2. amps-preamps
  3. 1035925476

Starting Over

Hi All,

Well I need some advice.

After much trial and tribulations, I decided to sell my gear and start over. As I have stated before, I had to relocate my system into as very small room (9’x11’) and it just did not work. My old gear included a Cary 303 CDP/Rouge 99 preamp/BAT Vk-200 Amp/Dynaudio 1.3 Mk II.

Right now I am “holding the fort” down with my old but reliable Luxman reciverR-1050/ Cal audio DX-1 CDP/ and EPI A500 speakers.

Since the room is small, I don’t need a lot of power, but I do want something that gets the timber and the subtleties of the instruments right. I listen to mostly to small scale Jazz combos and female vocals. I also listen to some pop but mostly as background music.

I am looking to spend about $1000-$1500 used on a CDP and about $1500-$2000 on an intergrated amp, and about $1000-$1500 on speakers (something with a small footprint and don’t need to be placed in the middle of the room to sound good). Tubes might be an option, but I am concerned about matching the amp with the right speakers.

Anyway if anyone has some suggestions I would be happy to hear them. Remember, I am always looking for that magical, synergistic system that does not cost an arm and a leg.
xmore
unsound
7,315 posts
 
I just heard my friends new small system:
Speakers:------------------------Meadowlark Kestrals Hot Rod
Integrated Amp--------------------------Electrocompanie EC-3
DVD/CD:-------------------------------------------Arcam DV-8
Sounded quite nice. He too moved to a smaller room from a much bigger room and system. Haven't heard it but I suspect that the Pathos Integrated might sound nice if you wanted to add tubes. Good luck.
herman
2,216 posts
 
There are a variety of 2A3 and 300B integrated amps that can be had for around $1000, a set of Lowther medallions
for around $2500 with nice drivers and a Toshiba sd9200 (DVD-A, CD, HDCD)for less than $800. Add a sub and you have a nice system for close to your budget. This will be magical on female vocals and small jazz combos. Saxophones will be right there in the room with you. They also do not have to be out in the room to sound good.

Do a search here on 2A3 and then 300B to see some of these amps.
clingman71
64 posts
 
Soliloquy 5.0 monitors and Electrocompaniet ECI-3 integrated is a very nice combo that works well together.
celtic66
1,616 posts
 
Manley Stingray, ATC monitors, Jupiter CDP.
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
Just some thoughts, I havn't heard these together, but are well respected.

Meridian 508.24 CDP
Plinius 8100 or 8200 integrated
Revel M20 speakers
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