Introducing the New HiFi Miser Forum-As discussed by Andre Marc

[Andre Marc]

Hi


This thread is supposed to be where one can discuss inexpensive but good audiophile products .. Let's focus on that.

Since I am known to be an audiophile by my friends I am often asked for advice on decent but inexpensive equipment...Too often I draw a blank or a roll-eye calling a $2,000 loudspeaker "inexpensive" ...
Recently I heard the Elac B6 and they are all-that!! Surprising doesn't do them any justice they are flat out good and if you hide the price, most audiophiles would find them very good ... They are simply marvelous and they cost ... $279/pair.. I bought 2 pairs for gifting friends ...

I need now recommendation for decent amps from $200 to 1000. I have some DACs in mind for circa $300 ... Goal is to to keep the entire system under $1000 ...

I have heard some names and have no experience whatsoever with them . I would like to hear from anyone who's heard them... Yaquin , Audioromy, etc

Frantz.... Integrated amp?

Also, if you real want to maximize the value, there are a number of integrated amps with built in DACs I can recommend for under $1000.

 

[FrantzM]

Integrated is the best way.

Once an audiophile .. forever an audiophile .. Here I am trying to find some gifts for friends and family and rather than thinking one box and a pair of speakers my first reflex is to think separated. Do not mind pure analog amp with noDAC either.

 

[Andre Marc]

Integrated is the best way.

Once an audiophile .. forever an audiophile .. Here I am trying to find some gifts for friends and family and rather than thinking one box and a pair of speakers my first reflex is to think separated. Do not mind pure analog amp with noDAC either.

Ok, well for amp with DAC, i can't recommend more highly the iFI retro tube integrated with built in Micro iDSD DAC. 50 wpcs, Roughly around $1100 without the speakers
http://www.tonepublications.com/review/ifi-retro-50/

Marantz has a number of integrated amps that are just wonderful for the money, some with DACs some without:

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductListing.aspx?CatId=HiFiComponents

The Rega Brio-R is another great one. $895 I believe...

The CLONES Audio 25iR:

http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-p...s-audio-25ir-integrated-amplifier-review.html

I would also look at the NAD line, Cambridge Audio, and Pro-Ject.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I like the Marantz PM7005

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/P...tId=HiFiComponents&SubCatId=&ProductId=PM7005

 

[Andre Marc]

I like the Marantz PM7005

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/P...tId=HiFiComponents&SubCatId=&ProductId=PM7005

Johnny, great choice. Killer value.

 

[amirm]

I like the Marantz PM7005

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/P...tId=HiFiComponents&SubCatId=&ProductId=PM7005

We use this (or was it the older model?) for a while in our showroom and it sounded very good.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Johnny, great choice. Killer value.

Indeed...and covers pretty much all the bases.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

We use this (or was it the older model?) for a while in our showroom and it sounded very good.

I'm a fan of the Marantz sound....it has that lovely just warm of neutral sound.

 

[Andre Marc]

Indeed...and covers pretty much all the bases.

two models down or so.....leaves some cash left over for maybe a turntable JV?
http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-p...05-integrated-amplifier-cd5005-cd-player.html

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

two models down or so.....leaves some cash left over for maybe a turntable JV?
http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-p...05-integrated-amplifier-cd5005-cd-player.html

That's a great alternative suggestion Andre! I mean, may as well put the phono input to good use, eh?

 

[Andre Marc]

That's a great alternative suggestion Andre! I mean, may as well put the phono input to good use, eh?

I defer to you on the TT reco!!!!

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I defer to you on the TT reco!!!!

Basic entry-level is about $300-$500. The 2 most popular are from Rega and Pro-ject. Personally I prefer Pro-ject as Rega has issues with the dreaded Grado hum, which would limit one's cartridge options.

 

[Andre Marc]

Basic entry-level is about $300-$500. The 2 most popular are from Rega and Pro-ject. Personally I prefer Pro-ject as Rega has issues with the dreaded Grado hum, which would limit one's cartridge options.

Yeh I figured Rega and Pro-ject were the best games in town..I guess Music Hall is the other one.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Yeh I figured Rega and Pro-ject were the best games in town..I guess Music Hall is the other one.

Yes it is. Both Music Hall and Pro-ject TT's are built in the same factory in the Czech Republic.

There are some other lesser-priced units that have received good press, but I'm unfamiliar them, so I'd rather not comment.

 

[asiufy]

We got a shipment of those Music Hall USB-1 turntables the other day. I was initially opposed to carrying it, as they seemed too flimsy, with that "$99 Crosley", "I'll destroy your records" vibe... But we opened one to set it up for a customer, and what do you know? The thing sounds pretty decent!!!!! Proper soundstage, weight, no HF nasties... It was actually better than the Music Hall 2.2 out of the box, as that model comes packaged with a fairly lousy cartridge. The Audio Technica on the USB-1 on the other hand is fairly good! For $250 with a built-in phono, it's a no brainer, and actually better/more stable/less finicky the entry-level Regas (IMHO).


cheers,
alex

 

[Andre Marc]

We got a shipment of those Music Hall USB-1 turntables the other day. I was initially opposed to carrying it, as they seemed too flimsy, with that "$99 Crosley", "I'll destroy your records" vibe... But we opened one to set it up for a customer, and what do you know? The thing sounds pretty decent!!!!! Proper soundstage, weight, no HF nasties... It was actually better than the Music Hall 2.2 out of the box, as that model comes packaged with a fairly lousy cartridge. The Audio Technica on the USB-1 on the other hand is fairly good! For $250 with a built-in phono, it's a no brainer, and actually better/more stable/less finicky the entry-level Regas (IMHO).


cheers,
alex

Thanks alex. I love first hand experience recommendations.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

And then of course there are the connection requirements. Some really good value brands like Pangea, Mogami, Emotiva (yes....I have some and they're quite good), and several more who's names escape me at the moment.

 

[Andre Marc]

And then of course there are the connection requirements. Some really good value brands like Pangea, Mogami, Emotiva (yes....I have some and they're quite good), and several more who's names escape me at the moment.

absolutely.. and I can include Signal cable, entry level Kimber, DH Labs, etc.

 

[Mortsnets]

I like my affordable Belden 8402 Interconnects and Western Electric 16GA speaker wire.

 

[Joe Whip]

absolutely.. and I can include Signal cable, entry level Kimber, DH Labs, etc.

I have heard good things about DH Labs. Have heard their wires at shows and the rooms always sounded very good.