An entry level sytem

[Gregadd]

I decided to make a suggestion for an entry level system.it will be a:

integrated amp
outboard dac
mini-monitor
digital source(computercables

later a phone section might be added.

Our friends at Stereophile have comprised a list of integrated amps. A good place to start.
http://www.stereophile.com/category/integrated-amp-reviews

 

[Gregadd]

My all time favorite is the Proac tabette

 

[opus111]

+1 for your ProAc suggestion Greg - I've been a very long-term fan of the tablette. My very first hifi speakers were Celefs and I upgraded about eight years later to ProAc Studio Ones.

On integrated amps, here's a longish thread of interest - http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/42260-integrated-amps-an-addicts-guide/

 

[NorthStar]

-- Those speakers are real nice Greg, and have great reviews too.

Where are they made? :b ...England?

 

[opus111]

Yes, a long standing UK brand - http://www.proac-loudspeakers.com/html_files/ContactUs.php

 

[Gregadd]

The Proacs' forte is its' ability to image. It is a true point source.Specifications

Nominal Impedance
8 ohms
Recommended Amplifiers
10 to 120 Watts
Frequency Response
35hz to 30Khz
Sensitivity
86.5 dB linear for 1 watt at 1 metre
Bass/Midrange
5 7/8" (150mm) Polymer Impregnated Kevlar cone with black acrylic phase plug
Tweeter
3/4" (20mm) ProAc silk dome with damped front plate. Mirror image offset configuration.
Crossover
Finest components on dedicated circuit board. Multistrand oxygen-free cabling throughout, split for optional bi-wiring/ bi-amping
Dimensions
Height: 10 5/8" (270mm), Width: 6" (150mm), Depth: 9 3/4" (235mm) including grille
Weight
5 Kgs each
Mode
Stand/Shelf mounting
Grille
Acoustically transparent crimplene
Finish
Standard Finishes:
Black Ash, Mahogany, Cherry, Maple.
Premium Finishes:
Rosewood, Ebony.

*Premium Finishes to

 

[Gregadd]

http://www.stereophile.com/content/cayin-sp-10a-integrated-amplifier

Cayin SP10A.A wood cabinet and point to point wiring.

 

[audioguy]

That cabinet reminds me of my first amp from the 60's: A Scott model tube amp with (drum roll please) 12.5 watts per channel!!

Love that look!

 

[flez007]

Naim Unity 2

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/naimuniti

 

[Robh3606]

Looks nice but:

Summing up the Cayin SP-10A's measured performance is difficult; it must be remembered that this is a relatively affordably priced product when compared against the similar-looking Leben, Luxman, and Quad integrated amplifiers that Art Dudley reviewed in November 2011. But I am concerned about its 4 ohm tap's curious instability and lack of distortion-free power. As Bob wrote, the amplifier just "ran out dynamic gas" when asked to play loudly with rock music from this output.—John Atkinson

Rob

 

[Gregadd]

I like Naim It should go well with fellow Brit Proac. What is MSRP?

I want to suggest Harmon HK 990 that has a phono section. it was reviewed in Stereophile by our own Kal Robinson.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/harman-kardon-hk-990-integrated-amplifier

 

[Gregadd]

Looks nice but:

Summing up the Cayin SP-10A's measured performance is difficult; it must be remembered that this is a relatively affordably priced product when compared against the similar-looking Leben, Luxman, and Quad integrated amplifiers that Art Dudley reviewed in November 2011. But I am concerned about its 4 ohm tap's curious instability and lack of distortion-free power. As Bob wrote, the amplifier just "ran out dynamic gas" when asked to play loudly with rock music from this output.—John Atkinson

Rob

Good observation. No doubt the Cayin is a classic tube amp. My thought is a separate amp speaker combo for hard rock.

 

[garylkoh]

My vote for something current (it has USB digital input!) and looks modern would be:

http://www.aprilmusic.com/eng/main/sub02_01_03y.html

plus

http://www.elac.com/en/products/2.1-systems/2_1_MicroMagic/

We demo the Elacs in the Toronto AV show, and I thought that they had the best sat/sub integration I've ever heard. All we were driving them with was an iPod.

 

[Gregadd]

Thanks Gary. I've always been a fan of satellites since I experienced the M&K system.

Maybe you have some thoughts on reasonaby priced cables

 

[garylkoh]

Thanks Gary. I've always been a fan of satellites since I experienced the M&K system.

Maybe you have some thoughts on reasonaby priced cables

No thanks. I don't want to go there - every thread on cables on this forum turns toxic.

 

[Gregadd]

No thanks. I don't want to go there - every thread on cables on this forum turns toxic.

Don't worry Gary, I got your back.

 

[Gregadd]

How about Kimber Hero?
DUT: Hero 1m terminated with WBT-0144 RCA type connectors.
(Cp) parallel capacitance: 76.5 pF @ 20 kHz
(Ls) series inductance: 0.401 µH @ 20 kHz
(Rdc) dc loop resistance: 0.033 ?
(Xt) total reactance: 0.051 ? @ 20 kHz
Frequency response ± 0.5 dB dc - 8 MHz

DUT: Hero 1m terminated with XLR type connectors.
(Cp) parallel capacitance: 33.10 pF @ 20 kHz
(Ls) series inductance: 1.13 µH @ 20 kHz
(Rdc) dc loop resistance: 0.081 ?
(Xt) total reactance: 0.143 ? @ 20 kHz
Frequency response ± 0.5 dB dc - 8 MHz

 

[NorthStar]

View attachment 6682...

I want to suggest Harmon HK 990 that has a phono section. it was reviewed in Stereophile by our own Kal Robinson.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/harman-kardon-hk-990-integrated-amplifier

---- Yes. :b

How about Kimber Hero?
DUT: Hero 1m terminated with WBT-0144 RCA type connectors.
(Cp) parallel capacitance: 76.5 pF @ 20 kHz
(Ls) series inductance: 0.401 µH @ 20 kHz
(Rdc) dc loop resistance: 0.033 ?
(Xt) total reactance: 0.051 ? @ 20 kHz
Frequency response ± 0.5 dB dc - 8 MHz

DUT: Hero 1m terminated with XLR type connectors.
(Cp) parallel capacitance: 33.10 pF @ 20 kHz
(Ls) series inductance: 1.13 µH @ 20 kHz
(Rdc) dc loop resistance: 0.081 ?
(Xt) total reactance: 0.143 ? @ 20 kHz
Frequency response ± 0.5 dB dc - 8 MHz

---- And yes. :b ...I use KK Heros myself; very affordable 'performance' interconnects.

 

[Gregadd]

Peachtree Audio
http://www.stereophile.com/content/peachtree-idecco-da-integrated-amplifier

 

[Gregadd]

http://www.stereophile.com/content/my-favorite-budget-components-2011

For those of us who will never own TAD speakers.Yes it is a an Andrew Jones speaker cheaper than the cable by Audioquest.