Starting a new 2ch rig. Suggestions?

bobsauto49

Been waiting for a long time to start a 2 ch only rig in my basement,and funds are finally available. I think i have my speakers,and ss amp picked out,but am pondering a dedicated cd player,as well as a tube pre-amp. Trying to figure out if i should get an integrated tube,or use my B&K 2220 with a tube pre. If i bought a tube integrated,it would most likely be a Rouge Audio Magnum,as i have heard already,and sounded delicous! But thoughts(and lots of reading on this forum)have me thinking of a tube pre,with ss amp.(I would use my current B&K2220) HT is getting used less and less,so the Onkyo would pull full duty for HT.
Would be interested in hearing thoughts on a great tube pre,and a solid cd player,as well as a tubed integrated! Which way to go! I already have a CA DacMagic Plus for my puter music,and love it! Looking to spend 2 g's on a setup not including speakers. Any thoughts fella's? All suggestion are apprieciated!:idea:

leroyjr1

The speakers will be the deciding factor as to what amp, pre amp or integrated one would choose. What speakers do you have in mind?

bobsauto49

Forgot to mention I have had the pleasure to demo(several times) a pair of Martin Logan Ethos! http://www.martinlogan.com/ethos/index.php
Mated to a Onkyo M5000R Amp,(forgot the pre-amp) These have been calling my name ever since! Pure Bliss!

Mike Reeter

I can recommend the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum without any hesitation. A bargain integrated, if you can find a good used one, usually in the $1300.-1600. range, all the better. No need for a pre and an extra set of i/c's.

Find a good CD/SACD player for around $5-700 and you're good to go.

leroyjr1

Did you happen to visit HIFI heaven in Green Bay?

bobsauto49

Mike Reeter wrote: »

I can recommend the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum without any hesitation. A bargain integrated, if you can find a good used one, usually in the $1300.-1600. range, all the better. No need for a pre and an extra set of i/c's.
Yes Leroy,cant stay away from that G--Damn place! :mad::cheesygrin: And Mike they have a demo RA Cronus Magnum INT for $1785! Been eyin that up!

leroyjr1

I've heard those speakers and was quite impressed. With those speakers I'd skip an integrated and go with a tube pre and SS amp combo. Those puppies need some power.

Dawgfish

^^I second that, especially since you all ready have a damn fine amp in the first place.^^ I love B&K amps. I good tube pre combined with your B&K will give you the best of both worlds (tube smoothness, soundstage, and liquidness with SS bass and bass control). You can find nice tube pres used on the Gon starting for around $400 and up depending on your budget/tastes. I personnaly like Sonic Frontiers/Anthem tube pres, but there are a ton of great ones out there to be had.

As far as cd players goe, again that really depends on your budget. You might consider getting a good SACD player that also happens to be great at cd/redbook playback as well. I have been looking to get such a player for a while and one that always grabs my attention is the NAD M55. It is one of the few SACD players that happens to also sound great with redbook cds below the $2-3,000 mark. I believe there is one on the Gon now going for about $650. I've seen them go for as low as $450 and the next one I see that is in that range I am going to buy! Hope this helps

bikezappa

Well with your new 2 channel set up you will need the Chair to go with it.

http://www.hermanmiller.com/products/seating/lounge-seating/eames-lounge-chair-and-ottoman.html

shadowlight

Since you mentioned chair, look into POANG from Ikea

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79825193/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19825153/

coolsax

love the Poang chair for my listening room.. have the chair and foot rest.. i'm sure its no Herman Miller, but its a nice cheaper alternative

bikezappa

You can get Knock Off Eames chairs for $500. I have two and they still look great after 5 years.

The Poang chair looks good and comfortable.

Hard to get up out of the Eames in a hurry however.

But you can put a drink (beer or scotch) on the arms and the chair swivels.

The design is over 50 years old.

bobsauto49

That Chair looks awesome! But $500 would cut into the $2000 budget for pre,and cd player!
But then again,I always wanted to be a fancy boy,and that chair would put me on path!:cheesygrin: Really apprieciate the replies Gentleman!

bikezappa

bobsauto49 wrote: »

That Chair looks awesome! But $500 would cut into the $2000 budget for pre,and cd player!
But then again,I always wanted to be a fancy boy,and that chair would put me on path!:cheesygrin: Really apprieciate the replies Gentleman!

