I put this together over the last six months - all used from Audiogon. I'd like to get some new speakers within the next six. I listen to all types of music, from jazz to rock to classical. My budget for speakers will probably be around $2000 and I'd like to audition some if possible.
i have found that if im not in a "listening" mood than things just dont sound right. Im sure not being in the mood and having the speakers sound so-so probably swayed you opinion on them at that time. i bet if you came back to them than you would like them a little more. Before i really judge speakers to harshly i try to get "use" to them. But in the case of the wilsons i had a limited time to listen. Im sure if i could listen again with my favorite albums i would like them more. Justin
I just browsed the threads on this manufacturer on this site and am reading almost entirely high praise. So maybe I was having a bad listening day or something. As you point out, everybody's ears are different. The main point is still this recommendation: Listen before you buy, and get what YOU like, not what some stranger tells you that you should like. Enjoy.
Mdhoover, this is my opinion on your remark. I dont think its going to cause a problem if you voice your opinion and call someone out. Everyones ears are different. I listened to a pair of Wilson Alexandria X2s in Seattle and I was impressed at how clear and articulate they were but that is as far as i would go with them. I found them to be tiring to my ears and difficult to listen to. I didnt listen long because i got fatigued. Never mind the fact that a less than stellar recording would sound like junk. it might of been the gear but i would take my measly setup over them anyday because of the enjoyment i get from my gear. I want to know what brand you didnt like, even if it is vons. the more we know the better. thanks for the input justin
I also agree with Robm321 and Jlind325is that it is extremely wise to go to a dealer to audition. I've been pestering Duane (a dealer) intermittently for years, but have also spent lot of money (for me anyway)in his stores. One caveat is to have one (or more) star sales people to depend on (like Duane, for example). Another caveat is that it is imperative to find a salesperson with an ear and sonic tastes similar to your own. (In my case it was also important to find someone with lots and lots of patience!) Our metropolitan area is really fortunate to have several outstanding and honest people in each of two different high end stores.
I once looked into some "factory direct" speakers with beautiful wooden cabinets and well written, extremely impressive, very plausible-sounding product literature, complete with things that looked like scientific audio measurements (like graphs and diagrams as I recall), and beautiful photographs. Their flagship speaker was somewhere around 12,000 dollars at the time, so I figured that meant that I'd get about 20,000 plus of speaker value. I went straight to their headquarters and listened in their own showroom with the electronics they had selected driving their speakers, using my CD's. What a horrendous disappointment THAT was! They really stunk. Duane had said they weren't that good, but he had kindly understated things--they were just RANK! Quite an eye- (and ear-) opener. So I think it really does help to have someone who's smart and relatively unbiased to help avoid potentially expensive and time-consuming audiophile neophyte pitfalls. As mentioned above, dealers get to choose what they carry, for the most part, because there are (apparently) relatively more manufacturers than dealers.
{{{{{And NO, I am NOT going to mention the name of the brand that I hated, because there's no need to cast stones. I think it's (probably) an honest company, and many people who have reviewed them (on Audioreview, for example) really like them, so why stir up trouble? If some people like them, then that's great for them and fine with me. I simply did NOT like them--I thought they were quite vile, in fact, AND expensive to boot: the very worst of all possible worlds! Yuck.}}}}}
I agree with the other postings that hearing before you buy is the best, how can you fail? But for me i didnt have anyone local that carried what i wanted. I wanted a pair of Von Schweikerts, i was looking at VR2, VR4, jrs. I loved the pair of Vr3's that my brother had, so i figured anything Albert produced would sound similiar. I decided to go with the Vr2 and couldnt be happier. I would recommend them to anyone, especially in your case because of your budget. What i like most about them is that they are not fatiguing, i get tired of sitting before i get tired of listening. they go for around 1600-1800 used so your budget should stay intact. Justin
Yeah, I have a pile of unmatched audio equipment before I figured out that I needed a direction. It's part of the learning curve.
I think at your budget, an integrated amp wouldn't be bad. Going separates for separates sake doesn't always mean better until you get into the expensive stuff. And they even have expensive integrated amps that rival separates.
Please head Studio1's advice. It took me awhile to figure out about tubes, and now I love them. I do use solid state as well.
I have a great audio dealer. And as much as I enjoy everyones opinions on this forum, I always regret when I go off of them when I cant audition. Then, I got to my dealer and get what I should have gotten to begin with (after wasting money) and never regret it. An honest dealer that gets to choose the brands he sells (not locked into selling a certain brand) is invaluable. Ill pay list price when I could buy used for half price just to give back.
Aball - thanks for the comments. Any recommendations on speakers to look at? The JBL's are some early 90's Circuit City specials. They have a titanium dome tweeter and seem a little bright to me. Definitely the weak link in my system now, I think.
The 640c is a great budget player. I used to own a 545 mk2 and it kicked butt! You could upgrade everything else and the amp still wouldn't be ashamed. I still wish I had it for back up and because it is the highest value component I have ever owned. I am not familiar with your speakers but feel that money spent on upgrading speakers is money well spent 99% of the time - which isn't so for amps. Preamps can also make big differences so that may be something you could look into next as well. Good luck!
Welcome to a great hobby! Just to let you know - most folks (including me) waste much money before actually understanding what we want! Do yourself a BIG favor and find audio shops in your area that carry vacuum tube gear and solid state gear, then listen to both before you plunge! Let your ears tell you what is best, then work toward that goal! My preference is vacuum tube!!! Right now I currently use a homemade triode amp that really keeps me involved with what I'm hearing!
You mentioned that you are contemplating disc players or speakers. The speaker will depend on what type of amp you are using, and the cd player of choice for me is Arcam. The CD73 is $699 and will cover the audio spectrum beautifully! To sweeten things even more - it is upgradeable to the CD82 and CD93!!!!! It also responds well to power cord upgrades!!!
