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Recommended one make systems?

Man, do I love music! I am so thankful to have grown up in the South were just about everyone plays an instrument or sings. Being a part of those Saturday evening pack porch picking sessions, Sunday morning worship services, riverbank practice sessions...whatever....really ingrained a deep reverence and appreciation of music. Anyway, on to adulthood and only having time to myself late in the evenings to enjoy music. My present system just does not have the presence that live music has. But, then again, does anything?

What one make system really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up? What gets your toes tapping? What stirs your soul? I've read tons of reviews from noted reviewers, but how do these one make systems compare in real life? I think I would like to try the Quad 909/99 CD-P2, Krell 400xi/SACD Standard, NAD M3/M5, NAIM NAIT 5i/CD5i, Ayre AX-7e/CX-7e or maybe even the Cambridge 840A/840C. Which systems have I missed that are head and shoulders above these? Granted, these would have to be used to fit my budget, but I am a patient man.
My present speakers are Quad 21L's, which may need replacing to bring out the beauty of these systems. Care to share your thoughts?

Thanks!
6stringsling
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Not sure why you'd want to stick with one brand system other than simplicity or laziness. No offense intended.
I suggest you look at Audiogon systems listed under "budget minded" for some ideas that work. Good luck and keep enjoying the music.
tarsando
578 posts
 
BOSE ....
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
revox, cyrus, arcam, linn
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
It is possible to do everything from one manufacturer e.g. McIntosh (except for the turntable, cartridge, tonarm) but you will sacrifice quality in certain elements. e.g. Mac's amps and preamps are excellent, but IMO, you could do better with a CD player and speakers from other manufacturers, etc.

That said, for starters, I've found that grouping certain system elements, according to excellence in a particular area, can yield a successful synergy. Using my own system just as an example, Wadia for digital, Levinson for amp+preamp, MartinLogan for speaker/subwoofer, Purist for cabling, etc.

On the other hand, I recently replaced my (very excellent) Levinson amp with a Mac tube amp, just because I prefer tubes for driving electrostats. Yet I don't intend to replace my Levinson preamp with a Mac preamp (any time soon;--) just to maintain uniformity of brand in the preamp+amp group.

However, grouping things this way can be a good starting place, and is possible even within a modest budget.
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markphd
667 posts
 
I have a one brand system and I am neither simple nor lazy. Neither do I think the question is odd. It is the question of a person who is interested in music more than in components. This is a dichotomy which is well established among the Audiogon members. I see no superiority in either position. It's all a personal decision as to what aspect of the hobby a person finds most interesting and satisfying.

When I think of one brand systems, the names that immediately come to my mind are Arcam, Linn, Meridian and Naim. There are of course many others as the posts above identify. You have many avenues that you can investigate as budget and availability permits.
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