I use this in my dorm room which is about 14x14. It is a nice little system with punchy dynamics, crisp clean highs, extremely detailed, and a beatiful midrange. It is good for smaller rooms. The Analysis plus cables add to the detail and punch of the bass. Although the B&W's tend to be tips up towards the highs, the system holds its own against the other bigs names in components, power, and speakers.
Actually there is a slight difference, I think the power is a little noisy where I am, and it does change the sound. The soundstage open ups slightly, and there is more of a sense of air. I got it for $100, so it does what I paid for it.
Personally i would really put the money into the amp or the speakers. The merlins are so much better, as are a pair of audio physic speakers. They would have the biggest impact on the quality of your system. Personally i feel that speakers make the biggest difference. Anyways the harmonic techs are great, but i would go acoustic zen satori instead. Unless of course you can get the HTs at cost. Anyways no matter what its a great system. I have spent a lot more than you on my system but have still not gotten around to getting a PS 600 or good speaker cables as i feel it is more important to get the other components done first and then find a cable that suits your system in its final form. Then after all is said and done ill go after the tweeks hard core, from power cords to vibra pods to cd clarifiers e.t.c. Lastly I think its kinda funny that everyone commenting on your system are college students as well. - Ian
Thanks, for the suggestions guys. Yeah I have heard the Merlins, I liked them as well, but I went with the 805's because I worked at an audio store and I was able to buy all of this at cost, except for the I-5. I guess I was wondering if you had an opinions on speaker cables. The Tara Labs stuff is too edgey, so I was looking for something new, I was thinking about Harmonic Technology, Pro 9 bi-wire or something like JPS labs. Also I might get a Ps Audio Powerplant 300 if I can get the money, what do you think? Also I have a lock on my door, so it isn't really a issue, it is also on my insurance policy at home.
The system in my dorm is also very expensive but i've never had anyone try to steal anything from me. But then again its hard to steal stuff when your components weight ranges from 60.00 to 110.00 pounds. :) Merlins are wonderful speakers they were written up in stereophile three months ago i believe, if you wanted to read up on them. Thanks - Ian
I am sure people who are reading this are thinking, "that" is a dorm system? How do you keep people from stealing it? People go in and out of dorm rooms all the time. When I was going to boarding school back in the highschool days, I can never keep my cds and compact cd player from getting stolen. My private school didn't allow locks in the dorm room incase we were hiding drugs I guess. Anyhow, people who like B&W must like them for their sonic characteristic. And B&Ws certainly do sound like B&Ws. However, I never heard of the Merlin. I think I will go do that. BTW, I am a colledge student as well, and just your speakers are worth as much as I've spent on my whole system!!
Have you ever considered a good modestly priced amp like the evo 200.2 and tried running the CAL directly to it. That's the best feature about the cal in my oppinion. I actually owned one myself for a period of time but never opened it intending to run it into the amp direct, but then i found a great price on an integrated, bought it and ended up selling the CAL. My only other suggestion is if you ever get a bit more money, keep the sim audio integrated and buy a pair of merlin VSM SEs (not milleniums... too expensive used). Light years better than the 805s and they mate perfectly with sim audio gear. In my oppinion this would definitely be the way to go. I have heard the merlins back to back to the N802s and the merlins killed them in every regard. Lastly they will probably take up the same amount of floor space as the 805s/stands. Hope this is helpful, and btw as it is now this is an incredibly good system consisting of some of the best values on the market today. - Ian
