A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Read 2161 times.

Fair Hedon

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 27
A $4,000 USD Recommended System – Fair Hedon

http://fairhedon.com/2018/01/22/a-4000-usd-recommended-system/

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO RECOMMEND REASONABLE , INCREMENTAL UPGRADES!

Subwoofer, power conditioning, USB enhancements etc..within reason!

Phil A

Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #1 on: 22 Jan 2018, 08:12 pm »
Have you read the Circle Guidelines?  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=71233.0

Phil A

Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #2 on: 22 Jan 2018, 08:19 pm »
Is that your website?  http://fairhedon.com/about/

Fair Hedon

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 27
Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #3 on: 22 Jan 2018, 09:01 pm »
Have you read the Circle Guidelines?  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=71233.0

Hi Phil:

All apologies. I see i am over the threshold for cheap n chearful..where should i have it moved?

Fair Hedon

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 27

Phil A

Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #5 on: 22 Jan 2018, 09:13 pm »
Hi Phil:

All apologies. I see i am over the threshold for cheap n chearful..where should i have it moved?

I'm sure the moderator will see this and do the appropriate thing (or you could PM him).  Your profile may be more appropriate to display industry participant vs. member.  I'm not the one who would make such a call.  There are guidelines for that as well - e.g. - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=about;area=industry-participant

Letitroll98

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 5583
  • Too loud is just right
Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #6 on: 22 Jan 2018, 10:15 pm »
Oh yeah, this will be going to Industry Introduction now.  Fair Hedon please read the posting guidelines, thank you.

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #7 on: 22 Jan 2018, 10:21 pm »
You need more current, power and dynamic power to make those MMGi's sing than that Marantz can provide.  I would look at a Peachtree Nova 150 integrated with  built in DAC and phono stage or a Rogue Audio Sphinx.  Then I would get an SVS SB 1000 or SB 2000 sub with the money you saved by going with an Integrated with a built in DAC and phono stage or just a phono stage like the Sphinx.  Also take a look at the Schitt Audio Vidar amp and Freya preamp.  All better options.

https://www.needledoctor.com/Rogue-Audio-Sphinx-V2-Integrated-Amp?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtJbTBRDkARIsAIA0a5OGr6kWcx3LLtgU2qtzpkYJjz01Pfv_g7XNeNfaiR57qQWmLAhrulgaAtxbEALw_wcB

https://www.peachtreeaudio.com/all-products/amplifiers-dac.html

http://www.schiit.com/products/vidar

http://www.schiit.com/products/freya

https://www.svsound.com/pages/subwoofers

For speaker wire- bare bones unterminated Blue Jean cables 10 Gauge wire.  It sounds great and Maggies take bare wire.  You can buy spades or plugs for them from BJC's.

I own a pair of MMG's and 1.6's and while they can sound good with a lower powered amp (in a near field set up), they sound their best with a high current, high power amp with headroom. The Maggies will let you know if you amp is not up to snuff.  I run a Pass X250 500wpc amp with my 1.6's.  I have a Class D Audio CDA 250 amp at 120wpc at 8 ohms and double that at 4 ohms and it runs out of steam with my MMG's at moderately loud volume or on dynamic passages.

Fair Hedon

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 27
Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #8 on: 22 Jan 2018, 10:33 pm »
Oh yeah, this will be going to Industry Introduction now.  Fair Hedon please read the posting guidelines, thank you.

thank you very kindly and sorry for the confusion..

Fair Hedon

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 27
Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #9 on: 22 Jan 2018, 10:35 pm »
You need more current, power and dynamic power to make those MMGi's sing than that Marantz can provide.  I would look at a Peachtree Nova 150 integrated with  built in DAC and phono stage or a Rogue Audio Sphinx.  Then I would get an SVS SB 1000 or SB 2000 sub with the money you saved by going with an Integrated with a built in DAC and phono stage or just a phono stage like the Sphinx.  Also take a look at the Schitt Audio Vidar amp and Freya preamp.  All better options.

https://www.needledoctor.com/Rogue-Audio-Sphinx-V2-Integrated-Amp?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtJbTBRDkARIsAIA0a5OGr6kWcx3LLtgU2qtzpkYJjz01Pfv_g7XNeNfaiR57qQWmLAhrulgaAtxbEALw_wcB

https://www.peachtreeaudio.com/all-products/amplifiers-dac.html

http://www.schiit.com/products/vidar

http://www.schiit.com/products/freya

https://www.svsound.com/pages/subwoofers

For speaker wire- bare bones unterminated Blue Jean cables 10 Gauge wire.  It sounds great and Maggies take bare wire.  You can buy spades or plugs for them from BJC's.

