An impressive budget bookshelf system if anyone is interested...

[ahblaza]

Always been a fan of Epos since the ELS-3, which haven't been offered in some time. These look rather promising and that's a great price.

John, I think the Epos will more closely match the stolen A/V-2s than the 22s but at 4 X the cost, 50% off the Epos is really tough to ignore, if I were in the market for a nice BS monitor I would consider the Epos at the current price.

 

[ImcLoud]

Music Direct has some awesome price on their clearance gear.. Another friend of mine just bought a Music fidelity amplifier MUSICAL FIDELITY M1 PWR POWER AMP at Music Direct and a pair of epic1s {he was looking for something really small {I told him I never heard them, and for the extra money I would go with the 2's and get the topping amplifier, but he needed something smaller to fit on his dresser... plus I don't think he wanted exactly what my brother has, which I don't mind because now I get to try out that amp and the epic 1's} but the original prices for what he bought was almost $2000 and it cost him $800 shipped!!!

I have bought a lot of things from them, I bought my evo2 towers for more than 60% off, I bought my Jolida 202 tube amp for $65% off, plus a lot more stuff, plus they send you awesome coffee table worthy sale books... They sell a good amount of European products, and I tend to lean towards them speakers because they are usually warm and neutral sounding...

 

[j_garcia]

I didn't notice that the TA2022 has two inputs. That's a nice benefit over the X A-100

John, I think the Epos will more closely match the stolen A/V-2s than the 22s but at 4 X the cost, 50% off the Epos is really tough to ignore, if I were in the market for a nice BS monitor I would consider the Epos at the current price.

That's the direction I'm leaning. I still have my PM7200 thankfully, but I am looking for something smaller like the X A-100 or the TA2022 to put in the bedroom and then I'm seriously considering picking up the Epic 1 demos on there or just going for the Epic 2s. I have fully upgraded GR N1s in mind as the replacement for the A/V-2s, and I kind of don't even want to leave something like the Epic 2s at that house now...

The BS22s are nowhere near as clean as my A/V-2s were, but they still do well enough for that second system that I would be OK with them. When I first bought those BS22s, I had them running for HOURS in that setup and I was not disappointed with them. And if something happened to them, I wouldn't be as upset as losing my A/V-2s

 

[ahblaza]

That makes sense and I don't blame you, the N1s should fit the bill for the A/V-1s. I think you could be happy with the BS22s and not have to worry about being stolen, that seems like the plan. That's unfortunate to have your equipment stolen. I would just get the 22s and be done with it.

 

[j_garcia]

Just ordered the TP60 amp and a few other things to get the Labor Day discount that is already in effect at PE. Will decide on speakers soon.

 

[ImcLoud]

Just ordered the TP60 amp and a few other things to get the Labor Day discount that is already in effect at PE. Will decide on speakers soon.

J, you are going to love that amp, good buy with the sale codes...

 

[Ponzio]

After hearing my brothers system a little longer today I ordered a set of the epic 2s also...

ImcLoud - have you received your Epic 2's yet?

 

[j_garcia]

I received my TP60 over the weekend and tried it out with the BS22LRs and my A/V-2 mains. While it is small by normal measure, it is larger than I was expecting. Is it powerful for the size? Most definitely. It handled my 4 Ohm mains very easily. It has a bit of an analytical sound to it - very detailed and revealing with very nice, clean bass. When paired up with my A/V-2s I get normal listening levels at just 30% gain, but I also noticed it had a little sizzle on the top with them. IMO, due to that somewhat crisper sound, it paired up well with my BS22s, since they are a little laid back on the top end. I am impressed they can get that much power out of that size of amp and have it sound good. I may actually use it as my surround amp in the main system now...

 

[ImcLoud]

ImcLoud - have you received your Epic 2's yet?

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you I missed the reply, yes I have mine did you get yours?

