Welcome to audio nuerosis 101. Not quite sure if the total budget is $600-700 or the first step budget is that amount. The B&Ws would be driven fine by the Onkyo Receiver given you are not wanting ear splitting levels. But you are really going alot of different directions with you thoughts on choices. If you like the tube sound and want to explore that route, the B&Ws would be ok but you would probably be better off with a more tube friendly speaker such as the Triangle Titus. I would find the ES model which sounds good with tube or SS. The older Titus needs to stay with tubes. IMO you need to stay away from "dark horses". There is a difference in friends musical tastes and their knowledge of music reproduction.
Upgrade Questions
Seeking to upgrade older consumer system (onkyo tx-840 and boston acoutic a-60's). I might add because I live in a condo with two common walls and common floor (my floor/neighbor's ceiling) that floorstanding and subwoofers are out of the queston therefore I'm limited to bookshelf speakers on stands. Listen to several speakers in the $500-600 a pair range and the ones that I seem to like best are the B&W DM602 v3. I'm also thinking at some point (because of budget issues this a two-step operation) that I'll replace the Onkyo receiver with an integrated amp. Heard a Jolida with NHT speakers a while back and was taken with the sound of tube equipment. Of course, my budget will still be limited ($600-700) so from reading various reviews if I wanted to get into tubes at that price, I would probably be looking at one of the Jolida Hybrid Integrated Amps. From what I've read, the Jolida 1501 sounds like it might be a good deal. Anyway, here's the questions.
1. Would the Jolida 1501 match well with the B&W 602's? If not what would be some good integrated amp matches (doesn't necessarily have to tube or tube/hybrid).
2. Based on the equipment I got (Onyko TX-840, 60 watts RMS and Boston Acoustic A-60's), what would you replace first, receivers or speakers. Both are in good working order and will be bases of a second system in my guest bedroom. I guess what I'm really wondering about will the Onkyo have enough power to drive the B&W's?
3. Also, a "dark horse" speaker enters the picture. A good friend of mine who's taste in music I trust (Been to many concerts with (Allmans, Little Feat, Sonny Landreth, Derek Trucks, ect) suggested that I might like the Cambridge Soundworks Newton series M-80 bookshelf speakers. Reading some reviews in audioreviews.com the majority of the people there seem to like them especially for the price ($499 a pair new, $350 for "B" stock). Of course, they're are no Cambridge dealers in my area but they do seem to have a good policy about auditioning their speakers (mail order, they pay for intial shipping, and you get a 45-day testing period). Anyway, was wondering if any of you had actually heard these speakers and could comment on them. Please keep in mind, the various factors (budget, amp/speakers synergy, need for "just" bookshelf speakers)that are involved in my modest upgrade.
Other useful info:
22 x 18 foot listening area, 15 foot cathedral ceiling (dropping to 8 foot at other end). Wall to wall carpeting. Standard living room furniture.
Listening likes: Blues, Classic Rock, Americana and Bluegrass. Most listening done at low to moderate level (Volume control on receiver rarely goes above the 9 or 10 o'clock position). Listening done on a Onkyo DX-C540 CD changer (yes, I know it's a changer, but for my listening habits a changer works best).
Thanks for any help and suggestions you can give me.
1. Would the Jolida 1501 match well with the B&W 602's? If not what would be some good integrated amp matches (doesn't necessarily have to tube or tube/hybrid).
2. Based on the equipment I got (Onyko TX-840, 60 watts RMS and Boston Acoustic A-60's), what would you replace first, receivers or speakers. Both are in good working order and will be bases of a second system in my guest bedroom. I guess what I'm really wondering about will the Onkyo have enough power to drive the B&W's?
3. Also, a "dark horse" speaker enters the picture. A good friend of mine who's taste in music I trust (Been to many concerts with (Allmans, Little Feat, Sonny Landreth, Derek Trucks, ect) suggested that I might like the Cambridge Soundworks Newton series M-80 bookshelf speakers. Reading some reviews in audioreviews.com the majority of the people there seem to like them especially for the price ($499 a pair new, $350 for "B" stock). Of course, they're are no Cambridge dealers in my area but they do seem to have a good policy about auditioning their speakers (mail order, they pay for intial shipping, and you get a 45-day testing period). Anyway, was wondering if any of you had actually heard these speakers and could comment on them. Please keep in mind, the various factors (budget, amp/speakers synergy, need for "just" bookshelf speakers)that are involved in my modest upgrade.
Other useful info:
22 x 18 foot listening area, 15 foot cathedral ceiling (dropping to 8 foot at other end). Wall to wall carpeting. Standard living room furniture.
Listening likes: Blues, Classic Rock, Americana and Bluegrass. Most listening done at low to moderate level (Volume control on receiver rarely goes above the 9 or 10 o'clock position). Listening done on a Onkyo DX-C540 CD changer (yes, I know it's a changer, but for my listening habits a changer works best).
Thanks for any help and suggestions you can give me.
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