ToddH
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Need help deciding on integrated, TT and Speakers...
ToddH
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Joined: Nov 24 2012 - 9:58am

After everything I have posted I decided to spend a little more.

after reading here and other places I think I am going to go the route of

Marantz 6100 turntable - shure m55 cartridge

Emotiva USP-1 Pre

Emotiva XPA - 200 AMP

Magnepan MMG speakers

Apple Airport Express for digital airplay via itunes.

I feel this will be a very satisfying setup for me.  I will find a sub later on unless the mmg really are awful with low frequency.  I dont listen to music at obscene levels or rap music so bass is not a game changer for me.

 

jackfish
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While the bass exhibited by the MMGs does not go very low, it is articulate. It will be easy to integrate a subwoofer later with the USP-1 bass management. I agree that you are likely to like this setup. The good thing is that the Emotiva stuff and Magnepans can go back for a refund if you don't like them. Here is my system:

13.3" MacBook Air, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, iTunes/BitPerfect
MacBook Air SuperDrive
Western Digital My Book Essential 2TB USB HD
Schiit Bifrost USB DAC
Emotiva ERC-1, USP-1 and 2 x UPA-1
Pro-Ject Xpression III and AT440MLa
Grado SR80i
Magnepan MMG Magnestand
Rythmik Audio F12

commsysman
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I think you have some good ideas there.

IMO the Music Hall A15.2 will sound better than the Emotiva gear, and it is cheaper to boot. It also has a built-in phono stage. The Emotiva gear is better than the typical HT receiver, but using it with good speakers is not a good idea; mediocre sound quality IMO.

I do recommend the Music Hall 2.2 turntable, but I don't know how it compares to your old one.

The MMG speakers are great....except...they have NO bass. I would only use them with a good subwoofer. which would cost at least $500 additional.

I would probably go with the KEF iQ90 speakers, which are available from KEF Direct for a very attractive price of $798 per pair (original price was $1500).

They are excellent floorstanding speakers and have good bass response; no sub needed.

 

 

jackfish
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So do others:

http://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-emotiva-usp-1-preamplifier-and-upa-1-amplifiers/

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/preamplifiers/preamplifiers-reviews/emotiva-usp-1-stereo-preamplifier.html

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue58/emotiva.htm The XPA-200 is an marked improvement over the UPA-2. http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ampreviews&action=display&thread=27237&page=1

Since we are stating opinions here, I say that the Music Hall A15.2 actually comes up short in sound quality compared to the Emotiva stuff. I've listened to both and through some pretty resolving loudspeakers to boot. I find it highly unlikely that you could find an integrated amplifier for $800 that is as powerful and sounds as good as the USP-1 and XPA-200 combo. The good thing is that you can find out yourself how good Emotiva stuff is in your own room with your other equipment and send it back if you don't like it.

The Magnepan MMG produces as much bass as most bookshelf loudspeakers. "so bass is not a game changer for me" means you are likely to be satisfied with the MMGs. If not, its nothing an Epik Legend subwoofer (currently $399) wouldn't cure.

ToddH
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Just thought I would update.

I bought the emotiva usp1, emotiva xpa 200 and the magnepan mmg.

I am using my tributaries a1 silver interconnect.

.after hooking everything up it became apparent that my marantz 6100 table was in rougher shape than I remembered.  It is not spinning at the correct speed and everything is distorted and very harsh.

I did not want to put any money into this table so after debating with myself I decided I would buy a table I can have forever and I found a great price on a vpi traveler with an ortofon 2m blue.

.I can not wait till it gets here.  I have been listening to cd's through a cheap old Sony DVD player.  So u can imagine how it sounds.  Even with that te speakers sound nice...

The high end seemed a touch high so I put the tweeter 1. Ohm attenuator on the mmg.

Can u guys recommend a phono preamp that would be a good fit with the table or is the usp 1 phono stage ok for the time being.

I have read good things about the Cambridge 640 p, bellari 130 and creek obh 15.

judt want to make sure they are worth the money so I can get to listening to music.

jackfish
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You would likely have to spend a couple hundred dollars for a significant improvement. The Bellari VP130 would do it for me and would likely tame the objectionable high end of the MMGs you experienced. Thats a nice table you are getting, enjoy and let us know what you think of your system after you have had some time to listen.

ToddH
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Thanks jack fish.

Do u think the Cambridge 651 p or 640 p would be an upgrade?

If I may ask, what is the best way for me to have the mmg hooked up?

Right now I have them running into the high frequency and crossed over at abou 80hz.

 

should I run them into the full range without a sub?

Thanks.

jackfish
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I would think the 651P is better than the phono stage in the USP-1. Check out the Musical Fidelity V-LPS as it may be a bit better.

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