Vivid Audio B1s
Your best ''outstanding'' products in last 5 yrs?
I have been reflecting on my biggest surprises and value-for-money purchases in the last 5 years - the ones that were truly impressive for the money, here are mine, and would like to find out about other maniac's choices! Stick to what you have actually purchased please! My top 5 (so far).
1. Yamaha AS2000 integrated amplifier.
Totally off the charts. This is an absolutely outstanding amplifier for the money - I cannot think of anything under $ 3,000.00 that is more refined, powerful, and full-featured all at once. Gracious looks and battleship build are a bonus.
2. Shanling MC-30 receiver.
It may look like a toy, but it sure isn't one. Wonderful musicality with a whopping 3 watts of power, sounds much more powerful than that. A steal at the price. Amp, cd, tuner, with the magic of tubes.
3. Yamaha AS1000 SACD player.
Only the second (along with the AS2000 amp) Yamaha component I have owned in my lifetime. Ridiculous price, amazing quality with the smoothest-operating load mechanism south of 5K. Someone told me that Yamaha's marketing mistake is that they should have invented a sister brand (like Pioneers TAD or Teac's Esoteric) for the AS series so that they could charge more. I agree, but in the meantine, the consumer wins.
4. Music Hall MMF-7 turntable.
No REGA or VPI bragging rights, but this is a BEAUTIFUL table worth every penny and more. Decoupled motor, classy acrylic plate, double-deck plinth, decent Pro-Ject tonearm, it just screams ''buy me''. Now updated to 7.1 - I listened to both, could not detect a sonic difference with the same cartrige.
5. Cambridge Audio combo of DacMagic and the new ID100 digital transport (check my review on this one). Roaming hundreds of free digital Web radio stations has become very enjoyable with not-too-shabby sound. Pocket change as far as audiophile budget goes for these 2 items.
Special mention to TT weights and their Classic model. Where else can you get a CNC-machined product from an avionics supplier for 60 bucks?
That's it for now - after mega-buck tube amps, cables, preamps and cd players - these top 5 are it for me, and have given me a break in my pocketbook with no regrets.
Let's hear your choices!
1. Yamaha AS2000 integrated amplifier.
Totally off the charts. This is an absolutely outstanding amplifier for the money - I cannot think of anything under $ 3,000.00 that is more refined, powerful, and full-featured all at once. Gracious looks and battleship build are a bonus.
2. Shanling MC-30 receiver.
It may look like a toy, but it sure isn't one. Wonderful musicality with a whopping 3 watts of power, sounds much more powerful than that. A steal at the price. Amp, cd, tuner, with the magic of tubes.
3. Yamaha AS1000 SACD player.
Only the second (along with the AS2000 amp) Yamaha component I have owned in my lifetime. Ridiculous price, amazing quality with the smoothest-operating load mechanism south of 5K. Someone told me that Yamaha's marketing mistake is that they should have invented a sister brand (like Pioneers TAD or Teac's Esoteric) for the AS series so that they could charge more. I agree, but in the meantine, the consumer wins.
4. Music Hall MMF-7 turntable.
No REGA or VPI bragging rights, but this is a BEAUTIFUL table worth every penny and more. Decoupled motor, classy acrylic plate, double-deck plinth, decent Pro-Ject tonearm, it just screams ''buy me''. Now updated to 7.1 - I listened to both, could not detect a sonic difference with the same cartrige.
5. Cambridge Audio combo of DacMagic and the new ID100 digital transport (check my review on this one). Roaming hundreds of free digital Web radio stations has become very enjoyable with not-too-shabby sound. Pocket change as far as audiophile budget goes for these 2 items.
Special mention to TT weights and their Classic model. Where else can you get a CNC-machined product from an avionics supplier for 60 bucks?
That's it for now - after mega-buck tube amps, cables, preamps and cd players - these top 5 are it for me, and have given me a break in my pocketbook with no regrets.
Let's hear your choices!
