2. amps-preamps
  3. 1035925476

Starting Over

Hi All,

Well I need some advice.

After much trial and tribulations, I decided to sell my gear and start over. As I have stated before, I had to relocate my system into as very small room (9’x11’) and it just did not work. My old gear included a Cary 303 CDP/Rouge 99 preamp/BAT Vk-200 Amp/Dynaudio 1.3 Mk II.

Right now I am “holding the fort” down with my old but reliable Luxman reciverR-1050/ Cal audio DX-1 CDP/ and EPI A500 speakers.

Since the room is small, I don’t need a lot of power, but I do want something that gets the timber and the subtleties of the instruments right. I listen to mostly to small scale Jazz combos and female vocals. I also listen to some pop but mostly as background music.

I am looking to spend about $1000-$1500 used on a CDP and about $1500-$2000 on an intergrated amp, and about $1000-$1500 on speakers (something with a small footprint and don’t need to be placed in the middle of the room to sound good). Tubes might be an option, but I am concerned about matching the amp with the right speakers.

Anyway if anyone has some suggestions I would be happy to hear them. Remember, I am always looking for that magical, synergistic system that does not cost an arm and a leg.
xmore
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Aerial Acoustic Model 5 monitors used $1000
Odyssey Stratos amp (odysseyaudio.com) new $1000
Odyssey Tempest preamp new $1000
Sony Dvp s9000es dvd/SACD/cd player used $600
Bag End Infrasub 18" subwoofer used $900
Cabling used $500
Total=$5000
scon90
42 posts
 
I have a friend that was looking for the same thing on a $5000 budget. He got a Sony SCD777es, Rogue Tempest magnum tube integrated, and a pair of Pro-Ac Response 1.5 speakers. He is very happy with it and I thought it sounded great also.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
I just heard my friends new small system:
Speakers:------------------------Meadowlark Kestrals Hot Rod
Integrated Amp--------------------------Electrocompanie EC-3
DVD/CD:-------------------------------------------Arcam DV-8
Sounded quite nice. He too moved to a smaller room from a much bigger room and system. Haven't heard it but I suspect that the Pathos Integrated might sound nice if you wanted to add tubes. Good luck.
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