goldspot2011
New Member
I am an absolute noob when it comes to Hi-Fi, looking to invest in my first ever Hi-Fi. So a little help from the experts would help in a long way. I don't know my Hi Fi configuration yet, but I know my sound. I am a child of the late 80's and early 90's, My heart belongs equally to Grunge, Psychadellic, Alternative, Classic and Pop rock. For the last 3 years, I have developed a new found taste for EDM, Lounge & Trance. I like my classic and blues largely neutral, maybe +5% colour to the highs and lows on certain days. But I like my Alternative and Heavy rock fairly coloured, I am Bass heavy (like deeper thump) and in favour of adding some colour to the highs as well but I don't like it if its too bright sounding. I like the electric guitar to sound grain-ier than normal. I am not very fond of Mids unless I am listening to Classic rock. Maybe this is does not qualify as an audiophile taste, but thats the way it is...I like it this way.
My requirement is for a decent CD source, stereo AMP with Speakers (2 channel). I'd prefer 3 way speakers, not too impressed with 2 way Book shelf speakers. I'll be using CD, Mp3 and Ipad and Laptop for playing my music.
Room Size 12 x 12
Wore prefer higher wattage - 100 + Wattage (I like it loud)
I have been audition-ing Hi fi at a few places in Del & Pune to learn some and explore the options available.
1. I have tried combinations of below
CD Players - CD6004
Amplifier - Marantz PM6004, ARCAM PMJ A19
DAC - Benchmark (latest)
Speakers - Quads (Bookshelf), Wharfedale (Floor standing Diamond)
My learnings from this audition were:
- ARCAM A19 was impressive with absolutely zero distortion from 0-99 db
- Quads sounded clean good along with Wharfedale's, bass depth was an issue with all speakers
- There is a significant difference with or without DAC, ability to tightly hold the sound comes through
2. Second outing
CD Player : Pioneer
Amplifier: Yamaha - A S300
KEF Q300 - (bookshelf)
KEF Q500 - (Floor standing)
Polk - Lower version (floor standing)
My learnings from the audition
My learnings-
- Overall the configuration was a tad too bright.
- KEF's the mids are beautiful, but just cant handle the bass/lows (both Q300 and Q500)
- I am told yamaha's are a bit bright for an amp, not entirely nuetral, my first brush with yamaha so I take it on face value, experts can tell me more.
- Polk Floor standing - I was impressed with their ability to handle psy trance (tough test) on both lows, mid lows and mid high and highs. Mids werent as strong as KEF's for sure. The difference was clear.
- I was recommended Polk Audio RTI A7, given my taste and sense of sound. I haven't auditioned it yet, feel free to comment to tell me more about them
--------------------
I am considering the below mentioned, given the best suggestion I have had till now is buy a new neutral sounding setup with tolerance for highs and deep lows. If you wish to colour the sound on particular genre's, use JRiver software.
CD Player: Marantz CD 6005
Amplifier options: ARCAM PMJ A19 or Marantz PM6005
Speakers: Polk RTI A7 (based on my taste in music and preference for a depth on the lows and the finesse on Highs)
Subwoofer - Not Considering one immediately which is where I need the speakers to hold on their own with deep lows.
I have a few questions:
Question 1: Feel free to comment, guide, suggest on the final configurations now that you know my taste. Suggest new options if you think these ones aren't the right ones to go for.
Question 2: Since both CD6005 and PM6005, Have the same DAC, the combo does it give any significant advantage over CD6005 + ARCAM A19 ?
Question 3: Whats the best price I can get in Delhi for CD6005, ARCAM A19 and Marantz PM6005 ?
Question 4: Buying from US Vs Buying from India, Since the prices difference is not much, what are the other paramters one should one consider while picking it from US and why? Power Tolerances and equipment sentivity, how big is burn up or blow out is a concern ?
Look forward to learning from the pros !
My requirement is for a decent CD source, stereo AMP with Speakers (2 channel). I'd prefer 3 way speakers, not too impressed with 2 way Book shelf speakers. I'll be using CD, Mp3 and Ipad and Laptop for playing my music.
Room Size 12 x 12
Wore prefer higher wattage - 100 + Wattage (I like it loud)
I have been audition-ing Hi fi at a few places in Del & Pune to learn some and explore the options available.
1. I have tried combinations of below
CD Players - CD6004
Amplifier - Marantz PM6004, ARCAM PMJ A19
DAC - Benchmark (latest)
Speakers - Quads (Bookshelf), Wharfedale (Floor standing Diamond)
My learnings from this audition were:
- ARCAM A19 was impressive with absolutely zero distortion from 0-99 db
- Quads sounded clean good along with Wharfedale's, bass depth was an issue with all speakers
- There is a significant difference with or without DAC, ability to tightly hold the sound comes through
2. Second outing
CD Player : Pioneer
Amplifier: Yamaha - A S300
KEF Q300 - (bookshelf)
KEF Q500 - (Floor standing)
Polk - Lower version (floor standing)
My learnings from the audition
My learnings-
- Overall the configuration was a tad too bright.
- KEF's the mids are beautiful, but just cant handle the bass/lows (both Q300 and Q500)
- I am told yamaha's are a bit bright for an amp, not entirely nuetral, my first brush with yamaha so I take it on face value, experts can tell me more.
- Polk Floor standing - I was impressed with their ability to handle psy trance (tough test) on both lows, mid lows and mid high and highs. Mids werent as strong as KEF's for sure. The difference was clear.
- I was recommended Polk Audio RTI A7, given my taste and sense of sound. I haven't auditioned it yet, feel free to comment to tell me more about them
--------------------
I am considering the below mentioned, given the best suggestion I have had till now is buy a new neutral sounding setup with tolerance for highs and deep lows. If you wish to colour the sound on particular genre's, use JRiver software.
CD Player: Marantz CD 6005
Amplifier options: ARCAM PMJ A19 or Marantz PM6005
Speakers: Polk RTI A7 (based on my taste in music and preference for a depth on the lows and the finesse on Highs)
Subwoofer - Not Considering one immediately which is where I need the speakers to hold on their own with deep lows.
I have a few questions:
Question 1: Feel free to comment, guide, suggest on the final configurations now that you know my taste. Suggest new options if you think these ones aren't the right ones to go for.
Question 2: Since both CD6005 and PM6005, Have the same DAC, the combo does it give any significant advantage over CD6005 + ARCAM A19 ?
Question 3: Whats the best price I can get in Delhi for CD6005, ARCAM A19 and Marantz PM6005 ?
Question 4: Buying from US Vs Buying from India, Since the prices difference is not much, what are the other paramters one should one consider while picking it from US and why? Power Tolerances and equipment sentivity, how big is burn up or blow out is a concern ?
Look forward to learning from the pros !
Last edited:
