Around a grand to spend on speakers - Zu/Tekton or Magnepan MMG+DWM?

JLM · « **Reply #40 on:** 12 Apr 2013, 10:34 am »

As mentioned above shop speakers first (via audition).

Make sure you've educated your ears first (what to listen for, seems like you have an idea of what you want). Home auditions are best, but you don't have an amp yet. You're in a relatively large population center, should make it easier to find stores, clubs, individuals to help in the search.

Buy the amp to match the demands of the speakers/space and your tastes. If you will use multiple source consider an integrated with a phone pre-amp.

geowak · « **Reply #41 on:** 12 Apr 2013, 10:50 am »

Quote from: JLM on 12 Apr 2013, 10:34 am

As mentioned above shop speakers first (via audition).

Make sure you've educated your ears first (what to listen for, seems like you have an idea of what you want). Home auditions are best, but you don't have an amp yet. You're in a relatively large population center, should make it easier to find stores, clubs, individuals to help in the search.

Buy the amp to match the demands of the speakers/space and your tastes. If you will use multiple source consider an integrated with a phone pre-amp.

I agree. Also you'd be very surprised about the quality and affordability that integrated amps will offer. I know that Rogue, Primaluna, Line Magnetic Audio offer some great products. I have not heard Peachtree, but that company is all the rave now. I think they offer an integrated amp with a DAC.

But again, if you live in an area where you can go to a dealer to have a listen, you'd be wise to do so.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #42 on:** 12 Apr 2013, 04:58 pm »

My point about listing amps was that there are plenty of good used amps for not a lot of money since he was concerned about needing an expensive amp to drive the MMG's. The same goes for sub's. For about $1400-1800 you could build a nice system with the MMG's, sub and amp and get very good to excellent sound.

pansixt · « **Reply #43 on:** 12 Apr 2013, 08:29 pm »

I agree with that Greyhoud Fan, but what do I know?

I just got my MMG's home and somewhat broken in and will be powering them with my AVA Ultimate 70 for a while anyway.
I can borrow a Rel sub for a while if I feel it's necessary. And it may very well be with my small amp. But then as you said, there are good used
more powerful tube amps available often and almost always a reasonably priced SS amp with decent power as well as used subs.

I personally am keeping a lookout for a used AVA FET Valve amp. But who knows what tomorrow may bring?

James

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SteveFord · « **Reply #44 on:** 12 Apr 2013, 08:59 pm »

The OP doesn't have an amp - check this out:

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/news/magnepan_wadia_151.htm

If you're in a small-ish apartment this system will floor you.

pansixt · « **Reply #45 on:** 12 Apr 2013, 09:08 pm »

If that was my desk, I don't think those headphones would be off of that stand for a long time.

Quite the system. Center panel above the desk. Office theater with the right monitor.

charmerci · « **Reply #46 on:** 13 Apr 2013, 01:15 am »

Quote from: pansixt on 12 Apr 2013, 08:29 pm

I personally am keeping a lookout for a used AVA FET Valve amp. But who knows what tomorrow may bring?

James

Just as good at a good price right here on AC!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=115613.0

pansixt · « **Reply #47 on:** 13 Apr 2013, 01:39 am »

Oh I have been eyeballing that Synergy!!! But I did want to give my little amp a chance.

I Know, I Know, you snooze you lose. I passed up a 400R for 1500 a couple of months ago.

Thanks,

James

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #48 on:** 13 Apr 2013, 01:57 am »

I did an in home review of the 600R as Frank let me take one home to review. I live 3 minutes from him. They are great amps, the spacing between instruments is phenomenal. I found the amp to be a little on the bright side of neutral with my 1.6's and my ava Hybrid Ultra II plus preamp and Hybrid Ultra II plus DAC both of which are using warmer vintage 1950's tubes.

I also was invited to hear the Synergy Prototype and compare it directly to the 600R. The Synergy may be a better match for Maggies unless you are using a warmer full tube preamp like the T-8. The Synergy amps are great but just don't have as much air and spacing that the R line amps have. They are tube like though. I am thinking about buying a Synergy amp to replace my Parasound A21. I actually brought my A21 over to Franks to compare the the Synergy. While the A21 did some things better ( my son and I thought that treble sounded better), the Synergy amp overall was much better and more detailed. And this was just the prototype. The production version is better and improved.

