So these are the JM Labs that are suppose to give B&W a run for there money? Nice system really like it! Just wish the JM labs were more pleasing to look at like the 800 series but I will definitely have to give them a listen if there is a dealer near me. Happen to know a few sites for reference material on the speakers?
Timrhu, I will be finishing my Masters degree in May, which makes me really happy. As for my listening tastes...anything goes. I listen to a lot of classic rock, and a good deal of orchestral music...I would have to say that I really enjoy the grand romantic symphonies when it comes to classical music.
I did make an update recently. I got rid of the Musical Fidelity DAC and added the Classe DAC-1.
Beautiful system! I don't have any suggestions for improvements but am very curious as to what music you listen to. You stated in your opening comment you were a student in opera performance, have you finished your studies? Do you listen to mainly opera/classical?
System edited: Well, it seems that I have managed to upgrade my system once again! My new JM Labs are my pride an joy...I just can't listen to them too much! My move was also a sucess, and my new room is much better for my system. The fact that it is almost twice as deep as my last room also helps. Well, that is all I have for now! Thanks for any comments!
System edited: Just added new MIT interconnects from my DAC to my pre and pre to my amplifier. Excellent improvement. I am looking forward to next month becasue I am moving to a bigger place where I will have a much larger room for the system! Be sure to check back.
System edited: I have been going through my system a lot lately trying new things, please if you have any ideas that would be great, otherwise, it is really a nice place to be for now. Thanks
Don't know if you are checking back but here is my 2 cents. I have the Aerial 6's and like them a great deal. Here are a couple of factors to echo Rsbecks earlier post.
I agree go with speakers first. If you go with the Aerials, they require MUCH power to be happy. They are 85db in other words - very inefficient. Your reciever is going to be pushing a heavy load. They are also not the most forgiving speaker either - upstream synergy is important. But you could continue to build on these for a long time. Buy them used - I wish I had, they are pricy new.
If you go with the Aerials, I would suggest an amp upgrade to start. If your reciever has signal outs, use that as your pre for a start. Here's a TANK of an amp that will push them all day long - Musical Fidelity M250's. 250w mono blocks that never broke a sweat in my system. New they retail for around $2500, used maybe $1200 probably less. They did not get a lot of HiFi press, but they are the best value for the $$ out there. I had them for a year then moved into big VAC Tube mono blocks - give the M250's a shot. Classe CAM 200's would be even better but they are $$$, around $2500 used. (My dealer demo's them on CAM 200's, it's a NICE match for sure!!) Even some older Classe big boy 2 channel amps would be awsome. You can get some older 200x2 classe's for around $800-$900 and it's awsome stuff. (A DR 9 or even two DR 8's as Mono's would be very nice - DR8's go for between $600-$850 each)
In regards to the pre - I think with those speakers your best bet is get into some decent amps, then upgrade the pre. Some older classe gear is really good and inexpensive. Or even better, get an older tube pre-amp like a CJ PV 10 ($400 - $500) or VAC standard pre and then you got yourself a sweet little system.
The Aerials are a good solid choice and they can handle lots of different music from Rock to Clasical.
Ben, Very nice system!! Thanks for the nice words on mine. Not to many people our age appreciate good sounding music, its ussually all about the bass and how loud it goes... :)Anyways rock on.
Seems like a nice, balanced system. Excellent work. Now, IMO, because you've done such a nice job of building a balanced system at this price point, to really upgrade, you'll want to plan a *round* of upgrades. What I mean -- You'll want to upgrade your speakers, but to get the most out of better speakers, you'll want to lose the receiver and buy a separate Amp and pre-amp. Personally, I would stick with two channel and focus my expenditures there rather than get into multi -- but that's me. I set up a multi-channel system with really nice stuff all around. I'm back to two channel for good -- even with movies and High Rez digital music. If I were you and I was in college, I think I would enjoy this system. When you start your upgrade path, I would start with speakers.
