Setting up my hifi

Hi All,

I am planning to set up my first stereo hifi. Please help me in choosing.

For speakers im a bit confused about a floorstander or bookshelf.
The speakers in my mind are Monito Audio Bronze range Floorstander or a Quad Bookshelf. Wont I need a sub w for bookshelves? I dont enjoy too much bass but i like a bit of bass.

Next comes source and amp section. I might have a cambridge audio source so will keep it on hold.

Please provide any suggessions on a budget pre + power amo combo. Will I get a combo below 30K or should I go for an Integrated Amp?


And if anyone could throw any light on DAC it will be great. From my limited knowledge what I know is from the source there will be a Transport which connects to a DAC and then to the pre amp. Is this correct? How much worth is putting effort and money into those stuff?


Many Thanks
Deepak

Hi deepak,
Unless u can really accomodate a floor stander go for a decent stand mount.
An FS requires a largish room( at least 200 sft), about 2 feet from the rear wall and at least 6/8 ft seperation. Unless bass is the prime objective at that price point a SM should be more musical. Try both speakers u mentioned and try and figure out the sound u like as they are both great examples in their respective categories. If on hearing the SM u feel the need for more bass i would then look at an FS as i prefer it over a SM + SUB for a simple stereo set up. These are my preferences as others may opine differently.
At 30K stick u an integrated. As a budget pre/power (if there is one this cheap) may not be up to the mark. Another suggestion is to look for a used pre/power. A (nad, rotel etc) pre/power for say 80K new could be got for 35/40K which would be a good option.
Again at this price stick to a one box solution for a cdp. There are tons available which are more than competent from CA,Nad, Marantz for about 15K.
Regards

Thanks buddy.

About the DAC Transport stuff - I was not planning to buy them but wanted to know how it works and how better it will reproduce. If its worth - I could buy them one by one in the coming years.


Yeah I should go for a demo for speakers and decide on them

For amplifier - I could go upto 50K if i can continue saving for some more months.

Any idea how much Linn, Creek integrated would cost?

Hi,
Ok. I dont see the need really for going that route unless the rest of the gear is revealing enough. Also one is talking big bucks buying quality seperates as against a 1 box solution.
U can look at MA RS 1 too as a SM, quads 11 & 12L, B&W 685, PSB image SM, epos M12. Depending on the budget the options are many.
Not sure of Linn/Creek pricing though i do think creek is available in India.
50K should get u a good amp.
My take on amps is buy a bigger amp than the speaker requires as that extracts eveery last bit from the speaker and the music seems effortless. By that i dont mean to tell u to drive a 100W rated speaker with a 600W monobloc(even that is done by some). My speakers are rated at 120W and both my power amps are 175 and 250W and there is no problem. Also it gives u the flexibility to upgrade speakers without changing the amp at a later date.
Regards

Hi,

If you are looking a budget pre-power then I'd suggest give sonodyne a try !! they have 120+120W power block with remote controlled pre for 25K (approx) so should be very decent for the money.

As with the speakers Dinyaar has already thrown light on so nothing much to say !! just follow his advice !

As with the price of linn,if Am not wrong it starts from 1lac so don't think will fit your bill,creek has a 50+ one so check out, But I'd say if you have 50K for the Amp please give pre-owen a try as you can get very very decent pre-power in that range ( SKR from the forum is selling his quad block for 20K just grab it !! will be a best match for quad SM )

Regards.

Deepak which city are u from?
Ya the Quad power is a good amp. I presume its the 909 as thats the only one i am aware of. Good, compact, reliable and pretty revealing. U will need to shell out on a quality preamp though.

Hi,

Am sorry I confused the Name its Homiyar not SKR !! forgive for the mistake !!

No dinyaar its the 99 series (90 w) this one too is very compact and neat sounding amp ! I have heard it with quad 11L,12L,22L Wharfedale Evo30 etc liked the sound very much !!

The 909 is a legendary Current dumping Amp with some patented technics involved in the Amp.its way too expensive !! if that was up for 20K then I'd be the first person to grab it !!

Regards.

Soundsgreat,
Have not seen/heard the 99 power amp.
A friend of mine bought the 909 from mumbai for 65K new so i figured 20/25 for a used one. Stopped reading the A/V mags so not aware of current prices.
Since we are on the quad topic whats ur opinion on the quad preamp? I dont like it, its too quirky and not a pre i could live with. Actually a budget preamp is very tough to get. Have used/heard the Nad C160/162. Rotel Rc 1070/1082,quad pre, and i still feel the Nad is the best VFM.

that was useful info.

i also consider buying used pre/power stuff as i have some 5 months before i do full setup.

i have asked for the quads in the forum... no reply yet.
What do you think about Arcam a 70? its available for 49k

A very good amp, a lil laidback/flat for some though. Since you got enough time, do check out the PM7001KI also.