[sharpsuxx]

Hey Guys and Gals?
Long time member just rejoining have been away for a while.  My fiancee/ wife in 11 days has just dropped the bomb on me that I will be receiving a new turntable for Christmas.  It put my mind and heart racing and made me realize yet again why I am marrying this woman.  So anyways, I need to set up a sick sweet sounding two channel room to accomodate my new baby, I have very little idea of which direction specifically I am going but I know it will have to be reasonable.  Here is what I want can you guys help me with suggestions and pricing to keep the system Cheap and Cheerful?

2 Monitor Speaker, preferably with ribbon tweeters and reasonably full range between 45-60 hz bottom end no sub.  Possibly DIY if I am feeling frisky, or if nothing wet my whistle looks sound wise.
2 Channel or dual monoblock tube amps, sweet tubeyness neccesary for this system
Turntable I am thinking either a Pro-ject or a Music hall 5 in the sub $400 range this my first adventure into spinning but based on my research these are good starter units.  I don't know what I need to make it go though.
Pre amp if neccesary
Good Cd player
Pre amp / phono stage if necessary
probably blue jeans or DIY interconnects and Speaker Cables.


Musicality over volume by far, this will be me and my fiancee's chill room to destress.  I like punchy bass so in this price range if I go DIY I will probably have to go sealed cabinet or ported cabinet.  I prefer the sound of revealing vs. forgiving speakers but love sweet goosebump inducing sound reproduction with good staging, detail, and warmth.

I would like to stay under 2K if possible but I will stretch if I fall in love, prefer most of the budget to go toward speakers but tubeylessness is a non-starter (lol politics).  I am looking for some great suggestions to listen too and if you are in St. Louis I would love to come over and audition some stuff.

[geowak]

Hey Sharpsuxx,

I will throw in the first suggestion. Keep in mind that I am also rebuilding some key components, so I am recommending just one component I am keeping.

Rega Apollo Cd player. This is just a smart, great sounding player. It comes in silver or black but is a true classic that gives digital sound a good name.

http://www.stereophile.com/cdplayers/606rega/

The link above is from 2006, but I would/have stood up many players against it in the price range and none have sounded as smooth and articulate. I tried Sony, Cambridge Audio, Arcam and others.
This one was the best. Also if you feel the itch to get an external DAC at a later date, the Apollo will still fair very well as a transport. I have a Benchmark DAC now, and both work very well together.

My two cents...

[gooberdude]

Sharpsuxx, sent you a PM

[sharpsuxx]

Saw your PM gooberdude and would love to audition your system.  Apparently I can't reply to messages on the forum yet as I guess I just set up my login again.  Please email me rick_lafaver@yahoo.com.  Rega CD player under investigation right now, I have a yamaha s1700 SACD/ DVD-A player that shares DACs and such with earlier generation Oppo's that could be a stand in short term for CD.  How much better is a good dedicated CD player for two channel than a decent SACD DVD A player such as the Yamaha?

[Letitroll98]

Yeah, John put in a post count minimum of two to stop the spammers, makes sure it's a real person.  Seems to have worked pretty well and not too onerous for new members.  You should be fine now.

Regas are nice players, but unless bought used, it will use up all of the budget, and way more than C&C guidelines.  Planet 2000's are typically $300 +/- and Apollo's around $600 used.

I think you would get more bang for your buck by adding a newer DAC to your Yammy and Oppo.  Big buzz about the BiFrost from Schiit about to be released. 

Speakers with ribbons again banging up against your price point.  I would try an Axiom, a used Onix (might find the ribbon tweeter there), or a real darkhorse that would totally surprise you, a Polk LSi series bookshelf.  The Polk's are shockingly musical for a mass market speaker and the LSi is the top of the line with a wonderful ring tweeter.  There's a new model out so you might get a real bargain closeout.

For your tube amp fetish, try NiteShade Audio from right here on AC: http://sites.google.com/site/niteshadeaudio/Home

[gooberdude]

Just my opinion, but used professionally modded cd & sacd players (can be found here and at audiogon) are still a fantastic value.

A few months ago i picked up a TRL modded sony sacd changer for about $300, and in terms of sonics & performance its better than my DAC/computer set-up...which costs 5x more.   I use the dac most of the time due to convenience but know I'll have to spend big $ to equal the performance of the sacd player.

i'll shoot you an e-mail tomorrow.  Go Cards!

matt

[roscoeiii]

Matt,

You sure are good at making me regret selling you that TRL CD player.

Glad you are enjoying it.

