Comm, ZZ -

Thanks for your time and recommendations!  Do you guys think the Wharfdale 10.2's will work well with the Brio? I'm definitely considering them.  Looks like most of the U.S. dealers are out of stock for the next week or so, but I can wait.  Are there other speakers I should consider?  I'll mostly be listening to rock (Neil Young, Shellac, Guided By Voices, The Who), but Nick Drake, Goblin, Donna Summer, Throbbing Gristle, Hank Williams Sr., Sun Ra, Public Enemy, Tom Waits, Phillip Glass, etc will be regulars as well.

I'd like to stay somewhere in the $500/pr range.  If there's a spectacularly over performing pair for less, all the better.  The display models of the Regas were coming in around $630/pr and that was more than pushing it for me.

ZZ, the only time I had a set up approaching audiophile was in the mid/late 80's and it included a set of entry level Magnapans (the MG-Ic's?) and a Denon integrated amp that I got for half list because I worked at Tower records at the time. Man, I LOVED those speakers.  I had a great listening room at the time as well, and after my old set up (Fisher), it was like hearing music in 3D.  Unfortunately, when I moved to NYC I left the speakers, the amp and a nice Gitane bike in a co-workers basement and he died unexpectedly shortly after.  He was older and estranged from his family so I never got them back (he was also a really nice guy).  C'est la morte.  I hope I'll be able to afford another pair before I croak. 

Thanks again!

Tony

I'd already decided to dump the Rega speakers, but up till now I've only heard good things about the Brio and the RS1.  But hey, I'm not asking about them just to hear what I want to, so thank you. 

What other stuff in that price range should I consider?  I'm trying to put together an amp w/phono stage, turntable and small form factor speakers for around $1600 (a display Brio and new RP1 w/service pack would run me $1160 shipped) . 

I'm now strongly considering Wharfdale 10.2 speakers because of Comm's recommendation (as well as some reviews I've read since he mentioned them).  I'd love to get another set of Magnepans (just found out the MMG's are $600), but I'm working with a 12'X15' room and really don't have the space.  Not to mention I'm concerned any amp I can currently afford would be underpowered for them.

Btw, I'm not considering any used stuff (the display Brio has full warranty) because I know I *don't* know enough to make good decisions with used.

So yeah.. hit me with the recommendations when you get the chance!

Thanks for your time,

Tony

Thanks for all the solid advice!

Slee ZZ wrote:

I wasn't aware of the production issues that jackfish stated, so that's good to know.  And to clarify, my pieces are not exactly the same as the ones Tony is asking about (p3-24 and Mira 3 v. RP-1 and Brio).  Both of my pieces have been recently discontinued.

That said, I have heard the Brio a number of times in audio stores, and it sounds VERY good.  If jackfish is correct about the production issues, that's obviously a big red flag, but sound-wise, it's a winner.  I haven't heard the RP-1 much, so I can't comment there.  It's been generally well-reviewed, however.  But, then again, entry-level turntables in that price range are VERY competitive.

I poked around some more and did Google searches like "Rega problem" and "Brio Issues" etc.There was plenty out there, but the only recurring issue concerned wavering speed/turntable noise caused by old or defective belts.  The other stuff that cropped up were one off things (a shorting tone arm ground wire, etc) that, like the belt issue, appeared to have been resolved to the complainants satisfaction. And, of course, people unhappy about something are much more likely to post something and with that in mind, the ratio of "HOLY CRAP I LOVE MY REGA STUFF!" to "why did I buy this crap?" seems very high.  Based on that and your recommendation, I'm gonna pull the trigger on RS1 and Brio today.  I bought the first four Tom Waits records when they were remastered a couple of years ago and they're still in their mailer.  I need to hear them soon!

Slee ZZ wrote:

As I stated before, I like Rega's speakers, but don't love them.  I think the Wharfdale 10.2s and especially the Magnepan MMGs are both better choices.  Besides, the Magnepans have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can't go wrong with a home audition!  They do need some space, and the low-end impact of the bass is a bit lacking.  Those are the usual knocks against Maggies, and they are legit.  But everything else--upper bass, midrange, highs, imaging, soundstage, etc.--are all like speakers that cost four times as much.  I mean, they are just astounding.  And you can ameliorate the bass issues with a subwoofer down the road.  

Lastly, I have 1.7s in my living room that is also 12'x15', so I can tell you that MMGs will work in your room no problem.  I place them back up against the wall when they're are not being played, and move them back out when I'm doing serious listening.  That's a bit of a pain in the ass, but it keeps my wife happy.  The MMGs would be a lot less obtrusive visually.

Again, I *LOVE* Magnepans.  Really, I've never heard the music I like sound better than on the set I used to own (of course, almost all of my peers at the time were super poor, non audiophile kids, so I don't have a lot to compare it to).  But the room I had back then was 18'X18', 12' ceilings and hard wood floors I kept waxed will bowling alley paste.  Also, it was *extremely* spartan - my amp and TT in a (large) closet, one wall with a record rack, simple table against another, and a full sized convertible futon across the vast expanse (compared to my nyc place <g>) between the speakers on the opposite wall.  I don't have a clue regarding proper set up for acoustics, but I do know the definition from those speakers blew my unsophisticated ears away.  I'll always remember the first time I listened to my promo DMM copy of The Cure's "Disintegration" vinyl with that set up. 

Unfortunately, the room I'm gonna put my new set up in is much, much less than ideal.  In my 12X15 space now I have a Queen sized bed, large book case, dresser, end table, cd rack, dvd rack and laundry basket.  I just can't imagine having enough space to let the Mags breathe.  That, coupled with their size, has me leaning towards the Wharfdales (which, of course, will also be poorly utilized with my room set up).  The Wharf's are out of stock for the next week or so, so I"m gonna try and stop by the Mag dealer in the city to give them another look and try and see if there's any way I think I can make 'em work.  I know they have that great trial period, but as they will most certainly end up with some dog hair on them from my crazy shedding collie/shepherd mix, I'd want to be relatively sure before I try 'em out.

Ok, so thanks again guys!

Tony