I received my TP60 over the weekend and tried it out with the BS22LRs and my A/V-2 mains. While it is small by normal measure, it is larger than I was expecting. Is it powerful for the size? Most definitely. It handled my 4 Ohm mains very easily. It has a bit of an analytical sound to it - very detailed and revealing with very nice, clean bass. When paired up with my A/V-2s I get normal listening levels at just 30% gain, but I also noticed it had a little sizzle on the top with them. IMO, due to that somewhat crisper sound, it paired up well with my BS22s, since they are a little laid back on the top end. I am impressed they can get that much power out of that size of amp and have it sound good. I may actually use it as my surround amp in the main system now...

I am amazed by the topping stuff - size, output, quality, efficiency, aesthetics, and reliability all well surpass the cost point... I haven't noticed any top end "sizzle" but I find the mhard to push, 100 watts doesn't sound like much but in a little bookshelf system, its a lot, especially in a small room or rite in front of you, and even more so when the lows are being taken care of by a sub... I prefer this amp to the emo miniX, and I really like the mini x..

 

[j_garcia]

It was just with my A/V-2s that it sounded like that, and only with one recording I was using (We Lost the Skyline by Porcupine Tree, live). S's were hot and I don't get that with them being driven via the Emotiva, only difference were the speaker wires so I can revisit that. The A/V-2s are 4 Ohm but sensitive, so kind of an interesting combo. They drop to 2.5 Ohms minimum, so they do present a decent load when run full range, but this little thing didn't seem like it had a problem with them at all. It seems to provide similar output to my PM7200 with them, which is rated at 95W and was originally 3X the price.

It was between the Mini X and this one and based on your input I went with this one. Not disappointed

I'm quite curious to hear it with the Carnegie CSB-1s when they come in.

 

[Ponzio]

ImcLoud – the Ep’s 2 have not arrived but I happened to order some Blu-Tack from MD today. I told them to pack it in with the Epos and queried the salesman & he said they’re scheduled to be shipped out together sometime this week. Let us pray. Meanwhile I purchased a set of cheapo 24” Sanus stands locally for $20 bucks yesterday to get me by until I can purchase a set of Partington’s Super Dreadnoughts from the UK.

Boy I wish you guys would stop talking about the Topping amp. That unit would be perfect for my annual Summer Solstice out on the deck instead of the Sony boom-box I’ve been using. I have dreams of taking the Topping amp, along with a spare Panasonic DMP-BD65 & my beloved underrated Athena AS-B2-1 bookshelves out there. I liked them so much I bought a second pair for the garage. You can usually find them on the used market for $70 to $100. I would pay $200 and not even blink; they're that good ... to me. Gotta rein it in right now though; besides the Ep’s, I also bought a Yamaha RX- V2700 AVR for the 3rd sound room and I assured my beloved I was done for this year. Conveniently I omitted the Partington’s & the Topping amp. Sins of omission you might say. 

 

[Ponzio]

John I was saddened to see in another post about the robbery at your home. No amount of condolences on my part can take the feelings you’re going thru. I’m assuming your keeping a quizzical eye out on the local Craig’s List, eBay, Audiogon, etc. to see if your stuff pops up. I hope you nail the bastards.

 

[ImcLoud]

Ponz, Are you serious, "Sony Boombox" say it ain't soooo---ny...

I'm surprised, but I order directly through a guy I talk to all the time over there, because I got mine what seemed to be a short time, maybe 2 weeks? Although they just boned me with an order I placed for a pair of demo'd outlaw 2200's... They said in stock, then called and said they couldn't find them... No big deal I only bought them because they were cheap, and I know when MD says demo, it means brand new... I bought a jolida tube amp supposingly demo and it was unopened, I also bought a brand new demo marantz dac that was unopened for them, they are really good to deal with.. I'll bet I spent at least the same amount a new kia costs with them...

As far as the Topping amp, sorry about that... I really like everything about it... I think these little tripath amps are over looked by a lot of people, My brother had an ONkyo 709 that didn't make sound anymore {fried amp sections or something}... he bought 3 lepai 2020's for $60 and he uses it for his bedroom and he said he prefers it to the amps in his marantz avr lol, he has one of those smart powerstrips that turns on everything when you turn on the main.. I like these little amps, they are very clean sounding and the prices are great rite now... Emotiva is a good value and the tp60 is a better buy...