I own a pair of MMG's and 1.6's and while they can sound good with a lower powered amp (in a near field set up), they sound their best with a high current, high power amp with headroom. The Maggies will let you know if you amp is not up to snuff.  I run a Pass X250 500wpc amp with my 1.6's.  I have a Class D Audio CDA 250 amp at 120wpc at 8 ohms and double that at 4 ohms and it runs out of steam with my MMG's at moderately loud volume or on dynamic passages.

Excellent points.

I will say that the Marantz had no problem driving the MMGi is a medium size room. And just by default, you would not put those speakers ina large room. The Marantz HDAM circuitry delivers plenty of current.  In fact I drove a pair of 1.7is with a 50 wpc KT120 tube amp with no issues at all. But...YMMV.

I like your alternate suggestions a lot.

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #10 on: 22 Jan 2018, 10:39 pm »
Tube amps are a different story with their soft clipping.  But give the Maggies 40 amps or more of current and 200wpc or more of power and they come alive.  There just seems to be more depth to the music, bass hits harder and overall dynamics are improved.

Fair Hedon

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 27
Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #11 on: 22 Jan 2018, 11:56 pm »
Tube amps are a different story with their soft clipping.  But give the Maggies 40 amps or more of current and 200wpc or more of power and they come alive.  There just seems to be more depth to the music, bass hits harder and overall dynamics are improved.

I know what you mean by "come alive".


I.Greyhound Fan

Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #12 on: 23 Jan 2018, 12:38 am »
What cartridge are you looking at for the TT?  If you like a warmer sound and are on a budget, consider a
Nagaoka MP-110 for about $120 or the better MP-150 for $275.  I own the MP-200 and 150.  Both are better than the Ortofon 2M Red and Blue IMO.  A nice budget phono preamp is the Emoitiva XPS-1.  I bought one for my son to use with the MP-150.  It sounds great.

Fair Hedon

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 27
Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #13 on: 23 Jan 2018, 02:56 pm »
What cartridge are you looking at for the TT?  If you like a warmer sound and are on a budget, consider a
Nagaoka MP-110 for about $120 or the better MP-150 for $275.  I own the MP-200 and 150.  Both are better than the Ortofon 2M Red and Blue IMO.  A nice budget phono preamp is the Emoitiva XPS-1.  I bought one for my son to use with the MP-150.  It sounds great.
I would initially stick with the stock Rega Carbon cart. I def. would not want to move into the direction of warmer.

How would you specifically compare the Nagaoka to the Orotfon Blue? The Blue seems to have a lot of fans.

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: A $4000 USD Recommended System (Vinyl + File Playback)
« Reply #14 on: 23 Jan 2018, 03:54 pm »
I would initially stick with the stock Rega Carbon cart. I def. would not want to move into the direction of warmer.

How would you specifically compare the Nagaoka to the Orotfon Blue? The Blue seems to have a lot of fans.


The Nagaoka's are warmer, smoother with deeper bass.  They are more forgiving of surface noise.  I have heard the 2M Red on my TT and I have heard a friends 2M Red and 2M Blue.  Both ortofons sound similar with the Blue being a bit more refined and more clear sounding. Both are brighter sounding than the Nagaoka's. Their top end has too much treble energy for me. I am not a fan of the 2M Red.  I find it very fatiguing.  I would not pair the ortofons with a phono preamp that leans to the brighter side.

The Nag's are not overly warm or syrupy.  They do have a deeper and very musical midrange.  They need 30 hours of break in otherwise the treble can sound a bit rough.  After 25-30 hours the sound really smooths out and they sound great.

Here are some reviews by a guy comparing several cartridges in different price groups-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U5ANqGccmk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhSFP0PJCE4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyosUmVSzxg&t=17s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBAOSJrkde4

The top 2 reviews on on the MP-110 and MP-150

The bottom 2 are the 2M Blue and Red.  The reviewer preferred the MP-110 to the 2M Blue and other cartridges that cost twice as much.  Of course as usual, it is so subjective and system dependent.  However, my experience with all 4 cart's mirrors the reviewers.