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Audiogon's Audiophile Wise men, I need advice

Howdy,

I have Perreaux 2150B amp and SM 2 preamp,bought in 1984.
I have an opportuity to buy tomorrow:

B&W N803 1 1/2 yr old in near perfect condition.
I am getting an Arcam FMJ CD 23 near perfect
Kimber Bifocal 4'
Kimber 1011 interconnect. only 1
All this from the same seller. Local in Santa Barbara, he wants to get the 805's instead.
He also has a Plinius CD LAD he would sell for a excellent deal.
So, what else do I need to have the great sound system I want. power cords etc, cables,etc, i keep seeing different things to help with sound.

Also, any advice on the Plinius. I guess if bought that I would need another amp. or use it instead of the SM2.
the Perreaux after 21 years works great and sounds great.But I dont know how they will sound with the new speakers, or relative to what else is a great today.

I am excited, he is coming tomorrow, I have the cash and will almost defintely buy this deal if it sounds as good as I believe it will.
thanks to all the players who advise me with their Audiophile wisdom
Mitch
128x128turnitup1234
auaarons
94 posts
 
This deal sounds too good to be true. The N803s in good condition normally go for about $3200 used. The CD23 FMJ goes for about $1000 used. Not sure about the pricing of the cables. Add to that someone who will truck the whole big package to your house to try?

If everything checks out OK, I advise just buying the speakers and the CD player only. I am concerned that the Kimber cables will be too bright for your combination of amp and speakers. I recommend looking at the Harmonic Technology ProSilway III interconnects for about $275 used per 1m pair and the Transparent Music Wave Super XL speakers cables for about $500 per 8ft pair.

I owned both the N803 and CD23FMJ before, so I am confident of their quality; however, I have no experience with the Plinius CD LAD. To echo some of the earlier recommendations by fellow Audiogoners, get familiar with the sound of your existing Perreaux amps, new CD23 and the new N803s first and then decide what else you need to upgrade.

Aaron
rsbeck
887 posts
 
>>I am buying the above for $3,000.<<

Okay, I will echo Aaron's comment. That would be a good deal even if you were only buying N803's in near perfect condition. If you have to buy the whole package to get it all at that price, I would say go for it -- because, if it is in good condition, you can always sell the cables and that would just reduce the cost of the speakers and Arcam FMJ. Or, you can use that money for some other upgrade. Get the system together and see how it sounds. Before sinking money into power cords and expensive cables and power conditioners, I would make sure to have amplification that can bring out everything those N803's have to offer. If the Perreaux is up to the job, you're ahead of the game.
turnitup1234's avatar
turnitup1234 OP
5 posts
 
On saturday I purchased the N803, CD 23,kimber cables.
have the CD LAD to play with for a while
I have been listening with the Perreaux. If I put on an excellent quality CD, it sounds great. a not great recording sounds not great.
the sound overall is good. But I know it should be better.
Last nite I plugged the CD LAD in with the 2150B amp. Did sound better. Wil try later today and turn it up loud and see how it sounds.
I am looking perhaps at PErreeuax Radiance integrated,Krell 400XI integrated.
Radiance I found one for 2,500
Krell is about 2k to 2500.
I may keep the CD LAD as a pre and just get an amp.
Any thoughts is great. I am trying different things to hear the set up in different ways as you all suggested.
I am not in a hurry, rather I sense strongly my 22 year old 2150B is no longer the best amp for the N803's.
HAppy friday to all the people who are helping me.
regards
Mitch
rsbeck
887 posts
 
Congrats on the purchase!
joshk
6 posts
 
Go with the Radiance! ;)
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