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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: whatboutbob on April 04, 2008, 04:41:23 PM
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Hey folks,
So I've got $3k to burn. I've been itching for years for a decent stereo playback system. Now I know that's nowhere near what some of you guys seem to drop on a system, but that's all I can justify spending.
Can it be done? If so I'd appreciate some recommendations. I know bugger-all about this stuff.
Also, I'm in Australia, which seems to be sadly lacking in some of the more boutique amps. To give you an idea of what's available, my local audio specialist store (http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/) stocks integrated amps in the following brands for <$1k: Dared, Riga, Cambridge Audio, Marantz, Denon) and speakers from: Monitor Audio, Epos, Q acoustics, Dynaudio and some aussie brands like Aaron and Legend.
Given that I've got 3TB of flacs the only thing I'm close to having my heart set on is a squeezebox duet. As such, I'm inclined to not bother with a CD player.
I'm going to say solid state rather than tube - if only to get the wife's 'it doesn't look ugly' buy-in. (sorry)
Oh, and if it can make my sh!tty recordings sound good, that would be a big plus. ;)
Any thoughts?
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It can definitely be done. Especially if you buy used but that's not totally necessary. I have around that much in my playback system and I am very satisfied.
Your local store carries some good brands.
this looks interesting, http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/533
very nice that it has an internal phono pre.
Good review in stereophile taboot - though that 30wpc solid state might be an issue
http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/998rega/
there are some nice speakers on that site too, particularly some of the Monitor and Epos speakers. You could get that amp above and some nice speakers for under $2500 new.
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Those are good speakers that your store sells, go in there for a few listening sessions to see what floats your boat. Oh, and make sure to post an update for us too. ;D
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I could build one freaking badass 2 channel for $3k.
I could build a better than average multi-channel for $3k.....
Wish I had that to play with!
Good luck! :)
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I have a pair of Epos ELS3 Monitors and a single ELS center channel coming my way soon. I'll be glad to report back and review.
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Hey folks,
So I've got $3k to burn. I've been itching for years for a decent stereo playback system. Now I know that's nowhere near what some of you guys seem to drop on a system, but that's all I can justify spending.
Can it be done? If so I'd appreciate some recommendations. I know bugger-all about this stuff.
Also, I'm in Australia, which seems to be sadly lacking in some of the more boutique amps. To give you an idea of what's available, my local audio specialist store (http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/) stocks integrated amps in the following brands for <$1k: Dared, Riga, Cambridge Audio, Marantz, Denon) and speakers from: Monitor Audio, Epos, Q acoustics, Dynaudio and some aussie brands like Aaron and Legend.
Given that I've got 3TB of flacs the only thing I'm close to having my heart set on is a squeezebox duet. As such, I'm inclined to not bother with a CD player.
I'm going to say solid state rather than tube - if only to get the wife's 'it doesn't look ugly' buy-in. (sorry)
Oh, and if it can make my sh!tty recordings sound good, that would be a big plus. ;)
Any thoughts?
i am pretty sure you can get world class australian or new zealand made amps and preamps down there for cheap..checl secondhand deals etc...good luck
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hey guys,
Thanks for your feedback.
So I went along today and after several hours of much back and forth and a couple of dozen combinations, I opted for:
Rega Brio: http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/533 and
Audiovector K3 Super: http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/904
Both choices surprised me to be honest. I knew close to nothing of either brand going in but the combo was a clear winner to my ears.
Among others I tried the Cambridge Audio 640A v2 which just sounded lifeless in comparison and the Creek Evo was just a touch too bright for my tastes.
The only negative with the Brio for me is that it has no remote. It probably sounds lazy, but I'll be swapping a fair bit between albums and live recordings on the squeezebox remote so remote volume control would be handy. I guess I'll just use the squeezebox volume control - but my understanding is that this is not necessarily desirable.
Oh, the 30wpc was not a problem Tim. It had enough grunt to satisfy me.
As for the speakers, there doesn't seem to be much mention of the audiovectors online, but I just kept coming back to them after listening to (among others) Aaron ATS-5mkII, Epos ELS303, Monitor Audio RS8, epos m16, Dynaudio Audience 72 and Monitor Audio GS10.
On a sidenote, I was pleasantly surprised by how flattering the combo is to my recordings.
I can't wait to pick the gear up now - hopefully this week. Now I've just got to wait until the squeezebox duet is released down here - some time in June apparently. Maybe I should find someone in the US to send one over for me?
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+T for new toys :)
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its fairly easy to put a 'reference' system together for $2-3K, everything past that is flavors.
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dared > epos = awesome