[CT_audio_fan]

Hi all,

After a few years out of the game, so to speak, I've decided to re-enter the fray. 

Until a few years ago I had a system that really worked for me: Sonographe (by Conrad Johnson) SA 250 amp; Sonographe (by ConradJohnson) SC25 fet preamp; NAD 521-BEE disc player; Paradigm mini-monitors. 

But then I decided to go to graduate school (I'm still in graduate school) and figured, correctly, that traveling and moving with all that gear was going to be annoying. So I shed all the heavy equipment and opted for a pair of AudioEngine A2 powered computer speakers. They're great but I'm feeling to itch to get more out of my music. 

For background I listen almost exclusively to classical music (nineteenth century German; Italian baroque; early music; opera), rock (generally nothing past the early 1990s), and folk/country (think John Fahey and Townes van Zandt). So "detail" matters to me quite a lot, especially at low volumes (I have roommates). 

My budget is extremely limited (remember, I'm in graduate school) but I'm hoping there's a good way to get started again with a $250-400 budget for each piece, assembling this over the course of the next 8-10 months.

Last time I started with a crummy Sony 5.1 integrated amp and the Paradigms and worked my way to dedicated components. This time I don't even have speakers. 

I have been looking at vintage equipment thinking I could probably get more bang for my buck that way but I also worry about buying un-tested, especially online. For instance: 

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-linn-tukan-2015-08-16-speakers-07450-ridgewood-nj
http://www.highperformancestereo.com/power-amplifiers/linn-lk85-3-available.html
http://www.hifishark.com/search?q=acurus+a150

I have also been looking at new, boutique gear: 

http://www.humanspeakers.com/human/qt-1.htm

http://www.luminousaudio.com/axiom2/rca.html 
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-canary-audio-p100-passive-preamplifier-new-model-new-in-box-2015-08-13-preamplifiers-91706-irwindale-ca

(I realize it doesn't make sense to get either of these before committing to speakers and amplifier) 

Anyways. I feel like the deeper I dive into the research the less sure I am about where and how to start. 

Any advice would be most welcome! 

[Poultrygeist]

APPJ single ended tube amp ( Amazon ) - $199

Speaker options:

Tekton Mini Lore Monitors - $625

Tekton Mini Lore Towers - $650

A slightly less expensive speaker option which requires mounting the drivers in pre built cabinets:  two Fostex FE206E full range drivers from Madisound @ $126 each plus FE206E cabinets from Moldova ( ebay ) $325 shipped.

All of these speakers are highly efficient which means the flea watt APPJ is more than capable of driving them at any level and with excellent detail.

If the speakers I've recommended fall outside of CC guidelines here's another option :

TPA3116 $10.99 on ebay with a $9 12v 5a power brick paired with these Tang Band back loaded horns which require only a screw driver for assembly.

http://diyaudioprojects.com/Speakers/Tang-Band-D4-1-DIY-Horn-Speaker-Kit/

[JLM]

I have similar musical interests.  Any number of the latest/cheap DAC's would work with your computer acting as a transport/media storage device.  Look at any of these tiny/inexpensive alternatives: Dragonfly, iFi nano (with volume control), or Halide HD (with captive USB/RCA cables).  For the rest of your system:

Option 1:  Headphone system (see the Headphone circle for recommendations).  Too many audiophiles get frustrated with far less than ideal listening environments and end up over buying.  I did headphones in my college dorm room and it worked great.  Ultimately it's a huge trade off, but in your present case could be the best one.

Option 2:  Napa Acoustics micro-system bundle (tube pre-amp, solid state power amp, 2-way speakers 9.5"x5"x8", $598).  Discovered it at the end of the day at Axpona Show last April.  After hearing very few stand out setups at this fairly large venue, this one came across as musical, filled a fairly large room, remarkably tiny, a breath of fresh air, and did nothing wrong.  One of the most enjoyable systems there and the obvious value leader at the show IMO. 

Option 3:  Focal CMS40 active speakers, $900 (9.5"x6"x6" 2-way with front mounted volume controls).  Note that they're "active" (one channel of amplification per driver) not "powered" (a stereo amp inside one speaker) like your A2's.  This is a vastly superior solution.  Other small/cheaper options exist, like Tannoy Reveal 402, but probably aren't as musical/non-fatiguing.

