I could really use some help in doing this.
I have probably the most irresponsible roommates and I can't afford to leave my vinyl collection in the living room. I need to create a second stereo since my primary is used for home theater (and is really not that fantastic anyways) Right now my budget is very very limited since I also need to replace my stolen car and broken laptop. I already have a good turntable.
What I need
- Preferably under $600
- Used gear is fantastic and preferred (Where are those audiogon steals when you need it)
- A pair of monitor/bookshelf speakers. No room for floor standing ones I don't think.
- An integrated amp (preferably with a phono stage so I don't need a seperate preamp.
I have a pair of sony bookshelf speakers of questionable quality, i'd prefer not to have to use them. I was looking at a pair of VR-1's and maybe a cambridge audio integrated, but I'm not sure how that would sound and likely would be a bit over budget. The focus of this system would be to listen to LP's and therefore the focus should be on that. I might add a squeezebox in the future.
Addition: I was also thinking about keeping in the "vintage theme" and running vintage gear (except for speakers) Suggestions to this tune are welcome.
Any suggestions more than welcome!
Sanjay, VS is selling a brand new pair of (discontinued) maple VR-1's for $540 on their website. This doesn't really leave room for the other items mentioned, but...
Quote from: AudBall on March 06, 2007, 03:17:41 PM
Sanjay, VS is selling a brand new pair of (discontinued) maple VR-1's for $540 on their website. This doesn't really leave room for the other items mentioned, but...
I did see that, which is what sparked my interest.....
Quote from: Sanjay on March 06, 2007, 03:19:48 PM
I did see that, which is what sparked my interest.....
Good eye ;) I actually contacted them last week about it and
was going to pull the trigger until I noticed a local hifi store selling the same exact thing on agon. I picked `em up last night and saved on some shipping.
The Rega Brio 38 watt integrated has an internal mm phono stage and is built like a tank (in England). I think this would work quite well for your situation if you can stretch the budget just a little bit. Used / demo units are available for around $400 since it's recent updating to the Brio 3. We have one in our demo specials thread in the retail forum at http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,77348.0.html . Satisfaction Guaranteed.
+T for taking care of your records.
Chris
Quote from: Sanjay on March 06, 2007, 03:19:48 PM
Quote from: AudBall on March 06, 2007, 03:17:41 PM
Sanjay, VS is selling a brand new pair of (discontinued) maple VR-1's for $540 on their website. This doesn't really leave room for the other items mentioned, but...
I did see that, which is what sparked my interest.....
I just bought a pair of VR-2s through the B stock program and while I can see a couple of finish blemishes (hence why they wouldnt make it A stock) it is far from taking away that it is a sick ass deal...
Since you're going get get many saying the VR-1's are the way to go, for half the price these are great sounding speakers
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1
They are based on the GR-1 and designed by Danny Richie. Audioholics product of the year.
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/onix-x-ls
I have a Harman Kardon HK 430 which I think is a pretty fantastic old receiver. How off base would I be by purchasing some VR-1's or the aforementioned speakers to pair them with a 30 year old amp? I'm kind of intrigued with going a vintage route, and the build quality on older stuff seems to be fantastic compared with today.
How does the HK sound? Probably sounds pretty good, you have nothing to lose by trying. Get the VSA's, they are great speakers no doubt, I know someone on this board who has a pair he needs to sell. I have heard them & they are very nice. I bet the HK has a great phono stage too, give it a shot.
I have a pair of Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's that I need to get rid of. I've been very happy with them, but recently upgraded. I'll let them go for $200 plus shipping. They get great reviews. PM me if interested.
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I *think* I may stick with the harman kardon, clean it up a bit and try that. Its got seperate amps for each channel and seems to be designed quite well. I think it may compare well to something like an entry level cambridge audio. What I really like about it is its ability to have good clean bass as well as keep the highs from becoming too brittle.
I would like to get a pair of speakers which complement this. Everyone raves about the HK 430 with Klipsch heresey's and their older horn models.
I appreciate the suggestions on the Ascend Acoustics, and the x-ls's . I'm somewhat hesitant on these since they don't have much of a reputation in terms of name recognition. However their price is attractive. Im very seriously considering the VR-1's since I know I can grow with those. Carl would you mind forwarding me the name of the member who has a pair to get rid of? I know there is a deal on the VSA site, but any money I can save and I am not a fan of the finish that is available.
What are ya'll's opinions on the B&W 600 series, I know they have a good reputation and I can find a pair on audiogon for 250-300.
EDIT: To throw another idea out i've also re-arranged the room and found that I CAN use floorstanding speakers. So thats another thought if there's a knockout full range pair I should look at.
Never heard of Danny Richie??? GR Research? Go check over on audiocircle. The president of AV123.com Mark Shifter was president or co-founder of Genesis, Audio Alchemy, and Perpetual Technologies.
I've had the B&W 602 S3 and think the VR-1, x-ls, etc are much better.
Quote from: scervin on March 08, 2007, 07:03:33 AM
Never heard of Danny Richie??? GR Research? Go check over on audiocircle. The president of AV123.com Mark Shifter was president or co-founder of Genesis, Audio Alchemy, and Perpetual Technologies.
I've had the B&W 602 S3 and think the VR-1, x-ls, etc are much better.
Thanks, I'll check it out. I admit fully im rather green o n playback. I only have heard a few nice systems and those were what was in them, I'd love to learn more manufacturers who are cheaper than some of the best but have comparible sound.
+T's