Also, based only on reviews thus far, I think there might be some interesting amplification options from NAIM, Simmaudio and Yamaha. Luxman is a bit pricey for the kit contemplated; I don't see the point of driving 3K speakers with 6K amplification. Hegel has surfaced quite a bit in forums I've lurked into but I'm a bit skeptic of internal DACs for the long run.
Help me complete my stereo system (Harbeth, ClearAudio Concept).
Hello Everyone,
I would like your help in completing my new 2 channel audio system. My room is approximately (11ft X 14ft X 9ft ceiling) or about 42 square meters.
I value good vinyl playback over streaming and CDs and listen mostly to small group jazz.
I want to stay within a reasonable budget, so I'm focused on entry level components from high quality companies. To give you an indication, I own a ClearAudio Concept with the Satisfy arm and MM cartridge.
As far as speakers are concerned, it will be either the Harbeth P3ESR or Compact 7s. I have auditioned both with expensive Accuphase amps and was blown away by the P3ESR, especially their natural, open sound and ability to fill a decent size room. C7s struck me as less dynamic ... but let me know if those would be preferable considering my space and listening tastes.
I am fairly certain that I will be favouring Solid State to drive the little Harbeth, and car analogy, realistically a well-tuned 4 cylinder turbo rather than a V8 with power to spare. I plan to add a DAC for streaming and radio, more as a convenience than anything else (serious listening is always vinyl). An onboard phono is preferred but not a deal breaker. Speakers and stands to be considered separately.
Thanking everyone for their help and comments.
I would like your help in completing my new 2 channel audio system. My room is approximately (11ft X 14ft X 9ft ceiling) or about 42 square meters.
I value good vinyl playback over streaming and CDs and listen mostly to small group jazz.
I want to stay within a reasonable budget, so I'm focused on entry level components from high quality companies. To give you an indication, I own a ClearAudio Concept with the Satisfy arm and MM cartridge.
As far as speakers are concerned, it will be either the Harbeth P3ESR or Compact 7s. I have auditioned both with expensive Accuphase amps and was blown away by the P3ESR, especially their natural, open sound and ability to fill a decent size room. C7s struck me as less dynamic ... but let me know if those would be preferable considering my space and listening tastes.
I am fairly certain that I will be favouring Solid State to drive the little Harbeth, and car analogy, realistically a well-tuned 4 cylinder turbo rather than a V8 with power to spare. I plan to add a DAC for streaming and radio, more as a convenience than anything else (serious listening is always vinyl). An onboard phono is preferred but not a deal breaker. Speakers and stands to be considered separately.
Thanking everyone for their help and comments.
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- 70 posts total
The p3 is a good choice for that size room! This guy likes them as much as I do! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFIaiPT_kY |
Speakers, without a doubt are the most important choice, they will be the ’sound’ of your system. Everything else will be small refinements, heard or imagined. You may love the sound of those speakers, however I advise you to keep on looking before you buy them. Think long: you may move, you may want to try tube amps, you might want to try bi-amp. Try to find more efficient speakers you also love. As primary speakers, I also would try for a larger woofer, I prefer no ports, if so, front ones only. If you do buy small woofers, perhaps think about adding a pair of self powered subs now or later. A pair, front firing, located near the mains. Bass, fundamentals and the bass overtones do produce stereo imaging, a single sub dis-allows that. Bass players in jazz are often a significant part of the group’s success, and enjoyment. Letting the self-powered sub take the low bass, sending only upper bass, mids, highs, makes it much easier for your amp, and, critically, the smaller woofers no longer need to try to make low bass, that's a big deal when using smaller woofers. Efficient speakers works itself into the system, gives you many more options. Most importantly the more competitive world of lower powered amp(s): smaller physical size; weight, heat, placement options. Lower cost amp(s) allows more for other parts within the budget of the initial system, i.e. more efficient speakers, less amp cost, gives more money for the speakers themselves, or more for the preamp. I too listen to a lot of Jazz, stereo and mono. I recommend choosing a preamp with a ’loudness’ circuit, automatically/progressively engaged only at low volumes. Maintaining the bass player at low volumes, for me, retains involvement with the music, loss of the bass player becomes background music. Recording techniques prior to Stereo were quite good, many great bass players. Not the location, but the distinction of individual players is refined by using several techniques: mono mode; mono cartridge; single speaker. Even in Mono, maintaining a more distinct awareness of the bass player at low volume retains involvement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour Yes, if you buy less efficient speakers, you will need a V-8. Keep in mind, you need twice the power to produce a perceptible volume increase of +3db. Choosing 87 efficiency means you start out needing twice the power to produce the sound level of a 90 efficiency speaker. Or, choose a 90 db efficiency, you need only half the power to produce the same sound level. A bit more, double the amp power again. It adds up. |
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- 70 posts total