I've found Audio Stream a useful website for desktop/small room equipment reviews.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I would get a Dayton Audio DTA-120 digital amp ( I have the older 100A and and run it with a pair of Monitor Audio S1's.  Awesome airy, transparent sound with punchy bass and a wide sound stage.  $100.

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dta-120-class-t-mini-amplifier-60-wpc--300-3800

Also check out Teac's revamped line.  They have had some great reviews on their gear at Dagoggo.

http://audio.teac.com/

For speakers - The new Elac  B5 or B6's which were astounding at the Newport Audio Show this year.

http://elac.us/speakers/

Other speakers to consider are Wharfedale Diamond 10.2's from Music Direct for just under $400pr. 

http://www.musicdirect.com/c-612-bookshelf.aspx


For a DAC- AudioQuest Dragon Fly.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_703DGNFLY2/AudioQuest-DragonFly-v1-2.html?tp=59309&awkw=75622180825&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439278185&awdv=c

My son owns the version one and it sounds great.  Hooked up to a Regen it is take to another level.

Another option for a DAC is the Schiit Modi, Uber.  Although I really like the DragonFly for its slightly warmer non fatiguing sound and its small size.

[navi]

JLM has a good idea with the iFi Nano but they are releasing the iDAC2 which will fit in better with a desktop/home set-up. If you can afford the iDSD micro get it. These have a pre amp built into it that you can start using until you can afford a good preamp (passive or active)

Active monitors are a cheap and easy way to get set up all you would need to a cable from the iFi unit and a computer and you are ready to go. I used to do this until i discovered floor standers with deeper bass. The sound from a pair of active monitors with a 6 to 8in bass driver isn't too bad but anything smaller will just make you keep looking for something better (another upgrade)

I would keep looking on ebay, audiogon, audio forums like Audiocircle for audiophiles looking to get rid of equipment because of upgrades/complaining wife/moving house. you may find something that you would have never considered because it was out of your price range really cheap. ( I paid  about 1/6th of the retail price of my speakers through another forum)

[lacro]

folk/country (think John Fahey and Townes van Zandt)

Townes Van Zandt - There's a name some have never heard of Few realize the contribution he made to Folk music. Hearing this artist for the first time drove me to start listening to Folk, Roots, Alternative, Indie Genre's 

[Letitroll98]

Welcome ct_audio_fan, you came to the right place.  Some great suggestions so far, all of the choices have merit, including from the op.  I think he could be very happy just picking from his own selections.  I also like the look of those Napa products.  Another resource would be our own sub $1000 system thread: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=111225.0

[rif]

A headphone system would be much more convenient to being in grad school and having roommates and limited space right? And the risk of having to move again...

You already have a computer, so you'll need a dac, headphone amp and headphones

I just bought a schiit magni 2 Uber and modi 2 uber and couldn't be happier ($150 each). Grado sr60 or sr80 (under $100).  I don't know if the schiit gear is the best bang for your buck.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Some other options for an amp would be one of the nice sounding Marantz integrated like the PM6005 or PM7005 which have built in DAC's.  I recently helped a guy with an all Marantz set up with a PM5005 and CD5004 cd player along with a Pro-Ject Carbon Debut TT.  Awesome sounding system if like the Marantz sound.  Very smooth with a hint of warmth and good detail.  They also have a built in phono preamp that is of good quality.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/integratedamp/home-audio/receivers-amps/integrated-amps/1.html?brand=Marantz

Although, I can't convey enough at how well that Dayton digital amp sounds when hooked up to a good source.  Pair it with some good speakers and a good DAC or CD player and its magic.

[Poultrygeist]

Some other options for an amp would be one of the nice sounding Marantz integrated like the PM6005 or PM7005 which have built in DAC's.  I recently helped a guy with an all Marantz set up with a PM5005 and CD5004 cd player along with a Pro-Ject Carbon Debut TT.  Awesome sounding system if like the Marantz sound.  Very smooth with a hint of warmth and good detail.  They also have a built in phono preamp that is of good quality.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/integratedamp/home-audio/receivers-amps/integrated-amps/1.html?brand=Marantz

Although, I can't convey enough at how well that Dayton digital amp sounds when hooked up to a good source.  Pair it with some good speakers and a good DAC or CD player and its magic.

If you like the Dayton you'll love the TPA3116's which are better in everyway and much cheaper. I can say that as I have both.

