psychotropic
Well-Known Member
This is really idle speculation because my purchase is only going to happen in mid 2009.....but I'd like to do my research well in advance.
Objective - planning to assemble a very basic budget hi-fi system for my small listening area (same as where my TV sits, with an 8 - 8.5 foot distance from front to back, about 7 feet from the speakers to listening position(s)).
Content - I listen mostly to basic rock including Queen, Dire Straits, Police, Van Halen, RHCP, Genesis. I also listen to some progressive metal like Dream Theater.....and regular heavy metal like Iron Maiden and Megadeth, but no I don't listen to them at ear-splitting levels...even with metal I am much more concerned about accurate and balanced reproduction than loudness or bass thump. I also listen to some old pop like early Elton John, Supertramp, Simon and Garfunkel....I would probably hook up the TV to the set-up as well, but how good or bad it handles movie/TV sound is not very important.
Amp and Source - I am more or less decided on the amplifier, which is probably going to be the Cambridge Audio Azur 340A SE (please suggest alternatives, if any, for the same price). My source is still undecided between the CA Azur 540D and the Denon 1940 (no i am not considering a dedicated CDP, i need a good DVD player and I need a good CD player, but don't have the budget for both so will have to settle for these compromise options...do suggest other compromise options)....the bias is towards the CA model, as it is more musical, i am told. (yes yes i will audition before buying).
The Choice - What I need to know is about the speakers, since that's the most crucial bit. Should i go for Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s or Tannoy Mercury F1 Customs? Should I consider Cambridge Audio's S30 speakers? The 9.1s are a bit more expensive than the F1s, is it worth that extra cash? and of course most importantly.....what are the prices for these in India? Specifically in Chennai?
Thanks in advance for all the help.
Objective - planning to assemble a very basic budget hi-fi system for my small listening area (same as where my TV sits, with an 8 - 8.5 foot distance from front to back, about 7 feet from the speakers to listening position(s)).
Content - I listen mostly to basic rock including Queen, Dire Straits, Police, Van Halen, RHCP, Genesis. I also listen to some progressive metal like Dream Theater.....and regular heavy metal like Iron Maiden and Megadeth, but no I don't listen to them at ear-splitting levels...even with metal I am much more concerned about accurate and balanced reproduction than loudness or bass thump. I also listen to some old pop like early Elton John, Supertramp, Simon and Garfunkel....I would probably hook up the TV to the set-up as well, but how good or bad it handles movie/TV sound is not very important.
Amp and Source - I am more or less decided on the amplifier, which is probably going to be the Cambridge Audio Azur 340A SE (please suggest alternatives, if any, for the same price). My source is still undecided between the CA Azur 540D and the Denon 1940 (no i am not considering a dedicated CDP, i need a good DVD player and I need a good CD player, but don't have the budget for both so will have to settle for these compromise options...do suggest other compromise options)....the bias is towards the CA model, as it is more musical, i am told. (yes yes i will audition before buying).
The Choice - What I need to know is about the speakers, since that's the most crucial bit. Should i go for Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s or Tannoy Mercury F1 Customs? Should I consider Cambridge Audio's S30 speakers? The 9.1s are a bit more expensive than the F1s, is it worth that extra cash? and of course most importantly.....what are the prices for these in India? Specifically in Chennai?
Thanks in advance for all the help.