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6 Hours and 3 Stores Later: Audition Notes - Page 2

post #31 of 45
3/4/12 at 5:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by drewTT View Post

Try a tube amp with the Dyns. I heard a Cary tube amp and could clearly hear a difference over solid state.

Can you recommend any tube amps?
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post #32 of 45
3/4/12 at 6:20am
why are u so amp obsessed when the best and least expensive setup you heard used a cheap receiver?

are you just determined to spend more than u need to?
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post #33 of 45
3/4/12 at 8:54am
I heard so many good things about Dynaudio I felt I needed to hear some. There are no dealers in my area but a used pair if contour 1.8's came up on audiogon. Nothing fancy, nice oak cabinets, 2 6.5" drivers and a dome tweeter. I have to say that I'm glad I brought cash because there is no way I was leaving without them. I didn't need speakers but after hearing them I knew I would find use for them. I put them in a small alcove in my basement. Not ideal for them but they still sound fantastic. I Had a nad reciever lying around to drive them with, it does the job. I agree that the speakers are the most important link in the chain but still think the amplification does matter. I'm sure you will enjoy whatever Dyns' you go with. After all, "Dane's dont lie."







.
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post #34 of 45
3/4/12 at 9:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTaudiophile View Post

Can you recommend any tube amps?

I noticed one of the lines IQ audio carried was Prima Luna. Excellent well built tube amps w/auto bias and usually fitted w/4&8 ohm connections. I had a Dialogue 3 before moving to an ARC and really enjoyed it. Being your looking try different steups w/solid state, tube and hybred. In the end buy what you like. Also see if any of these stores will allow a home demo. It really helps to see how this equipment will react in your home setting. Have fun.
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post #35 of 45
3/4/12 at 9:28am
Congrats, it sounds like you had fun. I've been auditioning quite a few in the past couple of months, also having a blast. Dynaudio ANYTHING was a significant standout for me, sadly beyond my price range. Totem came next, very nice speakers. My overall observation, however, is that most brand names have a signature flourish that makes each unique, Dynaudio was the only one pure to the audio experience.
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post #36 of 45
3/4/12 at 9:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by karlsaudio View Post

Any grouping of pure amps will sound the same but, something happens in the pre amp section that can make or break a integrated.

+1

There seems a lot of confusion over this principle that amps sound the same that ignores how the preamp section affects the sound quality in an integrated amp or receiver. I have a Lepai t-amp. It's an incredible value, but it is not--as was suggested above--going to have equal sound quality to a decent $1000 integrated amp.
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post #37 of 45
3/4/12 at 9:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post


+1

There seems a lot of confusion over this principle that amps sound the same that ignores how the preamp section affects the sound quality in an integrated amp or receiver. I have a Lepai t-amp. It's an incredible value, but it is not--as was suggested above--going to have equal sound quality to a decent $1000 integrated amp.

And this is where I get confused. I have an Integra dtr 50.2 that I use for two channel listening and tv. Am I missing out on sound quality because of all the potential noise? Would an integrated give me better sq, not because of the clean power argument but it concentrates on one thing, reproduction if sound?
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post #38 of 45
3/4/12 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jclif77 View Post

And this is where I get confused. I have an Integra dtr 50.2 that I use for two channel listening and tv. Am I missing out on sound quality because of all the potential noise? Would an integrated give me better sq, not because of the clean power argument but it concentrates on one thing, reproduction if sound?

Are you actually hearing noise? Have you tried listening in "Direct" mode?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ack_bk View Post

Keep in mind the Dynaudio speakers are 4ohm, and have low sensitivity. So if your goal is to really push these things and play loud, you will absolutely want an amp with some power.

I am with the others though, don't spend too much of your budget on your receiver/amp.

I have an Onkyo TX-8050 2 channel receiver, mediocre in all respects but it fit my main requirement for networked receiver. It admirably powers a pair of Polk LSi9, 4 ohm, 88dB sensitivity. The only difference I found when connecting external amplifier (Anthem MCA20) was more definition at high volume - higher than I would normally listen. The room, for perspective, is a large open space with 25' ceiling at its peak.

I agree, put money to speakers now then determine whether an external amp is desired (it is NOT required). The HK3490 is rated at 150w @ 4 ohms, this should be fine for 2 channel setup.
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post #39 of 45
3/4/12 at 10:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jclif77 View Post

And this is where I get confused. I have an Integra dtr 50.2 that I use for two channel listening and tv. Am I missing out on sound quality because of all the potential noise? Would an integrated give me better sq, not because of the clean power argument but it concentrates on one thing, reproduction if sound?

