Beginning A Second System--Need Advice

Tbadder1 · « **on:** 11 Sep 2003, 02:37 am »

I'd like a bedroom system. It's gotta be small, small, small. It's gotta be tubed. It's gotta be cute. It's gotta be unusual. It's gotta be less than 3000 total. I don't mind used/demo, but I'm no DIYer--completely incompetent that way really. Well, let me amend that slightly. The amp/pre-amp/CDP has to be small, the speakers could be rather tall, up to 60 inches tall, but no more than 10 inches wide, though I'd like something even thinner.

Peace Love Dope
Dan

8thnerve · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Sep 2003, 12:48 pm »

I'll throw some pieces in there... Transport and Ack! DAC (you could choose a small transport like a used CAL Delta or an Audio Note CDT Zero to sit next to the Ack! for cute factor) Should come in around $600 total.

The Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp. $1200 but from what I've heard from it so far, it is worth 5 times that. It is adorable and only about 4 inches deep. Three tubes, very rollable. Check out the Enjoy The Music review of it.

In my experience, those two pieces represent the equivalent of about $6000-$8000 worth of high-end gear at this point. Call them a giant killer, a steal, whatever.

Amps depend on speakers and there are so many inexpensive speakers that are great right now, it really depends on what you like. Happy hunting!

TIC · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Sep 2003, 02:35 pm »

Here is the amp that I would buy for a tubed second system:

Cayin TA-30 from Busy Bee Audio. E-mail Paul for some great information and visit his web-site. This unit is an integrated amp and is reasonably sized. It can run in push/pull @35 w/ch or Single-Ended at 2-4 w/ch. It cost $699 and you won't need a separate pre-amp.

http://www.2baudio.com/

For speakers, I'm very interested in the Loth-X BS-1 . There is currently a pair on AudiogoN for $395. It is front ported for easier placement (important in a bedroom) and it is suposedly not too critical of room placement.

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrmoni&1068224617

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1101/lothxbs1.htm

If small is the rule, the Audio Note Zero Transport would be a good choice. Add a dACK! or Scott Nixon DAC and you are ready to go!

Could be a GREAT system for only $2500-3000. To save about $1000, just go with a Music Hall or Shanling CD player at $400. Or, try the new CEC from AudioAdvisor. You could be "in" for about $1500 total.

Enjoy,

TIC

MaxCast · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Sep 2003, 03:54 pm »

I'd stick with an intigrated. nOrh has a couple cute intigrateds, there are others as well. Do you need a remote on the amps? Something to think about.

Don't know of a small cute cd player. The scott Nixon DAC is small, but not so cute. The dACK is nice looking.

Odyssey makes the Nightingale and Circe speakers which are 38" tall and only 6" or 7" wide

JLM · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Sep 2003, 11:13 pm »

Here's a different path:

Decware Select (power amp) $700
Parker Audio 95 MK2's (speakers) $700
Music Hall Maverick SACD player $1,500

The Decware (1.8 wpc SET that loves low impedance speakers) is the size of a small shoebox. The Parkers are 95 dB/w/m, 2 ohm impedance floorstanders that have a very small footprint and were designed specifically for these amps. Together they deserve the Maverick (a solid state only version of the Shanling SCD-T200) that Response Audio or Underwood HiFi can tube upgrade later. Add a powered sub and you'll be able to move this system out into a bigger room. A relatively small system with upgradability and SACD capability.

With it's own volume control the Maverick allows for the optional (and preferred) use of the Select's front inputs, thereby taking it's volume control out of the signal path. The Maverick has a remote control. The Select is a very high quality piece that presents the best of both tube and solid state sounds. The Parkers have Lowther level of detail that absolutely grabs your attention. 6 moons actually preferred the solid state side of the Shanling SCD-T200/Maverick to the tube side of the T200.

jeff

TIC · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 02:48 am »

Jeff,

Have you heard the mkII version of the Parker 95's? I heard the original 95 in my room and at the Caintuck Fest last year, but I haven't heard the "part duez" version yet.

You are correct that the Decware Zen Select and a pair of 95s would be a kickin' bedroom system. The 95 is tall with a very small footprint. It could fit into places where a stand mount monitor won't.

What's up with the Maverick? Is the volume control better than the one on the Shanling CD-T100? I was told by a Shanling dealer that the variable volume control didn't sound that good. If the Maverick's vc is analog domain, that would be a keeper!

Enjoy,

TIC

Jay S · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 03:26 am »

Odyssey Audio's floorstanding speakers are very nice and slim. Cost is about $1k.

