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System advice
Haven’t been in forums in years. Previous audiophile that got burned out from audio fever of chasing the grail of audio nirvana. Previous system was Merlin VSM MXE with Ars sonum filharmonia with cardas golden ref cables. Interested in getting a quality 2 channel system. Requirement are full range speakers, integrated amp which can be tube or SS, and high end streaming device. No hard media will be used. I want this to be simple with fewer components/cables. Dac in amp or streaming device. Will be used in dedicated room that shares my HT. Will buy preowned from here. Typically listen to classical, jazz, crooners, acoustic. Budget 12-15k.
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Ooo! I love spending other people’s money! Speakers: Klipsch Forte, $3,500 Int. Amp: Marantz PM-KI Ruby, $2,200 Streamer: Auralic Aries G2.1, $3,500 IC Cables: Teo Audio GC, $1,250 (new only) Speaker Cables: Cardas Audio Clear Reflection, $2,500 Total cost is just shy of $13K. Of course, these are conservatively estimated prices in the used market. You may find better deals out there. The only new components are the IC cables (unless you already have a preferred pair lying around). But I’ve been very impressed with the Teo Audio cables. At their price point, they are impossible to beat. Happy hunting! |
+1 @soix great suggestions. Both Hegel and Joseph Audio have plenty of very positive reviews This used Aesthetix Mimas is a fantastic buy. Aesthetix are known for a fantastic preamp and the DAC card got great reviews. If you don’t need the phono card you can sell it. |
Hey guys, sorry for not getting back. I’ve been trying to combine my old account, jamesw20, and this one. It’s not so easy to accomplish. Anyway, dedicated room in basement. Dimensions approximately 25 deep by 16 wide. Fabric on walls. Bass traps in all corners. This is also my dedicated HT space. I use triad in room gold monitors for fronts and center, triad in wall gold mini monitors for surrounds and rears, and triad platinum subwoofer. The system is also great for two channel but I’d rather have a separate two channel with full range speakers. The Joseph audio speakers look great and likely exactly what I’m seeking. Unfortunately, I don’t have a great local source to listen, and therefore would like recommendations as you all have made, and I can travel to hear them. Again, thanks for all the advice! |
@soix , Yes, I hope when he decides, he doesn't 'loose' a lot of 'base'. |
+1 You forgot to mention shoe size😁 I was thinking of recommending any of the McIntosh integrateds, but the clarity may not be up to par with your expectations. The musicality is fantastic, though, and those integrateds can power anything. Also, the DA2 module is fantastic! I have a very high-end DAC and enjoy comparing both. You need a $5K DAC to better the MAC. As far as speakers, a previous poster mentioned the KEF LS 50 Metas. You need to have a listen. I can not believe what these speakers do, a price/performance steal. Best of luck! |
We need to know if you have children in the room or pets. Is your house on a slab,.basement, or crawlspace? Do you have textured walls or smooth? How old are you (there's no need for full range if you're older and can't hear well)? (I'm being very facetious but some people here aren't and I don't think they can ever just answer a question without trying to sound like know-it alls). For speakers, I'd take a hard look at GoldenEar Triton One.R. |
@thecarpathian +1. Now let’s see if he spells “base” correctly, and curious what manufacture he goes with. Ugh. |
The heart of your system could be as few as 2 or 3 major components. * integrated streamer/DAC/preamp. Consider offerings from Lumin, Matrix Audio, T+A, NAD, For the OP’s situation, I might lean toward the Lumin P1. * Kef LS60 active speakers OR Kef LS50 Meta speakers + Benchmark AHB2 power Amp + Rythmic F12G sub
The Lumin P1 new ($10K) and KEF LS60 new (~$7K) would break your budget. May be hard to find used. The Matrix Element X2 or X2 Pure offer feature sets similar to the Lumin P1, but for thousands less. Actually, I might prefer the X2 Pure new to the P1 used, especially considering warranty/return rights if you are unable to audition in a shop before buying.
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Given what you’re looking for and budget I’d take a hard look at the Joseph Audio Perspective 2 speakers paired with a Hegel integrated amp that includes both a very good DAC and streamer so everything works together in one box, which is really nice. Joseph Audio speakers disappear and throw off an incredibly open and 3D soundstage that’s among the best out there. I heard JA speakers paired with Hegel electronics at a show and it was outstanding so there appears to be very good synergy there. Here are a couple nice Perspectives and a Hegel H390 integrated that could be a sublime match. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb6ci4-hegel-h390-integrated-solid-state Hope this helps, and best of luck. |
I just finished auditioning a Linn DSM in my system. This was configured as a streamer and their mid-level DAC. It was priced at $12K. The sound quality was definitely worthy of the price tag. It can be configured as a complete system and include preamp and amp… as well as phono stage if you want. I have spent a fair amount of time listening to various combinations. I have to say that Linn has done a great job of breaking out of their niche of tutrntable maker. Their top level DSM is very impressive. They have used their model of being able to upgrade by swapping internal components. So for instance there are three levels of DAC. I would seriously look at this, especially one box solution and upgradability.
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