AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Spatial Audio => Topic started by: morganc on 15 May 2019, 05:49 am
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Any suggestions for an M3TS based system with a budget of $1300 for Dac, Amp, Pre (or integrated)? I have the option of selling my current system and have $1300 to spare after buying the speakers. Cables are all set and I have a PI Audio Uber Buss. Thoughts? Suggestions?
*Note: I am specifically asking for advice from Current or Past Owners of Spatial Systems who have personal experience with such a system. I am not asking about theories, ideas, concepts, for sale items, etc.
Basically, I am just asking for details of synergy with Spatial, i.e what are those components that combine to produce magic with Spatial speakers on a budget :thumb:
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an integrated will usually get you better bang for the buck vs separates. if it were me, instead of looking for a specific thing, i'd check out whats available used on the audio sites and on CL.
good luck!
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Here's a one box solution for $1,099. Streamer, DAC and amp. Actually an iPhone plugs into it for the streamer.
https://www.miveraaudio.com/product-page/puremusic-jr
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Look into Nuprime gear, used, as an option. A STA-9 or -10 amp and a DAC-9 or DAC-10 may be within the budget depending on if a good deal comes up on the usual sites.
Have used a DAC-10 with a pair of STA-9s in monoblock config to good effect with the M3TS.
-dave
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This... https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649522986-hegel-h90-integrated-amplifier/ (https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649522986-hegel-h90-integrated-amplifier/)
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an integrated will usually get you better bang for the buck vs separates. if it were me, instead of looking for a specific thing, i'd check out whats available used on the audio sites and on CL.
good luck!
Thank you! I should have been more clear. I am asking for specific advice from owners of Spatial Speakers who have built systems with the above budget constraints for their personal experience and recommendations, if any. System synergy is key and I'd rather ask people that have experience rather than just going shopping.
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Look into Nuprime gear, used, as an option. A STA-9 or -10 amp and a DAC-9 or DAC-10 may be within the budget depending on if a good deal comes up on the usual sites.
Have used a DAC-10 with a pair of STA-9s in monoblock config to good effect with the M3TS.
-dave
Thanks Dave. I have heard good things about the synergy with Nuprime and Spatial.
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If 40 wpc is enough, look at the Burson Bang amp. $399 at Parts Connexion. The Burson Swing pre/dac should match perfectly. :thumb:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-swing.23566/reviews
You can roll different opamps in these to suit your taste in sound.
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Here's a one box solution for $1,099. Streamer, DAC and amp. Actually an iPhone plugs into it for the streamer.
https://www.miveraaudio.com/product-page/puremusic-jr
Thanks for that link!
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I've been very happy using my M3TS with my Yamaha A-S801. It has a built in DAC and plenty of power. I use a Node 2i as a source.
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/a-s801/index.html (https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/a-s801/index.html)
You can find refurbed units on accessories4less usually.
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamas801sl/yamaha-a-s801-2-ch-x-100-watts-integrated-amplifier-w/built-in-dac-silver/1.html (https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamas801sl/yamaha-a-s801-2-ch-x-100-watts-integrated-amplifier-w/built-in-dac-silver/1.html)
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Hi,
I've been using a Schiit stack for some time now (Bifrost multibit instead of modi mb), I've had the M3TS for a year now, listening to them everyday while playing a wide range of music.
Vidar is a bit big for the M3TS (a bit more than 2x200W RMS @4Ohms) but is delivering serious goods (bass especially)
Received an Aegir, which is more than appropriate for my listening levels, and the holographic presentation just got better (height in particular)
Saga just does the job, the stock tube is often decried, don't see why, it adds a nice touch for some tracks, or when I'm just in the mood for that kind of colorization (holo + some shine without bloated bass)
Many argue that the new Mimby tops the old Bimby (resp. Modi and Bifrost multibit), and @250$... I can't see why it wouldn't seem so!
And all of this stack of goodness just fits neatly inside your budget!
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194580)
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Peachtree nova 220 se can be acquired for $1000 brand new. Or you can probably get a nova 150 for a bit more if you can find a used one.
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The Schiit stuff is actually scary good for the value. Have heard this on other speakers so can't say what the synergy is with the M3TSs are.
-dave
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In that general price range I would contact Walter at Underwood and try to work out a deal on a new Peachtree 150 Series 2. With my M3TS's and now M3TM's I have gotten the best sound from high power Class D.
