Hi Everybody,
This is my first post on this forum and i feel wonderful to be here...
am in 'research phase' and Its an exciting (& "thrilling") experience !
I have already read good advices/experiences/opinions from Audio-Gurus here and will highly appreciate any advice i get. Thanks much in advance.
so here it goes...
Facts :
* Current setup rather basic (now don't roll eyes ) : Sony 3 DVD player all-in-one system with 2x100W speakers
* Have had 51 cd changer, sony HT etc... but again the usual stuff !
* Room size : 15x20 ft.
* Music interested in : Ardent fan of pancham so 70s/80s hindi music (& sometimes new), classic rock/pop, instrumental/fusion, soundtracks (songs/themes). CDs as well MP3s ( ).
* Location : Pune
Plans :
* always had a dream to hear THAT quality of sound in my living room which will take me ... i think u got the point !! So am aiming for a pure Music setup with no plans for HT in short/mid term.
* budget : 30K- 50K for everything (like many others, i also always look for value for money. expensive need not be better so trying to get 'best bang for the buck').
* Source : planning to use either existing sony DVP / phillips Divx DVP as audio source.
* Speaker type preference : None.. if bookshelfs can do the job, ready to sacrifice on visual impact of floorstanding speakers
Recommendations received /shortlist made so far (no REAL audition yet):
* NAD325 recommended by one (& only) dealer i visited
* b&w 685 (if it fits budget... and really impresses me the 2nd time.. the very first time that 'wow factor' was completely missing - quite as anticipated by dealer as according to him he didn't have the 'right' cdp/amplifier on that day..
* wharfedale diamond 9.1 (or 9.x)
Questions :
1) i have made up mind (after doing a lot of reading i.e.) that i should go for stereo amplifier rather than a receiver as am mainly
interested in music (though am a movie buff, don't like HT concept much and believe that 2 front speakers should bring similar impact if they are basically good !).. can somebody pls confirm ?
2) How do you evaluate the amplifier .. do you keep on trying diff. amplifiers with the same speakers at the dealer?
3) which brings me to the next question : Frequency of auditioning .. after applying common sense , what is 'normal' as far as following is concerned :
a) no. of visits per dealer
b) time spent at each visit
before one makes the final decision
4) How important is the 'source'.. i mean i was amazed to see people spending and recommending double the what i spent on my current 3 dvd all in one system . Is it worth it ?
5) Does step by step shopping make sense... e.g. say recommendations and things i like - they come to around 80K.. does it make sense to buy the amplifier first and listen with current sony speakers for couple of months (or more ) and then go for speakers ... or just wait ! (or buy cheaper option NOW .. and dream .. and wait )
6) what is the ideal ratio of power of amplifier and speakers e.g. i heard low power amp can harm speakers (clipping) more easily than reverse case... so with above shortlist is 50W amp with 100W speaker a good idea ?
Please pardon me for bombarding these questions in the very first post..
Please take your time to reply some/all the questions, if you wish.
Thanx !
Rahul
This is my first post on this forum and i feel wonderful to be here...
am in 'research phase' and Its an exciting (& "thrilling") experience !
I have already read good advices/experiences/opinions from Audio-Gurus here and will highly appreciate any advice i get. Thanks much in advance.
so here it goes...
Facts :
* Current setup rather basic (now don't roll eyes ) : Sony 3 DVD player all-in-one system with 2x100W speakers
* Have had 51 cd changer, sony HT etc... but again the usual stuff !
* Room size : 15x20 ft.
* Music interested in : Ardent fan of pancham so 70s/80s hindi music (& sometimes new), classic rock/pop, instrumental/fusion, soundtracks (songs/themes). CDs as well MP3s ( ).
* Location : Pune
Plans :
* always had a dream to hear THAT quality of sound in my living room which will take me ... i think u got the point !! So am aiming for a pure Music setup with no plans for HT in short/mid term.
* budget : 30K- 50K for everything (like many others, i also always look for value for money. expensive need not be better so trying to get 'best bang for the buck').
* Source : planning to use either existing sony DVP / phillips Divx DVP as audio source.
* Speaker type preference : None.. if bookshelfs can do the job, ready to sacrifice on visual impact of floorstanding speakers
Recommendations received /shortlist made so far (no REAL audition yet):
* NAD325 recommended by one (& only) dealer i visited
* b&w 685 (if it fits budget... and really impresses me the 2nd time.. the very first time that 'wow factor' was completely missing - quite as anticipated by dealer as according to him he didn't have the 'right' cdp/amplifier on that day..
* wharfedale diamond 9.1 (or 9.x)
Questions :
1) i have made up mind (after doing a lot of reading i.e.) that i should go for stereo amplifier rather than a receiver as am mainly
interested in music (though am a movie buff, don't like HT concept much and believe that 2 front speakers should bring similar impact if they are basically good !).. can somebody pls confirm ?
2) How do you evaluate the amplifier .. do you keep on trying diff. amplifiers with the same speakers at the dealer?
3) which brings me to the next question : Frequency of auditioning .. after applying common sense , what is 'normal' as far as following is concerned :
a) no. of visits per dealer
b) time spent at each visit
before one makes the final decision
4) How important is the 'source'.. i mean i was amazed to see people spending and recommending double the what i spent on my current 3 dvd all in one system . Is it worth it ?
5) Does step by step shopping make sense... e.g. say recommendations and things i like - they come to around 80K.. does it make sense to buy the amplifier first and listen with current sony speakers for couple of months (or more ) and then go for speakers ... or just wait ! (or buy cheaper option NOW .. and dream .. and wait )
6) what is the ideal ratio of power of amplifier and speakers e.g. i heard low power amp can harm speakers (clipping) more easily than reverse case... so with above shortlist is 50W amp with 100W speaker a good idea ?
Please pardon me for bombarding these questions in the very first post..
Please take your time to reply some/all the questions, if you wish.
Thanx !
Rahul