I was just agreeing with karlsaudio that amplification is the same, but that preamp and other processing can affect sound quality. People seem to be forgetting that the "all amps sound the same" is about just the power amp part of an integrated amp. But I'm in agreement with everyone else here that there is more bang for your buck investing in speakers.
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post #40 of 45
3/4/12 at 10:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nethawk View Post


Are you actually hearing noise? Have you tried listening in "Direct" mode?

I have an Onkyo TX-8050 2 channel receiver, mediocre in all respects but it fit my main requirement for networked receiver. It admirably powers a pair of Polk LSi9, 4 ohm, 88dB sensitivity. The only difference I found when connecting external amplifier (Anthem MCA20) was more definition at high volume - higher than I would normally listen. The room, for perspective, is a large open space with 25' ceiling at its peak.

I agree, put money to speakers now then determine whether an external amp is desired (it is NOT required). The HK3490 is rated at 150w @ 4 ohms, this should be fine for 2 channel setup.

Ha , no I'm not hearing any noise...I'm just making sure I have the best set up. I got it fellas, I think...i have a pair of Focal 836v's with a velodyne sub so I think I'm good in that aspect. I do use direct mode when listening to music and I'm satisfied. Thanks again....
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post #41 of 45
3/4/12 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1 View Post

Yes, and you get the benefit of integrated bass management to relieve your mains from producing <80hz, and dual RCA sub outputs for easy system setup.

Are you sure there is actually bass management on the HK 3490?

Yes it has dual sub outputs but I don't think receiver has crossover settings for integrated bass management. Can you set the speakers to large vs small? This is just a stereo receiver not an AVR.
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post #42 of 45
3/4/12 at 11:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

Are you sure there is actually bass management on the HK 3490?

Yes it has dual sub outputs but I don't think receiver has crossover settings for integrated bass management. Can you set the speakers to large vs small? This is just a stereo receiver not an AVR.

Good catch afro, the HK is the same as my Onkyo, no bass management built in. Low pass crossover from the sub and bit of tweaking is your only option.
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post #43 of 45
3/4/12 at 11:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

Are you sure there is actually bass management on the HK 3490?

Yes it has dual sub outputs but I don't think receiver has crossover settings for integrated bass management. Can you set the speakers to large vs small? This is just a stereo receiver not an AVR.

No I jumped the gun, it doesn't appear to have that function
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post #44 of 45
3/5/12 at 3:08pm
Someone once said (who is a member in here) after being asked what would be a ideal set up for $3,000. "A $2,700 set of speakers and a $300 reciever"! This may not be ideal for everyone but, it gives you an idea of the degree of importance to each part of the equipment equation.
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post #45 of 45
3/5/12 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTaudiophile View Post

Shortly after the store opened at 11:00 AM, I arrived at IQ Home Entertainment in Fairfax, VA.

Before I say anything, I want to give a big shout-out to Johnny who demonstrated first-class customer service and patience with me. If you go there, ask for Johnny!

I walked into the store and told Johnny that my budget is about $2.5K for ideally a 2.0 bookshelf system+amp. And that my apartment has about 12-foot ceilings with a living room area of about 15x15 feet. I had identified IQ as a B&W retailer, so we got started with the PM1 speakers connected to an Arcam A18 integrated. I was immediately impressed by their sound for their size, especially the silky smooth treble response. (I took a 15-track custom demo CD with me.) I also auditioned each the B&W 685 and PM1 with both the P1VD and ASW608 subs. Though the room/amp setup could have been better, I more or less came the same conclusion that I have had all along that I want to stick with a 2.0 system. Finally, I auditioned the PM1 again (and CM9 for laughs) through a very high-end Bryston setup.

BUT THEN CAME THE SURPRISE...

On both the Arcam and Bryston setups, I auditioned the Monitor Audio RX8...and WOW! For around $1800, they put the entire lineup of B&W speakers to shame. Oh man, my sound! Fabulous! While fractionally lacking the absolute silky smooth treble response of the B&W speakers, the RX8s just dominated in terms of mid and bass extension. Wow! Wow! Wow! Audio bliss. The only slight put-off is that they are larger (floor-standing) speakers than I initially was looking for.

Of course the floor standers will have more bass than a bookshelf. What did you expect?
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