Hola - Newbie with Some Basic Equipment Questions

[Kyngfish]

Hi, I'm sure this has been beat to death, but I've been looking over old threads and opinions abound, so I thought I'd ask the pros on here about recommendations for my specific situation. Looking forward to becoming a contributor here.

I'm an avid music listener and a hobby musician. I listen to mostly bluegrass and blues, classic rock, and some 80s, guitar-heavy stuff, like Knopfler, and for my 90s stuff, things like Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam.

I listen to music in a fair-sized tile floored room, say around 18 x 12? I'm looking to get my first hi-fi setup. A turntable, an amp and some speakers. I'd like to keep the speakers from 500 to 1000, but I can wait and go 1500 if that makes a huge difference.

I've been reading for months/years and have gone back and forth between things like the Magnepan MMG, to the Tekton lineup, to more standard things like the Klipsch reference line. I like the idea of single driver speakers, and high-efficiency setups, but I'm not married to anything in particular. I hesitate to pull the trigger on some of the botique audiophile darlings, because the reviews from actual users really end up so mixed.

Given my tastes I was looking for speaker recommendations and pros/cons, and if possible, amp recommendations that can reasonably make those speakers sing.

Thanks!

 

[Swerd]

Kyngfish – Welcome to Audioholics.

I've been reading for months/years and have gone back and forth between things like the Magnepan MMG, to the Tekton lineup, to more standard things like the Klipsch reference line. I like the idea of single driver speakers, and high-efficiency setups, but I'm not married to anything in particular. I hesitate to pull the trigger on some of the botique audiophile darlings, because the reviews from actual users really end up so mixed.

With speakers, there is a significant element of personal taste. I can only tell you what speakers I like and suggest what speakers you might like. There is no substitute to listening to speakers yourself.

In my opinion, the best speakers and best bargains available now are sold by Internet Direct (ID). These would include Philharmonic Audio, Salk, Ascend, and perhaps SVC. I personally own two sets of Salk speakers, read about the SongTower here. I'd suggest the SongTower as a very good starting point.

Where are you located? If you're near the Maryland/Washington DC/Virginia area, you are welcome to hear what speakers I have.

I don't live far from Dennis Murphy, who designs most of the Salk speakers, as well as his own line of Philharmonic Audio speakers. I'd recommend anything he designs. I've built several of his DIY designs, and I've heard most of his commercial designs at his house. Yes, I'm a fan-boy, but his speakers are widely admired for their flat frequency response, neutral presentation, and life-like sound.

I haven't heard any Tekton speakers, but based on what I've read and heard about them, I'd avoid them. Magnepan MMG can sound very good, but their bi-polar design has stringent room placement requirements that cause trouble for many people and rule them out for others. Klipsch speakers sell well, but they aren't for everyone. I find them shrill and unpleasant.

I listen to music in a fair-sized tile floored room, say around 18 x 12? I'm looking to get my first hi-fi setup. A turntable, an amp and some speakers. I'd like to keep the speakers from 500 to 1000, but I can wait and go 1500 if that makes a huge difference.

Are you considering a turntable as your only music source? You should leave out some way to play various digital forms of music. Regardless of what you may have read, lossless digital, such as the original CD format, is much higher resolution and significantly lower noise than vinyl records.

 

[rojo]

Hi, I'm sure this has been beat to death, but I've been looking over old threads and opinions abound, so I thought I'd ask the pros on here about recommendations for my specific situation. Looking forward to becoming a contributor here.

I'm an avid music listener and a hobby musician. I listen to mostly bluegrass and blues, classic rock, and some 80s, guitar-heavy stuff, like Knopfler, and for my 90s stuff, things like Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam.

I listen to music in a fair-sized tile floored room, say around 18 x 12? I'm looking to get my first hi-fi setup. A turntable, an amp and some speakers. I'd like to keep the speakers from 500 to 1000, but I can wait and go 1500 if that makes a huge difference.

I've been reading for months/years and have gone back and forth between things like the Magnepan MMG, to the Tekton lineup, to more standard things like the Klipsch reference line. I like the idea of single driver speakers, and high-efficiency setups, but I'm not married to anything in particular. I hesitate to pull the trigger on some of the botique audiophile darlings, because the reviews from actual users really end up so mixed.

