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Am I going insane?

I am not what most of you would call an audiophile, although I do appreciate a nice soundstage. I figured this was a good place to ask my questions. First I want to give you my situation though...

Last year I bought the Sony 40"XBR. I love it. Now it's time to purchase a very modest sound system for HT and 2channel. I don't have ANY equipment yet. I do know that the speakers are the first, most important piece to aquire.

So, I was at a dealer last week. I was listening to the B&W CDM NT1 series in both 5.1 and 2 channel. The sound was clear and I was pretty impressed. This is the B&W series (at least retail) that is in my price range.
Then, the fella helping me switched to the Boston Acoustics VR-M60s, with the matching center and surrounds. I thought that the BAs sounded better...much better...more free, less boxy. Both sets were being played from a Yamaha reciever (not hifi to be sure, but I can't afford good components yet). AM I NUTS? Would seperates make this setup sound better? The room was setup nicely, at least as far as my limited experience can tell.

Since then I have listened to a PSB setup, but wasn't as impressed. I also teased myself with a BEAUFIFUL Sonus Faber setup that I might be albe to afford in about 1000 years. I am looking for other options, but am limited by around a $2000 budget for speakers. If I can get something used that is higher quality (but able to be pushed from a reciever for a while), I certainly will go that way. I read similar posts as this regarding Thiel 1.5s. I am searching for a place to hear these.

I have decided to go with the Velodyne SPL800 or SPL1000 sub, as I really liked how it dissapeared in the B&W and BA setups.

Please help a really green newbie who is trying to get some bang for bucks.

Thanks,
Z
zstokes
gregm
3,411 posts
 
What about German products... definite correlation b/ween some of their cars & audio equip. Heavy engineering, tight tolerances, look "authoritative" and built like a tank, go fast; Symphonic Line: MBenz or Audi, Burmester: BMW, Acapella: ? (audi TT?), the speaker guys with the gas tweeter:?... etc.
Speaking of heavy, there used to be a big Gryphon that probably weighed well over 200 pounds / a S-Line too (they came in twos). The Gryphon looked better than the S-L. Neither looked very fragile.
gumbydammit
186 posts
 
I just took my home theatre and hooked it to that Suburban on www.502ss.com . It sounds a lot better than when I had it hooked to my Onan diesel.

Nuebilder:Watch out for my big van man, (said like the Arnold S.) "I will crush you like a bug" :>)

What is your Linn setup by the way?
Been having some interesting email conversations that just may have me taking an old SOTA to play with....
neubilder
129 posts
 
Gumby, that's the very one that I saw the devil driving around in the other day. I love the row of guages on the bar that helps to obscure things like pedestrians, motorcycles, other cars, etc. Heck, all those bumpy guages and other crap in your peripheral vision look just like a dear on the highway or an old lady crossing the street. But who cares! - cause they'd never ding the 3" of steel in the front of that thing anyhow! HaHa (cry)!

- I saw a Sota tt in HiFi+ a few months ago - it had the same arm as my Rega P2 and cost 10x more but damn that thing was beautiful. Apparently it sounded excellent too. If you can get it for a good price why not. My Linn system consists of a Karik III - (that I just bought used to replace my Mimik - but it's at linn right now getting serviced), Rega P2, Wakanda/Kudos module, 2 x LK 140 aktiv, Keilidh. I am also building a pair of Kabers using the leftovers from upgrades. Thay have the 3 bar ceramic tweeters and the most recent version of the Kaber mid/bass drivers. The cabinets are similar to the Audio Physic Tempo 3 with the 5 degree tilt. I haven't heard them with anything other than a cheap CD player and amp because I haven't wanted to take apart my active system - at least not until I get my Karik back and can hear them at their best. That project fulfills my need to tweak with things - and learn a lot about acoustics etc.
tweekerman
473 posts
 
B&W sound is very simular in Bose sound. Both will continue to be the 2 top selling speakers.????? The public loves big commercial names. I don't care what the name of the speaker is, just make sure it contains superior drivers. Skaaning Seas Scan-Speak Philips Hiquaphon Raven ESg Accuton, a few others like Focal PHL Peerless. These are tried and proven. I have the B&W 602's because my wife wanted them. Fatiguing is the ONLY word to describe them. Seems some of the "new" concept speakers with more than 3 drivers are making a come-back from the mid 70's. Fashion always comes back around. Funny shapes to a speaker brings up a RED FLAG. As well i'm NOT impressed with a speakers price tag. Any lab making a whole bunch of models becomes questionable.
gumbydammit
186 posts
 
Nuey my dear.........
That Suburban has more visibility than your Jetta ever thought of having!

Obscured vision my butt ;>)

You dont need to see anything but what is in front of you when you are doing 130 MPH anyway. Ahhh, all that fossil fuel being burned........smells like victory :>)

Long live large Detroit iron!

http://www.mrsharkey.com/pusher.htm

There, that should keep you happy for a while. Just your kind of thing. Gutless and practical?? Hmmmmmm

The 'Burban will pick both vehicles out of its grill with a piece of spring stock when it gets home :>) hehehe

I am not gonna pay for one. I did not like it before.....so I am gonna take one for a whle. I think it is the star ???
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