Help in setting up first sound system

For my system I'm thinking of an integrated amp and a pair of floorstanding speakers. I live in Hong Kong so there's not too much equipment to choose from and not really many places where I can test equipment. (I'm hoping to get second hand gear)

The room where the system will be is rectangular, concrete walls and has a tiled floor.(around 4 metres by 10 metres It's the main living area so I wont have much room to play with. (I guess a more social set up would be realistic, although I do enjoy listening to my music and take it seiously)

My Favorite Things

My Favorite Things

Friend and neighbor, Tris McCall, has been posting the results and analysis of his annual <a href="http://www.trismccall.net/critics_poll_2008_results.htm">Critics Poll</a>. My favorite bit&#151<a href="http://www.trismccall.net/critics_poll_2008_miscellany.htm">Miscellaneo… Categories</a>&#151went up today. I am even mentioned in the analysis. Always a thrill. Oddly, however, Tris notes that I am an "audiophile."

The End of an Era

www.scena.org/columns/lebrecht/090204-NL-decca.html.

Sad news, given the English company's pioneering work, including the first and still in some ways the best complete Ring, and the first Petrouchka on LP. Somewhere in my tape archive I have a private recording of an orchestral piece the late Antal Dorati wrote on the notes D.E.C.C.A.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Professional Near Field Monitors - used as Hi-FI (Dynaudio BM 6 or BM 15)

I am setting up a Hi-Fi in my office, around my MacPro.
I already have a Grace Design GRM902 Reference Headphone Amplifier, to be used as DAC, and Pre-Amp. I am thinking to but a Creek Destiny Integrated.

The problem is with speakers. I dont have much space, or freedom to place them on the floor, so I might need to use bookshelf speakers... so here is the question:

A P.S. on Keith Jarrett

A P.S. on Keith Jarrett

Keith Jarrett has also just released a trio CD called <I>Yesterdays</I> (on ECM), featuring Gary Peacock on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums, with whom he’s been playing for decades. The album might be described as outtakes from the group’s 2001 concert in Tokyo—portions of which were released the following year on a double-disc recording called <I>Always Let Me Go</I>—except that the new album is dramatically different. <I>Always</I> consisted almost entirely of improvisations; but it turns out the trio also played standards that night (the group is known as Jarrett’s “standards trio”), and they’re all assembled on <I>Yesterdays</I>. Often when a musician releases an album of previously unreleased takes, it’s clear why they didn’t make the original cut. But that’s not the case here. In fact, this is one of Jarrett’s loveliest albums, especially the ballads (“You’ve Changed,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” and “Stella by Starlight,” as well as the title tune). Whatever one might say about the man’s antics and idiosyncrasies, his artistry cannot be disputed. I can’t think of another jazz pianist alive, and only a few from any era, who displays such seamless virtuosity, across so many styles of music, and still conveys the vibrant rhythms and true emotion of a song.

CD Players

Hi guys,

Recently, I've been interested in CD players but I'm not too sure what should I look out for in a good CD player. I came across Loit Eagle Neo-Retro CD Player. I thought it looked pretty decent but I don't want to rush into getting it and am thinking of exploring other alternatives. Anyone heard of it? Or any recommendations for a newbie like me? Would appreciate advices. Thanks!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement