greengeek
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Klipsch Synergy B-20 vs. Pioneer SP-BS22-LR
bierfeldt
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If you are committed to a tube amp this is a relatively easy call. The Pioneer's are very inefficient with an spl of 85dB. The Klipsch are very efficient with an spl of 92.5. You will drive the amp hard to get to normal listening levels with those Pioneers given that the Jolida you cited above is only 20w. The Klipsch are much easier to drive.

However, you are really going to want a subwoofer with them as the Klipsch offer very little in the way of bass. Additionally, the brightness that usually is associated with Klipsch will be offset by warmth of a tube.

greengeek
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Thanks for the reply.

That gives me something to think about. Would you have any recommendations for a different amp somewhere in that price range? I always loved the concept of a tube amp, but would there be a better amp to use that may not be tube if I was to go with the pioneers?

Thanks

bierfeldt
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You might want to check out the:

Napa NA208A Hybrid Integrated Amp - It gets great reviews. I am not sure if it has enough inputs for your though. It is $399 and everyone raves about it.

For solid state, Cambridge Audio Azur 351A Integrated Amp is a steal at $399 new. You could also look at the Marantz PM5005 at $499 new or a PM5004 used or refurbed.

Check out Accessories4less as it is Marantz and Cambridge Audio's US clearing house for factory refurbished equipment.

greengeek
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Thanks again for the advise!!! I am going to research those products.

commsysman
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You will need to get an amplifier that will cost over $1000 if you go with tubes; you don't want an underpowered 10w or 20W amplifier.

The NAD C326BEE would be a good choice, or the Music Hall 15.3.

IMO the speakers you are considering are not as good as the Infinity Primus 163B speakers, which Amazon has for under $100 each.

greengeek
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Thanks for the reply.

A blog post on this forum recommended the Napa Acoustic NA-208A Integrated Amplifier paired up with the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers. Amazon has some nice looking Diamond 10.2 speakers that seem to get high reviews. What are your all thoughts or comments about that setup? Would that be a good low end low priced entry level system into the audiophile world? I see some really nice systems being posted on these forums, however my budget is unfortunately quite limited.

Thanks.

bierfeldt
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I like the Wharfedale Diamond's very much and believe they are superior to either the Pioneers or the Klipsch. The review here at Stereophile saw those paired together. The issue is they have a low sensitivity again at 86dB.

At half volume - 12.5w - you would get 90.3dB of volume at 10 feet. At 8 feet, 92dB. To put it in perspective, the THX "Reference Level" is 85dB which is about the volume level in a movie theatre. Bluntly, in a small room 10 x 10 or 10 x 12 you will be fine. I wouldn't want to put that into a room that is much larger unless you really don't like volume.

Catch22
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And how loud do you like to listen to your music?

greengeek
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I live in a small apartment so I am fairly restricted on the volume having neighbors on all sides. The music would be just slightly above normal person talking level. The room is also fairly small, around 15ft x 8ft.

bierfeldt
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In that environment, that sounds like a nice setup

Catch22
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And, it's a great little amp. I've had the original SJ 101 and the 102b and the EL84/6BQ5 is my favorite output tube. Biasing the tubes are a snap, it runs cool compared to larger tube amps and tubes are dirt cheap and plentiful.

I've had amps costing several thousand dollars that I didn't prefer to the little Jolida.

MrBill
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For that room at those levels I would try the SP-BS22-LR + amphony 200 combo before you drop the coin on a more expensive amp. It may be enough for your tastes and the amp+speaker chain can be had for $200. The most important component is the room and in a room that size some wall treatment would likely net you better improvement for the money than a higher end amp. The amphony doesn't have any creature comforts, looks like a piece of 80's car stereo equipment, sparks when you plug it in and doesn't have any inrush protection so the speakers pop on turn on and should really only be driven at about 15w/channel. That said it is by far the sweetest sounding amp $70 can buy and will drive the pioneers to a listening level of about 90-95 db at 6 feet with ease so it will go MUCH louder than a person speaking on even those inefficient speakers. I am listening to Buena Vista Social Club on this setup now and cannot keep from smiling over how inexpensive it was to get sound this beautiful. Anyone who doubts this combo can easily test it for $200. Grab a pair of the speakers, get them up to ear level by any means necessary, sit at arms length from them, plug in your favorite source material and set the amp to normal relaxed listening levels. Scary precise imaging for this money.

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