[doug s.]

one suggestion, based on experience - find a wintage empire turntable.  put a rega rb250 arm on it.  (or modded rb250.)  it will see off anything new at 4 times the price.  yes, it's in your price range.

one suggestion, yust based on posts i have read on this forum re: speakers - check out the soundfield acoustics monitor 1 (sam1).  search this forum for views on this speaker.  $1k.

one suggestion for the amp, based on reviews, and having seen one in the flesh - yaqin mc-100b.  this is a drop-dead beautiful tube amp that is true dual-mono, allows for using unmatched power tubes, as it is user-adjustable bias, can be switched between triode (32wpc) and ul (65wpc).  and it can be used as an integrated amp, or you can bypass its built-in wolume/switching controls.  you can barter for these from on-line or ebay sellers and get one for $700 shipped or less.  these got good reviews when grant fidelity was selling them at double the price.

regarding cd, if you can find a used art di/o modded dac, you will be hard pressed to beat it for under $1k or even more...

congrats on having a partner that digs audio! 

doug s.

[roscoeiii]

sharpsuxx,

You are in a good city for auditioning some interesting stuff. Here's how I'd put together a system that might meet your requirements:

Speakers: DIY Audio Nirvana drivers (available from St Loius' own Common Sense audio, where I'd bet you could audition them). If you need more treble, add a supertweeter (which I have done to mine). They will get you to 50Hz. You would need a sub to get down to 20Hz.

Amp: MiniWatt N3. Only 3 tubes, so tube rolling is also much less expensive. Sounds great with Audio Nirvana drivers. I have 12" Audio Nirvanas that have worked super with this amp.

DAC: many great options below $500, and getting better every day (thus the rec of a separate DAC and transport. Schiit Bitfrost just came out and has an audition period. Hegel HD2 also available from outlets with 30 day return policy (though might be USB only, see below).

Transports: I am loving using a Mac Mini headless as a transport. Otherwise grab a DVD player with digital outputs.

Phono stage: I really liked the Musical Fidelity V-LPS. For a bit more perhaps try the Vincent PHO-8 (disclaimer: I do have one of those for sale).

Preamp: Hmm, not coming up with a great suggestion on that front. Getting late...

[gooberdude]

Roscoe, its not my fault, blame TRL       

So easy to blow a lot of $$ in this pursuit, and to do it blindly.  When i come across something that works for very little $ I have no qualms with sharing enthusiasm. 

Good suggestions on this thread so far.   

[sharpsuxx]

I have yet to go to common sense audio perhaps after the wedding I will plan an excursion.  Thank you for all of the help this is an on going project so my plans will continue to tweak as I here more and hopefully open the taps for a little more money to spend.

I haven't seen any suggestions on turntable, are the two proposed pretty good in that budget range.  As far as DIY single driver, I need to hear some of those, I have yet to hear a full range setup but I would imagine I would like it.

The reason I want ribbons is the sweetest closest to what I am looking for sound came out of some little gems that one of my buddies had.

Keep the good advise coming, and I can't wait to hear some GAS systems. 

[corndog71]

2 Monitor Speakers, preferably with ribbon tweeters and reasonably full range between 45-60 hz bottom end no sub.  Possibly DIY if I am feeling frisky, or if nothing wet my whistle looks sound wise.

2 Channel or dual monoblock tube amps, sweet tubeyness neccesary for this system

Turntable I am thinking either a Pro-ject or a Music hall 5 in the sub $400 range this my first adventure into spinning but based on my research these are good starter units.  I don't know what I need to make it go though.

Pre amp if neccesary

Good Cd player

Pre amp / phono stage if necessary


Musicality over volume by far, this will be me and my fiancee's chill room to destress.  I like punchy bass so in this price range if I go DIY I will probably have to go sealed cabinet or ported cabinet.  I prefer the sound of revealing vs. forgiving speakers but love sweet goosebump inducing sound reproduction with good staging, detail, and warmth.

I would like to stay under 2K

That's quite a laundry list.  For starters, keep your cd/dvd player for now.

Audio Advisor has the entry-level Thorens TD-158 turntable w/cartridge for $299 as well as the Musical Fidelity V-LPS phono preamp for $99.

Jolida's JD102B Tube Integrated Amp at around $700 is one of the cheapest all-tube integrated amps out there and even comes with a remote!  The only way to go cheaper is to buy used or build it yourself.

As for speakers there's tons out there to choose from but I would recommend putting together one of GR Research's speaker kits.  Danny has listed his X-CS Encore kits for only $99 each.  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=99123.0  You would need 2 for a stereo pair.  These were originally designed as a center channel but I know from experience these sealed monitors are fantastic as mains.  Just make sure you give them the sonicaps/mills upgrades to hear them at their best.  You still will need a pair of cabinets and Mark Seaton is about ready to sell them exclusively for the X-CS Encore kits.  Not sure what the price is yet but I expect around $100 or so for each cabinet.  Here's more info on those. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=99123.0
All together you might end up spending around $700 for the pair but they will definitely meet your needs and best just about everything else out there under a grand. 