135 responses Add your response
Audio Research Reference 40 Anniversary preamp ($25,000). I've been listening to music through audio equipment for 40 years too. I've never heard anything like it! Music is positively thrilling. I'm floored by the very natural tonal colors, textures, and three dimensional images and soundstage. Absolutely amazing. |
I'm a big fan of the Triplanar tonearm. It is very easy to adjust, very consistently, with the hardest bearings of any arm made. So far its the closest LP presentation I have heard where the LPs I've done sound like the actual tapes. So far the best near-field monitor, cost no object, is made by High Emotion Audio (http://www.highemotionaudio.com). It uses a patented tweeter that has one of the widest dispersion angles of anything made (huge sweet spot), and its also one of the fastest tweeters made (faster and more detailed than any ribbon or ESL), yet very relaxed. I'm also a big fan of the Audiokinesis loudspeakers, which I think are outstanding as they totally take speakers to the mat that cost several times more. They are easy to drive, play the best bass in the their price range, are crazy musical and very nicely priced. The Tape Project has been pretty cool! You forget how far audio has come until you hear one of these tapes on a well-set up system. So far the best digital system I have heard is easily the Stahltek CD transport and DAC. If you can't/won't have analog this is the best at any price. |
Not really a "product" (since it was made somewhere around 1940 so it is not in current production/regular sale), nor something that can be considered an outstanding value (quite expensive), but, one of the biggest improvement I have ever made to my system was the recent purchase of a Western Electric 713b driver and a KS12025 horn to replace the midrange horn in my system. |
Peavey PV 215 floor-standing speakers. About US$600/pair. http://www.peavey.com/products/proaudio/loudspeakers/pv/index.cfm/item/114378/PV%26nbsp%3B215.html Silly cheap. Big warm sound that is never fatiguing or compressed, even at crazy volumes. These produce better overall sound than the Vandersteen 2CE, Mission 780, Totem Rokk, Klipsch Heresy II that I have had in the same (small) room over the years. WAF may not be that great so may not be for the livingroom. |
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Sony 5400es CD/SACD player. Awesome sound quality. Makes one wonder why people are paying 5x or more for the same quality. Also the SACD's that I can now listen to. The Fritz Reiner -Chicago Symphony recording of Scherezade is unbelievable! Recording engineers have forgotten their art .... This was recorded in the early 1950's and is as good as it gets! |
The Coincident Pure Reference & Coincident Pure Reference Extreme's while expensive ($22,000 & $26,000)are the best total range speakers I have ever heard and the best bang for the buck. They use the most expensive Accuton ceramic tweeters and midranges, plus a pair of very expensive 12" diameter Nomex fibre cone subwoofer. Amazingly, they can be driven to loud levels by 8 watt or more tube amps. For those that value the most loud & gutsy performances one should either bi-amp them by using a Coincident Frankenstein Class A 8 watt/channel (MSRP $6,000 per pair) and another higher wattage amp for the subwoofer section. For me, the Frankenstein acquits itself very well for 95% of the music I play. It is only when playing something like the 1812 Overture or something else with extreme bass notes that it may need a more powerful amp, such as a Coincident Dragon at 75 class A watts/channel at $11,000/pr. I haven't heard the new Coincident Technology Total Victory V's at MSRP $12,000/pr. It has a new ribbon tweeter, a pair of 7" paper-treated midrange drivers, and a pair of the outstanding 12" Nomex fibre subwoofer cones with each having a 15 lb magnet structure. As the previous Coincident Technology model, the Total Victory IV was $15,000--and this is the new and improved model of an already outstanding speaker and is less expensive, I can only imagine what a great bargain this speaker is--as the previous model had won numerous awards already. The Coincident Technology Statement Linestage pre-amp at $5,000 is flat-out a steal for its performance. It is a 2-piece set-up which has an incredibly quiet and powerful power supply. The only downside is the fact that it only has 2 inputs, which may cause one to re-think their front end, unless you want to keep switching out your input cables. The only pre-amp at under $20,000 that may get close is the Einstein The Tube Mark II, at triple the price and the Audion Quattro at $15,000. If you are into vinyl, the Coincident MM/MC Phono Stage (MSRP $5,499)is just about the equal of their great line stage. It also has an extra input for something like an SACD/CD player or tuner. It is a two-piece unit that weighs over 60 lbs and its power supply weighs over 40 lbs by itself, with enough capacity and energy storage to power a 100 watt amp. Adding the prices of the Coincident Line Stage and the Coincident MM/MC Phono Stage one arrives at $10,500. The cheapest equivalent component would be the Audion Quattro at $15,000, which is also great and a bargain, as it has a great linestage and a great phono stage. Greg |
