[jarcher]

Thanks for the responses. I am wanting floor standers from B&W. Any suggestions or anyone have better luck with another brand under $3000 used.
  Thanks

Many many choices, but at under $3000 I'd say magnepan 1.7s and a REL T-7 subwoofer - that would be about $3000 NEW. Those vandersteen 2ce signature II would also be about $2k new. Lots of choices with Salk as well. I'd be interested in the songtowers qwt with the ribbon tweeter option. That would be $2700 NEW in your choice of beautiful finishes. If you're patient you can get these used as well and save a bit of money.

I'd go to a dealer to hear the magnepans and vandersteens or check out the Salk circle hear on AC to see if there's someone in you area that has a pair of salks that you can hear. Those of us that have magnepans love them, but they are not for everyone.

[jarcher]

   Do you know if there is a way to control the music on an ipad if you go this route? Do you have any pics of what this setup would look like?

With iPad you can use also use  the free Remote app with iTunes. This is what I use. Go to the apple app store to check it out.

[jjfinley2001]

One of the best sounding digital sources I've heard is the CAPS v3's.  Check them out here:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/section/c-p-s-489/

The computer runs J.River Media Center, and can be controlled by an iPad app called JRemote.  It is easily the nicest remote control of any computer music server I've seen.  Build or buy one of these, and pair it with a great DAC. 

Also, I ran B&W speakers for 15 years having owned several different pairs including newer 800 series.  There are so many other speakers that are both better and cheaper, some have been mentioned already.  But it sounds like you have another path to follow first.

    I will check out the caps 3. Looks very interesting and might be exactly what I am after. I wonder what I am looking at for the build cost? As far as the B&W's- I am open to other speakers, I personally own a pair of vandersteen model 1's and also a pair of kefs. What speakers did you like better than the B&W's, as it sounds like you know them well. I'm trying to stay under $3000 for a used pair. Also, do you have a preference in DACS?

   Thank you

[jjfinley2001]

What tubes are you running in  the  LS-7?  Tube rolling might help.

  I am using Sovtek tubes with isolation rings. They were purchased directly from audio research as a matched set. What is tube rolling? I have not tried that.

 Thank you

[Larkston Zinaspic]

I've owned the LS7 and then an LS2. Further along I bought a used SAS 10A right here on AC, which I felt was substantially better than either of those ARC units. Steve is selling a Demo B10A right now, although a little over your price range. http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/specials.htm

I need to send my unit to Steve for repair once I get back on my feet, but I did enjoy the 10A while it was still in service.

Preamps are a very personal thing. They all sound vastly different. You'll have to listen for yourself to decide what suits you.


~Greg

[Funnehaha]

When you audition speakers, bring some music to a bricks-and-mortar store, so that you can listen before you buy. The music you bring should be something you know intimately. I bring CDs or LPs of music where I was present during the recording, or of bands where I've heard them live. There is one band's CDs that I bring where I know the voice of the singer is a little "gruff". If his voice is "too gruff" then I move on to speakers where his voice sounds about right. If the cymbals sound like they're made of paper, not metal, then I move on to a speaker that gets the voice and the cymbal "ring" about right. Bass? Well, I enjoy it if solid, is "in phase" and doesn't "double" like some bass reflex models.

Electronics, like preamps, amps and separate DACs? Audio by Van Alstine.

[jarcher]

  I am using Sovtek tubes with isolation rings. They were purchased directly from audio research as a matched set. What is tube rolling? I have not tried that.

 Thank you

Tube rolling just means trying out different tubes with your gear. Ie like rolling your own cigarettes...

E.g if you want an airier / smoother sound with you AR preamp you might try changing the Sovteks for new old stock (nos) Mullard tubes. You can spend a lot of money on NOS tubes, so ask around & read the description before buying the pricier ones.

[jarcher]

    I will check out the caps 3. Looks very interesting and might be exactly what I am after. I wonder what I am looking at for the build cost? As far as the B&W's- I am open to other speakers, I personally own a pair of vandersteen model 1's and also a pair of kefs. What speakers did you like better than the B&W's, as it sounds like you know them well. I'm trying to stay under $3000 for a used pair. Also, do you have a preference in DACS?

   Thank you

I'd go with vandersteens or kefs that you have vs comparable B&W.  Personally I find too many B&W speakers to sound too bright / harsh - and I tend to like a brighter sound.

If you like a more detailed / analytical sound but that's going to also image better than a B&W, get magnepan 1.7s - assuming the physical size is not offputting to you and spouse / partner etc. if it doesn't have enough bass for you, then pair it with a Rel serie t (or R if you have the bucks) subwoofer.

In a conventional speaker I'd probably get a Salk songtower - whatever was the best version I could afford.

But most importantly, you've got to go out & hear the speakers for yourself. Folks can give recommendations vs B&W, but you may find that you like the sound of B&Ws better.

On the DAC recommendation, would need to know what budget you have in mind. Given your cd player though, you'd probably have to be in the above $1k range.

