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Post by rtg97229 on Feb 22, 2016 13:53:07 GMT -5
I would check out some Paradigm Signature S8 speakers. They have some bass punch and sounds wonderful to me but not everyones ears will agree.
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Post by rcheliguy on Feb 23, 2016 17:01:57 GMT -5
I'm going to put together a nice 2 channel audio setup and going to be demoing a lot of speakers.... I'm starting my journey with a healthy $5,000 - $9000 budget (speakers , pre,amps etc ) But I need someone to give me a direction on what's worthy to audition. There is several stores located in a 20 mile radius will many of the top brands but this destination is a 2hour haul. If i can get some ideas it'll give me an idea of exactly what to listen to.. I happen to be new to this world so any options would help steer me and it'll be helpful if some experts here could put together a 2 channel set up to give me an idea what I need to awesome sound. (I can get 10-45% off Monitor Audio, KEF and RBH) My living room is 30 feet by 17 feet and fairly open my music selection consists of hard rock, classical music, jazz, country ( Basically at some point i listen to anything and everything ) I went with the following and have a similar space, and similar taste in music. OPPO 105D Use as preamp with balanced outputs direct to amplifier Emotiva XPA-2 Martin Logan Ethos ( you can shop around and find them near 6K ) That should keep you under 9K and gives you BD, SACD, CD, Pandora, Netflix etc... from the OPPO 105D. That little box is a powerhouse! The Ethos have 200W amps built in powering each woofer leaving the XPA-2 driving just the electrostatic panels. The XPA-2 has no problem driving the Ethos much louder than I can handle. This is a phenomenal combination, with a very simple setup. I almost exclusively listen to music via JRiver Media Server via async USB into the OPPO 105D DAC's, and I have JRemote for my tablets. BTW to those who say you need a separate preamp I call BS! I tried a high quality separate preamplifier and heard no difference, zero, nada, none! |
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Post by GreenKiwi on Feb 24, 2016 1:09:57 GMT -5
Magnepan 3.7 or used 20.1/20.7
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 24, 2016 10:47:20 GMT -5
I'm going to put together a nice 2 channel audio setup and going to be demoing a lot of speakers.... I'm starting my journey with a healthy $5,000 - $9000 budget (speakers , pre,amps etc ) But I need someone to give me a direction on what's worthy to audition. There is several stores located in a 20 mile radius will many of the top brands but this destination is a 2hour haul. If i can get some ideas it'll give me an idea of exactly what to listen to.. I happen to be new to this world so any options would help steer me and it'll be helpful if some experts here could put together a 2 channel set up to give me an idea what I need to awesome sound. (I can get 10-45% off Monitor Audio, KEF and RBH) My living room is 30 feet by 17 feet and fairly open my music selection consists of hard rock, classical music, jazz, country ( Basically at some point i listen to anything and everything ) I went with the following and have a similar space, and similar taste in music. OPPO 105D Use as preamp with balanced outputs direct to amplifier Emotiva XPA-2 Martin Logan Ethos ( you can shop around and find them near 6K ) That should keep you under 9K and gives you BD, SACD, CD, Pandora, Netflix etc... from the OPPO 105D. That little box is a powerhouse! The Ethos have 200W amps built in powering each woofer leaving the XPA-2 driving just the electrostatic panels. The XPA-2 has no problem driving the Ethos much louder than I can handle. This is a phenomenal combination, with a very simple setup. I almost exclusively listen to music via JRiver Media Server via async USB into the OPPO 105D DAC's, and I have JRemote for my tablets. BTW to those who say you need a separate preamp I call BS! I tried a high quality separate preamplifier and heard no difference, zero, nada, none! I agree with you on the preamp. I sold my $4,000 after listening to my system with an inexpensive passive preamp (aka volume control). However, with the expensive preamp I noticed a slighter bigger presence but maybe was that the preamp was adding some coloration. |
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Post by rcheliguy on Feb 24, 2016 11:00:55 GMT -5
I agree with you on the preamp. I sold my $4,000 after listening to my system with an inexpensive passive preamp (aka volume control). However, with the expensive preamp I noticed a slighter bigger presence but maybe was that the preamp was adding some coloration. I have a friend who just sold his ARC Ref 3 preamp which has tubes in it, and the fact is that most people like a little bit of THD in their music. It does thicken it up a bit. It's IMD that sounds discordant and ugly to our ears. It sounds different to me. Sometimes I like it and other times I don't. People who love THD find clean solid state amps sound "thin". I would have loved to try out the ARC Ref 3 because I willing to bet it would have sounded different from a clean solid state preamp like the one I tried out. |
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 24, 2016 11:06:59 GMT -5
I agree with you on the preamp. I sold my $4,000 after listening to my system with an inexpensive passive preamp (aka volume control). However, with the expensive preamp I noticed a slighter bigger presence but maybe was that the preamp was adding some coloration. I have a friend who just sold his ARC Ref 3 preamp which has tubes in it, and the fact is that most people like a little bit of THD in their music. It does thicken it up a bit. It's IMD that sounds discordant and ugly to our ears. It sounds different to me. Sometimes I like it and other times I don't. People who love THD find clean solid state amps sound "thin". I would have loved to try out the ARC Ref 3 because I willing to bet it would have sounded different from a clean solid state preamp like the one I tried out. Totally agree. I have tried tube and solid state preamps and the solid states is very clear bit to my ears it lacked the full body and 3d presentation I got from the tube preamp. Today I just use the passive volume control on my DAC which is pretty good even at low volume. |
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 24, 2016 11:07:45 GMT -5
Sorry I don't want to hijack the thread....
