This is my first system. I did this on a 2000$ budget. I listen primarily to Acoustic blues & Bluegrass, Classical, and some Hip Hop, in that order. I am most interested in reproducing vocals. I will be in a small room using low to moderate volumes 90% of the time.
my approch has been to spend money on amplification first, and then update other components in the future a Krell 300IL has taken some time to get at the price i wanted. I also now have a thorens td126 mk3 electronic, with a grado green cartridge and stock tone arm. This cost me 6 bucks! so I really made out with this one.
The Wharfedales have opened up, and I am quite happy with them, My new room is small, and they are probably a bit too big, but that will change in a year when I move.
This has also spawned a DIY extreme budget bug within me that I should probably not nurture, or at least get over in the next two months, as it could interrupt my graduate studies. This has led to the purchase of a few T-amps, my Canare 4s11 speaker wire, and an obsession with input caps and stereo-pots.
as I am once again a student, this hunk of stereo is a nagging presence, as I budget the type of noodles i will eat for the month i can't help but ask myself, should i sell the Thoren's and Krell, get a cheaper TT, Integrated amp, and put the rest of the money into books? My problem is, I really love my listening system. anyone else downgraded from a budget system like mine, to an even tighter budget system with success? My ears say no but my wallet says yes, fortunately i think the ears have it.
not sure if it is a b or c or how to tell, it does say
Wharfedale Diamond 9.6
Picked them up on the cheap, has slight damage to the veneer on one speaker, only visible from behind. Paid 500
Cambridge Audio Azur 340c
Low end of their new intro models. No SACD, HDCD or DVDA. Crystal DACs
Nakamichi 480
30$ Just cleaned up and serviced by professional audio technician
Coleman Powermate??
SLA coleman 12V jumpstarter, I had it on hand for my car. plenty of Amps on tap, used only for my SI T-amp. You can't get much cleaner than this
Sonic Impact 5066
I purchased these (4 by accident) to hold me over on the krell, and satisfy my curiosity. They absolutely kill the minisystems and sony 6.1 recievers I tried with the wharfedales. I may mod
Dollar tree Plumb bob speaker spike
Solid metal spikes, i picked up for a buck each, weigh 70g each
Home Brew TNT Flexi rack
just the basic Flexi rack with some granite slabs i stumbled upon, nearly free
Budget-wise, Magnepan 1.6s are stunning, I think. Nice Harbeths, especically the Compact 7s, can be had for around $1,500, used. Stunning midrange and a LOT smaller.
I have to agree, I just got the krell in and I have obviously been fooling myself with this little t-amp thing. While it still sounds far better than an all-in-one surround sound amp, it can't touch the krell in nearly every area.
The wharfedales are growing on me, they seem to have loosened up a bit, and the spacing between notes and instruments has improved drastically. I still long for some planars but I will wait and see how my budget goes.
For what it is worth, if you are into vocals, you need to look into Planar or Electrostatic speakers, vocals have no better sound than on Magie's, Logan's, Innersound, Eminent Tech....amazing !
From one graduate student (just finished) to another (just beginning) I say hang on to the Amp. The Krell is a fantastic amp that you won't regret keeping for 10 years or more. Plus it is very flexible with A/V! I can't say if the Wharfedales are a mistake or not...never heard. For my 2 cents I would keep the Krell, stick with the speakers for now, set my sights on a used Arcam (CD/DVD) player ($750 or as low as $500...wait), and upgrade cables immediately. If you can get rid of the Wharfedales, I would buy a great pair of used monitors for the listening taste (Revel M20, Spendor 3/5, Proac Tablettes, etc) and get a sub when afforded (ie after you're out of school). Once you hear the Krell you won't part!!!