Ravi · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 06:07 am »

How about the Reynaud Trente? I've never heard them, but if they are better than the Twin MK3s I own, they must be amazing. Now if you like to listen to people breathing in the background, or measure how wide the soundstage is, they may not be the best. But if you want the music to pull you in, these are among the best. They are very articulate, and have a great sense of pace and rhythym.

Paul L · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 06:45 am »

OK, here is my suggestion

Creek CD50, ASL KI FOX 22, EPOS M15 with all DNM cables.

bally · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 08:23 am »

My vote is for the Sophiaelectric Babyamp.bloody cute,sounds fantastic,use your cdp directly into the amp(it has a volume pot).Ive had mine for a month and it has replaced my Perreaux E160i.
Cheers
Peter Ball

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 11:40 am »

First off thanks for the suggestions so far. Has anyone heard the Dared line of tube amp/pre-amps that are new to the Audiogon scene? They're very compact as well.

TIC · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 01:34 pm »

Tb1,

That Sophia Baby is tiny! If it sounds as good as the reviews suggest, it could be a winner.

If compact is the rule, The Sophia Baby or the Decware Zen Select would be a great choice.

If you choose the Zen, the Parker Audio 95 mkII is the way to go. I know the builder, Dave Dutill and have heard many of his designs. At $650 with a money back garantee, you cant go wrong. They have a very small footprint and will fit is very tight spaces. Also, as a floorstander, they don't require expensive stands.

Otherwise, I'd really be curious to hear the Loth-X line of speakers.

This is going to be fun!! Enjoy your new system.......

TIC

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 01:43 pm »

Does Parker Audio have a web site? Google's not helping me here.

TIC · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 02:05 pm »

Parker Audio does have a website, but it isn't updated. The site shows the old version of the 95 speaker. The new version has a much better more finished appearance and sounds significantly better according to the folks that have heard it.

Dave Dutill is a really good guy and takes care of his customers. I think he gave a free upgrade to mkI owners recently.

BTW, the PA 95 is designed to work with the Zen in its standard form. So, it is a 2 ohm load. However, Dave will build it in an 8 ohm version if you are going to use it with another amp.

Lastly, Dave and his fans mostly hang out at the Decware forum. Check there for Parker Audio info.

www.Parkeraudio.net

http://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=General

Enjoy,

TIC

moltosolo · « **Reply #14 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 06:11 pm »

I would recommand like such.

Arcam CD23 ~$1200 2nd hand - Great cd player at a good price.

Berning microZOTL $750 new - You want something tube, sound great, and look different, I think the microZOTL is your amp. I am using it with great joy. www.davidberning.com

Omega Super 3R $750 new - Very nice speaker, just love it.

AQ Viper 0.5m $120 new - not the best interconnect around, but it's nice.

TMC Gold label speaker cable ~$300 3m pair - interesting design, great results.

beat · « **Reply #15 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 10:01 pm »

badder1,
I've had my eye on the dareds also. I forget who told me but I have heard an owner say they sound great. I would love to have one just to try out..high cute factor.

F-100 · « **Reply #16 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 10:06 pm »

My Dared VP-350B monoblock is on the way. If you can hold on for couple more weeks, I'll give my feedback on them. They will be matting with my Cain & Cain Abby.

gary · « **Reply #17 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 10:36 pm »

i'm going to second the recommendation of the cayin ta-30.
look for paypaul selling them on ebay, new at $499. it's an unbelieveable deal for that kind of money, build quality is just unreal. here are a couple of pictures of mine in my system:

http://www.pandathumbaudio.com/download/System1.jpg
http://www.pandathumbaudio.com/download/System2.jpg

just look at the thickness of that faceplate!
and it sounds every bit as good as it looks.

-gary

TIC · « **Reply #18 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 03:05 am »

Well, in order to "practice what I preach" (I recommended trying the Cayin), I just bought one from Paul at BuzyBee. I did use the e-bay route and saved over his usual price. The e-bay units come in factory boxes that have some slight damage, but you save $200-300 on an already affordable unit.

I'll update you guys when it arrives. I currently have BottleHead Paramours and a Dodd 8 Watter for comparision.

Enjoy,

TIC

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #19 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 09:25 am »

Quote from: TIC

Well, in order to "practice what I preach" (I recommended trying the Cayin), I just bought one from Paul at BuzyBee. I did use the e-bay route and saved over his usual price. The e-bay units come in factory boxes that have some slight damage, but you save $200-300 on an already affordable unit.

I'll update you guys when it arrives. I currently have BottleHead Paramours and a Dodd 8 Watter for comparision.

Enjoy,

TIC

That unit does look very interesting - please don't forget to give us your review ! THANKS !!