If you insist on a ribbon tweeter then his N3S is another alternative.  There are guys in the GR circle that'll build you a great pair of them for around a grand.

Blue Jeans is a great source for professional-grade cables that don't break the bank.

So there.  All for around $2200 plus shipping costs.

[chgolatin2]

Dude, where have you been hiding???  Long time no see or hear, hope all is well!

Sharpsuxx, sent you a PM

[roscoeiii]

If you are looking for a turntable rec, I will shill for a turntable I have for sale: VPI HW-19Jr. Take it or leave it. I got it on the recommendation of ACers on other TT threads. What I really liked about the turntable was the multiple upgrade paths that you can take to improve it as budget allows. THis is a table where your upgrades can go beyond tonearm and cartridge. And there are a lot of VPI owners out there so many of the VPI upgrades are available in the used market (upgraded platter, motor, speed controller, etc).  But this is a bit more of a tweaky turntable, as opposed to the more plug-and-play types of tables at the under $1000 new pricepoints.

[sharpsuxx]

I have 4 by x-sls's in my main system and I like them I am just kind of used to them.  Great info on the TT and amp though I think Jolida or digging up something used or hey why not a used Jolida ... I now remember why this is my favorite forum.  Glad to be BACK, great community.

I am going to have to look into those N35S, is that a kit or SOMETHING?

[corndog71]

I have 4 by x-sls's in my main system and I like them I am just kind of used to them.  Great info on the TT and amp though I think Jolida or digging up something used or hey why not a used Jolida ... I now remember why this is my favorite forum.  Glad to be BACK, great community.

I am going to have to look into those N35S, is that a kit or SOMETHING?

Have you upgraded your sls crossovers?  Added No Rez?  If not then you haven't heard them at their best. 

As for the N3S, it's the center channel version of the GR N3 tower.  Here's a pair that are still available.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97030.0

I haven't heard the N3S but I have spent a month with the N1 and they are silky smooth with those NEO tweeters.  Very easy to listen to and a bit more resolving than the x-series speakers.

[shadowlight]

I have 4 by x-sls's in my main system and I like them I am just kind of used to them.  Great info on the TT and amp though I think Jolida or digging up something used or hey why not a used Jolida ... I now remember why this is my favorite forum.  Glad to be BACK, great community.

I am going to have to look into those N35S, is that a kit or SOMETHING?

There are couple of threads where folks have converted the x-sls to tower neo2x.

[sharpsuxx]

How do PSB imagine's sound?  I have heard PSBs and I like them and now along with trolling forums I am trolling online stores fro good audio and saw some good deals on some PSBs.

I have looked into the N3Ss as well and they get rave reviews.  Dany must be up there when it come to cross-overs too.  Taking basically off the shelf components and make speakers that get rave reviews loike those wow. 

Does anyone know if Skiing ninja can do custom crossovers if I were to just pickout a few drivers that worked together well sonically.  It would be fun to sort of pick out the components that made up a sound I liked and have a pro make a great crossover to match them.

[sharpsuxx]

Ok so based on some very useful advice and budget limitations I have my tentative equipment list.  Please tear it apart if I am way off because I have only read about this stuff haven't heard much of it.  (Stupid Internets.)

CD Player...Sticking with my Yamaha s1700, free.99
Turntable...MMF 5 and Pro-ject Phono if I can get em for 400 or less
Amplifier...Music Angel MengYue Mini L3 with EL34 tubes 434 w/ shipping
Speakers...(Still way up in the air) Zu audio Omens, or pure DIY speakers based on NEO 3 Ribbons and a Butterworth Crossover 999
Blue Jeans interconnects or maybe DIY 100
DIY 12 Guage copper speaker cable or 18 guage Silver with Nakamichi BPs Practically Free

Zu audio looked like a unique choice I have read a lot of good things but I am not toally signing off on the ribbon tweeter idea.  I like the Jolida stuff but as this is my secondary system I am willing to try to get more bang for the buck with an off brand tube amp.  They are relatively easy to repair and this off brand amp has the same tubes as some of the higher end Jolida's.  This is my first adventure into tubes so if I am totally off base please let me know.  Total for the system 1934.
+ Tweaks and MODs as I feel necessary.

[skite30]

I own zu defs and really like them. Ive been a fan of wide range divers for awhile now there is a coherency to the sound that is hard to beat. They do like some power at least twenty watts. I had the regular omens before the defs and they were the same in liking some power.
That being said i heard a pair of seas based kit speakers at the atlanta axpona show tbat i really liked sounded better than any low priced speakers there. They cost 699 for the complete kit forget the name but for that
Price they are a great deal. They are a large two way monitor.
Just my
2 cents worth