Budget system - All Canadian

rmihai0 · « **on:** 22 Jan 2005, 07:44 am »

I am looking to upgrade my system, and to build an all Canadian system with the following components:
speakers: Energy Veritas 2.3 - budget $1175
integrated: SimAudio I-3 - budget $875
cd-player: Classe CDP-10 - budget $1000

I have a budget of $3300 and looking also for other products than Canadian:
- Can I do any better for this budget?
- Is my budget corectly allocated?
- Do I have any other options that might be considered better than what I am looking at?

Thank you for your opinions and advises

BeeBop · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 10:29 am »

Is this a variation on the product of the year thread... ?

Upstateaudio · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 10:30 am »

rmihai0. Your prices seem low for some of the gear you note as used, at least from here south of the border.

The Classe player is wonderful, however it seems to fetch a premium price used due to its limited production run. I believe it was made for only 1 year or so. I would substitute for synergy purposes the Simaudio Equinox player for the Classe CDP10. If you wait a while, I am sure there will be some available used.

BeeBop · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 11:54 am »

My sincere apologies

. I just saw your posts on Canuck Audio Mart. You may find that your prices are too low for this level of equipment, unless you get very lucky. If you like Rotel equipment you could get a Rotel 991 CD Player used for around $C 800. I have heard this player and I liked it quite a bit. It gets a lot of good comments in the audio forums, is built like a tank, and is fairly common in the GTA. A used Sim Equinox might also fall in your range, although it might be a touch more more than $C 1000. If you want to get an idea of prices, you can try watching audiogon and Canuck Audiomart for a couple of months. If you are in a hurry, you can pay Audiogon to look in their blue book, which is quite useful.

rmihai0 · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 01:41 pm »

No, this is not a varioation of Product of the year at all. That thread was a failure because I didn't explained people what was intended to be. (a thread where everybody can post ANY product, not necesarily from the list I posted, that he considers that was an exceptional product LAUNCHED in 2004).

Coming back to my system upgrade - I have dangerasouly good componenets already in my system, and they have been meticolously upgraded chaging caps op-amps, etc etc. That is why, for instance, a Rotel won't do it and it will be rather a downgrade.

Regarding the prices that I posted n Canuckaudiomart: some of them are susceptible to be higher, some of them not. The price of used equipment it is and it should be very very low. The offer on the market is far exceedng the demand. I have enough experience selling used equipment to know what I am talking. Maybe the used equipment sometime it deserves better prices but the offer is just way much more than the demand.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 01:47 pm »

Though I recently sold a pair, I DID keep them for 10 years, so I would HIGHLY recommend getting an ear on some Totem speakers - if you are willing to go used, there are several that would fit your price range including

Model 1
Model 1 Signature (my fav)
Arro
Rainmaker
Rokk
Sttaf and Hawk (likely more expensive, but maybe used at this price point)

They are hand built in Montreal, and designed by their sound, not their specs by Vince B - please, I do not mean to infer that one system of design (measurement vs sound) is superior, but I can vouch for the results - in my experience, these speakers always get out of the way, and let the music out, something that I have always found satisfying.

You don't mention your room size, or music and volume prefs, that could trim the list a little, but all are worth a listen if you can. Alternative Audio in Dundas was a Totem dealer, not sure now. Also Mark in Waterloo at Soundstage is a fantastic dealer, I cannot recommend him enough - good selection of used too...

As for electronics, I think that you are on the right track with the Sim gear, you might find some used in that price range, and all work very well with Totems. I have heard the 4150 with the Model 1's, and that was nice. As for source gear, as far as I know, Classe is it.

Anyone know of another Canuck company that builds sources?

In any case, good luck.

Oh, does DIY count? If so, you can PM me and give a listen to my CSS/DIY single driver DIY speakers, and decide for yourself...

rmihai0 · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 02:10 pm »

Thank you very very much Mark. Indeed a pair of Totem might do it. Although I am wondering if any of the speakers you mentioned can fight with the 4-way Energy speaker. I would expect that I will be able to buy only a 2-way bookshelf Totem for my budget. That is why I am having doubts.

Regarding the DIY speakers, yes they count and I am interested in this option also. Actually I am still considering the option to get a pair of Ellis 1801b and an AKSA 55 integrated. I don't know for CD-player if there is something. Another option that I have is to increase the budget and to go into separates:
- power amp, pre-amp, transport and DAC each one for max $1100 USD.

BTW, all prices that I posted in this thread are in USD.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 02:38 pm »

Reference link...... Canuck Audiomart.....

BeeBop · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 04:29 pm »

You might be able to get a Bryston BP25 for $USD 1100 used on audiogon. The price might be coming down these days since they've brought out a newer pre - the BP26. If you go for one of these, try to get one with a an MPS-1 power supply. This is the latest model before they brought out the BP26. It's a good pre-amp - very neutral.

If you don't need a remote, you can get a BP20, which is the same as the BP25 without the remote. This will definitely be in the range you are looking at.

For amps, you can get the older ST series Brystons (3BST, 4BST) for under $1100 used, but I wouldn't recommend them since the highs can be grainy. The SST series are much better, but a 3BSST used would set you back maybe $USD 1500. Not for tube lovers mind you.

The BP25/3BSST combo is what I have and I like it quite a bit - great uncoloured detail, terrific bass and clean highs.

EProvenzano · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 05:11 pm »

Since you mention the 1801b I can certainly say that it is in another league compared to the Energy Veritas speakers.

I was fortunate enough to live near A&B sound and had the opportunity to demo a few models in my home. Actually I was able to take delivery of my 1801's while the Veritas 2.3 was still in my listening room.
Needless to say they quickly went back.

The Veritas are very well built, brute like speaks, with excellent power handling and dynamics. However, they lack the finess, air, detail and soundscape that the 1801's easily portray.

Good luck!
EP

rmihai0 · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 05:27 pm »

Thanks a lot - it helps a lot. I decided to go with the Ellis 1801b. Now I have to find someone to build them for me.

markC · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 06:05 pm »

What happened to your "all Canadian" system?

rmihai0 · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 07:23 pm »

For the speakers I chose to go with a kit and having them build by a fellow Canadian. The rest of it I would like to think that might remain Canadian.

corwin99 · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 03:11 am »

Nice choices so far. What are you running in your system right now?

rmihai0 · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 02:14 pm »

JM Reynaud Twin Mk3
Heavy modded Thule IA 60 B
Heavy modded Kenwood KT-5020 tuenr
Thorens 125 MK2, Sumiko MMT Premier, Ortofon OM-30
Heavy modded Toshiba SD-4900

BeeBop · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 08:45 pm »

I'm not surprised that you have a great system. You have an expensive address, judging by your posts in Canuck audio mart (postal code M5H 2C9) - an office tower in the middle of the business district!

Songforyou · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 10:13 pm »

rmihai0,

Why are you thinking of parting with the JM Twins? Just curious.

rmihai0 · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 10:24 pm »

Just because, I hope, the Ellis 1801bs will be better. Other than that the Twins are fabulous. FOr the price that I am planing to sell them ($495+shipping firm), nothingh come close. I got a better job, and I hope that, increasing the budget for speakers I will get a better quality.