Serious system upgrade planned

[Jairus]

hi members,

been a long time since i posted on the forums. i am now planning to upgrade my system step by step. Current as follows:

Marantz CD5001 cdp, Marantz ST7001 tuner, apple ipod 160 gb classic, CA 640A amp, Mordaunt short 902i bookshelves, chord crimson and ecosse best boy interconnects, qed silver speaker cables, pulzz line conditioner, RED isolation transformer connected to source components, full tripplite ups backup for system with dedicated AC line, custom built speaker stands.

next in line sure purchase - arcam r dock for the ipod

I want to upgrade to the next level in terms of mid priced components. planning a speaker purchase first, then amp, then cdp in that order over the next one year. not thinking of upgrading the tuner.

floorstanding speakers (60 - 80 k) : acoustic energy, monitor audio bronze/silver series, epos, quad - want full range sound in a medium size listening room - mainly country, blues music spea

amp (80 - 100 k) - thinking of creek 5350, arcam a38, roksan kandy k2, audio analogue puccini - looking for good power and punch - it was my main grouse with the CA

cdp ( 60 - 80 k) - will definitely think on the lines of naim, arcam or cyrus base models

please let me know your views on the right combinations of the above products. Value for money is most important and i do not want to pay more than a 20 % premium on international prices.

Looking forward to some help

Regards,

Jairus

 

[afj]

as for the speakers in that price range the ones to beat are the ma rx6. arcam pairs pretty well with them. as for the cdp also consider the rega apollo.

 

[Jairus]

any idea where rega is available in india??

also how is the creek evolution 2 amp?? any idea?? seems to me to be a sensible upgrade considering the price is around 50k

 

[venkatcr]

amp (80 - 100 k) - thinking of creek 5350, arcam a38, roksan kandy k2, audio analogue puccini - looking for good power and punch - it was my main grouse with the CA

With your kind of music, you should listen to a tube amp. Since you are in Delhi, visit Viren Bakshi and see if you like his gear. If not, you should look for a pre-amp/power amp combination. Something like the Parasound HCA2125 will deliver 125 watts and the pre-amp will give you more options. In total the sound stage will be larger, and the music stronger and more powerful. Pre/Power combinations are available from other brands also.

cdp ( 60 - 80 k) - will definitely think on the lines of naim, arcam or cyrus base models

Since you are buying a DAC, a CDP does not make sense. Assemble a simple PC with a good sound card, and that is the way to go. In addition to using the iPod, you can also transmit music through wireless to your rDAC. Of course, if space permits, you can also connect directly.

Cheers

 

[Jairus]

i am not buying a dac... it is an r dock for the ipod. i would need a matching cdp anyways.....

 

[venkatcr]

Ooops Sorry. I read the dock as dac.

Cheers

 

[Bluu]

I agree with Venkat about the pre/power combo. Look at the Odyssey Khartago and a decent preamp (heard good things about the Promitheus TVC). Its solid, transparent and punchy and is safely in your budget.

For the CDP, look at the Audiolab 8200. Unbeatable at its price with an excellent DAC to boot.

 

[srramanujam]

I too was looking for components in similar budget. I liked simaudio 3 amp which also has a dac at a similar budget. Didn't like the parasound, and liked Usher and Odyssey stratos.

You may also want to hear Usher be 718 speakers which are slightly above your budget. Listen to dali ikon 6 too.

If you are OK with the power, your music may match viren's tube amps.

 

[Bluu]

You may also want to hear Usher be 718 speakers which are slightly above your budget.

Excellent choice. Well worth the little more that you pay.

 

[iaudio]

For the kind of music Jairus is looking at it, I would strongly suggest Lyrita audio as venkatcr has already done. But as far as punch goes, I do not know, maybe a ss pre power combo would be the answer.
Arcam and Rega would be good options as far as CDP goes or even the higher segment Marantz Cdps.

 

[jai1611]

Jairus, I'd suggest upgrading the amp and speakers together. That shouuld allow you to optimise synergy between them instead of buying a speaker and then trying to find the perfect amp for it (a painful process I've been through with my Dynaudio Audience 52 speakers).

