I know what I want. Tell me what I need!!

[nordhaven]

Help me out here floks!!

I want an Integrated amp, 2ch stereo music CD, DVD-A and SACD. Powerfull and musical.

Speakers-Great sound, very musical but strong eanough to fill 13'X19' room. Enough bass to go without a sub, but not too much!



Denon's PMA-2000 IVR: Stereo Integrated Amplifier is my #1 pic so far.

Speakers: I'm all over the place I can't even narrow it down!! HELP!!!

I'd like to keep th whole thing under $2000.

 

[Nick250]

My view of the items you mentioned, the thing that really matters are the speakers, and how do those speakers sound in your listening room. The speakers and room acoustics are 90% of what you experience as sound quality. Your ears are different than mine so you have to get out and start auditioning speakers. You will be amazed how different they sound. And probably more amazed when they sound different in the show room vs your living room so you need to be able to return them. With a $2000 budget I would break it down this way:

CD, DVD-A, SACD $200
Integrated Amp $600 unfortunately these are sold out
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=21.1 They are being sold under a new name, perhaps someone can jump in with it.

Speakers $1200

Down the road, room treatments $500 ish, depending.

Nick

 

[emorphien]

I agree, You've flip-flopped your budgeting. Look to spend more on your speakers as they're going to be the most important part of the sound-puzzle.

 

[markw]

Yep.

Select your speakers first. Picking the amp is easy then.

What you're trying to do is like asking how much an airplane ticket is without knowing where you want to go.

 

[jcPanny]

Onix Tube integrated

If you are considering the Onix Tube Integrated, then get the package with the Ref 1's for $1200. The normal price of the Amp is $1k and the speakers retail for $1500 so it is a great deal. I have the Ref 1's and would recommend them.

AV123 also sells some high end CD players, but if you want SACD and DVD-A with high quality D/As then checkout the Denon players. I am not sure how much you will be able to take advantage of SACD and DVD-A with a 2 channel system.

 

[billnchristy]

The 120MkII you listed is just sold out, they still sell the lower power one which really should be plenty of power and knicks 200 bucks off your price.

Ever think of the Jolida Hybrid tube/ss amps?

50w per channel, 4 inputs:

http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd1701.shtml

get it here for a steal:

http://www.underwoodhifi.com/specials.html

The rest is all you, I wont reccommend speakers since I keep being blasted for being a cheerleader.

Ra ra!

 

[nordhaven]

I called Axiom tonight to talk about there M60's. The verry helpfull fella told me that they are selling Sherwood newcastle products direct. He recomended the RX-770 stereo receiver to go with the M60's.

http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_rx770.html

This thing looks on par with my 12 year old Kenwood KR-V6080. But without 5.1 sound. He said they loved the Sherwood products and were "blown away" with the RX-770.

What is the deal with this stuff? I rember Sherwood from years back. seen a few on ebay but did not ever think of it as high quality.

 

[Sleestack]

Absolutely recommend the PMA-IVR2000. I had one for 2 years before reluctantly giving it up to an audiophile in need. It sounds great, has fantastic build quality and keeps things simple. I own and have gone through tons of high end gear and really feel that the PMAIVR2000 is a piece that can stand toe to toe with integrated costing 5 times as much. I really wish I still had it even though I have no need for it. But if your budget is fixed, focus on speakers first b/c it will have the biggest impact.

 

[emorphien]

What is the deal with this stuff? I rember Sherwood from years back. seen a few on ebay but did not ever think of it as high quality.

I'm as flummoxed as you are. I always thought of Sherwood as cheap garbage but interestingly enough the local high end shop has some of their stuff and it's not inexpensive. Maybe it's not the same company anymore?

 

[billnchristy]

If you go to the Sherwood website, Newcastle has the good stuff and Sherwood USA has the junk.

Hard to believe they have such a varied range.

Although I do have a rebadged Sherwood reciever in my sons room and it isnt bad, though I wouldnt power any of my stuff with it

 

[nordhaven]

Here is what I have got put toghther so far:

Speakers- Axiom M60's http://www.axiomaudio.com/m60ti_main.html

Player- OppO DV-970HD http://www.oppodigital.com/dv970hd/dv970hd_image.html

Stereo receiver- Outlaw Audio http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

What do you guys think? Am I too week or to strong in one area? It seems pretty well balanced to me.

