$1130 system for a musician, please :

Hello radrum,

I'm going to suggest two somewhat unorthodox systems, one planar and one high efficiency, and you can decide if one of these makes sense for you.

Planar system speakers - Maggie MMG's, $550 factory-direct or $400 ballpark used. Very natural and non-fatiguing sound, though not the last word in analytical. Excellent pitch definition in the bass but not a whole lot of impact due to their dipole radiation pattern - but then this puts less bass out into the environment, which is an advantage for apartment dwellers. One of the main drawbacks is the MMG's like a lot of power. So...

Planar sytsem amplifier - Used Aragon 4004 or 2004. Aragon amplifiers synergize very well with Maggies.

Planar system preamplifier - No specific recommendation, but there's a used Bottlehead listed now for $200 that looks promising.

The main feature of this system is the Maggie MMG. Magnepan offers a 60-day money back guarantee, and you can't beat that. I think the MMG should be outlawed - no $550 a pair speaker has any business sounding as good as it does. As a possible alternative to the Aragon/preamp combo, you might consider a used Arcam integrated amp. Get the biggest one that will fit into your budget.

Okay, now on to the high efficiency system (which unlike the first consists of stuff I sell):

High efficiency system speakers: Omega Super-3, retails for $550 a pair, 93 dB efficiency. Single full-range 4" driver in a to-my-knowlege unique soft fiberboard box that is very well damped. Surpasses the MMG in coherence, liveliness, and low-level articulation. The MMG is better at medium-high to high volume levels with complex passages (where the little Omega gets a bit congested), and the MMG has a more forgiving presentation. The little Omega is better at low volume levels, and images very nicely. Unfortunately, you'd probably need stands as well.

High efficiency system integrated amplifier: JoLida 102B, about 18 watts real-world, uses very nice sounding EL84 output tubes. Retail $580, with optional subwoofer output jack for $50 more.

Neither of these sytems "does it all", but they both can make the magic happen without distracting you from it with boxy colorations (which are pretty much epidemic at this price level). The little Omega is the first speaker I've found in the price ballpark of the MMG that I think can compete with the baby Maggie, but even then it's a matter of personal preference as to which would serve you best. I'd be glad to take a shot at any questions you might have.

Best wishes to you on your quest!

Duke

I would look at Underwoodhifi.com at Soliloquy speakers and an integrated Jolida integrated - you will have a very musical midrange and most likely an even treble and bass response with that speaker matchup... should be able to be within your budget with even a new integrated perhaps...
Also, if you give Walter you budget you are working with at Underwoodhifi.com he will give you an honest opinion within you range whether he sells it or not. IF you have doubts, read his feedback...

Good luck on your search.

Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 are $328 shipped. Very clear, dynamic and analytical. These speakers would cost $1,000+ if they had wood veneer and were sold by a brick and mortar dealer. Less harsh than pro studio monitors IMHO but they are still very precise.
I would suggest a used Arcam integrated to sofetn them up a bit. That will go for about $500-600 used. I used a $189 [www.harmanaudio]Harmon Kardon HK 3470[/url] 110 wpc receiver with excellent sound considering the cost. With the HK 3470, highs had some "artificial sheen" violins get a bit rough / bass could use the sub outs and get a powered subwoofer if that is important.

Thank you very much everyone.

Unfortunatelly I don't like NAD neither Panasonic.

Also I don't like NHT, PSB or Athena.

Anu other opinions?

Thank you

It's never easy to make recommendations without knowing exactly what the person who has paid the compliment of asking has actually heard.

NHT has been making speakers for some time, and PSB has too, so there are a lot of models on the market from these two makers alone, if you consider buying second-hand. They are not all bad. Perhaps you have heard some models in unsuccessful combinations.

IMHO there are some very interesting recommendations here. They strike me as coming from the horse's mouth : that is, the posters have heard what they are talking about. In turn, that gives you a lot to explore.

A wise audiophile once told me that the pleasure of audio was not in having wonderful music through great equipment. It is having wonderful music through great equipment *at bargain prices*.

It takes a long time and a lot of experience to build up the knowledge required to make the right decisions. I'm happy to share the little I know, and more important, I'm very lucky to have access to so much hard-won experience from others who know more than I do.

Perhaps you have not yet heard the kind of sound you would one day like to have. I think this is an essential part of the process. After you have this experience, you can listen to cheaper equipment and decide which of its weaknesses you can accept, and which you cannot live with. You are also able to state more clearly just what you are looking for.

No matter whether the suggestions here are gold or dross to you, in the last analysis you will have to make up your mind with your ears.