2. amps-preamps
  3. 1090125821

Help build my new system

I recently moved to nyc and had to sell off my main system and downsize for a 14x14 room.

I'm having a hard time in nyc auditioning some of my choices:

Mcintosh MA2275 integrated amp (70 watts) w/ Sonus Faber auditors (heard this...sounded EXcellent.) Total cost ~ 7,700 used

47 Labs system using the 40 watt amp w/ humpty, gaincard, chooser etc. Speakers: Konus. Total cost ~4,600 used

Audio Research VSi55 integrated amp with Sonus Faber auditors(if 50 watts of ARC tube power is sufficient for them...is it?) total cost ~ $$5000 used.

I listen to jazz and vocals but also trance, rock and just about anything really.

Thanks for the help.
kublakhan
kublakhan OP
718 posts
 
I should mention I listen to jazz 70% of the time and all CDs for this system since ihave no place for my LPs. I love midrange bloom and listen on the loud side.
anybody have suggestions or any words of caution? i've learned that the 47 labs amp has only 12 volume steps which might be a problem finding the right listening level in my small apt.
thanks again.
soliver
67 posts
 
Three great options.
My preferences would lead me to the 47 Labs gear, plus I think their styling would just work better in a small space, IMO.

Could you save some money by not buying the input chooser? Plus if you are worried about the 12 step volume control being too limited, why not just add another brand's preamp to the system? This way you would get the multiple inputs and more volume control steps by killing two birds with one stone.

Perhaps an Audio Note M2 Balanced, Joule Electra LA-100 Mk3, Lamm LL2, Emotive Audio Poeta, or something along these lines should still get you well under the $7700 estimated for system one.

Have had a chance to listen to a full 47 Labs Shigaraki system, and thought it was very nice. The dealer however didn't give that set-up enough time on decent speakers however and he felt the need to start pushing a line he carried on the group. I thought the 47 labs gear was offering some of the best solid state sound I had ever heard driving some Neat speakers.
kublakhan OP
718 posts
 
Thanks soliver,
i thought mixing such a radically designed amp with another manufacturer's preamp would be risky and tough to demo.
i knew of a stereo shop offw. broadway in the west village by tower records (i forget the name) that was selling the 47 labs line a few years ago. i went in the other day and they said although they loved the gear they only sold ONE piece in 3 years so they stopped selling them. too esoteric looking and frightened customers. this shop loves tubes so i think it's a compliment they took a shot at selling 47 labs. i can't find any shop near me to demo.

have you heard the sakuras with the Konus speakers?

thanks again. i'll post some followup when i have had time to audition some of the mentioned gear.
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