A system built around 626R's

mmitchel · « **on:** 9 Jul 2005, 04:15 am »

In February 2006, I get a nice little bonus check and I want to put together a nice system for 2 channel audio. After LOTS of reading I think the 626R's would be a good starting off point.

A few Questions for the experts here....

I plan on getting an integrated amp. Any recommendations (up to about $1200) here? I'm considering Jolida Hybrid amps, Musical Fidelity x-150, could go tubes, could go solid state, it's up in the air. I would appreciate any comments on amps you are particularly fond of in that price range that have synergy with these speakers.

FWIW, I listen to progressive rock and would like to be able to crank it up but not to headbanger volumes. I'm in a loft that is roughly 15 x 15 x 10

I am interested in a subwoofer as well. Anyone out there using the Dedicated sub with these speakers. Passive? Powered?

I guess I'm basically asking for help designing a sytem around the 626R's. Thanks in advance...

fredgarvin · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Jul 2005, 04:32 am »

I just recently picked up an Onix A-120 mkII from www.AV123. It is solid state and rated at 120 watts. Its a dual mono design and only goes for about $670 if I remember correctly. Anyway Onix has built a reputation for value and this amp really kicked up the performance of my VMPS RM1's, especially in the bass response. I believe Onix offers a 30 day try out period.

warnerwh · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Jul 2005, 05:21 am »

One thing that's very important is room acoustics. Noticing you state your room is 15x15 and this means strong modes that are multiplied by having two dimensions the same. Spend a little money on bass traps and a good digital equalizer like the Rdes will help alot too.

I'd go with the Portal Panache integrated. I've not heard it but someone who's opinion I highly respect told me how good it is. It's one of the few integrateds that can actually double it's power into 4 ohms also.

For the money a Vmps sub is excellent. Also the sound quality also excellent. You need look no further. Go to Audioreview.com and check out what other users think of these subs.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jul 2005, 06:06 am »

Mmitchel, an alternative to your integrated quest, a McCormack DNA-125 around 1K or less. Then, could either get a decent older model Forte Model 2 Preamp(with separate power supply) for around $300 or if wanting cheaper, a Sumo Athena MKI or MKII preamp (less than $200) or a pair of EVS Ultimate Attenuators...the last might mean that you will go to only 1 source, the one that matters the most. The 3 choices above will give you a sound that very few out there for the price point will ever be able to beat. Onix and Jolida? They will be in the back seat.

The sonics of the DNA series, especially the 125 are impeccable, with plenty of drive and excitement. Not harsh at all. All the preamps or pseudo preamps above, with the exception of the EVS Ultimates have a phono stage...which leaves you open to future analogue business, should you wish.

$1200 is not plenty, but can get you VERY far in the used market, if done so judiciously. The VMPS that I heard are happier with decent power and SS.

Paul

John Casler · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Jul 2005, 05:44 pm »

Quote from: mmitchel

In February 2006, I get a nice little bonus check and I want to put together a nice system for 2 channel audio. After LOTS of reading I think the 626R's would be a good starting off point.

A few Questions for the experts here....

I plan on getting an integrated amp. Any recommendations (up to about $1200) here? I'm considering Jolida Hybrid amps, Musical Fidelity x-150, could go tubes, could go solid state, it's up in the air. I would appreciate any comments on amps you are particularly fond of in ...

First off, this is an excellent direction to go, since the 626R, is the most adaptable speaker from VMPS.

Your front end, however will certainly be dependant on you listening tastes and preferences.

Many like tubes with VMPS and claim it the perfect match of detail and warmth. Those who want the ultimate for bass articulation tend to go SS.

I have clients who have used the Jolida hybrids to good result (as well as the excellent CDP they produce)

I would suggest the best of both worlds might be the Son of Ampzilla, but it might fall outside your budget.

As far as a SUB, the dedicated is certainly the most "space friendly", but the 215s and the LARGERs, can be used as "speaker stands" (if you get a pair) which saves you the cost of the stands.

There are a lot of directions with the 626R.

Woodsea · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Jul 2005, 01:26 am »

The AKSA 100 nirvana + that was circulating around the states really amazed me. My pair of auricapped 626r's never sounded better or more controlled. Also this sub reads very nice and able to integrate with any room. True Subwoofer EQ Signature. http://www.sunfire.com/subwoofers.htm

Rocket · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Jul 2005, 01:42 am »

Hi,

Odyssey cyclops integrated amplifier should be one to consider.

Regards

Rod

mmitchel · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Jul 2005, 01:50 am »

You folks are great...This is just what I was hoping for. You've given me a lot of food for thought.

Now...time to research...

Thanks a million!

doug s. · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Jul 2005, 05:35 pm »

Quote from: mmitchel

You folks are great...This is just what I was hoping for. You've given me a lot of food for thought.

Now...time to research...

Thanks a million!

shameless plug!

buy my rm40 kit, & build speakers better than the rm40 *or* the rm30, for little more than the cost of 626's

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1126377468

i am actually sorely disappointed that my present personal situation precludes me from building these.

oh well...

for preamp & amplification, i would recommend tubes. if tighter bass is needed, either bi-amp, w/solid state on the woofers, or use solid state amps on subwoofers. but in a room this size, i am not sure subwoofers are needed, especially w/vmps speakers. w/my rm40 kit f/s, you could actually build a four-piece system and use the four 10" woofers & two passive radiators as subwoofers.

doug s.

drystream · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Jul 2005, 01:31 pm »

I had many issues with a Jolida 1501RC hybrid integrated, and would advise against going that route. The sound was good, but there was too much down time.

