Not a rich mans system but I feel I've got some of the better bang-for-the-buck components out there (in their price ranges). I am very happy with this system and don't feel I'll be changing anything for awhile. Unless I suddenly come into alot of money ;)
Joe, ahhh the mighty revel f30's. I was checking those out along the with the odyssey speakers. Read a lot of raves about them and heard they are much better than the mighty 100's. Also check out the JM Labs Electra 926. I heard them and they were fantastic and "only" around $4k. Another is the rbh1266se. I am in the same boat as you cash wise but still lust after them anyway. It took me a couple of months to buy the stratos. Hey, we can dream for now I guess.....worst comes worst there is always a used pair on audiogon hehe.
Joe, If you still watch that many movies but want the whole 2 channel experience, check this product out by odyssey. Call Klause and ask him about the $275(That is not a typo) Passive Preamp he is now selling. He says it is designed specifically to clean up the two channel reproduction within the "confines" of HT. It uses some type of bypass switch loops the signal directly to the pre.He charges an extra $150 for the remote option. That way you can keep the ref20 and still enjoy great 2channel reproduction. Me, I have decided to just start up a seperate ht system. (I am using a jvc micro all in one ht in the bedroom...try not to snicker. it works fine in the apt for now. Yea, the stratos will do it to ya each and every time. The minute I looked at it, I knew I was going to eventually do the monoblock x-treme stratos down the road. If you do decide to go for the tempest get it with the remote option. also, ask klause to put two/three line out connections on the back of the tempest so you can plug the sub as well as maybe two monoblocks hehe.... Heard the stratos/tempest combo with the lorelei speakers at the NYC HT show last year and got hooked. Thanks for the vote of confidence on the 40's. One quick Q though....have you heard any of totem's speakers?? just wondering.I have yet to sample them but heard good things.
Joe, I agree with you on replacing the NAD. You will love the BK sound. I fondly remember the bk60 watt amp hooked up to my monitor 3v2 fondly. smoooth! Listen, I was thinking exactly the same thing about the 40's and the 60's. The cost of the stands drive the price up and I would rather spend on cash on speakers rather than stands. However, because I am shipping them overseas, it's a hassle. Will "downgrade" for awhile till I can buy some something bigger in a year or so from Bangkok. It is a huge audiophile haven. At that time my 40's will be relegated to strictly HT along with my pw2200. By the way, thanks for the word on the ref20. Will surely look into that when I am finished with this 2 channel bug....(a never ending addiction!)I am also looking at a bk 5 channel for powering the whole thing. Klaus charges $75 for the upgraded power cord. I have heard from another stratos owner that there is an audible difference. He said that it cleans things up a bit.Hey, its a cheap upgrade. Go for it. Another power cord you could check out is at this website: http://venhaus1.com/VH_Audio_Test.html This stuff is supposed to be good. The guy is ordered these and is comparing between the odyssey cable and this cord. He will let me know in awhile is opinion on both cables. This item has also gotten good reviews on this website. The cost for ready-made cabes is less than $100 also. By the way, did your stratos take a long time to break in? I am still in the process of breaking the beast in as I just got it a couple of weeks back. Gotta feed it a regular diet of Rush, Triumph, Phish, and Oysterhead, not forgetting Miles Davis or Chick Corea either. Will keep you posted on the cords though. Also, talk to Klaus and see what he says. FYI-a my roomates boyfriend is canadian and is hooking me up from montreal on the speakers so should get a good deal.
Joe, BANG FOR THE BUCK! Love your system. Sounds like we share a lot of equipment in common. I've got the stratos amp with studio 80's and the PW-2200. I also have the Tempest pre and monster hts-2600 line conditoner. Presently looking to upgrade cdp with either a jolida jd100 or audio refinement cd complete. Thing is, I just recently decided to move overseas and am downgrading to the studio 40's (in real wood) because I do not want to ship the huge 80's half way cross the world. Just wanted to know how you like the the bk ref 20 as that is the processor I am looking at, should I venture into HT land. Is it clean or what? Had a bk amp previously and it was smooth. You are so right about the amp! it changes everything. Got the cap upgrade and thinking about the upgraded power cord next. By the way, did you plug the amp into the wall or into your line conditioner. Kudos once again on your great system. Phizzer
