Small Room: Bookshelves+Amp for "music clarity at lower volume" (under 40-45k)

[hfvuser]

A friend of mine has a room size of 10x12 feet. He wants to buy amp + bookshelves under 40-45k.

Music preference: should not be bright, prominent mids preferred, punchy bass, excellent detailing, imaging, soundstage, depth preferred.

Music genres: guitar instrumental, rock, ambient, pop. No heavy metal stuff.

Thing is he needs something which sounds detailed and clear at low volumes because he would be listening to music at night. Now I know this means he needs something with more sensitivity, etc but I think you gurus would be best to recommend something for this need!

 

[mpw]

thats a lot of spec your friend needs at this price point.

)

i read on HFmart about the maverick tube amp ( about 20W at 8 ohms ) which can be looked at.. not that i have any experience with them.. but for night time listening.. maybe a fuller tubey sound would be preferred.

For speakers since i have listened to a fair bit of PSB and Paradigms.. i would recommend them. The Paradigms have more sensitivity. But to get the best out of a bookshelf.. a nice pair of stands is necessary. For the kind of music you mentioned.. a 6.5 inch midbass would be preferred.. and that will point you to a couple of speakers.

rgds,
mpw

 

[hfvuser]

^ Well, detailing, imaging, etc are subjective. So obviously, he is asking for the "best possible / nearest match" that can be got for 45k.

 

[hydra]

I think a pair of PSB Alpha B1s and a NAD c316BEE should come in at 40K-45K. If he negotiates well, he might be able to manage a pair of decent stands also within this budget.

They are a very well matched pair and will sound very good. They will be loud enough to rock that room, and then some

 

[apk]

A friend of mine has a room size of 10x12 feet. He wants to buy amp + bookshelves under 40-45k.
........
........
Thing is he needs something which sounds detailed and clear at low volumes because he would be listening to music at night. Now I know this means he needs something with more sensitivity, etc QUOTE]

I think that it is very well possible to put together a nice sounding system for the given budget. A few possible combinations that come to mind....

1. Wharfedale Bookshelves (10.1 or 10.2, or even the older 9.1/9.2), along with an entry level Marantz integrated amplifier
2. Norge Bookshelves (Millinium) and norge integrated amplifier
3. Lyrita Harmony 2 speakers along with lyrita valve push-pull integrated amplifier

Of the 3 combinations listed above, I have heard (1) and (3). (2) is a very popular combination on this forum and many FMs have gone this route.
I would personally recommend (3) if pure 'musicality' is what your friend is looking at. The lyritas can give you lots of detail and play well at low volumes. You can contact Viren from Lyrita audio...very helpful gent without being pushy.

All the above options will fit within your friends's budget. (1) and (2) will leave money to spare, while the lyritas will be cutting it close.

I hope your friend has a decent source because GIGO (Garbage In = Garbage Out). Do set aside a small amount for good interconnects and speaker cables. It might also be a good idea to invest in a pair of quality speaker stands.

If your friend is open to buying used equipment, you might find good quality, well maintained equipment for even less money.

Finally, no matter what all of us at HFV say, your friend has to trust his own ears and buy what sounds good to him. Please do not always think that more money = better quality. There are many low cost speakers/amplifiers that sound good, and quite a few high cost speakers/amplifiers that sound crappy. Ultimately, your friend has to decide what floats his boat...

Regards,
APK

 

[longshanks]

you could consider the rega RS1, ive read really good things about them, at 90db i think you can power them using a t-amp now and may be upgrade later.

Rega RS1 Bookshelf Speaker

 

[ruenigma]

45K is a decent amount for a BS + Amp. You can look at the following usual suspects

NAD 316 (23) + PSB Alpha B1 (18)
CA Azur 550A (27) + MS Aviano 2 (20 ?)
Yamaha AS500 (25) + PSB Alpha B1 / Paradigm Atom Monitor / MS Aviano 2

These are the combos I am familiar with. There could be a lot other permutations possible depending on availability. Try and audition these and see which one suit your (your friend's) needs.


Cool by the time I looked for latest prices and write the post there are some great suggestions above. Do consider the Lyrita combo as well.

 

[Shivam]

NAD 315 with Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 especially for punchy bass and sweet vocals at low volumes.

 

[koushik]

+1 to CA Azur and Aviano 2. Nice combo for the price.

 

[grubyhalo]

If he can source it from the US, these would be right up his alley:

Emotiva Professional, LLC

 

[hfvuser]

Okay, so where in Delhi/NCR can following be auditioned:
1) PSB Alpha B1 + NAD c316
2) Wharfedale + Marantz/NAD
3) Lyrita Harmony2 + Lyrita amp
4) MS Aviano2 + CA Azur
5) Paradigm Monitors

 

[avidyarthy]

so where in Delhi/NCR can following be auditioned:
1) PSB Alpha B1 + NAD c316 ........... Lakozy, Lajpat Nagar
2) Wharfedale + Marantz/NAD ......... Bass & treble, Gurgaon (Denny Joseph)
3) Lyrita Harmony2 + Lyrita amp ...... (see Google ... Mr. Viren, Sarita Vihar)
4) MS Aviano2 + CA Azur ............... FXe ... 40/46 C.R Park
5) Paradigm Monitors ..................... Gemini, C.P

 

[ShaQ.Blogs]

what colors are available - PSB alpha B1

 

[ruenigma]

I think I only saw Black Ash and Hi Gloss White. There are two other colors available according to their website but I never saw them in India.

 

[yahoo0212]

Marantz PM5004 along with MS Aviano 2
Marantz PM5004 with Wharfadales 10.2 or 9.2 if available.

 

[questzen]

Not intended to be nosy, but what about the source? I mean the DAC/Cd player. Hopefully he has accounted this in his estimate. If not some of the options listed above would be void.

 

[hfvuser]

Not intended to be nosy, but what about the source? I mean the DAC/Cd player. Hopefully he has accounted this in his estimate. If not some of the options listed above would be void.

Source, as of now, is just a laptop with FLAC files.
Which options would be void? What is your suggestion?

 

[avidyarthy]

I would suggest you go in for a Topping TP30 ..... includes USB/DAC alongwith a T amp!

Regd Topping generated SQ ..... come over to my place and give a 'hear'. It would beat the pants of all that has been listed till now!

 

[yahoo0212]

Is 10 watts at 8 ohm (15 at 4) sufficient to drive all the above mentioned 150 w Bookshelves... I know that Integrated amps dont require to push 100 120 w to drive the bs but still, how does this 15w amp does justice to these 120150 w BS.. Please enlighten us

 

[harshad]

@hfvuser.. In addition to the various suggestions already mentioned.. you can also have a look at some active setups.
for the music preferences you mentioned you can have a look at KRK Rokit Powered series.. Also the Genelec 6010A is within your budget.. These active speakers are ideal for near field listening which is usually the case in small rooms. they should also provide good musical clarity at lower volumes. Ofcourse.. you need to get a demo & decide for urself..