2. amps-preamps
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Speakers: $3,000-$4,000 on Audiogon

I am moving to a larger listening room (21 x 14) and am looking into new speakers - to pressurize the room, as I tell my wife ;). My current speakers, B&W CDM 9NT, have always sounded to bright in my previous listening room and are currently not at the same level as the rest of my system (click on the system link to see the components and cabling). Cardas cables and a McIntosh have somewhat tamed to extra energy in treble region.
I am looking for a well rounded speaker that excels in all the important areas (dynamics, frequency extension, detail, musicality). If I had a preference, I would lean towards a warmer/less analytical sound but not to the point of sacrificing detail.

Some speakers which I've had my eye on off the top of my head:
Dynaudio Contour S 3.4
Magenpan 3.6
Von Schweikert VR-4jr
Focal JM-Lab 946 Electra

Open to other suggestions,

Thanks in advance
AdamG
adamg
dpac996's avatar
dpac996
694 posts
 
Well i'm biased of course. But a good friend, before he moved, had your amp (MC402) and the S3.4s. The preamp was Cary SLP05 and the source was a Marantz SA8001. I've heard the system many times and it had everything you are looking for. I also lugged his MC402 over to my pad to try on my S3.4s (at that time I had a pass x250.5 and we swapped amps). It still sounded excellent and very captivating. I do not have any actual experience with the others listed. I did have Thiel CS2.2s which were the warmest of the 2.x lineup. Still though, the Dyns are much more of what you are looking for. All the detail one could hope for yet forgiving and musical at the same time.
Like I said, I was biased :)
clio09
3,355 posts
 
Along the lines of the Harbeth suggestions Spendor (1/2e or SP100) might also fit the bill.
rtn1
535 posts
 
I disagree with the Thiel CS2.3/2.4 recs. I would go with the Thiel CS6 with your desires, equipment, and room size. They would be an enjoyable step up, especially in terms of lower frequency reproduction.
steveaudio
331 posts
 
I'd also recommend Totem Mani-2 Sigs. Try to get them with the Totem stands. If you can score a really nice pair used.....I sure wouldn't turn'em down......
reubent
6,978 posts
 
How about a pair of speakers from Castle? There are 3 pair of floorstanding Castles for sale on A-goN right now and they are a bargain at the asking price. Here's the most recent listing (BTW, I don't know the seller).

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1221425129

Enjoy,

TIC
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