Need system advice

[Mcanaday]

Hello Audiophiles,

This is my first post. I am trying to put together a great, moderately priced stereo system in a small room and could use some advice. *Here are some constraints: *First, the room is about 9 by 11. *I think I will be able to put each speaker 2 or 2.5 feet from the back wall. *As far as components go, they will be placed on a shelf that is 14 inches deep. *So that means that with cable and cords, I have about 12 inches of depth for the actual box. That knocks out a lot of amps. *I am considering the Rega Brio R with the Rega Apollo R or the Creek Evolution 50a with the Creek 50d cd player.

So I am looking both for a speaker that will match one of these amplifiers well and sound good in a small space.

One possibility is going all Rega: Brio r, Apollo r, with RS 1.

Another possibility is going with Creek-Epos pairing (although I am not certain if the Élan 10 needs more space than I can give it, or is too much speaker for the room.)

And then there are a number of speakers that are good in small spaces and easy to power. *With each of these, I am not clear if they would work better with Creek or Rega. *But in the running are: the Spendor s3/5r2; the Paradigm reference studio 20 v5; the Silverlite Minuet Supreme Plus.

What should I do?

With thanks!!!
Margot

 

[Swerd]

First of all, welcome to AH!

My first thought is that I think its always better to select speakers first and then get a receiver or amp with enough power to comfortably drive them. Although you did mention what speakers you might get, I get the impression you are thinking more about the various electronic parts. Speakers make a much larger difference in sound quality than upstream electronics. You may have read much that says otherwise, but that is not my experience.

The other thought is about that 14" deep shelf you mentioned. Is that part of a book shelf you already have? Even with the roughly 2" allowance for cables and connections you may have trouble with that. 1) It will be awkward making all the connections, and 2) I'm concerned about heat build up. Is that shelf open or closed in the back?

Those integrated amps you mentioned are rather low powered and somewhat expensive. I think you could do yourself a favor by finding somewhere different, with more depth, to put an integrated amp or receiver. Then you could consider less expensive and very good performing gear such as a Harmon Kardon Kardon HK 3490, or a Yamaha R-S700.

If you absolutely must use that 14" deep shelf, some people have had good results with this very small and very inexpensive integrated amp, Lepai LP2020A.

Could you provide some links for the speakers you have in mind?

 

[Swerd]

OK, I shouldn't have been so lazy.

The 3 speakers you mentioned all seem like high quality, and high priced, small 2-way speakers. Which ones have you heard?

I strongly suggest you also look into:

Salk SongSurround I and the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1. Both are excellent speakers, about $900 a pair, and are sold internet direct only. Depending on where you live, you can ask Salk or Ascend to suggest a nearby owner who is willing to demo theirs.

 

[Mcanaday]

OK, I shouldn't have been so lazy.

The 3 speakers you mentioned all seem like high quality, and high priced, small 2-way speakers. Which ones have you heard?

I strongly suggest you also look into:

Salk SongSurround I and the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1. Both are excellent speakers, about $900 a pair, and are sold internet direct only. Depending on where you live, you can ask Salk or Ascend to suggest a nearby owner who is willing to demo theirs.

Thanks, Swerd! I will also look at those. Here are some more links to reviews etc...Margot


Spendor S3/5R<SUP>2</SUP> loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v5 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

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Rega RS1 review | Hi-fi and av speakers Reviews | TechRadar