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Post by 509Paul on Feb 24, 2016 12:55:01 GMT -5
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Post by Bonzo on Feb 24, 2016 13:00:03 GMT -5
Not surprising as usual, that no one on this budget minded forum mentions one of the best budget minded speakers, Golden Ear Triton One's.
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Post by repeetavx on Feb 24, 2016 13:04:27 GMT -5
Not surprising as usual, that no one on this budget minded forum mentions one of the best budget minded speakers, Golden Ear Triton One's. Thank-you. For a speaker that has won so many awards, it certainly does get ignored a lot. |
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Post by garbulky on Feb 24, 2016 13:27:51 GMT -5
I'm going to put together a nice 2 channel audio setup and going to be demoing a lot of speakers.... I'm starting my journey with a healthy $5,000 - $9000 budget (speakers , pre,amps etc ) But I need someone to give me a direction on what's worthy to audition. There is several stores located in a 20 mile radius will many of the top brands but this destination is a 2hour haul. If i can get some ideas it'll give me an idea of exactly what to listen to.. I happen to be new to this world so any options would help steer me and it'll be helpful if some experts here could put together a 2 channel set up to give me an idea what I need to awesome sound. (I can get 10-45% off Monitor Audio, KEF and RBH) My living room is 30 feet by 17 feet and fairly open my music selection consists of hard rock, classical music, jazz, country ( Basically at some point i listen to anything and everything ) I went with the following and have a similar space, and similar taste in music. OPPO 105D Use as preamp with balanced outputs direct to amplifier Emotiva XPA-2 Martin Logan Ethos ( you can shop around and find them near 6K ) That should keep you under 9K and gives you BD, SACD, CD, Pandora, Netflix etc... from the OPPO 105D. That little box is a powerhouse! The Ethos have 200W amps built in powering each woofer leaving the XPA-2 driving just the electrostatic panels. The XPA-2 has no problem driving the Ethos much louder than I can handle. This is a phenomenal combination, with a very simple setup. I almost exclusively listen to music via JRiver Media Server via async USB into the OPPO 105D DAC's, and I have JRemote for my tablets. BTW to those who say you need a separate preamp I call BS! I tried a high quality separate preamplifier and heard no difference, zero, nada, none! What was the preamp you tried? |
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Post by Bonzo on Feb 24, 2016 13:50:48 GMT -5
Not surprising as usual, that no one on this budget minded forum mentions one of the best budget minded speakers, Golden Ear Triton One's. Thank-you. For a speaker that has won so many awards, it certainly does get ignored a lot. It certainly does on THIS forum. Yet in terms of professional reviews, I don't think I've ever seen a speaker garner such overwhelming, consistent, and glowing reviews. I've not seen a single bad professional review. Even the audiophile snobs at places like The Absolute Sound like them. Among other brands and not trying to be limiting here, this forum loves Magnepans, Klipsch, Paradigms, and Tektons, yet basically ignores Golden Ear, and doesn't really like Def Tech. They are all good speakers (although I've never heard the Tektons myself), yet they all have their very own unique sound. I think speakers are all about personal preference, but there is certainly a bias on this forum. The part I find amusing about the Tektons is that years ago no one had heard of them. Then one, count 'em, ONE professional reviewer gave them such a glowing review it was hard to ignore. He even compared them to the likes of Wilson. And who was that reviewer? Well, coincidentally enough, it was Emotiva's very own Andrew Robinson. And they have been a talked about name here ever since. One review from an Emotiva guy goes a long way on an Emotiva forum. Go figure.  |
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Post by rcheliguy on Feb 24, 2016 13:51:54 GMT -5
What was the preamp you tried? Bryston BP6 which by most measures is a good clean solid state amp. A friend brought it over since he was curious how well the OPPO 105D held up. His high end CD player couldn't handle SACD's and he was considering getting one. |
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Post by rcheliguy on Feb 24, 2016 14:00:11 GMT -5
It certainly does on THIS forum. Yet in terms of professional reviews, I don't think I've ever seen a speaker garner such overwhelming, consistent, and glowing reviews. I've not seen a single bad professional review. Even the audiophile snobs at places like The Absolute Sound like them. Among other brands and not trying to be limiting here, this forum loves Magnepans, Klipsch, Paradigms, and Tektons, yet basically ignores Golden Ear, and doesn't really like Def Tech. They are all good speakers (although I've never heard the Tektons myself), yet they all have their very own unique sound. I think speakers are all about personal preference, but there is certainly a bias on this forum. The part I find amusing about the Tektons is that years ago no one had heard of them. Then one, count 'em, ONE professional reviewer gave them such a glowing review it was hard to ignore. He even compared them to the likes of Wilson. And who was that reviewer? Well, coincidentally enough, it was Emotiva's very own Andrew Robinson. And they have been a talked about name here ever since. One review from an Emotiva guy goes a long way on an Emotiva forum. Go figure. I know a guy from the Martin Logan forum who sold his ML Montis speakers for a set of Triton One's. I've not heard them, but everyone I know who has listened to them was impressed. My issues with the Triton One have nothing to do with how they sound. I bet I would like them in general. Unfortunately my cats would SHRED them. Everything from 3' down would look like a combat zone. |
