2. amps-preamps
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If I want a bookshelf system this good, what should I buy?

Hello

This might not impress you much, but....

Here is a link to the video which made me to fall in love with the Monitor Audio Gold 100 5G speakers.

Compared to the speaker I have owned for a very short time, the SVS ultra bookshelf, this speaker sound much sweater, less harsh, smoother texture, better soundstage, and has sound of air in the voice. 

I dont think I need a better sound from my next first stereo for now.

The question I have is that they are using a $10K Luxman integrated amp with a fancy CD player in the clip. Which is not even close to my budget range.

Given that you have about 3K to 3.5K to invest on audio gears (that is assuming you already have the speaker), what components would you buy to make the sound quality as close to the sound quality from the video? I am talking gears like a network bridge, DAC, and amp. Or maybe add a pre-amp on top of that.

Going integrated amps instead of separate DAC and Amp is an option, too, but I would stick with the streaming for music source.

What I have so far in my mind are MiniDSP SHD Studio for streamer, the MHDT Orchid for DAC, and maybe a Schiit Aegir for amp. But, I do not know these will work in harmony to make good sound quality as in the video. And, need some advise on picking components.

Gears of your choice do not have to be in New condition btw.

Thanks

K
yggy1
rlross123
7 posts
 
I saw a rosewood pair at hifi buys in ATL today. Idk what they sound like, but they look like JEWELRY!
ecpninja
88 posts
 
Depends on uour budget and space but i have had a pair of Buchardt s400's for about 4 months now and i love them they have another model that is really goid too the S300

S400 is the best speaker i have ever owned. 
assetmgrsc
58 posts
 
If you like the Schitt amp, then I would stay with as much of their gear as fits your use.  Their stuff is most likely to work together well.  You can also, ask them for suggestions on other gear and their return policy is supposed to work well.Let us know how it works out when you have your system.Good Luck
yggy1 OP
78 posts
 
Thank you all. Merry Christmas!

I will comment here when I am done hunting for my first proper setup.


soix
9,456 posts
 
At your budget you’ll want to go with an integrated amp. Your speakers are not a very easy load for an amp at 86dB sensitivity, and they drop to 4 Ohms in both the bass and lower mids. The Aegir won’t be able to drive the 100s properly, and frankly I question if even the Ragnarok would be sufficient unless you listen at relatively low levels.

There was a Hegel H300 for sale on US Audio Mart last August for $2000 that is still listed as available, and if so that could be a great amp for your speakers. It also has a decent DAC that may keep you happy at least for a while, but clearly the Orchid would be an improvement.

There’s also a nice Rogue Pharaoh on USAM for $2200 that may also be a very nice match (no DAC though), and although it’s a Class D amp it has two small tubes in the preamp section so you can fine tune the sound to your liking by trying different tubes — very nice! With the Orchid this would put you a little over your budget, and you’d still need a streamer. As an alternative I’d recommend you get a used Bluesound Node 2i to stream as it will be about half the price (around $450) of the MiniDSP SHD Studio, and it has a DAC that’s plenty good enough that it should hold you over until you feel the itch and/or have the funds to upgrade. So for electronics you’re around $2700 between the Pharaoh and used Node 2i. Add Raven Audio Soniquil RCA interconnects ($119) and speaker cables ($179 for 3 meters) and you’ve got a great system at about $3000 all in. Raven has a 45-day trial period BTW.

As as an aside, I had the Rogue Medusa amp in my system on demo upon which the Pharaoh’s amp section is based, and I can tell you it is an outstanding amp that is very neutral and threw an outstanding 3D soundstage that should play right into the strengths of your 100s. Anyway, hope this helps, and best of luck in your search.
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