basic and affordable stereo system

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

There is for sure a difference in insturment amps between tube and solid state, especially something with they harmonic density and complexity like a violin.
Perhaps not in home audio, so my bad.

I could care less about how it looks, I want it to be un fussy and easy to use.
I agree on the kef speakers, I have always loved them.

It would be useful if I could ask a few questions:

1. What size & shape is the room you will listen to the stereo in?

2. Is there value in having some multi-channel or video capabilities like HDMI or Blu-Ray?

3. How pretty do the speakers have to be for your significant other?

 

[unpainted huffheinz]

Since you are in the area I have a pair of Tannoy PBM8s that could be ready for a new home...

 

[antirabbit]

Originally Posted by unpainted huffheinz

Since you are in the area I have a pair of Tannoy PBM8s that could be ready for a new home...

pm a price?

 

[antirabbit]

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

It would be useful if I could ask a few questions:

1. What size & shape is the room you will listen to the stereo in?

Basically a rectangle, with wood floors and a vaulted ceiling, a bout 25 ft long and 20 ft wide. A living room that will not have a television.

2. Is there value in having some multi-channel or video capabilities like HDMI or Blu-Ray?

Nope.

3. How pretty do the speakers have to be for your significant other?

I can sell her on ugly on the merit of sound quality. Maggies may not be in my future, but if they look like speakers and I make some elaborate rational, they could be modern art masterpiece ugly.

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

I can sell her on ugly on the merit of sound quality. Maggies may not be in my future, but if they look like speakers and I make some elaborate rational, they could be modern art masterpiece ugly.

The smaller Maggies are actually a bit cute and reasonable sized unlike the room panels of the larger ones. They do need room to breath, couple or three feet around ideally, which is why I asked about the room size.

As a musician you will appreciate the Maggies adherence to good tonality particularly on vocal, strings and more specifically guitars.

 

[chobochobo]

I liked the NAD sound too and were my choice for my budget 'audiophile' systems from my student days, having a 3020E and then added a 3240PE, with the advantage of having reasonable integrated phono stages. I recently traded all my old stuff in for a run of the mill HK/ China valve amp and a moth phono stage. I *think* it sounds warmer, cleaner and to me better.

 

[audiophilia]

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

As a musician you will appreciate the Maggies adherence to good tonality particularly on vocal, strings and more specifically guitars.

Not to be churlish, but, 'tonality' refers to key in music and many times is used incorrectly by many audiophiles and writers in relation to the 'timbre' of instruments. But, you are correct about the Maggies.

 

[mrgoodeals]

You could probably get a used bose acoustimass home audio system for around $700. My experience with bose has always been good

 

[audiophilia]

^^^

'No highs, no lows, must be Bose'.

 

[antirabbit]

So an NAD reciever is a better option to go with?

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

So an NAD reciever is a better option to go with?

I think so based on what we know so far. They make good stuff.

 

[antirabbit]

A reciever over an integrated amp is better?
There are some great NAD deals on E-bay.
I am pretty sold on Kef, unless someone can recomend a better option.
I guess we then get a fantastic CD player and off we go!

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

A reciever over an integrated amp is better?
There are some great NAD deals on E-bay.
I am pretty sold on Kef, unless someone can recomend a better option.
I guess we then get a fantastic CD player and off we go!

I'm sorry I though we were talking integrated. That is what you want in this price range. Better sound for the dollar.

I'm not a big Kef fan to be honest..Look also at the Usher small speakers. High value for dollar.

I also like B&W 685s but that stretches the budget. PSB is another brand to look closely at - their tower speakers are terrific but may stretch your budget but the smaller ones are also terrific and would work in the price range.

 

[redtree00]

If you shop carefully for demo or used gear you can get a similar setup (minus the Vinyl) to mine for under $700.

http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...49&postcount=6

 

[antirabbit]

How is the Music Hall Trio Reciever?