Getting Stereo Integrated and Speakers for PC, which?

LadFromWales

LadFromWales

LadFromWales

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Pembrokeshire
lo all,

Been heavily researching getting myself some nice stereo audio kit to replace these useless dell satellites I've been subjected to since moving my PC into a (smaller) new area in the room to accommodate a desk.

Been speaking with Yewen, he has recommended me the Cambridge Audio Azur 640A (not the version 2, although I'll prolly go for that one).

Speakers are my main concern, as there are a lot more good sets of them than there are stereo integrated amps!

Main sets I've been looking at are:-
TDL KV1
Mordaunt Short 902
Wharfedale Diamond 9.2

As I primarily play music rather than gaming/movies, I have decided to go down the relatively high end stereo route, rather than the low-mid AV receiver..

My general tastes in music vary from happy hardcore (etc), dance and all the sub genres, also rock, the odd bit of classical. I find it hard to specify my tastes, as I'm into so many different types of music, but it is generally bias towards dance etc...

I'm looking for something that will sound good no matter what its playing, capable of pushing the mids and highs very well without the bass muffling them all out. I do like bass, comes in as a handy weapon against the neighbours when they upset me :p

I'm open to recommendations and suggestions or products outside of the above. I live miles away from a quality hifi outlet, so just popping into a store to demo a bunch of speakers is costly (i can't drive) Three hours away on the train to the closest Richer Sounds :(

Priority is getting the speakers and amp, really want to keep the spending to a max of £600, else I'll have to scrimp some more, heh.

I then need a new desk (this one is too short) and speaker stands!

Thanks all, any help appreciated :)
 
I assume that with the two amps you mentioned, looks are deceiving? As it'll be very hard for me to demo kit before purchase, I'd like to buy into the best my money can get me (obviously)

Yeah the room is small. I was originally looking at Kef Q1's, as I thought they sounded nice paired with a Pioneer AX5, but I'd been lead to believe (by others as well as Yewen) that speakers from the likes of Wharfdale etc had a rounder sound, with more energy. I'd much rather take home a set of Kef's, but if theres something better for the money...

I am willing to buy second hand, but only if it results in a large leap forward in tech, as theres always the risk that it's been abused by its previous owner.

Never heard Mission or B&W speakers :(

Thanks for your comments and opinions DRZ, I will keep them in mind, and will take a look into the speakers and amps you've mentioned :)

Tom: brand names are all well and good, but I have no idea what to look for, they could have manufactured 100's of different models during their existence! Popping onto the bay makes my head explode, there is just so many different ones up there, and I've no idea whats good and what isn't. don't come across chunks of money to throw away on luxuries often, so I wanna make the right decision :D
 
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Thanks tom and CS for your posts. Speakers are pretty much out of the way, as I have heard Kef Q1's and thought they sounded amazing compared to anything I've ever heard in a home, I am going to get a set of Q1's or maybe the new iQ3's.

Amplifiers, you've all brought a few more names to my attention, which will add confusion to my purchase, but it's for the best isn't it :D

We have:-
Arcam Alpha's
Audiolab A8000's
Cyrus 3 and 6
Linn
Naim
Rotel

Lots to think about there! I wouldn't mind going for the newer, more modern kit, simply because it generally looks more at home with all the other modern kit! But old kit sometimes sounds better than new, does that rule apply when looking at kit in this sort of price range?

Guess I'll have a mooch around the bay and avforums then :D
 
I've noticed that all the units I've been recommended are half-width, was this intended? I have no problem with it, nor do I have problems with full width. Probably be easier to find space for half width though, although I'm getting a longer desk anyway :)

CS, not having much joy finding Mission 782's on the bay, just the woofers on their own, lol. Do Mission and Cyrus have connections with eachother?

I'd have to look into the AL 8000A some more, as first impressions it looks small and cheap, but clearly it isn't!

Doesn't look like I'll have my hands on this kit for a while, so much research to do!
 
MatBlack, I assume you use your 8000A for stereo music, and as fronts for multi channel? Whats the AV Receiver you got there?

CS, those speakers look massive, would prolly have no room to move in here! The room is 8ft x 8ft6, wooden floor, with disgruntled parent underneath :p (in the lower floor, not underneath the floorboards :D)

Would that sort of speaker function ok in a small room? Also, as they'll be based around a computer, I'll be sitting relatively close to them.

