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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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In Reply to: RE: I believe your friend could do really, really well with used gear under that budget. Here's a $2,990 idea: posted by docw on July 25, 2009 at 21:00:49:
PHOTO: The Audio Research CA50, 45W tube (4-6922, 4-6550) integrated, remotedocW,
I don't know the world of modern integrated amplifiers well, but the more I think about them- the more I think they're a good idea, especially as I read of so many people running passive preamps that are really just throttling back enthusiastic digital sources. I find the Jolida hybrids intriguing as they are tube preamps with solid state power, a combination that I've been considering for awhile. I tried the SP10 with the D130 and this is a combination I could live with.
Audio Research has come out with something like a super Jolida- and it's $9,000 instead of $825, a new hybrid power amplifier with a couple of 6H30's driving 12- super home-baked FET's or whatever to make 220W. While I haven't heard it, I have heard it gives up nothing to having tube outputs.
Our friend Frihed mentioned Naim, a make that has an almost cult following. If you saw the 2003 remake of "The Italian Job" the crooks are standing around talking about their purchases with the $35 Billion they stole- one is getting an Aston Martin and another dreams of a Naim system! And, I always take audio advice from movie thieves- they can have anything they choose!
Someone said recently- can't find it now- that they were very pleased with a Cambridge Audio 550A integrated (50W)- is $550 new and there are a lot of others. The Cambridge Audio 840A is 120W gets high praise and as the V2 is coming out these are $900 new. An 840A with the new 550C CD ($550) the Cambridge 340 tuner at $350 new might be very nice, leaving $1,200 out of the $3,000 for speakers and wires.
I've never heard the Rega Brio (50W) and don't know the price, but some people are really enthusiastic about these and making a stack with an Apollo CD -which many people go bonkers over- and the Rega tuner the Radio 3-might make an attractive setup. There was a Mira 60W integrated on A-goon for only $400 recently and used Apollos are getting to be in the $600-700 range.
Like your friend, I moved a month ago to a new house - well it's 1947 but new to me- which though larger than the last one and with three bedrooms actually has more restrictions on the office system such that I don't think I can set up my Audio Research LS3 and D130 . I was very tempted by a used Audio Research CA50 which is 45W from 4-6922's in front and 4-6550's for power plus a remote. These were $4,000 new and now about $1200-1500 used. Wonderful sound, detailed, spatial, natural timbres. The CA50 I heard most recently was with Vandersteen Quattros of all things ($8,000) and the 45 tube Watts had no problems. Yes, integrateds are more and more attractive as alternatives to components.
I do feel strongly that your friend should celebrate moving from a flat to a house with proper full-range speakers- like the Vandersteen 1C. I can see the attraction- and use monitors for recordings, but I've never heard monitors that I feel would be really satisfying over time and I never want to fuss with subwoofers which I feel smear imaging and take up more space, crossovers, connections, and $XXXX than just having full-range speakers anyway.
It's healthy to occasionally try and think of "best", "budget", "compact" systems!
Let us know what you work out.
Cheers,
Bambi B
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Follow Ups
- Integrated mights be the future ! - Bambi B 07/26/0905:58:10 07/26/09 (0)
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