Red wrote:

Good morning to all.

I'm ready to upgrade my Aiwa Shelf system from 1994, it's 25 watt per channel with 2 Book shelf speakers(6 ohms).

I'm looking at the Marantz PM6005 Integrated Amp paired with either the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-160M or the Polk Audio RTi A3.

EDIT: All my music at the moment is on my MacBook, I will add a CD player and possibly a turn table in the future.

The Marantz amplifier should be a good choice.

The speakers...hmmm.

If I were to make a list of speakers, for around $400 per pair (RTi A3, Crutchfield), based on best sound quality, the Klipsch and Polk speakers would be near the bottom of a long long list. Worst sound for the money. You can do much better for that price.

The Monitor Audio Bronze 2 are excellent. ($499/pair) <<<<<+++

The Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 and 10.2 are excellent. ($369/$459/pair)

The Cambridge Audio SX60 are very good. ($359/pair)

The Definitive Technology Studio Monitor 55 are excellent ($598/pair) <<++

etc.

Also consider this; the Klipsch is a rear-ported speaker, which would need to be placed at least 18 inches from anything behind or next to it.

For the most flexible placement, choose a front-ported or sealed speaker.

Red wrote:

Thanks for the reply.
I looked for the Monitor Bronze but only found Sliver and Gold on Crutchfield, the Monitor Audio Radius 90 are 499.00? I really like the Definitive Technology's 55. Those might be the ticket. Thanks

The Monitor Audio Bronze 2 are $499 per pair from Audio Advisor. They are in stock and available in walnut or black.This is a new model, which should not be confused with the old Bronze BX2 model, some of which might still be around.

Red wrote:

OK, found them, thanks. In your opinion, are the Definitive Technology's 55's worth the extra hundred compared to the Monitor Audio Bronze 2?

The Def Tech SM55 has a unique feature that makes them quite different from other speakers. The top surface of the speaker is a rectangular (6" x 10") passive radiator, which takes the place of a port.

This feature apparently extends the bass response of the speaker, but one would need to make sure that the top of the speakers is not very near anything that would impede the radiation from the top.

I have not listened to the SM55 personally, but there was an article in Stereophile a while back which would be worth looking up. It was quite complimentary.

I can say that the Bronze 2 is a very good speaker; I have heard them and like them, and they have very good bass response for their size and type of speaker.

I could easily live with either one.

Hi. Try to audition before buying, it makes all the difference. The usual partner for Marantz PM6005 is Dali Zensor 3. In any case, you need speakers with high sensitivity if you want them to go loud (87db at the very least, but preferably 89-90ish). Also, if your source is a laptop, you should preferably use a DAC. If you could stretch to Marantz PM7005, it would be awesome, since it has USB dac functionality. If not, I'd look at Nad D3020 + Dali Zensor 3 or Q Acoustics 3020. If you don't mind used, look for Rotel RA1520 or Creek Evolution 2, and pair those with XTZ 93.23 mk II speakers.

Actually, come to think of it, you'd get most bang for buck with XTZ stuff. It's a sweedish brand that sells almost only online, but they have like 1 month return policy. Where I live, there's a dealership, and I got to audition one. It beats anything in it's price range imo, with the exception of Arcam A19 (which should also be on your list if it fits the budget). This will let you audition in your own home, which is the best thing to do anyway, although I don't think you'd return that. Sounds like a Marantz, but with way more guts and control and 3d soundstage. Look for XTZ A100D3 amp + XTZ 93.23 mk II speakers. If you don't mind the lack of headphone output, it's best in price range.

Red wrote:

Do I really need a eternal DAC, is the DAC in the Marantz not adequate?

the DAC in the Marantz can only do optical/coax. The usb slot (if it has one) is only for memory sticks/ipods and such, external HDDs. If your laptop has optical out, then by all means, it should be more then adequate. As long as you're not using the headphone out into line in.

But do give the XTZ a try if you can afford, it'll wipe the floor with anything in it's price bracket :)

Red wrote:

I don't think my MacBook Pro has audio out. The only way that I know of would be at the headphone jack with a mini-Toslink?

EDIT: Looks like Mac put the audio out @ headphone jack.

I found on a website that all Macbooks since 2006 combine their audio jack with minitoslink - so you'd only need an adapter cable - belkin make them, probably hama and a lot of other manufacturers.