Amp/Preamp Asylum: Re: Speakers for a T-Amp by vba

Well, the T-amp/Klipsch/Toshiba combination is DEAD quite. A very black background (no hum) as I do get some transformer hum from the McCormack DNA-125/RLD-1. The new Klipsch bookshelves are very under-rated (in my opinion), they are not shrill, harsh but warm and play all kinds of music well. The Toshiba SD-3990 is a wonderfully cheap redbook player. I used to own the SD-3950 and 3960, but these players had noisy transports and lacked warmth and bass. The 3990 is not like this at all.

In comparison to my main systems, well, the T-amp combo won't play as loud or have the dynamics, I hear more soundstage depth (with McCormack, Rega Planet 2000). Soundstage width is about the same. The T-amp combo won't play my B&W 805S speakers well (these require a bit more power), but does very well with my Energy C-3's ($250 on closeout at Audioadvisor.com) and of course the Klipsch RB-61's.

I also have a Conrad Johnson CAV-50 integrated EL-34 tube amp. This is my favorite amp. Huge 3D soundstage, height, width, and depth. You can get lost in it. I run this amp with the B&W 805's, Sonus Faber Concertino Homes', or the Klipsch and it makes wonderful music.

But for a person who likes to experiment (like me) or on a budget, one could make a nice system of the T-amp combo, use a jumpstart battery (which I got free with a generator purchase) and your off and running. This system cost me ~$475 as I got the RB-61 for $400.