What stereo(s) do you listen to? What do you want?

Originally Posted by A Y

Click to expand...

Finally set up a pretty good computer sound system for myself: Macbook Pro -> Audio Synthesis Passion -> Acurus A150 -> Aerial 5. Random assortment of cables: DIY Canare, Kimber 4TC, and Radio Shack. The speakers are on their own dedicated stands a few feet behind the desk.

I am half-tempted by the Ayre QB-9 DAC when that comes out, but it is a bit pricey.

--Andre

I bet that sounds good!

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

Click to expand...

I bet that sounds good!

Whoa! Welcome back, and I mean that.

--Andre

Originally Posted by A Y

Click to expand...

Whoa! Welcome back, and I mean that.

--Andre

Thanks Andre!

System

Luxman LV 105u integrated tube amp
Marantz CD 5003 player
NAD digital tuner
B&W DM 630 3-way floor speakers

I have a question, figured I'd try for an answer here where I have some history, rather than going to an audio site and having it be my first post ever. A few years ago I blew the tubes on my Luxman LV-105u amp and without really thinking about it, let the stereo sit since then. We've moved, had a kid, the TV and stereo are in a pretty small sun room off the living room and I've generally used the surround sound system on the TV (an unremarkable Sony) or an Ipod in a Klipsch or Bose player for music (each on different floors in the house).

Well, I finally got the amp serviced (at Cambridge Audio Lab) and now I have two problems. One, the speakers are much too big for the room, but also I'm getting an awful buzz in the bass woofer in the left speaker. I don't see any cracking foam or visible issue with the cone, but it's old and I assume it can be fixed easily enough. That said, I'll have to rewire and shift them into the living room (larger room) and pick up some small speakers for the room with the stereo in it. I'm thinking Paradigm Monitors of some type, but maybe another set of B&W bookshelves.

My questions are then [A] is it worth fixing the B&W DM 630s at all? Anyone know how hard/expensive it will be to get these back into fighting shape. Any recommendations for bookshelf speakers that will pair well with the Luxman? I will not use this for the TV. This is strictly a 2-channel stereo for CDs, radio and (shudder) an Ipod dock for when I don't feel like digging out CDs from the folder. I'm certainly looking at sub $1,000 speakers, but if the newest Paradigm Atom Monitors live up to their reputation, I'd happily spend $300 on these speakers.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

My dream system (which if all goes well i'll start putting together at the end of the year):



For the LCR speakers:
Either 1 of these (McIntosh MC303):

Or 3 of these (McIntohs MC501 monoblocks):



For the surrounds (MC252):



Speakers:

Revel Ultima Salon2

+Voice2

+Gem2

I heard the Revel2s at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. Terrific sound quality.

For my office I have a little Jolida, AMC Cd and B&W Blueroom mini pods. The speakers are circa '98 or so.

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

Click to expand...

I heard the Revel2s at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. Terrific sound quality.

Ya I listened to them recently. I still have other speakers to audition, but they made a strong impression, and listening to other speakers feels like a formality at this point. They will be my gift to myself when I find a new job.

I'm reviewing these now. I did an advance before CES.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

Click to expand...

Ya I listened to them recently. I still have other speakers to audition, but they made a strong impression, and listening to other speakers feels like a formality at this point. They will be my gift to myself when I find a new job.

To be honest, you can spend $2K on Maggie 1.7s and get almost as much sound (minus the low bass) as the Revel 2s.

Originally Posted by audiophilia

Click to expand...

I'm reviewing these now. I did an advance before CES.

I like the Hansen speakers but they are a bit pricey for what they are I think.

F, best bookshelf speaker for $500. Suggestions?

Cheers, a

Originally Posted by audiophilia

Click to expand...

AF, best bookshelf speaker for $500. Suggestions?

Cheers, a

Usher? AudioEngine?

Cheers. I'm always being asked for recs. I know little about the latest bookshelf releases. I always rec Totem for smaller speakers, but they are usually much more than $500.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

Click to expand...

To be honest, you can spend $2K on Maggie 1.7s and get almost as much sound (minus the low bass) as the Revel 2s.

I am still going to listen to maggies just for the hell of it, but I don't think they're a very good option for my needs. And frankly, I think they're ugly as sin and I don't want several huge panels in my living room.