I have now had the Daber Monitor 3's for two weeks and have had a chance to do some critical listening. I have the rounded cabinets in maple that Steve provides for a small extra fee. They are gorgeous with very high end carpentry work! The first thing that will strike you is the deep, tight bass for such a relatively small speaker. I doubt anyone but the most avid bass fan will see the need for a subwoofer in a two-channel setup. The mids are very satisfying and the highs are clear and precise. Vocals are rendered in a very natural fashion. The soundstage competes with the best. My wife, who is very musically inclined, even prefers them over my Acoustic Zen Adagios. A very different speaker and a matter of taste, but still high praise from a very musical person. I love them both for different reasons. To say that I am pleased with the results would be an understatement. In summary I think this must be one of the best values in speakers out there and they are made in the USA by a small entrepreneurial company. Give them a try - you will not be disappointed! As a side note the speaker stands for the Volla speakers fit as if made for these speakers (rounded) - got them from MSS HIFI at a decent preice. Steve is planning on making stands for them as well in the near future. |
1. Music Hall MMF7. I went to a local shop to look at some speakers, which I didn't buy. And I told the salesman that I really didn't need any more speakers, but I did need a better turntable. My thorens td160 was not passing the wifes approval anymore. So, he said he'd been trying to sell one for a year and no takers. I offered nothing, he took a little more than nothing. And, I couldn't believe how nice it is for the money. 2. Music hall dac 25.3, I think. Great bargain for how nice it sounds. Bought it instead of upgradeing my dcs for the computer out. Just sounds, and works great for the money. 3. Having the music on the computer. Absolutely the best thing ever. I've only gotten 500 cd's on it, 800 or so to go. But the convenience and surprisingly good quality makes it the best thing I have done. But, I wish I had more time to get everything on it! |
The best product I've had in the last 5 years has been my TRON tube preamp (www.tron-electric.co.uk). Made in vanishingly small quantities by the designer himself (Graham Tricker). Battleship build, the very best components, ultra-short signal paths and fabulous sound quality. Distributed in the US by Jeff at Highwater Sound NYC. Best value has to be my Decca FFSS Mark IV C4E cartridge bought for GBP100 and rebuilt for GBP150 - just an unbelievable cartridge - better than my Garrott Brothers Decca Gold. Charlie www.charlie-chan.co.uk |
#1 Apple Airport Express - Allows me to stream Apple Lossless music to it, then toslink from it into my DAC. Pure digital music directly to the DAC for $100...absolutely brilliant. #2 Dared DV-6C Amp - This little hybrid pre/amp produces some of the best music I've had. I replaced the tubes with super cryogenically treated Mullards, and it is revelatory. Just glorious. #3 Mirage OMD-28 Speakers - Nothing I can say that Chris Martins hasn't said better. Amazing speakers. #4 Grant Fidelity Tube Buffers - I use the B-283 MKII on my main stereo and the B-283 on my travel system. #5 Bowers and Wilkins Society of Sound - Best $60 I spend each year on HD music. |
I have been "on the wagon" the past few years since I was too busy at work. That has all changed over the past 8 months and I have had the opportunity to spend some time fine tuning the system. I will say this, to all you folks out there with tube gear, that having gone through numerous NOS and various new tubes from different manufacturers over the years in both my Supratek Syrah pre and Berning ZH270 amp I recently installed a pair of closely matched Sophia Electric 6SN7 line tubes in the Supratek. Before installing i throughly checked out the tubes on my Hickock tube tester and I have NEVER seen a more closely matched pair of tubes, bar none. These guys really do some serious matching. The results were staggering out of the box. The increase in clarity, dynamics, bass control and balance at all frequencies was beyond anything I have experienced with any other tube I have tried and I've been through MANY of them over the years. Bottom line for 200.00 these tubes are some kind of real "high end" bargain. The great thing is they still aren't broken in, I can still detect a bit of harshness especially in the upper frequencies but see where this is going. They only have 10 hours and 100 is what they recommend before any serious analysis. Impressive indeed and along with the MHDT Havana with an early production Bendix 2C51 output, I feel I have hit the jackpot on a small bet! My vinyl rig is the next project. |
I agree with Chales1dad, the most impressive upgrades were the addition of amp and preamp. In my case it was the VAC Phi 300.1 Monos and VAC Sig. Preamp. This upgrade made more of a difference then source. All new digital products I tried in the past year sounded good and at their best with this upgrade. |
