2. amps-preamps
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Buget system idea?

I currently own Magneplanner 2.7's, Rotel RB 960 (60w x 2, dual mono), Rotel RB 960 Preamp, and my CD player just quit working.

Being married I must try to spend around $2000 and $3000 max, on the whole system, to get a new sound. Only interested in 2 channel audio.
I am trying to sell the Maggies and go box again.

I have been looking into used Musical Fidelty X-ray CD, X-150 integrated with Paradigm Studio 60's, V3. Of course I have no idea how this will sound because there is only ONE audio dealer where I live, and he doesn't have much to choose from. I am going purely on reviews.
I will get a chance to actually listen to the studio 60's in a couple weeks.
Also looking into Njoe Tjob CD, and still threatening to go tubes. According to most on here, the Jolida 302b with EL34's seems to be a winner, or Primaluna Prologue 2.

What do you all think? Tubes / SS ? I wish I could spend more, but that will have to wait until later.
mab2112
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
The single driver route is the way to go . If you want the speed of a planar without the size.

Good luck!
cdc
1,688 posts
 
Gmood1, Ronnie mentioned how many people with Quads have switched to his single driver speaker. Those Clari-T mono-blocks sound real interesting. Let us know how they work out.
jb0194
476 posts
 
Ming Da MC-88 tube integrated (true active preamp stage, not a cheap passive volume pot, UL 50w/triode35w/ch): $800 used @ www.responseaudio.com ("specials" link). I own Ming Da preamp and monblock amps and have dealt with Bill Baker of Response for mods on both. He is an authority on Ming Da products and will back what he sells;

Usher "U2.5" speaker kit: $1000 @ www.zalytron.com ("Usher Kits" link) - buy the kit WITHOUT crossovers and email the crossover diagram to George Short @ www.northcreekmusic.com for him to assemble boards with his "mid level" parts: about $300;

The North Creek crossover modules will come with wires and slip on connectors so all you need do is stain the boxes, attach the crossover boards to the inside of the boxes with a $20 hot glue gun, slip on the connectors to the driver and terminal cup tabs, screw in the drivers and terminal cups and you're done. Takes about 4 hours and ANYONE can easily do the final assembly - NO soldering iron needed! The Zalytron boxes are 1.5 inch MDF. Line the inside walls with Black Hole 5 adhesive-backed sheets and you have nearly full-range loudspeakers that cost aboout $1200 and sound as good or better $3k range commercial offerings. I built a variant of the Zalytron "Phenomenal 3" kit and had North Creek build the crossovers. I will never part with these speakers - they are that good.

You now have spent $2200 and need a CDP and ICs/speaker cables. Choose your CDP wisely (I've heard the Music Hall CD25 @ about $400 new - fine for its price and Sound Odyssey on 'Gon offers nice mods when you're ready...) and you'll embarass many others with far costlier systems.

jb
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Hi Cdc I really enjoyed the ClariT on my Omegas. I decided to scoop up a used pair of FTA 2000s with the Fostex 200a drivers. I'm really looking forward to hearing a single driver speaker that gets down to 30 Hz! It should be fun! I'm still waiting on the modded version of my amplifier to be finished. I hope it won't be much longer.

I have talked to several owners of single driver speakers. All of them owned a planar or electrostatic speaker at one time or another.

I wanted to hear those Carolina Jordan based speakers. But when I got to the dealer he had sold his last pair.Maybe next time I can catch them. I read nothing but good things about this speaker.

Good Listening
unsound
7,315 posts
 
My humble suggestions would include used Vandersteen 2's and a McCormack power amp. These pieces will allow you many options up stream. Good luck.
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