Tear down the system!!!!

dc55110

For a while now I've been hunting for a new pre for my 2-channel. Well after much searching and soul searching, I've come to a drastic conclusion; Start over from scratch (almost).
I'm going to sell every piece of stereo gear I have that isn't tied up in my HT setup aside from my DAC and my transport (which also is used for rough mixdowns in my recording setup).
Now that I share my listening area with the kids (secondary play room), I figured it might be time to shrink things down a bid until space permits. The vision I have going forward is as stalwart integrated amplifier connected to a fine set of bookshelf/monitors.
My budget after selling my inventory should be around $2500. This only needs to cover the integrated and the monitors.
So far these are the pieces I'm looking at: (any input as regards to synergy of pieces or other pieces that should be considered is greatly appreciated)

Tube:
Jolida JD-502RC
Manley Stingray
Cayin A-88t

Tube hybrid:
Shanling A-3000

Solid State:
Sim Audio Moon I5
Krell KAV 400-xi/300il
Plinius 9100

Monitors:
Dynaudio Contour 1.3 (mkII or higher)
Totem Model 1 sig???
Tyler Acoustics Ref Monitors
Harbeth ???
Spendor ???
Sonus Faber Concerto Domus


Any thoughts, ideas... Thanks in advance.

dc55110

Anyone?

Ok, maybe I should go with a more direct approach when tilting a thread next time.

CRESCENDOPOWER

I’ll do what I can to help you. The options you have chosen are all very good, but philosophy wise are all over the map.

Can I ask you a few questions?

How concerned are you about your children knocking over your $1000+ monitors that are sitting on stands?
Would you, or have you considered a floor-standing model, and do you have the room for it? (Please elaborate approximately in inches where you would be willing to put a pair of loudspeaker away from your back, and sidewalls.)
Do you personally believe that the $2500 additional investment in a system within your room’s environment is worth it?
How about some room dimensions? Do you have carpeting on the floor? Are you going to sit in a chair by the sweet spot, or is your kid’s crap going to be in the way?
Is there anything that you have heard (system wise) that moves you emotionally? In other words, what the hell are you looking for? Magic midrange? Pinpoint imagines? Ultimate transparency? Superior macro-dynamics? Detail freak?
With the knowledge on this forum, and with the right questions we (as a forum) can most likely get you close to what you are personally looking for within your price range.

mjcmt

Your asking for a comparison to a lot of equipment.
I had Jolida 302 and it is very good, but the Stingray is much better. For a 2 channel system where kids are involved SS will be more convenient and safer. I have a tube system and dislike the heat, tube replacement, biasing, etc and I've thought about starting over with 2 pieces of gear you list. Read further.

Plinius is superb and one of my top favorite SS brands that doesn't break the bank, but the 9200 is much better than the 9100, so I'd step up.
And I love Spendor, a poor man's Harbeth, and it may be its equal as well.
The Plinius/Spendor combo would keep you happy for years...it would for me. And yes I've heard these to brands on many occasions. Stunning performers.

If you go tubes Tyler speaks will work superbly w/ them. They use the SEAS Excel drivers that I've used w/ tubes for 6 years and they have outstanding synergy w/ tube amplification, and better than with SS. Dynaudio and Totem love lots of power.

phipiper10

I'm close to doing the same things as dc55110. I don't know the sound qualities of a lot of gear/speakers so I'll be watching this thread closely.

Yeah I'd think about a nice MF SS integrated with kids around rather than tubes. The Cayin (And Vincent)was on my list too and ALL of the speaker brands you listed though not the same exact models.

For Speakers Can I just throw into the mix for your consideration - Monitor Audio, Usher and Revel?

Good luck! Let the fun begin.

dc55110

Sorry, I was a bit vague. The pieces I had posted were merely items in my price rage I had found on Audiogon and had researched as being fairly well regarded. I came here to see if anyone had experience with any of the pieces paired together, or other insight.

My room is a bit of an acoustical nightmare, with a floor to ceiling fireplace that is nearly 6' wide, a large window, a large door, a partially open side, faux wood paneling, thin carpet over concrete floor. The dimensions are 17'x10'. See the attached rough drawing. The crude boxes represent my current setup.

Am I concerned about the speakers or other gear getting knocked over? No, not really. The room is only used by the kids when my wife or I are also in the basement, and then only for short periods of time. One of the reasons I'm looking at getting rid of floor standers, is being able to move the speakers into a closet when not in use (Both my Von Schweikert's and Paradigms are quite heavy and do not like to be moved much). Currently all my gear resides in a rolling av/server rack that also contains all my multi-track recording gear (this needs to be in a closet far far away from little hands). The new integrated will be placed on a new wall mounted stand/rack, so no worries of errant hands getting a hold of something they shouldn't.

I'm not sure what my preference is as far as the "sound" goes. Of all the speakers I've owned over the years I'd say the VR-3's are the most detailed, and I think that is why they are currently the speaker de'jour (well more like year). But I also like how full my Paradigm Studio Monitors are,yet a bit harsh in the higher registers on some sorts of music (sound great on most jazz, bluegrass and cello oriented classical). I still quite enjoy my old Monitor 10A's for their seemingly wide sound-stage.

There has always been a week link in my setup, lack of a true preamp, I may have totally different opinions if I had ever put a good pre in the system.

Let me know if there is anything else, info wise, could provide.

Dan

jimmydep

I'm pretty new to this, but I think in order to do this intellegently, you'd have to start with the speakers then work from there.

Jimmy

MillerLiteScott

I would say a Musical Fidelity integrated and some Totem monitors. You can play with the cables to tune the system and/or throw in a tube buffer if you would like.

Scott

TroyD

I've done this a couple of times....just sold everything and started new. Some sales I've regretted, some I haven't.....

That said, find the speaker you like first....that will determine the amp. If you are looking at reasonably efficient bookshelves....The Cayin and the Manley jump out at me.

BDT

TroyD

In fact, I'm SORTA contemplating that now...

BDT

RuSsMaN

Jump on FB later homeslice.

organ

Take your time. Go demo a whole bunch of equipments. Find the speakers you like and build a system around them. I don't know what your budget is, but you should also add Mark&Daniel speakers to your list for demos. Very impressive speakers.

TooMal4u

Hi dc55110 I have a White Audio Labs b1 amp and have no info or specs on it... do you have any specs or ratings or manual or schematics--mode of operation info? I can find very little on the web...

Thank you very much in advance,

David.

CSM41

My mint Plinius 9100 is going on A-gon soon. pm if interested and you'll get first dibs. Awesome sounding amp.

MADGSF

This is a 2+ year old thread guys....

cnh

MADGSF wrote: »

This is a 2+ year old thread guys....

"Tear down that system, Mr. Gorbachev!" lol

cnh

SolidSqual

Dead thread?

zingo

Hopefully...

mhardy6647

cnh wrote: »

"Tear down that system, Mr. Gorbachev!" lol

cnh

I thought of that too - and of Elton John's great song Burn Down the Mission.

RamZet

If you want something simple try this config
Rotel integrated amp (RA1520) and a pair of B&W CM1s!
This should have that warn sound that the Tube amps give you.
Dont let the small size of the CM1s fool you, they fill any room with great sound.

Rotel http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/ProductDetails.htm?Id=483
B&W http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Speakers/Home_Audio/CM_Series/CM1.html