Advice on stereo setup.

[CSedl87]

I'm currently buying a hifi vinyl stereo system, on a budget. I have a Music Hall MMF-2.2LE TT with a PA 1.2 Phono preamp that I'm about to buy (getting a good deal for the both of them), and I want to hook it up to a Miniwatt N3, which in turn will be connected to a pair of Phase PC-9.1s.

I was wondering if anybody has experience with the Music Hall setup, especially while hooked up to a Miniwatt N3? Is the Miniwatt as good of a piece as they say?

Thanks!

 

[yepimonfire]

that amp only puts out 3 watts of power per channel, unless you have speakers with 100dB of sensitivity, thats not nearly enough headroom. keep in mind every 3dB increase in volume requires twice the power, and low frequencies generally require more power to correctly reproduce. why would you buy a 3w amp?

 

[markw]

He's right. what do you want more, the speakers or the amp?

If you want the amp, better search out some very efficient speakers, say in the 100+ db sensitivity range. Even then, you'll be somewhat limited as to how well it'll handle peaks.

If you want the speakers, look for a more powerful amp. There ar some good solid-state units out there for similar prices (check here), but you will probably want to go a bit more power.

A bit of advice: Choose your speakers first and then find an amp that can drive them. Doing it the other way around is kinda like buying tires first and then looking for a car that fits 'em.

 

[CSedl87]

The Phase speakers are "hand me downs," and I really want the tube amp as well... I've heard nothing but rave reviews on the Miniwatt amps, and I'm looking for a setup that will give me a clean yet warm experience. I've heard some expensive solid state setups, and my father has a premium system that I adore, but I just get that tingley warm sensation that can't be replaced with the tubes.... I guess if I just leave the Phase speakers for HT duty, what would be a good budget bookshelf speaker ($600 to $800) to pick up? I'd prefer to keep the total price down below $1500 ($400 for the TT and Preamp, $375 for the amp), but I wouldn't mind bumping the speakers up a bit to $1000/pair if it'd help get a better overall setup. I listen to 50% Alternative/indie, 25% folk 10% Jazz and about 5% Classical, if that makes any difference.

I apologize for my complete audionoobness... I love hifi, just don't know much about how to make it all work together.

 

[yepimonfire]

that's because audiophools have become obsessed with SET amps just because they can. there is nothing wrong with tube amps and done right they can sound better because they generate even order harmonic distortion rather then odd order which is what solid states generate, but given enough power none of them will generate any distortion, you need a minimum of 50w to drive normal loudspeakers. if you want to do tube stuff then you will need at least a 25wpc tube amp. 3.5 watts is barely anything. even at a low volume speakers consume an average of 10w of power.

 

[markw]

When you select speakers based exclusively on sensitivity, ...

... you greatly narrow your field. When you consider that 99.9% of what you hear comes from the speakers, not the amp, you're cutting off your nose to spite your face.

To put it simply: You WILL find efficient speakers but you may not like their sound.

But, it's your choice. I'm done here.

The Phase speakers are "hand me downs," and I really want the tube amp as well... I've heard nothing but rave reviews on the Miniwatt amps, and I'm looking for a setup that will give me a clean yet warm experience. I've heard some expensive solid state setups, and my father has a premium system that I adore, but I just get that tingley warm sensation that can't be replaced with the tubes.... I guess if I just leave the Phase speakers for HT duty, what would be a good budget bookshelf speaker ($600 to $800) to pick up? I'd prefer to keep the total price down below $1500 ($400 for the TT and Preamp, $375 for the amp), but I wouldn't mind bumping the speakers up a bit to $1000/pair if it'd help get a better overall setup. I listen to 50% Alternative/indie, 25% folk 10% Jazz and about 5% Classical, if that makes any difference.

I apologize for my complete audionoobness... I love hifi, just don't know much about how to make it all work together.

 

[TLS Guy]

The Phase speakers are "hand me downs," and I really want the tube amp as well... I've heard nothing but rave reviews on the Miniwatt amps, and I'm looking for a setup that will give me a clean yet warm experience. I've heard some expensive solid state setups, and my father has a premium system that I adore, but I just get that tingley warm sensation that can't be replaced with the tubes.... I guess if I just leave the Phase speakers for HT duty, what would be a good budget bookshelf speaker ($600 to $800) to pick up? I'd prefer to keep the total price down below $1500 ($400 for the TT and Preamp, $375 for the amp), but I wouldn't mind bumping the speakers up a bit to $1000/pair if it'd help get a better overall setup. I listen to 50% Alternative/indie, 25% folk 10% Jazz and about 5% Classical, if that makes any difference.

I apologize for my complete audionoobness... I love hifi, just don't know much about how to make it all work together.

Forget SET amps. It is voodoo from the loony crowd. A single ended triode is a very poor amp period and they look awful on the scope. Yes, that does matter a lot.

There is no logical or scientific reason to even use a good tube amp any longer.

I gave up SETS when I was in elementary school nearly sixty years ago. Don't tell they have improved. They haven't.

If you are a new to this get sensible advice before you waste your money.