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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: hi and lo on November 14, 2011, 08:08:35 PM
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SSIA - I have not used anything but headphones for many, many years now and am fairly illiterate on what a good setup would be. I would like something, probably bookshelf size, that strikes a good balance between cost and performance. My previous setup was a pair of a Paradigm Titans which were a bit of a diamond in the rough. I actually wouldn't mind another pair, but can probably afford better.
I have an m902 and would like to use this for my DAC. Not sure what (or if) it can actually drive in terms of speakers.
Does anyone also use a dedicated sub-woofer when listening to 2-channel stuff? Seems more like a home theatre thing.
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SSIA - I have not used anything but headphones for many, many years now and am fairly illiterate on what a good setup would be. I would like something, probably bookshelf size, that strikes a good balance between cost and performance. My previous setup was a pair of a Paradigm Titans which were a bit of a diamond in the rough. I actually wouldn't mind another pair, but can probably afford better.
I have an m902 and would like to use this for my DAC. Not sure what (or if) it can actually drive in terms of speakers.
Does anyone also use a dedicated sub-woofer when listening to 2-channel stuff? Seems more like a home theatre thing.
Keep the 902 and use it as a pre....send the outs of the 902 to pair of KRK RP6's or RP8's..... add ipod or cd player and enjoy....
I too had a pair of titan or were they phantom... traded up to a pair od se3mk2....still have em and love them. Hardly listen to them any more since I am runing the KRK on the computer.... Peace OOK
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In my opinion you are better served with a 2 channel power amp and a pair of passive speakers. That way in you want to upgrade in pieces, or if god forbid either of the pieces break or need repair you can plug the missing piece.
Used 2 channel amps from Adcom, NAD, etc. can be had for ~$100 used on Audiogon.com.
There are literally hundreds of good stand mounted speakers out there. Check out B&W, Dynaudio, Epos, Wharfdale, and NHT to start.
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Not sure where you live, but there is always a ton of good stuff on our local Craigs List... I picked up my mirage sub and paradigms on there for cheap...
Terry
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An important question (and a frequently asked one around here): what sort of budget are you thinking about? The sky is really the limit with speakers (I just saw some that were 125,000 each, and that's in euros)...
There are literally hundreds of good stand mounted speakers out there. Check out B&W, Dynaudio, Epos, Wharfdale, and NHT to start.
I am loving the Dynaudios...I own two pairs, one of which replaced the (much larger) Advents that I have had for years and thought I would never get rid of...
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Is the 902 hooked up to your PC/Mac? Is a remote control critical in your setup? Please advise.
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Is the 902 hooked up to your PC/Mac? Is a remote control critical in your setup? Please advise.
Yes, I've got it hooked up to the PC where I listen with cans. A remote control is not critical (although I could buy the m902 IR remote if necessary).
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Is the 902 hooked up to your PC/Mac? Is a remote control critical in your setup? Please advise.
Yes, I've got it hooked up to the PC where I listen with cans. A remote control is not critical (although I could buy the m902 IR remote if necessary).
Then keep the 902 as the preamp and get a pair of small powered near field monitors. I run Benchmark DAC1 > KRK VXT4 monitors. Best sounding 2 channel rig I've ever had. Forget buying a rig at Best Buy, HH Gregg, or Crutchfield. All major league crap. I know, for I still own a Denon 7.1 channel HT system, and it sucks when compared to my Benchmark setup.
With the 902, you are 90% on your way to the perfect 2 channel rig. Do your research on some nice powered monitors and enjoy.
FYI: I don't use a sub in my Benchmark setup. Over kill, IMO.
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An important question (and a frequently asked one around here): what sort of budget are you thinking about? The sky is really the limit with speakers (I just saw some that were 125,000 each, and that's in euros)...
There are literally hundreds of good stand mounted speakers out there. Check out B&W, Dynaudio, Epos, Wharfdale, and NHT to start.
I am loving the Dynaudios...I own two pairs, one of which replaced the (much larger) Advents that I have had for years and thought I would never get rid of...
We had a pair as mid fields at one of the studios I worked at back in the day and they (sorry, forget the model) were simply sublime to listen too. You could listen for hours on end with little to no fatigue.
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I own older larger B&Ws, but for bookshelf stuff, both powered & not I've heard very nice sounding Dynaudios, never heard KRKs, NHT or modern Warfdales, but suggest you also consider the JBL LSR stuff.
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w/your front end, ...and given the flexibility of budget...
http://www.martinlogan.com/products/purity
look for a used pair. www.audiogon.com
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Timely yardsale candidates-
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=151585.msg0;topicseen#new (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=151585.msg0;topicseen#new)
I haven't heard these, but have considered them for surround monitoring due to their very good specs (JBL is one of a few that publish proper measurements), room mode EQ and coordinated networked control via front pannel, IR remote or PC. My only beef is the inability to route audio to them over the same CAT5 network connection, which would allow me to eliminate the necessary multichannel DAC or digital output computer interface. That's not an issue for you with stereo and your M902.