Maybe the wife would like it?

bobsauto49

^My wife wants NO part of any critical listening! She thinks my audio hobby is a waste of money!^

organ

With ML, you're better off with the tube pre/ss amp combo. Like Leroy mentioned, your speakers will be the deciding factor.
If you want to go tube int., you might be interested in checking out Fostex and Lowther based single driver speakers. I rec. this because you're interested in ML. The very good single driver speakers have a lot of the qualities stats and planar lovers enjoy (speed, dynamics, imaging, etc). Just thought I'd give you more options.

shadowlight

This is me personally. I would spend most of the budget on the best equipment that I can get for the money and worry about chairs, cables, etc down the road. Depending on your room layout do not forget to save some money for treatment. Going DIY will save you a bundle on treatment. Take a look at the writeup written by Mufsoman here. That is what I did couple of years ago and they help out a lot in my room. I am planning to add couple of treatments on the back wall, just need to move the equipment out of the way.

bobsauto49

I think i'll be lookin for a tube pre,and a cd player with a $2000 budget! This one caught my eye,http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rogue-Audio-Metis-Tube-Pre-Amplifier-w-remote-Audiophile-Brand-New-/320994306130?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item4abcc06852 Anybody have exp with this? or any other suggestion for both?
That a sweet set-up there Shadow! Nice

shadowlight

Gary Dodd is selling a battery powered pre from around 900? Not sure if that was RMAF show special price or on going price. On the Rogue question I would look for Perseus or Ninety-Nine or just look for a Cronus or Tempest Integrated :-)

markmarc

First, we need to know the size of the room. Second, the type of music you listen to. Three, what previous two-channel experience/gear have you owned.

bobsauto49

Room is 24x16,I listen to most music except heavy stuff,and rap! I particulary enjoy vintage country and 60's and 70's music! This will be my 1st 2ch only rig! Right now,I listen to 2ch through my Onk,B&K,Oppo,and DacMagic/itunes,using my KEF Q900's.

hochpt21

Bob,

Good to see you posting! You already have some pretty good gear, and I can't wait to see what you end up with and read your thoughts.

shadowlight

bobsauto49 wrote: »

Room is 24x16,I listen to most music except heavy stuff,and rap! I particulary enjoy vintage country and 60's and 70's music! This will be my 1st 2ch only rig! Right now,I listen to 2ch through my Onk,B&K,Oppo,and DacMagic/itunes,using my KEF Q900's.

One change that I can suggest is ditching itunes and either using foobar or jriver. I personally use jriver when I use a Tascam US144 as DAC for usb to 2-channel setup..

bobsauto49

Lookin to buy a good tube pre within the next week or so! So far the rogue perseus,or 99 is on the high list! Any thing else? In the $800/1500 range? Prefer something new/warranty!

shadowlight

bobsauto49 wrote: »

Lookin to buy a good tube pre within the next week or so! So far the rogue perseus,or 99 is on the high list! Any thing else? In the $800/1500 range? Prefer something new/warranty!

Not sure about new with warranty. The only ones that I see listed in that price range new is the Dared and Dodd that I posted about earlier. In the used market you might be able to get Rogue Perseus (12au7), Rogue 99 (6SN7), Odyssey (12au7), Modwright (not sure on tubes used I think they are 5670) but look for a tube rectified Modwright which sounds better, Dehavilland Ultraverve 1/2 (6SN7).

Good luck in your search. It seems that just about everyone has abandoned the low end market < 2000 new and moved upscale with pre starting in the 4k range. Do you have a turn table setup? If yes, the Rogue Persus and Dared MC-7P have phono built in.

Odyssey - http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-odyssey-candela-tube-ht-bypass-chassis-anodized-remote-2012-10-04-preamplifiers-33312-fort-lauderdale-fl
Modwright (has 2 years of warranty left) - http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-modwright-preamp-w-nos-cryoed-tubes-warranty-9-0se-2012-10-15-preamplifiers-32828-orlando-fl
BAT VK51SE - http://audioasylumtrader.com/ca/listing/Preamplifier-Tube/BAT-Balanced-Audio-Tech/VK51SE/72880

bwest1000

Decware? Hear great things. Hope to be able to afford one someday myself. A lot of people say they're the last components you'll ever want, but I find that hard to believe because I know once you've got the bug it's hard to stop.