2. speakers
  3. 1355161674

Amp + Speakers for a 13 ft X 10 ft room

Hi!
I'm new to the world of hi-fi, and I'm looking for some advice.
I'd like to build a stereo setup in a small room (13 ft X 10 ft). Which 'amp-speakers' combos would you recommend for that room size? I would like to get non-fatiguing, dynamic sound with good bass and open soundstage, no harsh treble either. This is going to be my first setup, so the budget is pretty low (about $700-900 per component) as I suspect any moderately good setup would be enough for me at this point.
I guess it would be better to look for vintage gear considering my budget. Am I right?
My listening preferences focus mainly on 60-80s rock music (prog, blues, art, hard, folk, soft, pop, melodic,heavy metal,etc), 50-60s jazz, blues, singer-songwriters, some 80s pop, new wave, alternative, electronic.
freddie99
manitunc
795 posts
 
The NHT Classic 3 speakers are excellent, and can be found for $400 new. List at $1000. I have a pair in a 11 x10 room and they work great. You could add a Classic 10 or 12 subwoofer for another $350. For an integrated amp with enough power, I would look at the Marantz or Musical fidelity. You can get both with a phono preamp included. for a turntable, I would get used Rega 3 with arm, VPI HW19 or Scout or a TOTL japanese direct drive from the 70s when they cared, especially if you wanted an auto table. Sony PS-x65 or 70 is excellent.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 

Taking the upper limit of your per component price range combined at $1800:

I'd look at something like Nola Boxers at $1500, and pair that with a solid used $300 integrated.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Bradf,
I like your suggestions. The Tekton M Lores matched with the Grant Fidelity 300b is really a nice musical route and special in this price range. Definitely would take Freddy down a different pathway compared to the usual stuff at a very reasonable cost.Quality 300b tubes can always be placed later down the road.Something to seriously consider.This system would the foundation to really have the music sing and connect you to the emotion of music.
Regards,
freddie99 OP
1 posts
 
Many thanks for your suggestions, you've been very helpful.

Are the speakers going to be able to be away from the walls or not? That will affect your choices
Well, unfortunately I wouldn't be able to place them any farther than 30-40 cm away from the wall. Does that necessarily entail having to go 'sealed box'?

By the way, I probably should have specified that I'm not from the US, and I wouldn't be able to audition or purchase those Tekton M-Lores and some other specifically US-manufactured gear except via ebay or something.

As for the source, I don't have one yet. I have a large FLAC music collection (as well as about 100 CDs), and I'm thinking of using a PC + DAC combo as a source first. If that option doesn't work for me in terms of sound quality, then I'll buy a CD player.
jperry
1,408 posts
 
I would use a speaker with a front port if you are not using a sealed speaker. Maybe you could find a used pair of Proac Response 2 or a used front ported Spendor/Harbeth

PC + DAC should be fine for a source.
More to discover