 

[Ponzio]

Ponz, Are you serious, "Sony Boombox" say it ain't soooo---ny...

Yes it's a shame I have to bear alone.

In my defense though the idea of schlepping one of my 35 lb. or so Yammie RX-V1070/Denon AVR-75 lost its appeal years ago after the first time I did it. Setting it up was no big deal but bringing it all back in after a couple of drinks ... more like a 1/4 bottle of top-flight Scotch and Chinese eyes ... at 4 in the morning lost it's appeal and I wasn't about to ask any of the other louts (read: friends) to give me a hand.

 

[ImcLoud]

yup, but thats why god made LONG speaker wires and remote controls, lol.... I have outdoor speakers on each of our 4 porches and for parties I have to move around 2 EV sub woofer with 2 pole monitors and a dj bench, try doing that after a handful of whiskey sours...

 

[slipperybidness]

Ponz, Are you serious, "Sony Boombox" say it ain't soooo---ny...

I'm surprised, but I order directly through a guy I talk to all the time over there, because I got mine what seemed to be a short time, maybe 2 weeks? Although they just boned me with an order I placed for a pair of demo'd outlaw 2200's... They said in stock, then called and said they couldn't find them... No big deal I only bought them because they were cheap, and I know when MD says demo, it means brand new... I bought a jolida tube amp supposingly demo and it was unopened, I also bought a brand new demo marantz dac that was unopened for them, they are really good to deal with.. I'll bet I spent at least the same amount a new kia costs with them...

As far as the Topping amp, sorry about that... I really like everything about it... I think these little tripath amps are over looked by a lot of people, My brother had an ONkyo 709 that didn't make sound anymore {fried amp sections or something}... he bought 3 lepai 2020's for $60 and he uses it for his bedroom and he said he prefers it to the amps in his marantz avr lol, he has one of those smart powerstrips that turns on everything when you turn on the main.. I like these little amps, they are very clean sounding and the prices are great rite now... Emotiva is a good value and the tp60 is a better buy...

For the vinyl crowd, MD also has an impressive catalog. Great recordings and great quality, but you pay for it on the nicest of the selection.

 

[Ponzio]

25 days since I ordered the Epic 2's (17 business days) and still waiting for Music Direct to deliver them. The first time I asked about possible delivery date I was told they would be shipped in the coming week. The last time I queried (2 weeks ago) MD, I was told they were about to arrive in NYC that day and as soon as they arrived in Chicago they would be shipped out to me.

Am I being unreasonable/unrealistic?

 

[ImcLoud]

WOW, that is the first I ever heard of a problem with them!!!! I am sorry to hear this, I'm sure they will arrive I just can't believe its taking this long... Maybe time to talk to a manager...
I order pretty often from them, and my brother is ordering constantly, he actually was talking to me yesterday about ordering a pair of epic 5 towers.... I normally get a tracking number with in a day, and items arrive within a week or 10 days.. I recently ordered a pair of outlaw 2200's and they emailed me the next morning to let me know they only had 1, so I cancelled the order and they really tried to make it rite with a discount on some other stuff, but I am finicky, it was an impulse buy and it was gone by the next morning sooooo...

 

[Ponzio]

WOW, that is the first I ever heard of a problem with them!!!! I am sorry to hear this, I'm sure they will arrive I just can't believe its taking this long... Maybe time to talk to a manager...

This is my first purchase with Music Direct and it's very disappointing. I'm assuming that got more orders for the Epi 2's than they anticipated at that price and had to order more from Epos themselves. Fine, these things happen. I don't expect a free twizzle stick in compensation but an occasional update (every 2 weeks?) would be nice.

 

[j_garcia]

I think part of the problem is they have a storefront on Amazon. That deal is way too easy to pick up on there, so no doubt they sold a lot.