My rig was built on a strict budget. (it's called the "wife budget") It consists of the aforementioned gear, with some pieces being bought new and others used. IMHO, it brings me many hours of enjoyment after a long day at work. I look forward to coming home and sitting down and just enjoying the music. By the way, I do consider this set-up modest when compared to others on these pages and elsewhere. I have been fortunate enough to buy pieces, use them and if they didn't meet my expectations to sell them and recoup some of my money. In turn, I go out and get that other piece that I "think" will bring me to sonic nirvana.
So far with this set-up, I am VERY happy. The piano sounds just like I remember it while taking all of those forced lessons when I was a kid, it sounds REAL.
And lets face it, that is what we audiophiles are looking for, a real life performance in our very own home.
I bought a modified Music Hall CD player from Underwood Hifi. I am very happy with it's overall sound and the mods done to it by Parts Connection of Canada.
Rogue Audio 99 Magnum
Very well made and excellent sounding tube based preamp. I have Sylvania "chrome domes" coming to swap out for the stock chinese tubes.
Musical Fidelity A308cr
250 watt a channel amp. Mates very well to my English speakers. Plenty of power and very quiet.
Spendor S8e
Newly introduced 2 way speakers with new mid range/midbass drivers (being built by Spendor) and crossovers.
Signal Cable and Kimber Kable Hero's, PBJ's.
Very modestly priced cables from one well known manufacturer and a new kid on the block.
Signal Cable Ultra Shotgun Bi Wire
Very well priced bi wired speaker cable.
Balanced Power Technologies L-9's
Again, well priced and well made power cable.
Marantz ST-6000
Rarely used, decent sounding piece.
Monster Power HTS 2600
10 outlet video and audio line conditioner.
Salamander Synergy 40
6 shelf audio system rack in cherry finish.
Marantz SD-4050
Low priced dual cassette deck.
Musical Fidelity XCan v3
Excellent sounding tube based headphone amp. This is a carryover from my previous rig. This is a better sounding option than the headphone output on the rear of my Magnum 99 preamp.
Yarvis...CHANGE...the S3e's came in and do they ever sound fantastic for bookshelves...I was absolutely blown away! I rigged them up as mains for the last few days and spent some time with them...just missing a little lower midrange/upper bass, but if you ever see these used and need an office system jump all over it. Secondly, with the advent of the new surrounds and the C5e on the way (next week I'm told) I jumped ahead of the VAC and bought the surround receiver I had my eye on. An Arcam AVR200 came up in my back yard and man does it sound GOOD. I had no idea how outdated my Audiolab is until this receiver blew the doors off it...definitely made the right choice with the speakers...the Arcam proves it!
Chadnliz...no idea what model the Mirage is (10+ years old) can't wait to replace it though!
I have thought about going the Denon route since video watching is much less critical than 2 channel...however, I am now sitting here wondering if I will lose too much quality if I do not go all the way. The fact is that I've now spent too much money on the speaker's (C5e and S3e specifically). It would be a shame if the whole system wasn't up to snuff...we'll see how carried away I get. For now I am focusing on the integrated, which funds are quickly becoming available for...still leaning towards the VAC Avatar integrated. I'm currently using a 10+ year old Yamaha processor that also amplifies a Mirage center and PSB surrounds...the sound is not what I want. I believe the SS was an early 90's...not the police edition to my knowledge...but quite fast none the less! Hope all is well.
Changes on the horizon!!! DHL played kickball with my sub which has afforded me a replacement check...I decided to perform surgery on the sub, which will be void of resale value but operational none the less. So, I did what all audiophiles would do...I bought more stuff! I am setting up a combination system as you know...so, I bought the C5e center channel and a pair of S3e's for surrounds. I opted for the S3e's instead of the Sr5 (Spendor's surround specific speaker) due to the fact that it will give me a nice pair of bookshelf speakers if I ever break the system up. Everything should arrive by mid July. I'm still thinking about the VAC and I'm now researching a processor and DVD to provide 5.1 surround. Let me know if you have any thoughts...also, any cheaper speaker cable suggestions for the long run to the rears would be helpful.
By the by, the Impala SS is fantastic...I got to drive one from PA to MD once and loved it.
Thanks for the second opinion on VAC...there's an Avatar for sale right now and it's killing me not to go grab it!?! I have an '86 911 that met with a deer this winter. So, I decided to wait till Spring/Summer and combine the insurance money with my own to re-spray the car...it was getting quite dull. I've been into cars for quite some time and bought a lift last year to work on them. Are you an avid car guy? I'd love to venture into the Astin Martin relm (older of course...can't afford new)...until then I'll stick with British speakers! By the way, I stumbled across the "Cardas Formula for Speaker Location." If you go to their web site look under Insites. You have a nice corner location though...the formula is for rectangular rooms with setups parallel to the back wall. Is the corner setup due to superior sound or room limitations? I've heard it can improve imaging.
Yet another option...I think this one might stick...VAC Avatar (2 or 3 versions). It is the only Tube integrated I've found with HT and Subwoofer outs. I'll keep you posted...it looks like the end of July for all funds to be raised!
I will write again when I get further down the amp highway...a deer has struck my vehicle resently and I am taking the occasion to restore the car beyond the insurance check. In any event...the S5e's did need a little more umph on the bottom end...I can easily believe that the S8e's have more than enough bass to satisfy. If you ever change your mind, buy the Spendor Sub 3 with confidence. I went out on a limb by mail ordering one since it is impossible to hear or read a decent review. As far as amp's go...I will be buying used. The problem as alway is that hearing an amp is near impossible prior to buying it when one is limited to the used market. Fortunately there are owners out there such as yourself who are willing to share their thoughts. I have given up my hope of finding a tubed integrated that has pre outs for an HT hookup, so I will be looking to do a simple 2 channel. This has opened me up to several possiblities. I think I have it narrowed to Rogue and BAT. The BAT w/ supertubes and phono stage comes on the market from time to time, and if the checkbook will allow I will probably go this direction. If I need to spend a grand less then I will get the Rogue and upgrade later. I'm trying to round out my system, which also needs a new CD player (Arcam CD73T current) and I'd like a new cartridge (Goldring 1006 current...looking at Shelter 501 & Lyra Dorian) for my TT (Rega Planar 3). As you can see the Spendor's are the only component not in flux (they replaced Spica TC-60's). Most of my listening is via TT so I will calm down after I get the Integrated and a new cartridge...hopefully by the end of summer. What has you experience been with speaker wire with the Spendor's? I'm currently running Audioquest Turquise. My interconnects are Straightwire Encore II. Once the amp is in place I will start to experiment a little more...any thoughts? Thanks for you help to date.
Yarvis...if you're still reading these comments...great system. How do you like the amp/pre combo? I have Spendor S5e's that are great, and I'm currently shopping for amplification. I've been leaning towards Rogue's integrated Tempest II. Any thoughts? I can't help you with the source though I love my Arcam CD73t, I think you are probably looking north of my budget. One thing I can recommend is the Spendor Sub-3. It took my current setup to the next level...the level that makes it impossible to wipe the smile off one's face. It integrates flawlessly with the S series.