Before buying anything, audition some well set up systems with dealers and, if possible, other members. This will give you a sense of what is possible at what price points.

If going the one component at a time route, do try and pick up the amp and speakers used. That should maximise the VFM factors.

 

[magma]

^^^
the most superb advice!

people normally assume from reviews that a particular amp might do well with speakers theyve already bought
this is rarely true in the real world

whenever ive upgraded ive always heard the amp and said speakers for extended listening sessions close to a week before i decide
Ofcourse the dealer needs to be so generous!

otherwise hear setups
you like something really
buy and amp and the speaker!

 

[Jairus]

thank you all for your responses. i have been recommended the totem rainmaker speakers for my choice of music. come to think of it, deep bass is all not that necessary for me and i think i need to think in that direction.

in face it was the major reason i went in for the MS bookshelves in the first place. but if i do go in for bookshelves again i would like to invest in really good stands. i custom made the ones i have (with a design from the internet) but since i dont have a refernce to compare i really dont know if my stands are a pro or a con in my setup.

anyone with any suggestions for atacama or partington stands availability in india???

 

[srramanujam]

Magma can make a very professional stand for you.

 

[odyssey]

hi members,

been a long time since i posted on the forums. i am now planning to upgrade my system step by step. Current as follows:

Marantz CD5001 cdp, Marantz ST7001 tuner, apple ipod 160 gb classic, CA 640A amp, Mordaunt short 902i bookshelves, chord crimson and ecosse best boy interconnects, qed silver speaker cables, pulzz line conditioner, RED isolation transformer connected to source components, full tripplite ups backup for system with dedicated AC line, custom built speaker stands.

next in line sure purchase - arcam r dock for the ipod

I want to upgrade to the next level in terms of mid priced components. planning a speaker purchase first, then amp, then cdp in that order over the next one year. not thinking of upgrading the tuner.

floorstanding speakers (60 - 80 k) : acoustic energy, monitor audio bronze/silver series, epos, quad - want full range sound in a medium size listening room - mainly country, blues music spea

amp (80 - 100 k) - thinking of creek 5350, arcam a38, roksan kandy k2, audio analogue puccini - looking for good power and punch - it was my main grouse with the CA

cdp ( 60 - 80 k) - will definitely think on the lines of naim, arcam or cyrus base models

please let me know your views on the right combinations of the above products. Value for money is most important and i do not want to pay more than a 20 % premium on international prices.

Looking forward to some help

Regards,

Jairus

Hi
If you are looking for Value for money - try exploring the Usher speakers -
models CP 6311 and Be-718 Beryllium. The first one is definitely in your range, whereas the second one is at a slight premium. They are both significantly lower than US prices - yes lower, not even at par.

For CDPs - if you can stretch the Ayon CD-07 can be a fantastic CDP/DAC. For the power amp - the Khartago as mentioned by someone else already or the Jaton Operetta pre/power combo falls in your budget range.
PM me for more details

cheers

 

[afj]

fmi (for my information) whats the price of the be 718s in india and where is it available

 

[Bluu]

You should PM odyssey for prices. He is the dealer.

 

[Lakozy Electronics]

We will suggest you to audition PSB Image Series speakers if you are looking for a Tower speaker or else Synchrony or Imagine series BS speakers paired with NAD Amplifier and Cd Player.

Ashish

 

[odyssey]

fmi (for my information) whats the price of the be 718s in india and where is it available

Hi
Its available with us (see below) - Be-718 DMD is 1.3 La all incl.

I have 2 pairs of the Be-718 Beryllium left which will go for a great discount as a clearance.

cheers

 

[venkatcr]

We will suggest you to audition PSB Image Series speakers if you are looking for a Tower speaker or else Synchrony or Imagine series BS speakers paired with NAD Amplifier and Cd Player.
Ashish

Though one can understand PSB speakers, the regular NAD amps and CD players will not fit the level that Jarius is looking for.

Cheers