By the way, that Creek Evo-1 and the Class D Audio CDA-250 would be a great place to start with the MMG's. The Creek is a steal at $495 for a 170wpc integrated with a built in phono preamp.

pansixt · « **Reply #49 on:** 13 Apr 2013, 02:22 am »

I have heard the Synergy is very close.

Frank recommended the R line to me possibly because I have a T-8.
He also related his visit to an MAS meeting with his 600R in front of their Maggies. I would have loved to have been at that meet.

I recently heard a vintage C-J MV75 A1 paired with 1.7's. It was very impressive. The C-J was had for 800 bucks.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #50 on:** 13 Apr 2013, 02:29 am »

Franks right, the T-8 would be a great match with the R series amp. Other than it being less warm than the Synergy, the R series amps are better in every way. They compare to $5-6K amps, I can't say that about the Synergy amps. Although I would give anything to have a Nelson Pass amp or one top of the line CJ amps' You can throw in ARC amps in there as well.

I wish I bought the T-8 over my Ultra II preamp.

Sorry to get off topic here!

wisnon · « **Reply #51 on:** 13 Apr 2013, 04:07 am »

Tekton Lore with a Nuforce DDA100 Power Dac or the TBI Millennia Mk2 integrated amp should be a killer setup for $1500 retail or perhaps, $1200 used.

Mr. Orange · « **Reply #52 on:** 15 Apr 2013, 03:39 am »

I'd go for the Maggies. I've been running several pairs of them since 1983. I still own my MG1s that I bought back then and I have a pair of Magnestand MG12s that I'll never get rid of. Once you go flat you'll never by another big box again.

But instead of going for the MMGs though I'd look at the used market. I just checked AudioGon and there is a set of factory rebuild MGIIIAs for $750. You shouldn't have to worry about a sub with those.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #53 on:** 15 Apr 2013, 12:47 pm »

Audition, audition, audition. Try to see what brands of gear are carried by local audio shops. Heck, maybe take a trip to Austin to see what they have there.

AND maybe most bang for your buck would be going to the Lone Star Audio Fest (LSAF). Maybe not everything you are interested will be on display there, but it is a great chance to hear a lot of gear and figure out what type of sound appeals most to you.

http://lonestaraudiofest.com/

A thread on this year's LSAF:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=115682.msg1210072#msg1210072

A good chance to meet other audiophiles and get their advice on speakers, in addition to what you can hear there. Heck, you might even find a local Maggie, Zu or Lore owner there.

There is also a LSAF Circle here to give you an idea of what to expect from past events.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=171.0

dmcs414 · « **Reply #54 on:** 19 Apr 2013, 04:17 pm »

What do you guys think of a pair of Monitor Audio RX2 bookshelf speakers for $450? From what I can tell that seems like a pretty good deal and everything I've read would seem to indicate they put out nice bass with an 8" woofer.

SteveFord · « **Reply #55 on:** 19 Apr 2013, 04:26 pm »

Jump on those IIIAs and send Mr. Orange a thank you card.
I had a set for years, they're very good.

dmcs414 · « **Reply #56 on:** 19 Apr 2013, 06:52 pm »

I've come across another guy selling Nola Boxers for $900. I know those usually go for 1500 and have had great reviews. Anyone happen to own a pair or have heard some and would care to comment?

Rclark · « **Reply #57 on:** 19 Apr 2013, 06:55 pm »

Quote from: dmcs414 on 19 Apr 2013, 04:17 pm

What do you guys think of a pair of Monitor Audio RX2 bookshelf speakers for $450? From what I can tell that seems like a pretty good deal and everything I've read would seem to indicate they put out nice bass with an 8" woofer.

I gotta say, no. I have a set of monitors in that price class. And every time I move my Maggies out and bring them in, they never last more than an hour.

Rclark · « **Reply #58 on:** 19 Apr 2013, 09:17 pm »

In fact, I wouldn't start deviating, you're going to enter options paralysis and end up making a poor decision based on price alone. The fact that you're now looking at an inexpensive monitor with a large driver tells me that you really don't know what you're after. Zu/Tekton or Magnepan MMG+DWM. I'd pick one of those and begin your hobby. Any of those 3 would be WIN WIN WIN.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #59 on:** 20 Apr 2013, 12:03 am »

If this hasn't been said already, you'll want to get your cartridge properly aligned in your headshell. That should be your next inquiry if you know what I mean and especially if you don't. Cheers.