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I just did this exact same thing today. I'm going off to Afghanistan for my next post and wanted to build a HQ desktop setup. It was the Herman Cain speaker plan. Maximum 9" x 9" x 9" speaker dimensions. My qualification for an amp was that it had to accept any voltages. Ended up on Audiogon and was able to do the following today:
Audioengine N22 desktop amplifier: $120 (used)
Silverline Audio Minuet speakers: $339 (used)
Morrow Audio SP1 bi-wired speaker cables: $125 (new with coupon)
Adding what I already have to the mix:
Pure i-20 iPod dock: $100 (new)
Morrow Audio MA1 interconnect: $50 (new)
Everything can fit in a part of a suitcase and I'll be set. Everything received stellar reviews, and I definitely did my research. Other speakers that I seriously considered were the psb Image B4 and the NHT Absolute Zero. The Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 have been receiving rave reviews, but they were a bit large (around 12" high) for me. I also looked at the Focal cms 40 monitors, but the separate volume controls would have driven me crazy after a certain point. For a 2.1 channel setup, the Paradigm milleniaone looks good but the sub is too heavy and the satellites have no bass by themselves.
You may also want to look at the Peachtree Audio Decca2 system. It's on sale at Amazon.com for around $800, which is an absolute steal for what you get (40 watt integrated amp, A/D converter, and two speakers). Too heavy to take with me, but is probably incredible.
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It was the Herman Cain speaker plan. Maximum 9" x 9" x 9" speaker dimensions.
Seem like decent compact, highy portable small speakers which fit your needs well.. and likely to be more sucessful in the 'primary system' than Cain. ;)
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I have a pair of B&W 805's and I absolutely LOVE them. I like mine with a sub but I tend to like a little more bass than most. I am not sure if those are above your price range or not put I have heard the equivalent of the 805's all the way down the line as far as B&W goes and the CM5 as well as the 685 are all solid performers. The 685's do have a better bass output and are half the cost of the CM5 but the CM5 is so damn smooth I feel the upgrade is worth it.
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Then keep the 902 as the preamp and get a pair of small powered near field monitors.
^^ I know this thread is old, but this. I have a similar set up using an Edirol UA-101 as a pre/soundcard into a pair of powered monitors; simple and sounds good. In addition to the KRK's, Mackie also makes reasonably priced monitors and, surprisingly, so does M-Audio. Don't know what your budget is, but the Adam A7X's are awfully nice.
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Then keep the 902 as the preamp and get a pair of small powered near field monitors.
^^ I know this thread is old, but this. I have a similar set up using an Edirol UA-101 as a pre/soundcard into a pair of powered monitors; simple and sounds good. In addition to the KRK's, Mackie also makes reasonably priced monitors and, surprisingly, so does M-Audio. Don't know what your budget is, but the Adam A7X's are awfully nice.
Luckily, I move slow and am still mulling it over. Guess I should check out the Adam's! :)
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I think that before you start picking speakers left and right, you need to ask yourself whether you want speakers for listening to music or for monitoring recordings. Speakers for listening to music will often have some high frequency emphasis with some rolled off bass that colors the sound a bit. Monitors will usually strive to have as flat a response across the frequency spectrum, which is great for monitoring, but may lack the life of speakers that you want for relaxation and music listening.
Speakers like the Adams and the KRKs fall squarely into the monitoring category, while some of the other speakers mentioned here, like the B&Ws and the Silverlines are more for music listening (although they may say that they are in fact miniature monitors, there are better choices for that application).
If you want monitors, then you can get a pair and be ready to plug and go with your Grace unit and an external source. The drawback is that the sound may be too dry and clinical. If you want loudspeakers, then you would need an external amplifier and a pair of speakers, in addition to the source. Their drawback is that they may sound too loose and euphonically colored for your application. Everything is a trade-off within a certain price range.
As for the sub, it depends. I have a set of B&W CDM1SEs as my main speakers, which have served me well through a succession of apartments without a sub. Now that I have a house, I'm strongly considering adding one because the B&Ws only go down to around 65 hz or so. Those bass notes are important, but if space or budget are considerations, you can be very happy without one.
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i have an m902 and used to run it into a pair of alesis m1 active mkii's...they sounded great until one of them died. i've never gotten around to getting it repaired, and last year i saw a deal pop up on a set of refurb'd m-audio studiophile av-40's. they just recently died on me, and i wouldn't recommend them to anyone. the sound wasn't anything special, they couldn't handle higher volumes at all without getting distorted and muddy...
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Energy is also pretty good. I use those for my HT
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I'm curious what OP decided on. I'm in a similar situation, having used
headphones most of my life.
I'm eyeing the Emotiva Airmotiv 6 + ODAC (JDS Labs/NwAvGuy), both of which are
new to the market. I might splurge on the Adam A7X if I think I'd notice an
improvement.
I hope my room won't have enough interference to require balanced connections.
The Dynaudio BM5A MKIIs only appear to take XLR input...
If I decide balanced output is necessary, I think HRT Music Streamer Pro is the
(only?) logical choice. Not sure I'd want to pay ~1K for a Benchmark DAC to get
balanced output.
Anyways I think I'll wait a few months before I make a decision (and hopefully
wait for more reviews to roll in). I will also be DIY-ing bass traps, acoustic
panels, and speaker stands.
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Check the bic America Venturi speakers like 120 for a pair, and any amp will work just fine. But the speakers sound great!