Given my tastes I was looking for speaker recommendations and pros/cons, and if possible, amp recommendations that can reasonably make those speakers sing.

Thanks!

Hiya Kyng, and welcome. For your tastes, it seems you won't need a lot of sub bass. I think a transmission line offering of some sort will get you the most honest reproduction. I agree with Swerd on his recommendations for Philharmonic Audio, Salk Sound, and Ascend Acoustics. My recommendation would be the Salk SongBirds to stay within your $1500 budget. They're very similar to the SongTowers, just with a bit lower sensitivity. The Hiquphon OW1 tweeters are very highly regarded, and Dennis Murphy's crossover work and Paul Kittinger's MLTL design serve to make the bass and mid response exceptionally revealing as well. I'd probably put the Philharmonic Slims a bit higher on the list than the SongTowers for the cost, although neither is within your budget.

 

[Mikado463]

First off....... Welcome

some nice recommendations so far as speakers. What is your total budget to get started ? Based on what your after (TT, amp and speakers) I'd put 40-50% into the speakers.

 

[Pogre]

I'm in the camp of, unless you already have a bunch of vinyl, if it were me, I'd go digital. IME you won't get any better sound from a record over a cd or a good digital copy as swerd alluded to. Maybe even better with digital/cd.

Nothing wrong with a tt setup though. A lot of folks love their vinyl and you'll find no shortage of people who swear it's better. They can be pricey though, and records aren't always cheap. Some folks just like the handling of the record, the occasional pop or crackle from the needle or just for nostalgia. Lots of reasons to go vinyl, but imo, sq isn't one of them.

 

[Mikado463]

I agree with Pogre, but if you're like me (1000 plus Lp's) and I've been spinning 'black pizza' since the mid sixties you you still love your vinyl !

 

[Pogre]

I agree with Pogre, but if you're like me (1000 plus Lp's) and I've been spinning 'black pizza' since the mid sixties you you still love your vinyl !

Now that's an impressive collection. I'm with you.

I'm with the general sentiment of putting the bulk of your budget into speakers. As for the rest... I'm all digital now. I haven't owned a record in well over 30 years.

 

[Kyngfish]

I appreciate all the feedback. A few comments/questions:

• I only mention the turntable because I already have a bunch of vinyl from the 60s and 70s, but I sort of assumed that any amp I purchased would be able to manage inputs from various sources, maybe I'm wrong?
• If the Songtower or the "Slim" are that much of an upgrade over something like the Songbird, especially given my musical tastes, I can certainly stretch the budget - can anyone give me their two cents there? Quick Edit: Looks like the Songtower is 1800 per pair, and the Slim is 2200? 1800 is doable, but 2200 is almost 1k over my initial budget so, I'd love some analysis on pros/cons here.
• I'll probably do this in stages, my first thought is to get the speakers, and run a relatively inexpensive amp for now, and in a year or so go ahead and get something else. I was looking at the Macintosh tube amps for a more permanent setup, but I was wondering if someone could recommend a placeholder amp in the "bang for the buck" category, preferably sub-1000 for now. I understand that means sacrifices, but if I might be willing to sacrifice volume and amps for sound quality for now.

@Swerd - I live in Miami unfortunately - otherwise I'd love to hear your setup. One of the biggest realizations I had about 10 years ago, is, especially when you're listening to quality pieces of music, I really LOVE hearing the space inside the music, I'm assuming that's the soundstage. I currently run all of my music through a Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin wireless, and even though it's great for a bluetooth speaker, all the sounds are really condensed. The missing "air" is really important to me in a future setup.

Thanks!

 

[Mikado463]

would you consider used ? Totally agree with putting as much as you can afford into your speakers. As for the 'interim' amp you can go the receiver route or an integrated amp (my choice). Just be sure either incorporates a phono stage and depending on gain you maybe limited to a moving magnet or high output moving coil cartridge (no problems with either)

Still, give us a $$ that you want to spend to get started

 

[Kyngfish]

@Mikado463 - I would certainly consider used - really I'd love to be at most in the 1500 (1800 is fine if it really jumps me up) range for speakers, and under 1k for amp. I have one of those souped up versions of the T-Amp from like 10 years ago that was a review phenomenon back then, which I can use in the interim, so long as the speakers are high sensitivity. I have no real opinion on the quality here, I was young and the amp was cheap and I used them on a set of full-range horns I built myself in a sloppy first attempt.