Thanks for all help and advice so far :D
 
CS, what is your opinion on the Mission 780's compared to Kef Q1's? The missions can prolly be got a lot cheaper than the Kef's too.

The general idea here seems to be that Cyrus amps are the ones to be looking out for, followed by Audiolabs?

Sorry, feeling a bit lost within all this mess that is hifi gear!
 
Theres a set of 780's on the bay now, not long left, how much they worth 2nd hand?

Foot tappingly good sounds good :D You've all given me a huge list of makes and models to think about, it'll prolly be weeks before I purchase now! :(
 
A good start is no good, it has to be right the first time, I don't have the money to buy new speakers willy nilly :(

Could one of you be extra nice and point me in the direction of specific models from brands such as Cyrus and Arcam, and maybe anyone else I should be looking at, just to help me whittle down which amp to get :)

Looking at Arcam 10 now...
 
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Yeah I'd love to demo before purchase. Been looking around for HiFi dealers, the closest appear to be in Cardiff. I'm in Milford Haven, and I can't drive, so we're looking at a 3 hour train journey each way, at a cost of about £20 return. Do you know of any dealers closer to my location? Pembrokeshire, SW Wales.

Thanks for your patience with me guys, I really appreciate it. My ears are most likely no where near as educated as you guys, but gotta start somewhere :D
 
The speakers will be going on stands, but they won't be able to be placed 30-40cm from the wall, well, they might, but it'd be more convenient to place them a bit closer.

Amplifiers though, from what I've been reading so far
Used: Arcam 10
New: NAD 352CT

I am not set on these two, I am still waiting for comments from users on here and avforums.

To reiterate, I am looking for an amp/speaker pair that will get me an enjoyable, untiring setup. Although I should be training my ears to listening to uncoloured music really :) From the small amount of research I have done, I have found that the Arcam gives a slightly bright colour to the music, while the cyrus is more natural. I do want a setup which doesn't sound like the average tripe that you can get in your average hifi store. I'd like it to be pretty much how the composer wanted you to hear it (doesn't everyone?), but still be enjoyable. I like to turn up the bass sometimes, depending on mood, music type, and such.

(yes I did CnP some of that from AVF...:p)

Cheers all!
 
I'll have a look if theres a sevenoaks near me later...the closest superfi is in cardiff :(

Whats the opposite of warm? (don't say cold). Would an Arcam 10 produce a warm sound?

I will look up some info about the speakers you mentioned, and will check if there is a branch of sevenoaks to pop into for a listen anywhere near here. If not, I might have to rely on other peoples opinions :(
 
Looks like I need to dismiss all but front firing bass ports then!

That comparison chart certainly brings out the Wharfdale Diamonds and the Kef's :) I've not read into Monitor Audio gear yet, I know I should...

I'm still pretty lost within the jungle that is Hifi gear!

Would an Arcam 10 satisfy someone who is wanting to hear music as intended, sounding natural, while not being too bright, but still sounding enjoyable? I like to turn up the bass for some types of music too, as my tastes span many genres :) Same goes for the volume, I do like to whack that up (when the neighbors are out of course!) Should I be looking for a different Amp?

For speakers it seems to be Wharfedale, Kef, or MA, what do you all think? :)
 
I don't mean that I want to turn the bass up to the full, just adding a little bass to dance music etc. I can guess that with this sort of kit, I wouldn't need to enhance the bass much if at all to make music sound good...

Yeah DRZ I have read that the Arcam 10 has small heatsinks for its power output, which can trigger overload shutdowns when driving 4 ohm speakers loud. Is there anything else you think worthy of your recommendation? :)

The iQ3's have a sensitivity of 90db, so they shouldn't need to be turned up high to sound loud, right? I've only ever heard Kef speakers properly, and they did sound good, but they were Q1's, and older Q30's, both sounded very good to me, but I perhaps know no better, as I've never heard any of the kit your all recommending before.

I've always pictured Wharfedale as being cheap and nasty, but people here seem to rave over them, so I've been giving them some thought, though I'd prefer a set of iQ3's :)

If you feel that you could devote some time to talking to me about this stuff, could we use MSN or something?

Thanks :)
 
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