[TJHUB]

    I will check out the caps 3. Looks very interesting and might be exactly what I am after. I wonder what I am looking at for the build cost? As far as the B&W's- I am open to other speakers, I personally own a pair of vandersteen model 1's and also a pair of kefs. What speakers did you like better than the B&W's, as it sounds like you know them well. I'm trying to stay under $3000 for a used pair. Also, do you have a preference in DACS?

   Thank you

I have the CAPS v3 Lagoon, and previously had the v2.  The build cost was less than $800 plus the operating system including shipping.  It's a steal for how it performs.  There is also a new option for the SOtM USB card that some are finding potentially "Better", but if it's so close for $150 less, it may be a great option.  Your build cost drops to $650, and I can think of nothing that will touch its performance and functionality for anywhere near the price.  Do some solid research on the CAPS before deciding to build one.

As far as DACs go, the options are crazy.  There is so much happening with DSD capable DACs, I wouldn't know which way to turn.  There are many DAC threads out there.  You are just going to have to research a bit to find one that fits your needs and budget. 

As far as speakers go, I'm a HUGE Salk fan, and I love ribbon tweeters.  I hated, and I mean HATED, the Maggie 1.7's.  The 3.7's were very good, but for many reasons I prefer to stick with a more conventional box speaker.  There are a ton of used Salk speakers hitting the market these days as so many seem to want the Salk SS8's.  Watch for used deals to pop up.  But like you've been told already, get out and listen for yourself.  If you want to hear Salk speakers, contact Jim Salk to find someone to audition them for you.  I do it whenever Jim asks, and many others do as well.  You can meet some really great people that way.  I certainly did. 

[jarcher]

Interesting - first 1.7 "hater" I've come across. What was it you didn't like - and what was so much better about the 3.7 that made you feel it was very good in comparison? Didn't think there was that much difference except the tweeter + larger size.

[TJHUB]

Interesting - first 1.7 "hater" I've come across. What was it you didn't like - and what was so much better about the 3.7 that made you feel it was very good in comparison? Didn't think there was that much difference except the tweeter + larger size.

"Hated" was a little strong.  I guess I was more extremely disappointed with them.  I had high expectations, and they were a let down. 

The 1.7's sounded restricted in the midrange, the treble was not clear and defined, and the upper bass just sounded odd.  We moved in the 3.7's on the exact setup and position, and everything got significantly better.   I also hate that they seem to have a preferred volume.  I wanted so much to love them, but I didn't like anything about them. 

I realize that they get a lot of love from the industry, I just can't see why.  Even the dealer said that's their sound, and he thought they sounded great.  I couldn't believe it.  So then why were the 3.7's so much better?   

[jarcher]

Hmm - that's interesting.  I'm not hearing those issues w/ my 1.7's, and I also listened to the 3.7's back to back (albeit in another room w/ other gear), and didn't feel like the 3.7's left the 1.7's that far behind.  My main sound issues w/ 1.7's is they can't deliver the really deep bass (need a subwoofer for that), and as they are revealing, they won't gloss over crumby recordings like warmer speakers.  But I'm a detail freak so I'm willing to deal with that.

Not sure what the differences could be due to : perhaps the 1.7's weren't broken in yet?  The ones I bought were as they were used, as were the dealer ones.  So haven't heard 1.7's raw out of the box.

Anyway - always good to get another perspective.

[lonewolfny42]

Back on topic....(it's not about Maggie's)...thanks.

[TJHUB]

Hmm - that's interesting.  I'm not hearing those issues w/ my 1.7's, and I also listened to the 3.7's back to back (albeit in another room w/ other gear), and didn't feel like the 3.7's left the 1.7's that far behind.  My main sound issues w/ 1.7's is they can't deliver the really deep bass (need a subwoofer for that), and as they are revealing, they won't gloss over crumby recordings like warmer speakers.  But I'm a detail freak so I'm willing to deal with that.

Not sure what the differences could be due to : perhaps the 1.7's weren't broken in yet?  The ones I bought were as they were used, as were the dealer ones.  So haven't heard 1.7's raw out of the box.

Anyway - always good to get another perspective.

I don't know what it was.  It was a dealer, and not a great one either.  The 1.7's were floor demos with lots od hours on them.  The 3.7's were new out of the box.  Maybe there's just something wrong with me? 

[Vapor Audio]

Most the time you don't need any gain to drive an amp to clipping using modern sources.  And IMO there's no pre-amp in that price range that's anywhere near as transparent, able to flesh out details, and images as well as a passive pre like the Placette.  They're not much to look at, and the remote is just silly, but man do they sound good.  Compared to active pre's in that price range, the Placette will give you a huge dose of refinement ... which is exactly what those B&W's lack. 

[jjfinley2001]

I have the CAPS v3 Lagoon, and previously had the v2.  The build cost was less than $800 plus the operating system including shipping.  It's a steal for how it performs.  There is also a new option for the SOtM USB card that some are finding potentially "Better", but if it's so close for $150 less, it may be a great option.  Your build cost drops to $650, and I can think of nothing that will touch its performance and functionality for anywhere near the price.  Do some solid research on the CAPS before deciding to build one.

  How difficult was it to build? How difficult was it to get it running correctly? Should I look for a used one? How is the sound? It seems like a great build, and in the end I am looking for stellar sound. Will I need a DAC?

 Thank you!