Please consider me a blank slate here - I'm all ears. Like mentioned previously, all I have are particular music tastes and I really want to hear that "space" in music again, if I'm using the right terminology.

 

[shadyJ]

Tekton speakers have never measured well. Maggies have a very tight sweet spot, although they do sound nice within that one location. If it were me, I would grab a set of these Wharefedale Jade 1's while they are still available (that is a close-out deal) and add a capable subwoofer. This sub should do fine with the content you listen to. Those Wharefedales image beautifully, believe me. Just add a capable AVR with a phono input and you are set.

 

[Swerd]

I only mention the turntable because I already have a bunch of vinyl from the 60s and 70s, but I sort of assumed that any amp I purchased would be able to manage inputs from various sources, maybe I'm wrong?

You're right. For CD playback, any inexpensive DVD or BluRay player can play music. If you get a home theater receiver, it will convert any digital input into analog for playback.

If the Songtower or the "Slim" are that much of an upgrade over something like the Songbird, especially given my musical tastes, I can certainly stretch the budget - can anyone give me their two cents there? Quick Edit: Looks like the Songtower is 1800 per pair, and the Slim is 2200? 1800 is doable, but 2200 is almost 1k over my initial budget so, I'd love some analysis on pros/cons here.

Please note, the SongTower costs $2000 per pair.

I'll probably do this in stages, my first thought is to get the speakers, and run a relatively inexpensive amp for now, and in a year or so go ahead and get something else. I was looking at the Macintosh tube amps for a more permanent setup, but I was wondering if someone could recommend a placeholder amp in the "bang for the buck" category, preferably sub-1000 for now. I understand that means sacrifices, but if I might be willing to sacrifice volume and amps for sound quality for now.

I'd pass on any tube amp, especially one of the high-priced ones like a McIntosh. They simply aren't worth the price. You'd be better off spending more for the speakers and spending less on the amplification. Spend enough to get an amp with enough power to drive the speakers well. Spending more will not deliver significantly greater or audible sound quality.

Any solid state integrated amp or receiver (stereo or home theater) in the 100 watt/channel range will do well. Think Denon, Marantz, or Yamaha. Look for bargains with sales of older models as they are being phased out. Look for models with a built-in phono stage pre-amp, or buy an inexpensive (less than $100) external phono pre-amp.

I live in Miami unfortunately - otherwise I'd love to hear your setup. One of the biggest realizations I had about 10 years ago, is, especially when you're listening to quality pieces of music, I really LOVE hearing the space inside the music, I'm assuming that's the soundstage. I currently run all of my music through a Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin wireless, and even though it's great for a bluetooth speaker, all the sounds are really condensed. The missing "air" is really important to me in a future setup.

Any of the speakers I mentioned would allow you to hear the sound image of individual musicians in your listening room, the soundstage, or the "space inside the music". That's not a bad way to describe it . I can attest to how well the SongTower or the Philharmonic Audio models do that.

 

[Kyngfish]

Any of the speakers I mentioned would allow you to hear the sound image of individual musicians in your listening room, the soundstage, or the "space inside the music". That's not a bad way to describe it . I can attest to how well the SongTower or the Philharmonic Audio models do that.

Lol - under 1000 was a "now" proposition, 1500 ups it to 2-4 months - in reading the differences between the Songbird and the Songtower or the Slims, I'd hate to get something and realize it didn't have the lungs, especially after I move to a bigger place next year. So I guess now it's an 6 month plan?

Thanks again for all the pointers.

 

[Mikado463]

patience is a virtue !

Again, once you zero in on your speaker choice you then can plot your amplification choice based on their efficiency. As for tubes, if your comfortable with them that's fine, there is an euphoric 'happiness' to them especially in the mids. Myself, I'm a fan of Rogue Audio and feel they are one of the best 'bang for the buck' in the land of tubes.

 

[Diesel57]

I agree with Pogre, but if you're like me (1000 plus Lp's) and I've been spinning 'black pizza' since the mid sixties you you still love your vinyl !

Mikado I understand your position with vinyl and I to have 600 plus LP's by genre and in alphabetical order and haven't played a 1 in over 10yrs, cd's along with digital has me hostage now...that's very nice collection you have there...