B&W 685 vs B&W CM5 vs Jamo C803 vs KEF Q300

[Chindaluru]

Dear All,

I am intending to power these with the tube amp of Lyrita Audio. My question to you would be which of these speakers in your opinion is a better option.

On the other hand, what other amplifiers would be good for these speakers. I have Auditioned CM5 and KEF Q300 so far. the KEF did not impress me much, although they are good. Probably i had a very high expectation.

Anyway, kindly give me your takes on the above.

Regards
Chindaluru

 

[corElement]

I don't like the CM5 nor the 685's sound.

Both aree asily surpassed by the 803, the q300 is a budget model. Can't compare that against an 803.
The 803 is the highest contender here. And the 803 will only do with a lyrita GM70 integrated (55) / monoblocks (75) + DHT pre (don't know how much that is)

 

[Chindaluru]

Thanks Cor for replying.

Sorry if I sound too lame but would you elaborate your first line. I thought that Lyrita Audio had something called GM 70. What is the integrated that your are mentioning and the mono blocs.

Regards
Vamshi

 

[corElement]

Viren has two versions of the GM70

GM70 SET Mono Amp (75k for a pair) - single ended power amplifier with a power output of 35 watts, using the Russian GM70 directly heated triode. Two stage design, with a triode connected 6E5P driver tube, coupled through an interstage transformer to the GM70 output tube. Separate transformers for high voltage, for filament current, for bias voltage. The Russian GM70 transmission tube, similar in rating to the 845 transmission tube.

GM70 SET Integrated Amp (55k)- Lower output of 20 watts as they share certain transformers while monoblocks have individual transformers.

DHT Line Preamplifier - line level preamplifier using the Russian directly heated 4P1L tube, connected as triode. Very simple signal path, capacitor coupled output. No feedback. 6 dB gain. Output impedance 1250 ohms. Low gain, and low output impedance. The Russian 4P1L, a relatively unknown directly heated power pentode, connected in triode mode, served the bill perfectly.

I would personally suggest getting the monoblocks.

Monos

Integrated

 

[Chindaluru]

Viren has two versions of the GM70

GM70 SET Mono Amp (75k for a pair) - single ended power amplifier with a power output of 35 watts, using the Russian GM70 directly heated triode. Two stage design, with a triode connected 6E5P driver tube, coupled through an interstage transformer to the GM70 output tube. Separate transformers for high voltage, for filament current, for bias voltage. The Russian GM70 transmission tube, similar in rating to the 845 transmission tube.

GM70 SET Integrated Amp (55k)- Lower output of 20 watts as they share certain transformers while monoblocks have individual transformers.

DHT Line Preamplifier - line level preamplifier using the Russian directly heated 4P1L tube, connected as triode. Very simple signal path, capacitor coupled output. No feedback. 6 dB gain. Output impedance 1250 ohms. Low gain, and low output impedance. The Russian 4P1L, a relatively unknown directly heated power pentode, connected in triode mode, served the bill perfectly.

I would personally suggest getting the monoblocks.

Monos

Integrated

Thanks again. Amongst all the speakers that I have heard the Jamo's have been the most musical. I am yet to check out the B&W's. Will demo them during this week. Will also get in touch with Viren regarding the mono blocs.

Regards
Vamshi

 

[reignofchaos]

Since you are in bangalore, you owe yourself a listen to Usher, Emerald Physics, Blumenhofer and Acoustic Portrait as well.

 

[corElement]

I agree, you should audition the usher be-718. Maybe reignofchaos can entertain you at his place to hear his setup. It's better to year a complete setup in use rather than demo at store due to bad pairing.

The be-718's are a notch above the c803's in both price and performance. They have similar characteristics in sound.

 

[Chindaluru]

Hi reignofchaos, where in Bangalore are you located? Although I would love a demo of the Usher Be 718, they may be more than out of my budget.

 

[corElement]

Don't worry, just hear them to get some idea of variations that exist across brands, the c803 is a good all round option and yes, they are indeed musical.
What are you being quoted for them?

 

[Chindaluru]

C803 is being quoted at Rs. 84,000/- before discount. I also auditioned Harbeth and Proac, however, both are out of my budget at this point of time.

Lyrita Audio seems to be great with all the reviews. I have never heard them before. Hoping to get a demo soon either in Bangalore if Viren can put me through to someone or I simply fly out to Delhi.

Regards
Vamshi

 

[reignofchaos]

That is way too much! It is supposed to be a under 1000$ speaker.

 

[corElement]

The international price is 46,000 INR. 84,000 is a ripoff. Tell cinebels or wherever you're getting them from that it cannot be near 100% double the price abroad. Begin negotiation by telling them to reduce it to 65 and to give you 6 meter speaker cable free or you're gonna get it from somewhere else.

 

[Chindaluru]

But who else deals with Jamos? And I don't think they will agree for such a huge reduction as it may affect their rent paying and stuff

 

[avidyarthy]

^ Ideal customer ... for any Industry to possess, IMO .....

 

[corElement]

But who else deals with Jamos? And I don't think they will agree for such a huge reduction as it may affect their rent paying and stuff

Their entire months rent don't need to come from 1 sale.

Abroad the c607 floorstander (highest model of lower c6 series) is 200$ cheaper than the c803 bookshelf (
In india the c607 is priced 66,000 and if c803 is 84,000 then it's almost 400$ more instead of 200.

Try and close that gap of 400 to 200, so 74,000 inr.

 

[denom]

Which model of ProAc did you audition? Can you also advise the price of ProAc 110?

Thanks.

 

[Chindaluru]

Their entire months rent don't need to come from 1 sale.

Abroad the c607 floorstander (highest model of lower c6 series) is 200$ cheaper than the c803 bookshelf (
In india the c607 is priced 66,000 and if c803 is 84,000 then it's almost 400$ more instead of 200.

Try and close that gap of 400 to 200, so 74,000 inr.

Ok will try and negotiate. I think they will give 10 - 12% discount.

 

[Chindaluru]

Which model of ProAc did you audition? Can you also advise the price of ProAc 110?

Thanks.

I auditioned the Proac Studio 115. They were priced at 1.5 Lakhs. good speakers but IMO the Harbeth Compac 3esr (2 lakhs) sounded better.

I also auditioned the Harbeth Compac 7esr (3lakhs) paired with a Air Tight Amp (Costing around 15 Lakhs) and also a Unison research S6 (Costing 3.9 lakhs). it sounded absolutely wonderful.

 

[Kittu]

Vamshi,

Have you auditioned EPOS EPIC or ELAN series?

What budget you have for bookshelf speakers?

 

[binoymehra]

I listened to b&w cm5 sometime back and liked them a lot . Recent stereophile review also is very good for cm5.
You can also look at Kef R100 which is available for less than 65k