I have changed my audiophile thinking a lot lately, and I am not so much of an audiophile anymore. I hate to say that because I love music and stereo equipment so much still, it's just that the whole cd player thing (see my system thread for details) got me a little worked up. I really appreciate everyone who tried to help, but I still ended up deciding that bits is bits to me. That being said, I know that other things make a difference, however I have yet to see cables make a difference, and if a CD player doesn't do much, I doubt that I will hear what cables can do. I am going to save my money until I can afford new speakers, as I know for a fact that speakers still make a difference.
So far I am very happy with the MF gear. It is my first taste of hi end gear and I think it was a great choice. I won't upgrade for a very long time.
Musical Fidelity A3.2cr
Quite often I have to purchase equipment without being able to hear it first. I did get to hear the MF gear, but not with any of my associated equipment. But what I did hear I knew I liked. So I bought it.
Monitor Audio Silver 4i
Bookshelf speaker with 1" gold dome tweeter. Some people say that metal tweeters can be bad, but I think that these speakers are wonderful. New pictures with the foam edging removed and the new spikes.
Custom made Self designed
I came up with the demensions for these stands and had a local welding shop put them together for me. They are not perfect, but they are MASSIVE. They weight about 60lbs each, they have sand in each of the tubes, and I bought adjustable spikes off of parts express for the feet. I think they work very well.
Cambridge Audio Azur 540D
Wanted to try DVD audio, and the dvd player was also on its last leg.
Music Hall MMF 2.1
Very entry level but got me in to vinyl. New picture with the spikes.
Grado Green
MM Cartridge with eliptical stylus
Straightwire Rhythm
I used 2 runs from the amp to each speaker, don't know if it helps or not, but I like to think so.
Kimber Kable Tonik
.5 meter entry level interconnect
tripplite isobar 6
I have heard so many different opinions on power products that I decided that I wasn't going to buy into it unless I could get something very cheap. I saw this on ebay for 6 dollars and I couldn't pass. It's no Richard Grey, but as far as I am concerned, you don't need much else. However, that doesn't mean it is the best.
Yes, I have the JD 100A and it is a lovely player. I've replaced it with a Sim Nova. I was considering selling the Jolida but will probably hold on to it. Why? I really liked it. It lacked a little extension at both ends but you can tube roll and improve on that. I personally did just a little tube rolling. It was my 2nd CD purchase after a Ah Njoeb Tjoeb. The Jolida is smooth with excellent midrange. I have the Level One Mod from Underwood Highfi. My advice: I have had the Arcam 73t for a brief period and liked it too: good bass and a smooth non-fatiguing sound: the Jolida lacks a little bass but you get that midrange. I would consider either of these players. If you want the sure thing on bass, then at least in my experience, the Arcam bettered the Jolida. But in midrange performance the Jolida was superior.
mimberman, my intention wasn't to imply that I would upgrade the PC's before the CD player, but I could ask for PC's as gifts if they were inexpensive. Thanks for the CD player recommendations, though. I will definitely be saving up for the CD player, I just don't know which one's to audition. I still would really like to know if anyone has experience with this Jolida JD100a, specifically if you think it would match well with my system. As I said earlier, I am going to audition the usual suspects (rega planet/jupiter, Musical fidelity A 3.2, Music Hall Maveric/cd25, Arcam FMJ??, etc.), but I really want to know how to narrow my list because I have to travel a long distance to listen to anything. Dlwask, thanks for the advice, I will definitely look into the anticables and flavor 4, they sound perfect for what I want.
Nice system. I too used to own MF and Monitor Audio (A3cr pre-amp/amp and Silver 5is). Sometimes I wish I would have kept the 5is around for use elsewhere around the house but eventually sold them to upgrade.
Try the VH Audio power cords. I'd recommend a Flavor 4 on your amp first. Unfortunately there is a long break in time (100 hours), but you could be surprised with the results with this affordable cable. Also look at Paul Speltz anti-cables for your speakers, they are amazing.
Well, I can't give any advice on PCs for under 200, because the one's I received as a gift were rather pricy. What I will say is that you're better off skipping a PC upgrade if you're willing to spend up to 200, because you could have one of the following CD players if you just saved up a little more (but thenagain, I'm about as good at saving money as I am at doing laundry...it just doesn't happen) Note, these are all prices found on Agon for used gear:
SONY DVP-S9000ES for about $698 which plays SACD and DVDs, and can be modded for pretty brilliant results. Sheesh...one guy has one for 450.
Jolida 100A CD for $675
MUSICAL FIDELITY A3 CD 24 Bit Cd Player for $650 (would have obvious synergy with your setup)
Rotel RCD-1072 w/hdcd for $549 (this is a steal)
Audio Refinement Complete CD for $550 (made by guy from YBA...supposed to be pretty great)
Cec Tl5100z Belt Drive CD Player for $500 (a slightly old model, but has balanced outputs as well as digital out, so you can add on an outboard DAC)
Arcam CD82 Dual mono 24 bit DACs for $650
Music Hall Maverick SACD Player for $800 (gives you SACD playback and upsampling)
Rega Planet 2000 for $550
And that's just a sample. I say wait to upgrade the PCs, b/c a new player would be a much more noticeable improvement, IMHO
Yeah, I've been wanting to replace my Cambridge Audio D300se for quite some time to bring my source components up to par with my amp and preamp, but like I said in my description, I don't have the money right now. As far as the turntable goes, I move around a lot and really don't want to put too much money into a turntable untill I will be staying in one place for a while. Has anyone had any experience with the Jolida JD100a? I haven't had a chance to audition cd players yet, but I am compiling a wish list that I hope to audition. My list includes the usual suspects, but the reviews on this Jolida have really caught my eye. Any thoughts? Also, I have not been fortunate enough to do a A/B comparison of power cables, but does anyone have any suggestions for inexpensive (i.e. less than $200) for my system?
I've always been a fan of MF (never owned it, but heard it _a lot_) and monitor makes some quality speakers. There's only something wrong with your system either if you think it doesn't sound good, or you hear something that sounds better; it's the latter of these two that causes most of us to upgrade. I wouldn't touch the MF gear, because you'll have to spend more to upgrade that then you would to mate it with more comparable sources. I think how you listen should dictate how you upgrade, obviously, so if you listen to more vinyl, then a step up from the Music Hall MMF 2.1 would be either the MMF 7 (I have it, and would only upgrade for an Aries scout, if I had the money), the comprable clearaudio TT (can't remember model # now), or just about a thousand other options. I listen to CDs more, simply because my phone stage is kind of lousy and I have more cds (and less money for vinyl). If you do as well, then I'd definitely upgrade the cd player. That was the only week link in my opinion. I used to own the Nad C541i, which I bought after comparing it to my friends Cambridge (this is going back a few years). I thought the cambridge an adequate player, especially for the price, but nothing special. You can pick up a Music Hall Maverick upsampling SACD player for about 800 used, which will give you a significant upgrade (as well as SACD) or if you're into brand synergy you can also get the MF 3.2 upsampling CD player which I've seen for like 600-700 used. You never mentioned your cables, but at this point I think you'd be better served saving your money for a new CDP, and worrying about the ICs later. Otherwise, enjoy!
Great System...I have similar constraints on my budget. Those Monitor Audio speakers do sound nice! Do you feel the level amp you bought is justified for the monitor's? I ask this due to the intention I have for buying a new pre/amp and I have affordable speakers like yourself. I've been assuming that it is worth putting a few "K" more into pre/amp than I put into my speakers. One suggestion for you is perhaps a new CD source. I compaired your Cambridge player to Rotel 1072 and Arcam CD73t. The Arcam was superior over both in several ways...(roughly $650 new, I've seen it go for $350 used). Perhaps you would want more performance though if you are going to make a move.
Yes, it is a good looking system. I',ve no experience with Monitor Audio speakers but I'd bet it's a satifying system. I prefer simplicity for two channel listening also.