[SteveFord]

How about one of those Crown pro amps and a pair of used MMGs?
Plenty of good used preamps out there, perhaps Bottlehead would have something for you?

[mix4fix]

How about getting a decent set of headphones and a headphone amplifier?

[Mudslide]

For a price sensitive setup, I would surely suggest a decent integrated amp and some good speakers.  Audiogon has some fine deals and is reasonably safe.

For integrateds, check these out....

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-shanling-audio-slm-a40-mkii-solid-state-integrated-amplifier-2015-08-17-integrateds-v7e1r1
or
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-cary-audio-design-ca-1-integrated-amp-ice-power-2015-08-04-integrateds-27701-durham-nc
or...like tubes?
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-eastern-electric-minimax-6bm8-ecl82-integrated-2015-08-19-integrateds-60004-arlington-height-il

For speakers, there are so very many to choose from.  Bang for the buck...it's hard to beat Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Affordable Accuracy speakers at 195 bucks a pair.  http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

Good luck with your search.  That's always fun!

Mud

[JLM]

JLM has a good idea with the iFi Nano but they are releasing the iDAC2 which will fit in better with a desktop/home set-up. If you can afford the iDSD micro get it. These have a pre amp built into it that you can start using until you can afford a good preamp (passive or active)

Active monitors are a cheap and easy way to get set up all you would need to a cable from the iFi unit and a computer and you are ready to go. I used to do this until i discovered floor standers with deeper bass. The sound from a pair of active monitors with a 6 to 8in bass driver isn't too bad but anything smaller will just make you keep looking for something better (another upgrade)

I would keep looking on ebay, audiogon, audio forums like Audiocircle for audiophiles looking to get rid of equipment because of upgrades/complaining wife/moving house. you may find something that you would have never considered because it was out of your price range really cheap. ( I paid  about 1/6th of the retail price of my speakers through another forum)

The whole iFi universe is very compelling.  The iDAC2 combined (can be done down the road, one of cool concepts iFi capitalizes on) with their iTube (another class A product) would be the cat's meow.

For small spaces active monitors should be plenty (most audiophiles IMO overload their frankly smallish rooms with big bass, noting that I'm a speaker guy of sorts and strongly believe in bass as being foundational to true audiophile sound).  Unfortunately digital technology quickly becomes obsolete so the used market would be a real crap shoot (as it would for active monitors).  Agree that it takes a good 5+ inch (probably 6 inch) minimum woofer to provide body that smaller woofers/sub just can't provide.


OP is looking for small/cheap, so floor standers, 17 inch wide components, and turntables are probably out.

[jarcher]

Lots of good advice her. But I would honestly go back to the system you had if you have the space for it. Hard to beat Cj / Sonographe stuff for the money. Maybe do something different on the digital side, like the upcoming Auralic Aries Mini. If you want just different try something else on the speaker front. But bang for buck Sonographe is hard to beat.

[thunderbrick]

You in a metropolitan area?  Why not Craigslist?  Estate sales?   Go a local audio group?  Reach out to them.  IF GAS is any indication there's a lot of good gear hiding in closets.

Post WTB ads on AC.  You never know what might shake out. 

Good luck!   

Edit:  old ads speakers should start making their way into the used market.  It's happening in STL and I think they sound great.

[roscoeiii]

If you want to go new for speakers,  check out the new ELAC speakers designed by Andrew Jones. Have heard great things.

[Mortsnets]

Two Powered Speakers that look interesting:

1. Serene Audio Talisman $395
  http://www.cnet.com/news/serene-audio-talisman-speakers-dazzle
  http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/serene-audio-talisman-computer-speaker-page-2

"n a near-field situation the Talisman has all the volume I could ever need and then some. It nails the genres where single driver speakers traditionally excel: small group jazz, a cappella, folk, and classical that isn't massively dynamic. With those types of music in a near-field, I don't believe I've heard anything this side of $1,000 that can touch the Talisman. The tonal accuracy is spot on; the sound stage has realistic depth; and the details are plentiful without being fatiguing. Low level detail retrieval is particularly good. The overall presentation is fairly neutral, perhaps just very slightly on the smooth and forgiving side compared to some of the studio monitors I've experienced."

2. Vanatoo $500
  http://www.dagogo.com/vanatoo-powered-speakers-review