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In that general price range I would contact Walter at Underwood and try to work out a deal on a new Peachtree 150 Series 2. With my M3TS's and now M3TM's I have gotten the best sound from high power Class D.
The Music Room has a Nova 150 offered for $1200. Hard to beat that for price/performance ratio.
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That is a good price as long as it's the newer Series 2 with the updated Icepower modules and DAC chipset. If not it is work the extra for the new model.
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Thanks everyone. I'm still investigating options and waiting for an M3TM or M4TM to land in my home at an amazing price!
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+2 on the Schiit stack. I have the Saga and Mimby. I would buy the Vidar or Aegir, but heat is a concern in my room. I'm also pleasantly surprised with my Class D Audio SDS250.
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Thanks everyone. I'm still investigating options and waiting for an M3TM or M4TM to land in my home at an amazing price!
The title states... suggestions for M3TS based system. Just to be clear, could you clarify if you're building a system around the TS or TM version?
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The title states... suggestions for M3TS based system. Just to be clear, could you clarify if you're building a system around the TS or TM version?
That's the question I have! TS or TM? My room is a combined living room and kitchen and the room is about 20x15 with speakers at 6-8 feet apart, and with them 3 feet off the wall, I would be sitting at 6 feet to 7 feet back. I'm concerned that this is too nearfield for the spatials.
Question: Would either the TS or TM be better at this relatively nearfield position? And if not, what other suggestions do you have? I have Tekton M Lores now and they are too small for the space, and so I have just considered going up the Tekton lineup but again not sure which in their lineup would be great in my space. And I love the open baffle sound (former owner of GR Research Super V's and Loved them!).
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This... https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649522986-hegel-h90-integrated-amplifier/ (https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649522986-hegel-h90-integrated-amplifier/)
I think the Hegel H90 would be a winner as well as the Schiit gear! Thanks for the advice on this front.
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I think the Hegel H90 would be a winner as well as the Schiit gear! Thanks for the advice on this front.
It's gone - do you buy it?
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I started with an M3TS and now have an M3TM and have used a bunch of amps, all of which sounded good, though of course some were better. Power from 3.5 watts to several hundred - lower power can sound great, but bass needs some horsepower - I use a couple of GR Research servo twin 12" OB subs and they work fantastically with the Spatials. Currently, for amp I am using a 35 year old CJ MV75a1 and love it - these can be found for abt $700. Using passive pre - Tortuga - maybe $500 for used one - the Tortugas sound stunning. Then find a nice used DAC for a couple hundred - they all sound very similar to me in this price range. This combination, even without the subs, can be very pleasing.
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Did you get the spatials in the end? would be nice to hear a comparison to the gr research?
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Using passive pre - Tortuga - maybe $500 for used one - the Tortugas sound stunning.
glynn, do you find a passive pre preferable to the active ones you have used?
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The actives sounded a bit better, but not by a huge margin. And a little noise in a preamp shows up with some amp/speakers combos. Currently I am in passive mode because my amps have so much gain they show up any noise in a preamp.
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glynn, do you find a passive pre preferable to the active ones you have used?
I'm not glynn, but I have a Tortuga and I much prefer it to active preamps I have owned. Most recent include:
CJ LS 17 II
deHavilland Ultraverve
ARC SP9 II (with GNS mods)
Gill Audio Alana
Antique Sound Labs Flora EX
Lamm LL2
If your system is passive friendly, it's hard to beat an LDR based preamp.
Shakey
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Thanks guys, I am pretty intrigued by the passive concept, either TVC or ATVC. I do have a VAC pre, an older Renaissance from the early 2000's, and I am wondering if a passive might be a good alternative.
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BTW, my power amp is a BAT and I have a Modwright modded Oppo, so there is still plenty of tube flavoring in my chain. My Spatial X3's will be here in about 2 weeks.
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I have had a TVC using S&B transformers (custom made by K&K Audio) and an AVC (Sonic Euphoria) and both are very good. I would still say that an LDR is another step up. And I'm pretty sure a passive is going to be much more transparent than that VAC preamp.
Shakey
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I am using a Goldpoint passive volume attenuator into a LTA ZOTL 40 EL34 Amp. Sounds great! I sold my LTA MZ3...put a nice about of money in pocket.
https://goldpt.com/sa2.html