[risse]

I am looking to buy and setup 2 channel stereo system for listening music only, and nothing else. Sources for the music will be, CD PLAYER, and I-POD.

I need to buy bookself speakers as well 2-channel power AMP/ or Pre Amp.

kindly advise me which is the best in the market for the price range of max-$1,600.00, I have demoed definative tech. studio monitor 350, klipsch RB 501 & vienna acoustics (do not know the model no.) and i liked Difinative tech. 350, but i wish i could have heard Difinative tech.450 & kilpsch RB 601 as well to compare both of their speakers. I was thinking to get rotel or nad 2-channel power amplifier and use it with my current Harman Kardon signature 2.0 pre/amp. Please advise.

Thanks

 

[mcnarus]

Consider a cheaper amp alternative, like the Behringer A500. This will allow you a bigger budget for speakers.

 

[risse]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mcnarus /forum/post/14164969


Consider a cheaper amp alternative, like the Behringer A500. This will allow you a bigger budget for speakers.

Your advise will be appreciated.


Thanks

 

[risse]

Can somone help me with decision making, i am looking for stereophile quality sound.

 

[Jonomega]

I'm not sure what stereophile sound is. What sounds good to you? You didn't mention what kind of music you listen to. Different music can have different demands on the speaker.


What is the size of the room?

How are the speakers going to be situated within the room?

How is the listening position going to be situated within the room?

Laid-back listening or Critical listening?


Edit: There are many brands out there, but if you answer the above questions, we can try to help list some suggestions as to the type of setup you would want, and some speakers that you should audition.

 

[risse]

Thanks for your response,


Size of the room is 15'x10'

Stereo lay out (parallel)on 10' space

Listining position 4' to 5' in heigh on a couch

laid back & critical ???? please define more clearly i do not understand that do you mean by that

I will mostly listen to ROCK, WORLD, JAZZ and NEW AGE MUSIC.

Thanks

 

[Jonomega]



Quote:
Originally Posted by risse /forum/post/14173367


Thanks for your response,


Size of the room is 15'x10'

Stereo lay out (parallel)on 10' space

Listining position 4' to 5' in heigh on a couch

laid back & critical ???? please define more clearly i do not understand that do you mean by that

I will mostly listen to ROCK, WORLD, JAZZ and NEW AGE MUSIC.

Thanks

By laid back, I meant is it for background music when you are doing other things while standing up walking around? Or will you be using the system strictly sitting down after a long day of hard work and just listen with reasonable attention to the music.


Judging by your choice of music, it is not important for you to have bass extension through 20hz. More likely, good quantity and quality to 30hz will be sufficient for an excellent listening experience.


Are you opposed to subwoofers with speakers? Do you rather have floorstanding speakers? Do you have cosmetic constraints or physical constraints? $1600 for just speakers or everything?


How tall is your ceiling, and is the room sealed or open to the rest of the house?

 

[PAD]



Quote:
Originally Posted by risse /forum/post/14172950


Can somone help me with decision making, i am looking for stereophile quality sound.

Can't be done for 1600. Go 5000 and you're in business.

 

[Jonomega]



Quote:
Originally Posted by PAD /forum/post/14173611


Can't be done for 1600. Go 5000 and you're in business.

I would say that 1600-2000$ is where it starts for speakers. There is no reason why the OP couldnt be satisfied with something in this price range. Everyone gets on/off the train at different stops. Some people never leave the train

 

[lwien]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonomega /forum/post/14173753


I would say that 1600-2000$ is where it starts for speakers. There is no reason why the OP couldnt be satisfied with something in this price range. Everyone gets on/off the train at different stops. Some people never leave the train

And another +1. Damn, Jono, I'm becoming a fan.....

!

 

[VectorLabs]

If you go used with those $1600 you might be able to find a speaker that retails for twice that. What kind of sound are you looking for? Are you more inclined toward accuracy or a specific type of sound? Do you care to add active EQ in your system to get the sound you want?

 

[risse]

i am looking for critical listening, i am ready to go for whatever combination i can get for my budget.

 

[risse]

OK guys tell me about your openion on my choice,


HK 3490 pre ame 2x120W per channel

Difinative tech. studio monitors 450 bookself speakers.


IS this a good combination?

 

[Jonomega]



Quote:
Originally Posted by risse /forum/post/14174565


OK guys tell me about your openion on my choice,


HK 3490 pre ame 2x120W per channel

Difinative tech. studio monitors 450 bookself speakers.


IS this a good combination?

Don't want to come off as rude, but YOU tell us!


Well, is it good?


I have never heard those speakers before so I cannot comment!

Do you have answers to my followup questions?

 

[risse]

at BB Mangolia i have demoed Vienna acoustics with klipsch and definative tech. (all Bookself) speakers, I liked the sound from definative technology better than other two brands.

 

[VectorLabs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by risse /forum/post/14174734


at BB Mangolia i have demoed Vienna acoustics with klipsch and definative tech. (all Bookself) speakers, I liked the sound from definative technology better than other two brands.

Well that's a good start. Do you live in an area where there are a lot of audio shops available? Personally IMO there are a lot better speakers than those DT SM450, especially in the price range you are looking at, especially for critical listening. Those HK 2ch receivers are high current so they can power most speakers with ease.

 

[mcnarus]

The HK is a good choice. (Are you keeping your pre-amp and just using the new one as a power amp?)


For speakers, it is far more important to buy what sounds good to you than to take the recommendations of people online who won't even tell you their real names! If you like those speakers, then they're a good choice. But it wouldn't hurt to look around at other possibilities. Brands that might have something good in your price range include B&W, Paradigm, and PSB.

 

[risse]

I am not sure, Should i use my old pre-amp. or should i buy a new one. My old pre-amp is for home theater, but it has stereo out connectors.

 

[mcnarus]

Well, if you buy the HK 3490, you won't need a preamp at all. I presume you're trying to build a strictly 2-channel system here.

 

[milaz001]

Well, I took delivery of a 3490 a couple of days ago and I'm putting it through its paces, using the analog input, fed by my iMac through a USB DAC. It sounds fine, and is a damned fine looking piece of equipment, but for the first time I am questioning the build quality of an H/K receiver (and I own another H/K stereo receiver and an AVR, both a few years old). The front panel buttons feel cheap, and the volume "ring" is a disaster. I do NOT like the recessed tone controls, which also reek of cheapness.


Ugh. It is sitting on a table next to a Marantz integrated amp (7001). Unless I am wowed by the performance of the 3490 when I connect it to the iMac digitally (the 3490 has digital inputs and an onboard DAC), it's going back. I'm waiting for my Toslink to miniplug adapter, which I'll have Monday. I'll post results here.