 

[billnchristy]

Question:

Why care about SACD and DVD-A when it is multi channel music?

Also why a reciever with absolutely no digital in/out?

 

[wire]

If you are considering the Onix Tube Integrated, then get the package with the Ref 1's for $1200. The normal price of the Amp is $1k and the speakers retail for $1500 so it is a great deal.

Yes
I agree , ive got a Onix SP3 its great and very clear intergated amp . Also , i would look at a Carver CM 1090 if you can find one
www.audioreview.com
(punch in Carver CM 1090)

 

[nordhaven]

"Why care about SACD and DVD-A when it is multi channel music?"

Bill,
most DVD-A is selectable between 5.1 or stereo at the set up menu.
I like the slimplicty of stereo operation and sound. I have never been in the middle of a concert or orchrista.
I am fimillar with what it is like to be out front at live concerts. This is the experiance I wish to reproduce.

 

[Nick250]

So, the question is, does "stereo" from a DVD-A sound better than the same material from a "regular" CD? I am guessing the answer is somewhere along the line of "it depends".

 

[nordhaven]

A good way to see the differences between DVD-A and CD is to pick up a combo pack. I recently got THE BEST OF R.E.M. 88-03. You get the DVD-A witch plays in surround or stereo. The CD is a standard CD. I put the DVD in it's player and the CD in it's player starting them at the same time. I would switch back and fourth on my receiver between DVD and CD. There is no question that the DVD-A sounds much better. It also play's louder and stay's clear at high volume.
The #16 track EVERYBODY HURTS is a dead give away. I can hear instruments and sounds on the DVD-A that I can not hear on the CD. The DVD is just smoother and more refined, it sounds warm.

 

[wire]

A good way to see the differences between DVD-A and CD is to pick up a combo pack. I recently got THE BEST OF R.E.M. 88-03. You get the DVD-A witch plays in surround or stereo. The CD is a standard CD. I put the DVD in it's player and the CD in it's player starting them at the same time. I would switch back and fourth on my receiver between DVD and CD. There is no question that the DVD-A sounds much better. It also play's louder and stay's clear at high volume.
The #16 track EVERYBODY HURTS is a dead give away. I can hear instruments and sounds on the DVD-A that I can not hear on the CD. The DVD is just smoother and more refined, it sounds warm.

nordhaven
Before you pull the trigger .
If you take a good look at the Onix SP3 , you wont have to worry about your DVD player that much and downgrade into a cheaper CD player . I use the SP3 with a Denon 280 and it is very warm sound . The SP3 runs tubes which give warmth to all recordings . Its only 2 Channel , but for music , thats all you need .

 

[billnchristy]

Check underwoodhifi.com in the specials for a very good price on SP3.

That is where I got mine...Will leave you plenty for speakers and CD/DVD player.

Also check av123 forum for tube rolling suggestions, I havent picked mine up from my parents house yet but defintely plan on rolling some tubes after I get used to the stock sound...it apparently is incredible.

 

[mnnc]

Help me out here floks!!

I want an Integrated amp, 2ch stereo music CD, DVD-A and SACD. Powerfull and musical.

Speakers-Great sound, very musical but strong eanough to fill 13'X19' room. Enough bass to go without a sub, but not too much!



Denon's PMA-2000 IVR: Stereo Integrated Amplifier is my #1 pic so far.

Speakers: I'm all over the place I can't even narrow it down!! HELP!!!

I'd like to keep th whole thing under $2000.

I know where you can get a Parasound Halo set(pre-amp and power amp) for less than a grand. And a set of axiom m80's for $800. Shop around. Hint hint. A good $200/300 player should be nice enough.

 

[mnnc]

So, the question is, does "stereo" from a DVD-A sound better than the same material from a "regular" CD? I am guessing the answer is somewhere along the line of "it depends".

Mine do...all of them. They have superior res rate.