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Is "live" music sound possible for under $1K

I primarily liston piano, chamber and opera. I was wondering if anyone had experience producing a realistinc presentation for about $1K not including the source? My listening room is 14 x 20 X 8. I thought this could be accomplished by an inexpensive tube pre-amp ($200-300) and older vintage amp such as a Pioneer Spec 4 or Yamaha approx $300, and possibly some older klipsh's (KG-4) or newer Axiom's M22ti's approx $400. Am I on the right track? Has anyone been able to accomplish this? Any recommendations for any of the 3 items?
madfab200e793
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Your request should involve some DIY skills to accomplish your mission. You can already cross-out $200-tube-pre idea and visit

http://home.new.rr.com/zaph/audio/
gabbro
88 posts
 
Here is a thought: How about an entry level tubed integrated (JoLida, nOrh, or others?) for less than $580 new paired with a used set of monitors or mini-monitors (e.g., Omega, Triangle Titus, B&W LM1, etc...). You would also need a few bucks for speaker stands and then find some lower-cost wires as suggested above. I have been thinking of adding a system such as this as a second inconspicuous listening post in a formal LR of about the same dimensions you list. I don't know if it will work or not, but that is what I have been researching.
timwat
132 posts
 
Given you listening preferences (mine include the genres you note as well), I might suggest you consider something like:

Maggie MMGs - $400 used
Jolida 1501 integrated - $500 used
Signal Cable i/c's - $20 used
Signal Cable biwire speaker cables - $65 used

This gets you a starter system for $985, but doesn't include shipping.

Your price point makes it difficult (for me, at least) to suggest anything more. I would think the above will give you a taste for what "better than Good Guys" upstream and planar speakers can do for piano, chamber and opera (vs. box speakers).

As a Von Schweikert-to-Maggie 3.5r convert, I'm a strong advocate of planars for the type of music you mention. Hope this gives you some food for thought.

Tim
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Agree with Timwat, This would be a taste of true hi-end sound and would be an outstanding system for your room size and musical taste. I take it you already have a music source.
jposs
99 posts
 
I am doing this right now, and this is what I came up with:

Antique Sound Lab Wave AV8 monoblocks 2 @ 119 each
Antique Sound Lab Wave L1 Line Stage @ 249
Loth-X Ion 1 high 94db efficient speakers @ 300.

This is all new and goes for 787 dollars without shipping. Totals for me including shipping and insurance are coming out to $859.

Of course I haven't hear these all together yet, so I can't say if it sounds terrible or sounds wonderful, but I will know in a week or so.

You can substitute a tube phono preamp for line stage for about $250 from Antique Sound Lab as well...

Good luck
Justin
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