Need advice in coming out from the analog dead

4yanxs- If you are searching for a tube sound without the hassles of tubes, you may wish to consider some of the hybrid amps. I have a Counterpoint SA-220 (under $1000 used)that is outstanding- warm and detaile (yes, it can happen1)with plenty of power to drive the Maggies. The tubes are in the initial amplification stage, so there is not much strain on them and they last a good long while.

The pre-amp Audible Illusions M3A, which is also tube WITH a very respectable phono section for low output MC cartridges. (About $1500 used) The MC phono is an option, the standard phono section is also good and handles cartridges with outputs >.9 mV.

As with most tube gear, one has the ability to change the tonal characteristics by using different tubes, but maintenence expense is very minimal.

For the type of music you listen to, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Maggies, although a powered sub will (sort of) turn them into a rock speaker. There are, no doubt, some other speakers that others could recommend to you that might fit your rock n roll needs better.

Lastly, your should be off to a great analog re-start with the TNT table- it doesn't get much better than that!

Regards
Jim

Hi,
I recently went through a major overhaul of gear after living with the same stuff for years. I don't have the time to hang out in stereo stores and endlessly audition, so I did my upgrade by looking at various Stereophile reviews and then picking my spots. My tastes in music are similar to yours.

I wound up with an old Threshold FET 2 preamp that I got for around $300. Very nice unit that includes a phono section. Rumor has it the later model might be even better and has more adjustments for cartridge loading etc. Threshold is built like a tank and should last for some years.

The speakers wound up being Proac Response 1.5's. I'd only heard good things about Proac's and I wasn't disappointed. In truth I'd probably like the 2.5's more as the 1.5's can be a bit shy in the bass, but they sound great and I got them for about half price here on A'gon and they look great too.

I did audition several amps. Mostly as loaners from friends. I thought that the Threshold S/150 was too polite. My old Adcom GFA 555 was too bright. Some Audio Research tube stuff was pretty neat but too expensive so I settled on a CJ/Sonographe SA 250. If you like to really rock out at high volumes you may want to go for more watts, but the sound is very nice.

Good luck.

Phil

Let me say that I very much appreciate all the input so far. I should apoligize upfront for my "shot in the dark" sounding inquiry. After 20 years "out of the game" I am a bit overwhelmed by the number of choices currently available and the wide range in pricing for components that are often reviewed to be of rather equal quality. I don't have the budget that would provide me with much of the equipment listed in other threads over which I, too, salivate. My intention was to stay within an overall budget of about $8-10K. I know that this will not allow the "audio nirvana" so many seek - I am only trying to come within arm's reach. After all, for the last five years I have muddled through with an Onkyo A/V receiver, a pair of Infinity Sterlings, a refurbished pair of my old Ohm C-2's, and a Klipsch sub - all of which are being moved to the "other" room to be exclusively used by the "rest of the family" as a "not to be upgraded" home theatre system! :-)

I have heard others say good things about the Proac speakers and I shall audition some. To let the proverbial cat-out-o-the-bag, here are my initial thoughts on specific components. Please, DO feel free to chime in with regard to plusses, minuses, and otherwise regarding this combination.

Preamplifier/Phono Stage

Audible Illusions Modulus 3A (recognizing that may/will need to trade/sell the Benz Glider for a more suitable cartridge)

Amplifier
Aragon 8008BB or Conrad-Johnson MV-55 or McCormack DNA-1
(maybe a Jeff Rowland Model 2 if I can muster a bit more dough)

Loudspeakers
Vandersteen 3A Signatures
PSB Stratus Gold i
(and I will give the Proacs a go)

My brain hurts! :-)
Perhaps, given that the only other front end I plan to use in this system is a Phillips CD (for occasional play and burning), I might want to consider an integrated amp with a better quality phono stage. (?) YAB? Cary? Bow Wazoo?

4yanx:

All of the advice that was given to you so far seems to be pretty good advice, and certainly, that would be advice that I would adhere to to a "T". I think that would be my $.02 worth on this very issue.

Now, as for your analog front end, you seem to have land a front end that I am going to envy for a long time. You have landed a VPI TNT turntable, and as far as I am concerned, Linns aside, I take it that from the people here who own them, they seem to swear by them, and they regard the VPI TNT to be the turntable by which other turntable designs are to be judged and measured by. By the fact that I am looking hard at the junior version of this turntable, the VPI Scout with the JMW Memorial 9 Tone Arm, speaks volumes about the turntable you have chosen to be the front end of your system. In that VERY department, you seem to be off to a good start so far.

Now, as for your choice in components so far, I don't know specifically what type of sound you are after. But if it were me, I would go for a detailed sound that is coupled with neutrality given your mixture of rock and jazz albums. But given your budget, I like your choice of the Vandersteen 3 Signatures (for warmth). But, if you want to spend more of your budget on either better electronics or for better cables, then I would also try to hunt down a used pair of Vandersteen 3A's if that is at all possible. That's just another idea to throw into the arena so to speak. After you have settled the speaker issue, here is how the rest of my system would shape up.

Speaker System: Vandersteen 3A Signatures (brand new), or Vandersteen 3A (used).
Power Amplifier: McCormack Power-Drive DNA-1.
Preamplifier: McCormack RLD-1.
Phono Stage: I would try either a Lehmann Audio Black Cube (with the upgraded power supply...... about $900.00), or a Monolithic PS-1/HC-1 (about $700.00). Of the two, I would lean toward the Monolithic. I say the Monolithic because the Monolithic seems to be more versatile than the Lehmann Audio Black Cube, meaning that it can be adjusted to match a wider range of phono cartridges whereas the Lehmann Audio (????), I don't know if it has a whole lot of adjustments or not. I am going to let that be your call here.

Good Luck...... and welcome back to analog. I am getting into analog myself.

--Charles--