Although I've always been a music listener and have had many 'stereo systems' over the years, a recent visit to a friends convinced me that my main listening environment (a low end home theatre system) was really crap. So I set about assembling a budget minded entry level audiopile system that I have called my Starter 'Reference' System. My hope is that a) I will like it and it will sound good b) it will be of sufficient quality that I might actually be able to hear a difference if I insert a piece for testing or upgrade a piece in the future.
This system is so new that I don't actually have all the pieces yet - some are still in transit - so I don't myself know how it will sound. I'll update with photos and my sentiments once it is fully assembled and broken in. Total investment is just over $3305.
BTW, I'm primarily a jazz and fussion fan - mostly instrumentals, but those female jazz singers are doing it for me too! I also listen to progresive rock from my formative years - the 70's and 80's.
In the mean time, I'd love to hear comments and suggestions as where it's lacking or what I should consider adding or upgrading to increase my listening enjoyment.
System edited: I just ordered the Audio Experience tube phono preamp from Chui Chi Wai. This brings total cost of my system up to about $3300 - but I think I'm done for now. ;-)
System edited: Came across a good deal (I think) on Ebay tonight which I've added to my system - a Rega Planar 2 turntable (older style with the glass platter) in excellent condition with a BIN of $199. I don't have a phono pre-amp, so I won't put it to work right away. Initially, I'll set it up with an old Ortofon cartridge I have from years gone by (I checked the stylus today under a 'scope and it's still in excellent shape). I'd love to hear any suggestions (links?) to recommended tweaks for the Rega or suggestions for 'value' upgrades to the carteidge.
It is great fun getting new gear and seeing how it will sound. You are in for a fun journey!!
I almost bought a pair of logan Aerious (sp?) and was running a CJ MV55 at the time (50w x2) I did extensive research and got lots of different opinions. It is doable for sure, I had people telling me they were running logans on SE 5w gear - so anything is possible. I think it really boils down to the size of your room and levels you would like to listen. This may be a really good solution for you since you have extra SS amo - Bi Amp your logans!(SS to bass & tube to panels) Easily done and Adcom's are tough rugged amps - just fine to power the bass. What is great about the logans is that they have bass control levels on the woofers which will allow you to balance your system. It's the panel that requires the power, but I think your Amp 1 will handle that OK. That would be a pretty sweet rig!!
As for wires, here are some I found to be really good at or under $150 new!
Love Homegrown Audio silver lace (HomegrownAudio.com) great guys, awsome quality product,good honest people offering a quality product at very reasonable prices. Kit apprx $100, assembled $150. AWSOME - great sound stage & depth!! I have done lots of comparisons and these hold thier own against some pretty expensive stuff - they are EXCELLENT if you have a warm system. If your system is already bright, these may not be the best choice.
The Music Cable - "The-Music-Cable.com": I have thier "truly Balanced" cable - very nice for the price, it is a shotgun run. They sound really good - great company.
Van Den Hul - "www.vandenhul.com" is supposed to have some good stuff too. Never heard it but it gets good reviews.
Higher priced Stuff:
My favorite: Audition Au24 - expensive, look like cheap crap, but by far the best wires I have heard!!!
Acuastic Zen Matrix - buy used - I have them now and really like them.
Luminious Audio Synchestra & Synchestra Signiture: Good cable, maybe try and find used. They don't feel like much to the touch, but they are a really good cable. The owner is a friend, and he makes really top notch stuff. Very warm and musical cable, if you have a brightness problem, these will solve it without any negative trade offs.
Play around with cables, it's fun and can really make a difference. It is really system dependant and you may find mixing and matching works best. Pay more attention to source to pre-amp, that's your biggest improvement. I really love Accoustic Zen Satori speaker wire, it made a big improvement in my system. I don't believe in the really pricy stuff - I think some of the more reasonable stuff is just as good.
Groove - thanks for the thorough and thoughtful feedback. I am beside myself with anticipation regarding how this gear will sound when it all comes together. I do have the same concern as you regarding the capability of the Amp 1 to drive the MLs sufficiently, but I did my research and all indications are that it at least has a chance. I have a couple of lower quality SS amps in reserve from a sound reinforcement system(an Adcom GFA-535 and a Carvin MOSFET 450).
As far as wires go, can you make some recommendations. I've ordered a couple of sets of MIT Terminator 2 interconnects from the Cable Nerd's blowout sale to try out. Any other suggestions - I'm willing to spend a bit to evaluate and jettison if it doesn't work out (as I try to buy used, then if I'm not happy, I don't usually lose too much to sell it off)?
I think you are off to a pretty good start - with a total spend of $2500, i'd say you did damn good!!!
At this point you will find everyone has an opinion - here is what matters. Your system synergy - it will take time and you will go through TON's of stuff until it's right. Here's the bad news - it will NEVER be right - sorry your in it now, no getting out.
The speakers are very nice and you can really continue to build on those. (Everything is nice - it's all in how it blends together though) I am not sure about the power of the amp 1, ML's tend to be power hungary - you may be fine though depending on what levels you want to listen, etc. If you find you a power issue, you could switch to SS amp and move to tube pre amp. (I'm a tube head so I like that you have tube amplification though) You could go with a CJ tube pre.
I have heard the pre and it has the CJ signiture, smooth & warm. I can see it being forgiving and good for Jazz, not a bad place to start at all. (I like the CJ sound - very warm and musical)
Overall I think your system should sound really nice - if you find something lacking besides power, try playing around with different wires first - then maybe your source. Wires DO make a difference.