I've heard of similar problems from others.

mmitchel · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Jul 2005, 03:16 pm »

Quote from: drystream

I had many issues with a Jolida 1501RC hybrid integrated, and would advise against going that route. The sound was good, but there was too much down time. I've heard of similar problems from others.

Darn....I've always been fond of the hybrid idea.....I'll keep looking

drystream · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Jul 2005, 03:51 pm »

>Darn....I've always been fond of the hybrid idea.....I'll keep looking

I don't think there is a problem with hybrids in general. I was just commenting on the specific model of Jolida that I owned for a while.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Jul 2005, 06:37 pm »

Drystream, I do not want to sound like a vulture, but in regards of the reliability of the Jolidas, I am in the same page with you. When Jolida began to make their tubed amps, I was one of the first to get it. It was back in 1996. Guess what? The quality of construction and the tubes in general were terrible. Mine never worked and I fought my way with the help of the credit card company for the seller to take the amps back. Some people credit great things with Jolida, but in my case, I credit it with making cheap, and shoddy gear.

There are supporters now stating that the Jolida of the past is not the same as the Jolida now.

Paul

doug s. · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Jul 2005, 06:42 pm »

one other point about jolida - bill baker at response audio hot-rods these as well as other brands. i doubt you will have any issues w/gear he's gone thru...

doug s.

mmitchel · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Jul 2005, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi,

Odyssey cyclops integrated amplifier should be one to consider.

Regards

Rod

Perhaps I can make an "All-Audio-Circles" system here.... In keeping with my hybrid idea...perhaps a Mapletree tubed pre-amp...(I have their Ear + Purist HD headphone amp and it is awesome)....the odyssey khartago amplifier....and the 626's + dedicated sub...

I still have a lot of research to do....Let's assume I got a decent amp or integrated....how would you run the subwoofer? Can you just run it in parallel with the speakers off the back speaker binding posts...or do you have the subwoofer powered by it's own amp? I see that there is an amp that VMPS recommends but if I don't really need it...(this will NOT be used for gee-whiz special effects)...that would be some $$ I could save.
On the other hand if it would make a tremendous amount of difference in the music, I wouldn't mind spending the money. (I confess ignorance here....I've never had an active subwoofer)

doug s. · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Jul 2005, 08:03 pm »

Quote from: mmitchel

Perhaps I can make an "All-Audio-Circles" system here.... In keeping with my hybrid idea...perhaps a Mapletree tubed pre-amp...(I have their Ear + Purist HD headphone amp and it is awesome)....the odyssey khartago amplifier....and the 626's + dedicated sub...

I still have a lot of research to do....Let's assume I got a decent amp or integrated....how would you run the subwoofer? Can you just run it in parallel with the speakers off the back speaker binding posts...or do you have the subwoofer powered b ...

the best way, imo, to run subwoofers (get two for optimum 2-channel audio) is to use an active outboard x-over. this will allow your amps to see only signal that they need. you monitor amps & speakers will then not be burdened with having to see any frequencies below the set x-over point, & they both *will* perform better as a result.

the only way you can do this with an integrated amp is if it has preamp outputs & main intputs. then, you connect its pre outs to the input of the x-over. then, either the low-pass or high-pass outs from the x-over go back to the integrated amp's main inputs. the other x-over output goes to the other outboard amp. i know of only one all-tubed integrated that has the pre-outs/main-inputs feature, the golden tube audio si-50, but it's no longer being made, & is only infrequently awailable on the used market. there's quite a number of solid-state integrated amps w/this feature, not sure of whether or not there's any hybrids.

if you were to find an si-50, you could use its built-in amp for your monitors, & an outboard solid-state amp for the subs. if you found a hybrid integrated, or used a s/s integrated, you would likely wanna use the unit's built-in solid-state amp for the subs, while using a tubed outboard amp for the monitors.

personally, i would yust go w/a separate tubed preamp, tube amp for the monitors, & s/s amp for the subs.

of course, you *could* yust let your main speakers run full-range, & get powered subs w/built-in x-overs, but this isn't nearly as good, imo. the possibility of your main speakers being slightly degraded by having to see an outboard active x-over is far outweighed by the benefits of them and their amp's not having to deal w/the lowest octaves. and, quality of outboard amp & x-over is usually far greater that what's offered in a powered sub.

doug s.

meilankev · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Jul 2005, 08:07 pm »

I have no knowledge of the reliability of any Jolida amp - I have never owned one.

But I did have a friend bring over his Jolida hybrid to my home to try out with my RM40s. It was an integrated amp, and I think it was ~ 75 WPC.

Although it was a little thin on the bass <plus> it couldn't play to ear-splitting levels, I was very impressed at how good it sounded driving the current-guzzling RM40s. I have a hunch that if used to drive only the mids/treble in a biamp configuration (leaving the bass to some SS beast), the power amp portion of this integrated would be very much up-to-the-task.

Color me impressed.

Kevin