pdoyen
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Just Another Lowly Audio-Amateur Requesting System Advice
pdoyen
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A little more info:  My music tastes are extremely varied...which means my system should be able to play anything from Dr. Dre's the Chronic to Bach's St. Matthew's Passion.  I would also like to be able to enjoy records on my Sl-1200 turntable as well.

Thanks!

JIMV
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Any of these...

http://www.amazon.com/Energy-CF-30-Floorstanding-Tower-Speaker/dp/B001SAJ1VA/ref=pd_cp_e_1

I own RC30's and really like them...warning, long burn in time.

Try emotiva for an  amp that sounds WAY better than its price...

http://emotiva.com/upa2.shtm

You will need a preamp and for that I have no recommendations...

In addition, you need a source. Based on your post I assume you plan t use your computer??? If so, buy something like this

http://www.amazon.com/HRT-iStreamer-Outboard-DAC-iDevices/dp/B004H5UYLO/ref=sr_1_13?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310839956&sr=1-13

By my figurig, so far I have recommending about $7-800 in gear. Add a CD player if you want or some Monster Cable. Remember, you will need a preamp...

 

 

 

 

 

 

JoeE SP9
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The problem is your requiring small sized speakers. If you want bass you have to move air. Tiny sub woofers simply can't do it. If you're thinking of main speakers the size of Bose cubes this may be the wrong place to ask. The primary concern of most posters here is sound quality. Sound quality and extremely small size are really not compatible.

How large are you willing to go with the main speakers? How large will you allow a sub woofer to be? How much area do you want to fill with sound and at what volume?

If you want The Chronic to sound right a sub woofer with a 10" or (preferably) larger cone is needed.  None of the amplifiers you are considering have a phono stage (for your SL1200). I recommend the audio-technica AT- PEQ3. It's available from LP Gear, KAB, Needle Doctor and other web outlets for <$45. It's received very good reviews including one from Mike Fremmer.

The Qinpu A-3 looks to be a nice piece. In addition it has input switching. You will need switching if you have more than one source.

The Glow only has line in and USB. Using the line in for the TT leaves only a USB input. This is fine if your other source is a PC.

The Nuforce Icon2 seems to be the most flexible (3 inputs). The RJ45 to banana plug speaker cables are new to me. I would probably go with the NuForce because of it's flexibility.

If aesthetics were more important the Qinpu A-3 wins hands down. 

All of the amps you've listed are relatively low powered and require efficient speakers. Your speaker choice should take this into consideration. Of course any appropriate sub woofer would be powered.  

pdoyen
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Thanks for the responses.

I realize now that tiny speakers may not be the best option.  I'm still looking for small speakers, but something closer to this size:

http://affordableaudio.biz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_27&products_id=271

As for the subwoofer, I realized the size probably isn't all that important...I can just hide it somewhere.  I have a huge velodyne at the moment, I may just keep using that for a while.

I was thinking about the Audioengine P4's.  They seem to be a good value and not terribly inefficient at 88dB.  

For some reason I'm very attracted to tube amps at the moment...I listened to one today and was intrigued by the sound.  It seems to be difficult to find a relatively cheap tube amp that isn't underpowered.  Do you think something like the Miniwatt M3 could power the p4's?  Keep in mind, I'm not looking to really blare my music.  Perhaps I should give up on the low-end tube amp if I want compact speakers?

And yes, my two sources will be the record player and my laptop...so USB would be ideal.  As long as the amp is trim it doesn't have to be tiny.  

As for the size of the room, I haven't moved yet so I can't quite be sure.  This is partly why I wanted small equipment, for an easy transfer while moving.  I imagine I will be in a very small studio.  

The RC30's look neat, but I'm looking mainly at bookshelf speakers.

pdoyen
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Today I was treated to a listen of the Quad 11L2s hooked up to the Jolida FX 10.  The sound was wonderful.  It's too bad that the speakers are a bit out of my price range.

jackfish
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$390/pair delivered from Independent Audio Video.  PSB SP-25i stands in closeout from Saturday Audio Exchange for $80/pair.

Jolida JD 1301A 30 wpc hybrid integrated amp for $390.

Elemental Design A3S-250 subwoofer for $350.

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1204psb

http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/PSB_ALPHA.htm lower left page for the PSB SP-25i

Just some suggestions.  Good luck!

pdoyen
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^ Thank you sir.  By the time I saw your suggestions I had already made my first purchase.

I decided upon the Monitor Audio Studio 2 speakers.  Looks like they're from the mid nineties.  They're very small and are supposed to sound quite good.  Has anyone else heard these speakers?    Do they look at all intriguing?  Stereofile has this review here, originally from 1995:

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/295monitor/index.html

Another review:

http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/December%201994/190/804779/Monitor+Audio+Studio+2

 

They cut out down around 55 Hz so I'll definitely be needing a subwoofer...

Any suggestions for an amp for these babies?  Think that Jolida might work?

JoeE SP9
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I posted in another thread you started that I believe in plenty of power. Well I will reiterate. IMO 30WPC for 89dB efficient speakers is not  enough. It may be enough for low level midnight hour listening. There will be times when some reasonable volume is wanted. There may also be some times when it's "boogie" time. Thirty watts per channel will be completely inadequate for anything but the midnight hour listening.

Keep your current Velodyne sub. That will allow you to spend more money on the new gear you're planning on getting. For an integrated amp the Cambridge Audio CA 650A (75WPC @ 8 Ohms) is a nice piece. It comes in Silver or Black. I like the Silver. Audio Adviser has it for $699. 

pdoyen
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^Thanks for the response.  Given that the efficiency rating is actually closer to 85 then 89 then you're especially right about the power.  Thank you, I could have ended up with some severely underpowered speaker...just cause I don't know any better.  It looks like I won't be able to do tubes...the only tube amps I can afford won't be powerful enough.  One day.

The Cambridge Audio amp looks very nice...but it's about 100 bucks more than I want to spend.  Any other possibilities?  I'm going to look and see if I can't find a gently used CA 650A...thanks again.

And I definitely need the infrequent "boogie time" session...I was having fun pretending that all I listen to is Cape Verdean melancholy and quiet Bach preludes...but one can only do that for so long.

EDIT:  How about this guy?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Jolida-JD1501BRC-Stereo-Tube-Amplifier-/250856993829?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a683df425#ht_804wt_1138

JoeE SP9
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Jolida gear is pretty good stuff. One of my buddies has a Jolida CD player. He and I are impressed with it. I especially like the remote. No matter, if your considering used gear check out www.audiogon.com It's a place that specializes in audio gear. It's not a general auction site and consequently I have more trust in those selling through Audiogon.

BTW: We all like to boogie now and then even an old geezer like me. How else would I know who Dr. Dre is. 

pdoyen
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Finally got my Monitor Audio's...they're incredibly small and sound terrific.  Anyone looking for a compact big-sounding loudspeaker, grab a pair.  

Thanks for the help.
 

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