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Author Topic: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300  (Read 17025 times)

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Offline Nick's Picks

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #15 on: July 05, 2012, 09:42:56 AM »
Not to overlook:
- PAWN SHOP scores (lots of PSB, KLH, Klipsch to be had cheap).

That said, I love the PSB Alphas I picked up a few years ago.  4 speakers w/consecutive serial numbers.  $80.  Local pawn shop.  They freakin' rock.

Offline sparkey

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #16 on: July 05, 2012, 02:41:12 PM »
Used pair of B&W 602's fit your budget.  Highly recommended.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Bowers+and+Wilkins+B+W+DM+602+bookshelf+speakers
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Offline jlykos

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #17 on: July 06, 2012, 02:45:56 AM »
If you can go up to $400, you may want to check out the Audioengine N22 ($200 new, less refurbished on ebay) and the NHT SuperZero ($200 for a pair).  This combination will likely sound better than a lot of other options at the $300 or even $400 price range.
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Offline jbou

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #18 on: July 06, 2012, 10:24:49 AM »
If you can go up to $400, you may want to check out the Audioengine N22 ($200 new, less refurbished on ebay) and the NHT SuperZero ($200 for a pair).  This combination will likely sound better than a lot of other options at the $300 or even $400 price range.


Thanks. I hadn't heard about those. I'll look into em. I'm probably going to make the purchase in early August so I still got time to check some different options out.

EDIT: If I went with passive speakers, would you say the Audioengine N22 would be a better route than a Topping T-amp?
« Last Edit: July 06, 2012, 10:27:08 AM by JBou »

Offline Fried Chicken Boy

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #19 on: July 06, 2012, 10:41:56 AM »
Between the Audioengine N22 and Topping TP-30 it isn't truly an apples-to-apples comparison.  The TP-30 is a combination DAC/amplifier whereas the N22 is strictly an amp.  Since you already have a decent DAC (the FiiO E10 which is also 24-bit as opposed to the Topping's 16-bit) the N22 might be more appealing.  In addition to a higher price, the N22 also has a little more juice, 22 watts per channels compared to the Topping's 15 watts.

Offline jbou

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #20 on: July 06, 2012, 01:21:15 PM »
Between the Audioengine N22 and Topping TP-30 it isn't truly an apples-to-apples comparison.  The TP-30 is a combination DAC/amplifier whereas the N22 is strictly an amp.  Since you already have a decent DAC (the FiiO E10 which is also 24-bit as opposed to the Topping's 16-bit) the N22 might be more appealing.  In addition to a higher price, the N22 also has a little more juice, 22 watts per channels compared to the Topping's 15 watts.

I get what you're saying, but I wasn't really talking about the TP-30. I was thinking of the TP21 and the TP20 which can be had for under $85
http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP21-Digital-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B005CRLZGE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1341594436&sr=8-5&keywords=topping
http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP20-MK2-TA2020-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B005F5U86G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341594436&sr=8-1&keywords=topping
or this one with more power for about $135
http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TK2050-TC2000-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B005VR1VQE/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1341594460&sr=8-8&keywords=topping+tripath

This was my thought when I asked the question: I don't really know much about the N22 but I know Audioengine makes good stuff. Based on what I've heard about t amps, I wonder if a T-amp for half the price or a little more than half could give me similar performance.

Again, still not sure which route to go. Considering some powered KRK monitors, but still want to consider passive speakers with an amp. thanks again for all the input.

Offline Jimna

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #21 on: July 06, 2012, 01:32:37 PM »
unless you buy an amp specifically made to go with a set of speakers its going to be a craps-shoot whether they sound good together.  This is why active monitors are such a wise choice, the amp was designed to match the speaker perfectly by the engineer who designed it all.  Mix and match electronics will always be a lottery unless you have lots of access and preview time, active monitors are an educated decision.
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Offline Fried Chicken Boy

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #22 on: July 06, 2012, 01:37:50 PM »
A-ha, ok, thanks for the clarification.  Both Audioengine and Topping have good reputations for overall quality.  I've personally never owned a T-amp but everything I've read about them in reviews and forums points out that they perform far beyond their price range.  The detractors will tell you that they are not true "audiophile" quality but neither is the Audioengine and you're also not setting up a 5- or 6-figure playback system in an acoustically treated room.  All things in perspective. 

While I tend to agree with Jimna's views on powered monitors and amp matching, if you decide to go the passive speaker route it's my opinion that you couldn't go wrong with any of the Topping or Audioengine choices.

Offline Jamos

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #23 on: July 06, 2012, 05:54:21 PM »
I was the one selling the Audioengine's in the YS.  I really enjoyed them, and wouldn't hesitate to try out any of their current products.  For the price, they sure offer a lot of performance.

We recently got a Bluesky Exo2 2.1 system which is really nice.  It's mostly attached to a DAW, and it's perfect for that.
http://abluesky.com/products/exo2-new/

Funny to see mention of the NHT SuperZero!  Love that speaker.  Until I inherited an old  Klipsch system, I used 3 SuperZeros as my L/C/R home theater setup.

Also, the PSB speakers mentioned are generally really great.  I had a pair many moons ago that were one of the best bookshelf pairs I have heard.

All good options!

Offline jbou

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #24 on: August 12, 2012, 02:41:40 PM »
Update: I picked up a pair of KRK Rokit 5s last week. I looked at the 6s but they were too big for my desk space. I havn't used them too much yet but I like what I'm hearing so far. Thanks for the all the input!

Offline Nick's Picks

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Re: Looking for bookshelf Speakers and T amp - budget $300
« Reply #25 on: August 12, 2012, 07:25:58 PM »
you gatta love ts.com
:)

 

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