help getting started with audiophile gear - Overclock.net

nafljhy · 09-17-09

hey guys,

i'm just starting to get into audiophile gear and such. i would love some guidance as to what is good and such.

I checked out some B&W CM1s today and they are just astounding compared to my Klipsch ProMedias. Also heard the same song on Paradign Atom Monitors and those were pretty nice too but I liked the sound out of the CM1s better. I want to try out some KEFs at a nearby store next.

I don't know much about amps and the guy that i was talking to showed me a Rotel RA-1520... Is there anything else that is comparable and maybe at a lower price than $999? What makes a good amp?

I guess some other information is that I won't be using headphones, just two monitors and i might add a sub a bit later down the line.

thanks for the help guys!

LukeG · 09-17-09

You listed 2 amazing companies. B&W and para... well you wont find much better than that in the price range.

If you can, try and hear some of axiom speakers. There canadian. If I had the money, I would go get a full 5.1 top of the line from them.

nafljhy · 09-17-09

thanks for the quick response luke! but i think my main concern is the amp as i have no clue as to how choose what would suit me.

LukeG · 09-17-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by nafljhy

thanks for the quick response luke! but i think my main concern is the amp as i have no clue as to how choose what would suit me.

If your price range is 1000$, then that helps alot. People usually say 500$ for amp and speakers, which is really low.

If you are going for a 2 channel amp, then something more highend then a stereo receiver would be best. You wont have the ammount of inputs but better you will get better SQ.

Are you in canada or usa ?

There is a tube amp made by Nuera. There are not many reviews out there, but from the specs, its looks great.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=306-100

Tube amps always give nice sound, this would be no exception.

They are the same company as tang bang speakers, and I have bought many of those drivers for speaker projects.

**soloz2** · 09-17-09

what is your price range?

where will these speakers be placed? desk, stands? what is the size and layout of the room?

what will you be using for a source?

nafljhy · 09-17-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeG

If your price range is 1000$, then that helps alot. People usually say 500$ for amp and speakers, which is really low.

If you are going for a 2 channel amp, then something more highend then a stereo receiver would be best. You wont have the ammount of inputs but better you will get better SQ.

Are you in canada or usa ?

There is a tube amp made by Nuera. There are not many reviews out there, but from the specs, its looks great.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=306-100
ooh that looks pretty nice. and i'm in the USA

Tube amps always give nice sound, this would be no exception.

They are the same company as tang bang speakers, and I have bought many of those drivers for speaker projects.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2

what is your price range?

where will these speakers be placed? desk, stands? what is the size and layout of the room?

what will you be using for a source?

thanks again for the responses.

the speakers will be place on my desk and the size of the room is... 10ftx15ft. though the layout is taht the speakers will be facing 1/2 of the 15ft. the source will be my asus xonar dx.

EDIT: ah yes, price range.. i'm looking at around $500 for the amp.. but i don't mind going a bit higher and i'm almost sure that i'll be getting the CM1s. want to give those KEFs a try out first.

**soloz2** · 09-18-09

just to be sure, your desk is not against the wall so your speakers will be in the middle of the room?
I would recommend a front ported speaker. This will likely sound better in your setup as well as if you ever have to move the desk close to a wall. The B&W 685 and 805S are both front ported.

Do you plan on setting the amp on your desk, or will you have a rack. (can it be full-sized?) Would you like to have several inputs and/or a phono input?

nafljhy · 09-18-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2

just to be sure, your desk is not against the wall so your speakers will be in the middle of the room?
I would recommend a front ported speaker. This will likely sound better in your setup as well as if you ever have to move the desk close to a wall. The B&W 685 and 805S are both front ported.

Do you plan on setting the amp on your desk, or will you have a rack. (can it be full-sized?) Would you like to have several inputs and/or a phono input?

thanks for the move mods.

no, the speakers won't be against a wall. as for the amp, i'll be rearranging my room so it can go on the rack next to me or my desk. which would be a better option? it would be nice to have several inputs. i don't need a phono input.

thanks again for the help!

**soloz2** · 09-18-09

I just wanted to know if we needed to look for small 'desktop' sized amps, which can be found but are typically more expensive for what you get due to the smaller size and are often not as good because they are geared more for the consumer.

A $500 amp... I'm thinking tubes would be my choice, I'll see what I can find to give you a few ideas

**soloz2** · 09-18-09

I'd be inclined to give this a try: http://www.musicalparadise.ca/mp/ind...products_id=67 I have the MP-301 and for the price it's killer!

I've heard good things about this little amp:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ntegrated-Baby

This looks like a great deal:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-Audio-LE-100A

These are fairly popular amps
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....3813&/Onix-SP3

this might be worth looking into as well
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....5&/Jolida-302B

I've read a couple good reviews of the Elite 80
http://www.idealinnovations.biz/elite-models.htm

If you would rather something you could potentially pick up from the dealer when you get the speakers I'd look for a NAD, Marantz etc integrated.

		Overclock.net - Overclocking.net > Components > Sound Cards and Computer Audio > Hi-Fi Gear
help getting started with audiophile gear

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)