Stylish one-make British-style 2-channel systems...

jon_010101 · « **on:** 21 Sep 2006, 06:25 am »

Certainly not for me, but for a friend concerned with sound as much as appearance and convenience. Basically wants a brand-consistent system, musical, non-tweaky, stackable, with each component ~$1k ... integrated, tuner, CD player. Presently has an older Denon rig... DCD560, TU800, PMA920 (which I sold to him about 4 years ago). His speakers are Wharfedale two-way towers, kinda upper-mid-fi (I'm advising that those also be replaced).

So... My thought was to suggest something along the lines of Exposure 2010, Rega, or Rotel ... integrated + CD + tuner, or receiver+CD, in about that order of preference. However, I haven't heard any of that stuff in action! Ultimately it will depend on what he can find, demo, and enjoy, but I'd like some ideas as to what to seek out. Shame he doesn't want tubes, and doesn't like to tweak, or I'd be in a much better position here!

Any other thoughts/suggestions? What of these sounds particularly good?

And, what the heck is the fairly expensive, super-sexy component maker that has the big, blue, square LCD displays on front, probably British, well-reviewed, etc?

JLM · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Sep 2006, 10:00 am »

Arcam Solo looks very nice, but $1600 MSRP:

http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/volume_13_3/arcam-solo-8-2006.html

My experience with Rotel (from about 8 years back) is that of a plow horse (well built, but slow) compared to the racy true audio stuff found around here. It'd finish in last place in terms of sound quality, but the 10 year warrantee is nothing to sneeze at.

MaxCast · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Sep 2006, 10:23 am »

Classe?

Tell him to budget 500-1000 for room treatments and another 2-3k for new speakers.
Also, look through the pages of SP or TAS and check out the glossies.

max_the_lab · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Sep 2006, 12:21 pm »

A Rega Apollo and Brio/Mira and perhaps Radio would make a very nice system. Matching speakers might depend on music preference...

chadh · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Sep 2006, 04:26 pm »

I guess there are too many tubes in the Unison Research Unico line.

But how about Creek? The 5350se integrated was recently discontinued, but got good reviews. It's been replaced with the Classic 5350se, which has a matching CD player. And there are other components coming later in the year (or so they claim). Oh, and being British, I guess they sound "British style." I bet the prices went up though.

Audio Analogue used to make a very well received solid state integrated. Understated design. Classy looking. I don't know if it's still available, nor if it had matching components.

Chad

denjo · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Sep 2006, 04:47 pm »

Audiolab is back! They made some great pieces in their 8000 lineup before TAG took over.

The earlier Musical Fidelitys are very British too. Sounded great too, especially the A1 which had a unique shape and ran so hot you could fry an egg on the corrugated grilles!

These fine pieces were built like a Spitfire!

Denjo

srb · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 03:45 am »

Quote from: JLM on 21 Sep 2006, 10:00 am

It'd finish in last place in terms of sound quality, but the 10 year warrantee is nothing to sneeze at.

The Rotel warranty (for USA) is 5 years on amplifiers, receivers, tuners, etc. and 2 years on CD / DVD players.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 03:59 am »

Thanks guys! ... Some great suggestions here...

Quote from: JLM

My experience with Rotel (from about 8 years back) is that of a plow horse (well built, but slow) compared to the racy true audio stuff found around here. It'd finish in last place in terms of sound quality, but the 10 year warrantee is nothing to sneeze at.

Good to know! I heard some a while back while demo'ing a pair of Studio 40's and wasn't inspired to buy anything (that metal tweeter :cringe:). Just liked the design and construction.

Quote from: denjo

Audiolab is back! They made some great pieces in their 8000 lineup before TAG took over. ... The earlier Musical Fidelitys ...

Nice! I fear the lack of FM tuner may be off-putting, but that's some solid gear. Musical Fidelity might work, but there is something about their stuff that rubs me the wrong way.

