Help with a budget 2ch setup

arun1963

Hi,

I'm over from the car audio side, I read a lot on the 2ch side but don't post much here. Mostly because I don't know enough on this side. Anyway, I am switching jobs and moving from New Delhi to Mumbai. The family isn't moving so I'm going to be on my own. There are two things I can't do without. My 10 year old girl and music. So doing without both is not possible. I have a decent rig here which I don't want to move.

So I need to invest in a basic setup, that I can listen to in my new place. I have a target of $1,800-2K for a CDP+Amp+Speakers. I'm going to buy the stuff online easier and quicker for the amount I'm looking to spend. This is the site.

I listen to a lot of Jazz, classic rock beatles to doors, led zep, floyd etc and a ton of stuff from the 80's. A fair bit of my collection has female vocalists. I like well balanced and transparent sound. I prefer good presence rather than impact at the lower end. Nice detailed sound.

Here's what I was looking at for options.

CDP: Would prefer a blue ray player with sacd for future 5.1 option. For now its strictly 2ch.

1. Marantz UD5005
2. Denon 1611UD

Amp : I'm tempted to go with the Norge amp which is a decent local brand 125w/ch @ 8ohms. I've heard these amps qand they are pretty decent. Can also look at the Cambridge Audio Azur series.....

Speakers: Am a bit clueless here. The options I'm looking at are Dali Concept 6 or the Mordunt Short Aviano 6. Polk Tsi series are also in the same price point, but I think they are more HT than 2ch.....

Thoughts and ideas welcome. Appx INR50=$1.

Thanks a toin

steveinaz

Do you need a lot of power? probably a good combo would be bookshelf speakers, an integrated amp (Cambridge?), and good basic CDP from Cambridge. Just my 2 cents. It's hard to beat Cambridge for a good, solid budget system.

Personally, with a 2k budget I'd budget $1000 for the speakers, and find an integrated/cdp to "fit" inside the other $1000. Of course going "used" will certainly help get the best bang for your buck.

arun1963

Hi Steve,

Thanks, I agree with you and am looking to spend the most on the speakers. Which I why I'm willing to go with the Norge amp. Yes , I'm not going to need too much power. I believe 2 bedroom flats in Mumbai run about 900-1000sqft super area. So whichever Room I set it up in, chances are it's not going to be very big. Plus I'll probably have the neighbors breaking down my door, If I blast it too loud.

Your idea on bookshelves is a good idea. Not sure if I want to go used though, not here

steveinaz

If you're looking for an all-in-one video/music solution, I would consider an offering from Oppo. It'll give you stellar video, and pretty respectable CD/SACD audio.

As far as $1000/pr monitors, there's plenty of respectable choices out there; I don't like making specific recommendations as peoples personal preferences in speakers varies so much--and speakers are a very subjective purchase.

Here's only one of many "searches" that can give you some idea of what is available:

http://www.bestcovery.com/best-bookshelf-speaker-under-1000

arun1963

The choice of BR players on that site is limited to Marantz / Denon / CA. maybe I should just ditch the possible HT thing, as I don't see it happening.

steveinaz

Well, any dedicated CD player (IMO) that is at or near the price of an all-in-one solution, is not going to have much (if any) improvement in sound quality. I think it may be a smart move to use a bluray player, especially if you need a video source anyway. Denon and Marantz are both respectable choices.

It's more important (again, IMO) to nit-pick your speaker choice.

arun1963

That's a good tip. I guess at 4-500 I'm not going to get get a CDP where I'd hear the difference. So I'll prob go with the BR. Any choices between the Denon / Marantz / CA?

arun1963

DSkip wrote: »

Arun, given your love of the SR, stay away from the Monitor/TSi. They're fine speakers, but I think you'll be disappointed with them after so much time with the SR's.

Thanks Skip, yeah I figured TSi/Monitors would not sound like the SR's in the car, nor the Totems at home. I've read a lot of good stuff about both the Dali's and the Mordaunt Short. Dali's are from Denmark, I'm hoping they sound like Scans.......:cheesygrin: I'm hoping someone here has heard these speakers or atleast the brand for its signature sound.

steveinaz

I've never used Marantz or CA video equipment, so I can't comment there. Denon makes good players that would fit your need. If the dali's have that scanspeak technology in their corner, that might be a good choice, esp since you're used to totems' sound.

arun1963

You're a big help Steve. CA is Cambridge Audio. Pretty much in line with what you mentioned in your first post.

steveinaz

No problem at all. I love spending other peoples money.....LOL

arun1963

LOL...in this case I think it's going to be money well spent. I have an overall budget to set up the new place and the wife is aghast that I'd get the stereo first and then see what's left over for furniture, kitchen stuff, linen etc. My point is, since I'm going to be on my own, I'll manage with a less than perfect place for a couple of months, but I want the tunes upfront. This is what I got...:rolleyes::biggrin: