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I was wrong. The $875 amp is not integrated.
I was wrong. The $875 amp is not integrated.
No, a tube amp and 99% of solid state amps keep the signal in analog form.
Jolida & others make well-reviewed integrated amps that are tube based
Thanks for the info. This widens my amp search. I appreciate it.
I appreciate it. I will head to those reviews and look them over again.
Any other suggestions will be appreciated. I am buying for the first time and know I may not even be asking the right questions. Perhaps I should have bought the amp first.
Shelf speakers will come next. My understanding is the amp speaker combo is important, not just amp.
If I am going to slight a component would I be better off slighting the speakers? That seems like a component that is the easiest to upgrade.
Thanks, Clint
Correct, the amp and speakers combo is important. But most good quality amps will do just fine with most "normal" good quality speakers. Speakers of unusual design (electrostatics, planar magnetics, and some others) will be more demanding, but you prob will not be getting those.
You are sound in saying that the speakers may be easier to upgrade so you could slightly "slight" them. But on the other hand, I think sound quality differences are much more pronounced with speakers. Differences between amps are subtle, compared to the large differences between speakers. To me, an adequate amp and excellent speakers will be a better, more enjoyable solution than the converse.
I recently setup my first turntable stereo system, so I thought I'd share my components. I am by no means an expert, "audiophile", or what have you...but I've loved music since the day I was born, and I know what sounds good to my ears. My setup is:
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with acrylic platter and Speed Box upgrades
Harman Kardon HK 3490 stereo receiver
Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers
Blue Jeans Cable LC-1 analog interconnects
Blue Jeans Cable "Twelve White" speaker cable w/ locking banana plugs (self-made w/ techflex and heat shrink tubing - looks sexy)
Playing vinyl records on this setup has been a dream come true. I honestly had no idea that home audio could sound this good. I realize there is a whole world above this when it comes to sound quality / tinkering, but this setup has left me free to shop for more vinyl, which is exactly where I wanted to be when I started.
Regardless of what amp / pre-amp you choose, I can definitely recommend the Wharfedale 10.1's - they're amazing.
Good upgrades to the Pro-Ject. Did u upgrade cartridge too?
No, I have not upgraded the cartridge yet. That may come sometime down the road, but I've been told that the 2M is quite good if you give it some time. I'm going to let it, and the TT, warm up for a few months before I think about updating the cartridge. For now, I am very happy with the sound coming out of the Wharfedales.
I appreciate your post. You caused me to take a second look at the WD 10.1s. I was looking at the Dali Zensor 1. However, unless someone has a better perspective I believe I will go with the WD 10.1.
You won't be sorry. The more hours I put into listening, the more I love them. Also, if you order them from a reputable source, you can always try them out for 30-60 days and send them back if you're not satisfied. Though, based on my experience, I doubt you'll find yourself in that situation. :)
Good luck!
Hello All,
Thank you for all of you input so far. I have been researching my set up for some time now and with your help I am closing in on a decision.
After speaking with Music Direct in Chicago I am seriously looking at going with the WD 10.2s ($100 more than the 10.1s). Also the salesman turned me onto Marantz 6004 Integrated Amp ($150 more than the HK 3490). The reviews I have read on it seem very positive.
I know I am being "sold up" by the salesman (to the tune of $250) but from what I have read the products he has sold me up on do have more value than what I was looking at.
I told the salesman I have $1000 to spend on speakers and an amp. His combo comes out to $1050 so he is right there.
Please give my your thoughts on the equipement suggested by MD.
This is my first set up. Am I going to appreciate the extra $250 spent?
Thanks.
I've been in your shoes, Luci. Doesn't it fry your brain trying to compare things you haven't had experience with before?
Honestly, if your room is big enough to justify the 10.2's, you should go for it. I chose the 10.1's simply because I live in an apartment (and probably will for the forseeable future), and I took my girlfriend out to a nice dinner with the $100 I saved. If I had the space, I'd have gotten the 10.2's. I'm sure they have a similiar - if not identical - sound.
As far as the Marantz 6004, I did exhaustive research and asked numerous people for opinions on Harman Kardon vs Marantz, and the general consensus was they would reproduce sound at a similar quality. This may seem superflous, but what pushed me over the edge was this forum post:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/amps-pre-pros-receivers/77321-so-much-marantz-pm6004-hk-kicks.html
Price is another thing to consider, at least for me. The HK 3490 is substantially cheaper, and can often be found on sale. For instance, J&R has it on sale right now for $349, no tax, free shipping - sale ends today.
http://www.jr.com/harman-kardon/pe/HK_3490/
Hope this helps.
You have a fairly large listening area and are considering speakers with relatively low sensitivity and which are a nominal 6 Ohm load. I know I'd want more than 45 wpc into 8 Ohms for those. The HK3490 would be a good entry level choice without too many compromises.
I'd also consider the Jolida JD 1501 or a Emotiva USP-1 and XPA-200. But then there are other choices at $1000.
I noticed that as well. I read a review that said Marantz underestimates it's wpc rating. I know high end car audio amps will underestimate, but not sure it that is a legit comment concerning home audio. The article said it should perform the same as a 100 wpc amp from some other companies.
What are your thoughts?
being conservative. However, to say an amp rated by the manufacturer for 45 wpc into 8 Ohms at 20Hz-20kHz and 0.08% THD will perform the same as a 100 wpc amp from some other companies is a worthless observation. For those speakers and room I'd want an amp for which the manufacturer has a rating of at least 100 wpc into 8 Ohms at 20Hz-20kHz and 0.1% or less THD.
for Wharfedale 10.2's, Marantz 8004 amp and 10 feet long Audioquest type 4 cables. I got it all free shipping and no tax. Total came to $1486.00
Jackfish was right. Once I started digging deep enough I found I was close enough to the next best thing that I could justify bumping it up. I will audition the equipment and see what I think of it. I do not expect to be 100% happy with the speakers, but I just do not want to spend another $1000 right now.
I was looking at the Rega Brio r and the Marantz, while the focus is on the turntable (and all of the reviews I read pointed to Brega for the best phono) I will also purchase a CD and would like a DAC and perhaps a tuner. The pieces to be purchased are much more expensive with Brega.
At this entry level I do not consider myself an audiophile. I will see where it all leads. Perhaps I will upgrade in the future.
Thank you all for your in put. I am also open to more comments as I have 30 days to return or exchange the product.