.Buy a pair of PSB 800 or 800i..... 2. Also buy the 300 bookshelves. 3. Total cost...maybe $350.00 Keep these in your closet. 4. Run a nearfield serup with the 300s into your room away from everything. This setup is portable and will bring you immense joy. You will have 2 setups essentially. 5. Use these speakers to compare to your 10k wishes. |
2 real sleepers..... I dare you...... PSB 300 JBL HLS610 Have some portable nearfiled listening fun...or play em further...nearfiled will shock you...... Try this track for demo....... https://open.spotify.com/track/3iFMGAGNzoTOnUQzKQKHKb?si=6ZzLEdqDRLaP1I05BoNTwQ&utm_source=copy-... |
We have similar systems: VPI Scout/JMS 9 and EL34 tube amp (Primaluna), but I have Soundsmith MIMC star and MCP2 mk2. Room is 28x19x9. I listen to mostly jazz and classical, especially chamber music. I went with the GoldenEar Triton Reference after a full afternoon live audition against the One.R...better bass but similar in all other respects. This was before the price increase and I thought it worth the difference as these would be the last speaker I get and the cost difference/yr spread over my life left would be insignificant. Placement has been easy with a wide, deep soundstage, and I do not need a sub. I have no regrets after a year and half. |
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I have owned the Salk Song3 Beats for almost 2 years and really like them. The finish is so nice, I have distressed mahogany veneer. I have 200 watts so not sure how 40 will do. I started out with a Krell FPB 200 amp and Krell KRC2 preamp, after buying a new house I switched to a 200 watt McIntosh integrated to cut down on size and number of boxes. 200 watts drives them very easily. Call Jim Salk, he is a very nice guy that will be honest with you and not pushy at all. Good luck! |
My dimes worth IF you can find a used set of khorns for the cabinets only. I bought the full Volti Audio upgrade and installed myself. If I can do it anybody can. Khorns are now on an otherworldly level. About 107 sensitivity. Can be powered by a 5 wpc single ended tube amp. Respond if interested. I am 78, wish I had done it years ago. |
The Golden Ear speakers to my ears are very colored and as someone pointed out, they are better for home video use. There are a lot of great speakers in this range. I'm a Vandersteen fan like many above and owned the Treo CT's and now have the Quatro's. I"m sure you'd have them in your final three if you heard all of the suggestions at the same time. I just like a speaker that is truly phase and time correct and uses pistonic drivers that won't break up like so many other cones do. It will be interesting to see which way you go. |