Quote from: chadh

I guess there are too many tubes in the Unison Research Unico line. ... Audio Analogue used to make a very well received solid state integrated. Understated design. Classy looking. I don't know if it's still available, nor if it had matching components.

I'll investigate Unison further... their gear seems user-friendly despite the tubes, although possibly too spendy. The matching tuner is a huge bonus! Audio Analogue also has a full system, and would definitely fit the bill.

Quote from: maxcast

Classe? Tell him to budget 500-1000 for room treatments and another 2-3k for new speakers.
Also, look through the pages of SP or TAS and check out the glossies.

Classe! That's it! I saw some nudie pics of their gear and was totally impressed. Price is almost certainly too high, but the design is soooo impressive. The room treatments may be an impossibility, but I'm going to strongly suggest some new speakers. He can do a lot better than what he has now.

Quote from: max_the_lab

A Rega Apollo and Brio/Mira and perhaps Radio would make a very nice system. Matching speakers might depend on music preference...

This is almost exactly what I had in mind too.

...I think I'll tell him to pick up a What Hifi, TAS or HiFi Choice to get an idea of what is out there.

Gotta say, stereo shopping is fun, even if not for yourself

Hopefully I won't be inspired to buy any new toys.

warnerwh · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 04:07 am »

I agree with Maxcast that at least several hundred should go to room treatment. A system cannot perform to it's potential without it. I'm not familiar with British gear although I have Swedish preamp I really like made by Primare. Their quality from what I've read is first class. I don't know prices on all their gear but have noticed it's resale is below average. Reviews on this planet are top tier however. The preamp I use is outstanding both in sound and build quality.

EDS_ · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 04:24 am »

I'd ask your friend to investigate Cyrus gear. It's funky looking, sounds great (my brother had an all Cyrus rig in his office for a long time), and is built very well. I second the motion regarding Exposure gear-Exposure gear sounds great.

www.cyrusaudio.com

jon_010101 · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 04:26 am »

Quote from: warnerwh on 22 Sep 2006, 04:07 am

I agree with Maxcast that at least several hundred should go to room treatment. A system cannot perform to it's potential without it. I'm not familiar with British gear although I have Swedish preamp I really like made by Primare. Their quality from what I've read is first class. I don't know prices on all their gear but have noticed it's resale is below average. Reviews on this planet are top tier however. The preamp I use is outstanding both in sound and build quality.

I agree, certainly, but I fear it may not be an option

. For example, in my own 300 sq. ft. apartment I have a totally square living room, 12x12x9.5' with a door between my speakers, a door to the left of my left speaker, a wall to the right of my right speaker, a huge pair of windows on the right wall, bookshelves on the left wall... room is an audio atrocity, but little-nothing can realistically be done without turning my living room (50% of my apartment) into an audio bat-cave. My solution was to use fairly directive speakers, and the balance control, which gives a pretty darn nice presentation, all things considered. This fellow is in a similar position as an apartment dweller, although with about twice as much space, but is even less-inclined to tweaky solutions than I am ... so the "art" may be in picking and placing speakers.

finax · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 05:44 pm »

The Exposure 2010S Integrated and Exposure 2010S CD Player are the ones to look for,but it should be the newer S-series.Haven´t heard myself,but heard good things about them.

timothyharnett · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 07:39 pm »

Quote from: denjo on 21 Sep 2006, 04:47 pm

Audiolab is back! They made some great pieces in their 8000 lineup before TAG took over.

The earlier Musical Fidelitys are very British too. Sounded great too, especially the A1 which had a unique shape and ran so hot you could fry an egg on the corrugated grilles!

These fine pieces were built like a Spitfire!

Denjo

The new Audiolab stuff isn't as good as the older Tag or Audiolab IMO. Doesn't seem as well built and rings to a greater extent when you tap the chassis. It's not British anymore.

Quad is good. Very English sound although built in China now despite the false impression they give on their website. A CDP2 with power amp is a popular combination.

