I'm making my first foray into the high(er)-end audio world and I'm now mostly convinced that once I hook up my new sweet speakers (www.tyleracoustics.com, Linbrook Sig monitors) that it is going to sound like my hand-me-down Kenwood surround stereo is powered by a diesel engine, my CD player will sound like finger nails on a chalk board, and that the sound will be so terrible as to offend even my neighbors in their own homes. Seriously.
So I'm considering a few options. 1)Wait it out and try the Kenwood receiver. I know it won't have enough power to run the speakers to their full potential. I'll likely do this anyway, since it won't cost any extra. 2) Find a good new/used integrated amp, and 3) Find a good new/used pre-amp and power the speakers with some monoblock amps used to power the same speakers in a friend's setup (IRD audio MB-100's).
So here is an actual question:
I'm looking at preamps more then integrated. For a new unit, I'm considering a NAD C162. I've also been purusing online used resources and have seen some used equipment that may be good in a similar price range (about $400-600). Perhaps a Classe DR-5. Am I better off buying the NAD (new or maybe an old, cheaper model) to get started, or spend a little more on a better used unit?
I don't even like asking that question. I know it's such a subjective topic, but I think my head is going to pop, so I thought I would fire off a question before I get my keyboard all messy. Thanks. I feel a little better already.
Are you still with me? I feel a little like I'm venting, since I don't have a good sounding board in the way of a local hi-fi store. So I'll say that I'm willing to hear any advice or direction in the way of good resources. Especially local sources in the Cleveland, OH area. Thanks for reading.
I'm making my first foray into the high(er)-end audio world and I'm now mostly convinced that once I hook up my new sweet speakers (www.tyleracoustics.com, Linbrook Sig monitors) that it is going to sound like my hand-me-down Kenwood surround stereo is powered by a diesel engine, my CD player will sound like finger nails on a chalk board, and that the sound will be so terrible as to offend even my neighbors in their own homes. Seriously.
So I'm considering a few options. 1)Wait it out and try the Kenwood receiver. I know it won't have enough power to run the speakers to their full potential. I'll likely do this anyway, since it won't cost any extra. 2) Find a good new/used integrated amp, and 3) Find a good new/used pre-amp and power the speakers with some monoblock amps used to power the same speakers in a friend's setup (IRD audio MB-100's).
So here is an actual question:
I'm looking at preamps more then integrated. For a new unit, I'm considering a NAD C162. I've also been purusing online used resources and have seen some used equipment that may be good in a similar price range (about $400-600). Perhaps a Classe DR-5. Am I better off buying the NAD (new or maybe an old, cheaper model) to get started, or spend a little more on a better used unit?
I don't even like asking that question. I know it's such a subjective topic, but I think my head is going to pop, so I thought I would fire off a question before I get my keyboard all messy. Thanks. I feel a little better already.
Are you still with me? I feel a little like I'm venting, since I don't have a good sounding board in the way of a local hi-fi store. So I'll say that I'm willing to hear any advice or direction in the way of good resources. Especially local sources in the Cleveland, OH area. Thanks for reading.