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Post by Bonzo on Feb 24, 2016 14:04:17 GMT -5
Unfortunately my cats would SHRED them. Everything from 3' down would look like a combat zone. Totally understood. I have 2 cats also. But since they are completely 100% indoor cats, we had their front claws removed to protect all the furniture in the house (leather is horrible with cats too). Problem solved, at least with our 2 devils (I mean princess').  |
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Post by rcheliguy on Feb 24, 2016 14:09:24 GMT -5
Unfortunately my cats would SHRED them. Everything from 3' down would look like a combat zone. Totally understood. I have 2 cats also. But since they are completely 100% indoor cats, we had their front claws removed to protect all the furniture in the house (leather is horrible with cats too). Problem solved, at least with our 2 devils (I mean princess'). Be careful letting anyone who is a cat lover know that you declawed your cat. "If performed on a human being, declawing would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle." www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/declawing.htmlHopefully this is the last time you ever put a cat through that. |
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Post by Bonzo on Feb 24, 2016 14:19:56 GMT -5
Be careful letting anyone who is a cat lover know that you declawed your cat. "If performed on a human being, declawing would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle." www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/declawing.htmlHopefully this is the last time you ever put a cat through that. Not worried about it, and I don't believe it's even close to cutting off your fingers at the last knuckle. I don't want to hijack this thread otherwise I'd talk more about it. But sort of on this topic, the beloved Magnepans are also subject to this problem and I never hear anyone with those speakers complaining. And what about puppies gnawing on the corners of nice wood speakers? Black socks can be replaced, nice wood can not. An upside to the socks is that young kids don't have any temptation to remove the grill and push in on the speakers, domes, or cones. Out of sight, out of mind. |
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Post by rtg97229 on Feb 24, 2016 14:35:16 GMT -5
I agree with you on the preamp. I sold my $4,000 after listening to my system with an inexpensive passive preamp (aka volume control). However, with the expensive preamp I noticed a slighter bigger presence but maybe was that the preamp was adding some coloration. I have a friend who just sold his ARC Ref 3 preamp which has tubes in it, and the fact is that most people like a little bit of THD in their music. It does thicken it up a bit. It's IMD that sounds discordant and ugly to our ears. It sounds different to me. Sometimes I like it and other times I don't. People who love THD find clean solid state amps sound "thin". I would have loved to try out the ARC Ref 3 because I willing to bet it would have sounded different from a clean solid state preamp like the one I tried out. I 100% agree. I also think that THD could be added in the digital domain with selectable filters on say a DAC if not for the pride factor. |
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Post by rcheliguy on Feb 24, 2016 15:32:05 GMT -5
I have a friend who just sold his ARC Ref 3 preamp which has tubes in it, and the fact is that most people like a little bit of THD in their music. It does thicken it up a bit. It's IMD that sounds discordant and ugly to our ears. It sounds different to me. Sometimes I like it and other times I don't. People who love THD find clean solid state amps sound "thin". I would have loved to try out the ARC Ref 3 because I willing to bet it would have sounded different from a clean solid state preamp like the one I tried out. I 100% agree. I also think that THD could be added in the digital domain with selectable filters on say a DAC if not for the pride factor. Forget pride! Pick what sounds right. I noticed that Sony Sound Forge has a "Tube Amp" THD distortion generation tool that you can apply to an audio track, but it has to be rendered to a new file. What I would like is a real time audio plugin for my JRiver Media Server, where I could experiment and dial that in for some of the lessor recordings to help them a bit. The key is that it would need to remember those settings on a per track basis, because the best recorded music IMHO sound best perfectly clean, but there are times when it might work well. |
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 24, 2016 17:15:49 GMT -5
I am a big fan of B & W. Also Martin Logans maybe a good one too. Depending on what you are looking for, they are very precise of image and tonality.
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