Rega is extremely good, the CD players and the Cursa preamp being the pick of the electronics. The Rega speakers are also extremely good.

The most typically British sound I would say now would be something like Meridian. They're quite well built too and a good second hand buy.

Someone else mentioned the Arcam Solo. Really good sound particularly with the matching speakers. Really good rhythmically.

I haven't heard Cyrus but they look good and they're popular in the UK.

On the speaker front, the Neat Motive speakers are really good and also have lots of PRAT.

Sugden does a mini system that is really good and Audionote (UK) does a really stylish little valve mini system that is aesthetic and sounds good in to efficient speakers.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 08:07 pm »

The Sugden gear is excellent, but pricey. Their Masterclass gear is droolicious...

I suppose I will be hung on high for suggesting an older NAD all in one such as their L40 or whatever they called it?

Hang some good British speakers off that (Neat, Spendor, Harbeth, Rogers) and you might get what you seek, for much less than you list.

If you HAVE to spend the dough, I am sure that the Cyrus gear would delight - I have heard that stuff, and really liked it, paired with some Neat speakers.

Best of luck,

Frihed91 · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 08:09 pm »

Three system suggestions for small rooms UK style:
1. Quad 99 CDP (has built in preamp), Quad 99 power amp, Quad 12L speakers
2. Naim 5i CDP, Naim Nait Integrated amp, Naim n-Sat Monitor
3. Exposure 2010S CDP and Integrated, Stirling Ls3/5a or Harbeth HLP3

fajimr · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 08:44 pm »

Quote from: denjo on 21 Sep 2006, 04:47 pm

The earlier Musical Fidelitys are very British too. Sounded great too

agreed, I'm very sorry I ever sold my X-A1 ... there is an A150 on agon for 575, just need to find the matching CDP. I still look from time to time to see if I can't pick up one for my bedroom.

timothyharnett · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 09:03 pm »

Quote from: Frihed91 on 22 Sep 2006, 08:09 pm

Three system suggestions for small rooms UK style:
1. Quad 99 CDP (has built in preamp), Quad 99 power amp, Quad 12L speakers
2. Naim 5i CDP, Naim Nait Integrated amp, Naim n-Sat Monitor
3. Exposure 2010S CDP and Integrated, Stirling Ls3/5a or Harbeth HLP3

Although, note that the preamp in the CDP2 is only digital so it can't cope with analogue sources like an FM radio.

Frihed91 · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 10:11 pm »

Good point Timothy. Why doesn't Quad break down and make an integrated? I really like the Quad and Naim CDPs, but i am not that hot about the Naim monitor. Naim 5i or Quad CDP + Exposure 2010S + Stirling Monitor would make a realy slick system. Lots of PRAT.

timothyharnett · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 Sep 2006, 10:22 pm »

Quote from: Frihed91 on 22 Sep 2006, 10:11 pm

Good point Timothy. Why doesn't Quad break down and make an integrated? I really like the Quad and Naim CDPs, but i am not that hot about the Naim monitor. Naim 5i or Quad CDP + Exposure 2010S + Stirling Monitor would make a realy slick system. Lots of PRAT.

There was a 77 integrated which is a good second hand buy. The I'm running a pair of Stirling LS3/5a V2 at the moment - sublime but they do need the right stands. For general recommendation, I'd probably go for the Neat Motives which really surprised me.

I recently had a Quad 99 pre but sold it because Quad didn't seem to want to produce a matching DAB radio which is an issue over here and because bass management is easier with Tag Mclaren. Nice sound but in retrospect I think I would rather have bought a 7 series second hand principally because it's English made. I think IAG's use of Quad's heritage is a little dishonest although the products are good ones and are well made.

Frihed91 · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Sep 2006, 04:33 pm »

I heard a bunch of Audiolab stuff today. It was good for the price. I don't think they have gone down hill at all. And the prices are attractive.