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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: Sanjay on March 06, 2007, 03:04:16 PM
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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!
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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...
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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.....
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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.
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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
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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...
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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