LFD NCSE - integrated amp... velvet with tight bass Spendor s8e - speakers- amazing value/ great all rounder Sonos - wow factor to enjoy and rediscover music before buying the CD. Need to support HD though or I'll switch to Logitech W4S DAC - great dac but but there are better ones for a bit more money |
Audio Research REF3 LE with GNSC mods Audio Research REF Phono 2 with GNSC mods Audio Research DAC7 with GNSC mods Bel Canto 96/24 USB Link Sota Cosmos IV Graham Phantom II Ortofon A90 Verity Audio Parsifal Encore Stealth Indra IC throughout Audio Research Classic 120 Mono's with GNSC mods (circa 1990) Sistrum Audio rack Shunyata Python CX power cables Lessloss Signature power cables |
The most interesting product in the last 5 years IMO is the Naim Uniti, hands down. Integrated amp, CDP, DAC, iRadio/FM/AM tuner, and streamer all in one excellent sounding package. On top of all that, it's very easy to set up and use. I don't own one, but I've heard it and played around with it several times. If I needed to cut down on the number of boxes in my home, it would be a no brainer. Too bad more companies don't make stuff like this. The Peachtree units come close and for a cheaper price, but they don't hold a candle to the Uniti. If more companies made stuff like this, I'm pretty sure it would make it easier to get the next generation to take a more serious look at our hobby. |
1. Lamm ML 2.1 mono amps sound so musically correct and are so much more powerful than their stated 18W. They are driving my W/P 8's with ease. 2a. VAC Avatar Super in an second system or primary system. Wow, what a beautiful looking and sounding integrated. It even has an excellent phono stage. Buy one if you can ever find one. 2b. Leben CS300 integrated is a classy piece that you'll keep for a life time. I mean that. If the CS600 is as good, that is one great product line. 3. Stealth Indra I.C. cables, the most significant positive change I've ever made. 4. Arcici equipment rack. |
I think I will give this a shot: Jeff Roland model 6 Monoblocks-just had to give this a try;and will never sell them;on my system these are the best solid state amps I have owned. Audio Valve Challanger 180 monoblocks-these replaced Cary Slam 100 monos;they do everything I was looking for in driving a very demanding speaker. Soundlab M2's - I bought these as I wanted to experience the planar/electrostatic setup;they replaced Dunlavy sc3's and may never get rid of them unless the old folks home won't allow them in my suite when that time comes;they are a fantastic speaker as were the dunlavy's. Audio Research ls16 mk2 preamp - this replaced a Klyne 6lx3p as I needed a home theater bypass loop and always wanted to try a AR piece;to me it is a equal of the Klyne and performs well for its price range. Integra DHC 9.9 - this unit is the heart of my home theater system and does everything I needed and also has a high waf as extra added bonus. |
For me, the best value for money items that I have bought in the last several tears are 1) Klipsch Epic CF-4 speakers 2)LAT International IC-300 interconnects (presently awaiting arrival of their SS-1000 bi-wire speaker cables) 3)Starsound Technologies SP-101 speaker platforms. I also wasted plenty of money on various components that didn't work out well in my system. A Reimyo DAC is the first one that comes to mind. |
I don't buy hundreds of new items, I still buy too many, I think. The two that stand it and are definitely keepers: Daedalus Audio DA-RMA monitor Speakers Pathos Inpol2 Hybrid integrated amp, though it has had some technical problems. Maybe I will shortly add the Ayon Spark integrated amp I am adding to use as a change of pace to the Pathos. I found an exdem unit I am picking up on Friday, but it sounded remarkable in the shop |
#1 Tonian Labs TL-D1 speakers #2 Burson PI-160 integrated #3 TEAC PDH-600 #4 Zu Mission cabling #5 HiFi Tuning Fuses Basically, the whole system. Assembled over the last 2 years. Unless I win the lottery, I feel no need to change a thing. This system gels so exceedingly well that its scary. More of a symbiotic relationship than any kind of synergistic one. An extended family rather than a gathering of components that happen to work, for the moment. |
Just about everything Coincident Technology manufactures, from the great Coincident Linestage, the Coincident Phono Stage, both the Frankenstein & Dragon amplifiers, and the Triumph Extreme monitors-the Super Victory's-the Total Victory V-the Pure Reference-& the Pure Reference Extreme's. Einstein The Tube Mark II preamplifier Clayton M200 Class A 200 watt amplifier Lansche speakers (No. 5.1 especially) with the plasma tweeters Greg |
Two years back I bought a used pair of Coincident Total Victorys IV . Last year I bought a new pair of Coincident Frankenstein's to mate with the the TVC's. Using KR 300bxls tubes, this amp is a steal at it's selling price, expecially mated with the TV's. I wish I had the money to try their Dragon mk II amps , I think Coincident is excellent value. |
I recently bought a pair of JBL L112's circa 1980. These speakers sound really, really good. Paired with a vintage Marantz 2270, as well as a Linn LP12, this set-up is giving me a serious amount of musical enjoyment. Surprising, considering the amount of very high priced gear that has come and gone the last few years. |
