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ProAcs or B&W--Not hifi experienced, but luv music

I have a 5K budget for a compact system. I have looked at three systems. The 4K setup is a Linn Classik w ProAc Tablette Signatures. The 6K one is Rotel receiver w/ B&W 805s w/a Mac Book as the CD player and a Benchmark digital to analog converter. The store is giving me a discount on demo stuff. I would be willing to spend the extra $$$ as that includes a notebook, on-line radio, etc. I like both of these. The third option is B&O at 5K. This is pretty but the the sound doesn't justify the $$$. I enjoy listening to international, classical, putamayo, jazz, latin. Which do you think is the better system?
j4tonks
tiger
313 posts
 
Try a used pair of ProAc 1sc's on good stands. They are the signature ProAc sound. I think you will like them and not consider any of the current ProAc's or B&W. I have ProAc 140's and 1sc's. The latter sound better then the 140's, you figure.
j4tonks OP
12 posts
 
The dealer was going to help me set up the Mac so I didn't drop much data in my copy. I do not own any MP3s as I don't care for the sound quality. I have my music turned up in my car and have it on in my room constantly. I want to listen to internet radio -- hence the Mac. I enjoy putamayo, classical, jazz, international and some opera. I want to hear the swish on the drum and the slide of fingers on the guitar so I guess I can be serious a serious listener.
I'm working w/two dealers. One has the Linn w/ProAcs and the other has the Rotel w/B&W. I'm going to borrow some demo Tablettes and compare them w/the rotel & B&W 805 system. I think the second dealer will allow that. However I don't think the first dealer will let me test the signatures and I'm afraid I'll go w/B&W because the tablettes will be light on the bass.
Regarding the 805s -- I had read on the internet that they 'don't work together'. I had noticed when the dealer set them up and I listened close to the speakers that I heard bass from one and the rest from the other. Then I backed up and they sounded OK. So I'll be focusing on that issue when I hear them again. A big red flag... Again -- Thanks, Jane
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Don't evaluate with your ear near a speaker. The larger the speaker the more discontinuity you'll hear. Back up to the listening position.

Take some of your favorite most complex music (with lots of things going on) to test coherance. If things "don't work together" you won't be able to pick out details within a large group or things will seem slightly muddied or unfocused. Really good systems let you hear the details, not with just solo classical guitar, but when lots of things are going on.

Don't be embarrassed to go back a couple of more times. You'll learn more and more as you realize what to listen for.

Dave
j4tonks OP
12 posts
 
That's what I hear with sony, bose, b&o -- no clarity within a complex piece. When the flute comes it, I want to hear it clearly and not as a flat sound -- I want to hear the wind.
Peter or Dave -- could you recommend a good receiver to go w/the B&W 805? I'm not sure I'd have the guts to purchase Decware Select Zen Taboo. But...
After re-reading all this I get the impression that the ProAcs might be the better choice. I don't need a big bass sound. J
pcking
49 posts
 
On the internet radio front, you may want to investigate a decent USB sound card/DAC unless someone here can vouch for the Mac's internal sound card. Also, at least on my Windows laptop, the difference in sound between running the laptop on battery versus AC is not a subtle one (much lower noise), so a higher value battery may be a wise investment. There are many great internet radio stations out there to listen to. My favorite is Radio Paradise's 128k AAC feed.

The other advantage of a laptop in your rig is using a desktop as a remote server for your laptop via wifi and iTunes.

No experience with either speaker -- maggies and tubes here.

Good luck
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