Have you had the opportunity to listen to this system?

Hello,

I have listned to the system and liked it. I am not sure as to how to explain the experience as I am a novice in the matter. Though I liked the Bryston Pre Pwr amps better that the Rotels, I prefer the Rotels when I consider the overall cost and sound which I experienced even though the Brystons sound much better. Is this combination okay or what should I go for? What about cables? Thanks

Varghese

I probably shouldn't opine on the combination of equipment, as I don't have experience with much of what you mentioned (someone else will though, those are popular brands around here).

On the turntable: Are you sure you want the TT with the built-in phono stage? The phono stage can make an enormous difference in the sound, and I would rather be able to switch it out easily and not have unecessary electronics in my turntable. I assume you could bypass the built-in phono stage somehow, but I'm not sure. Still, you'd have unused equipment hanging around.

On cables, you'll find different opinions. As long as they are not defective and of proper gauge, they should be fine. My advice is always to go with modestly priced cables at first, get used to the sound, and then audition higher-priced cables if you want to. Anti-cables and Bluejeans cables are two popular choices for moderately priced but high quality cables.

I'm fairly certain the dealer who connected the system for audition used cables that were appropriate for the cost of the system. Possibly not but cables aren't something we can pick for you. Too many brands and too many choices within prices ranges. I would tend to ask why you want us to select cables for a system you say you like. Buy that system - including the cables the dealer uses. If not those cables, then other cables the dealer has to offer. It won't do you or us any good if we suggest you buy Nordost and the dealer sells AudioQuest.

You have to understand that most dealers choose products that suit their own ideas of how music sounds and how systems operate. In most cases, and most particularly when you are putting together a starter system, it is to your benefit to buy from one dealer if you find their taste suits your own. This affords you and the dealer the opportunity to know the basic sound of your system. When it comes time to upgrade or you have questions about the performance of your system the same dealer has a good idea what you might be hearing. Buying piecemeal from more than one dealer can lead to plenty of finger pointing to the other guy's product as the failing point of everything you hear.

I assume this dealer has provided good advice up to this point so I don't see any reason not to trust them to complete the system to your satisfaction.

Bryston is certainly above Rotel with respect to built and sound quality. But I would say that either the Rotel or the Bryston equipment would be too bright for my tastes with a Monitor Audio speaker. That's not an insult to ANY of the products but to me the chemistry between them would be wrong. I'd either choose warmer sounding speakers or electronics.