Recomend me bookshelf speakers...

At the higher end of your budget, but the Wharfedale 9.1 and Kef Q compacts are rather nice little speakers.

http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=WHAR-9.1-CHE

http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=KEF-Q-COMPACT-DKAPP

Otherwise the MS 902 avants are highly rated

http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=MORD-902I-AVANT-MAP

Richer sounds tend to have pretty good deals on speakers, and it might be worth you nipping down to your local shop and see what they have. Also try to look at superfi where they have mission m32i's for £100, the Epos ESL3 for £200, and in the middle AE Evo 1 speakers (£140) which are all highly rated.

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo-2.cfm/Product_ID/2080

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo-2.cfm/Product_ID/1277

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo-2.cfm/Product_ID/2237

Are you willing to look into second hand gear? You'd get more for your cash.
 
I too am looking at bookshelf speakers (or Aego M2.1 system) to upgrade from a Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 system which is about 4 years old..

I have just bought a Sonic T-Amp and have a pair of Mission 73s left over from a surround system - not sure if it will drive them (using a 300ma battery charger power supply!).
 
Rambaud:

Have recently bought a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s, am very impressed with them, using them with a Cambridge Audio A5 amplifier.

Also, if you look around you will get them for £159.99. ;)
 
The Sonic T amp should be able to drive the mission speakers. Try them and see, I'd definitely suggest the mission Sonic T combo over the Aego's.

Jonesiani: I would look at spending about equal amounts on speakers and an amp.
 
jbloggs,

Are the Diamonds active or passive?

tom_nieto,

I hooked up the Missions to the T-Amp, and there was sound. :)

Still think I shall invest in a beefier power supply for it. Any recommnedations? There seems to be a difference of opinon on whether it should be 12V or 13.8V. Caution would suggest that 12V might be the more prudent option.
 
Definitely get a 12V supply, as I think that's what it's designed for iirc. I think any old 12V supply will do unless you're planning to push the missions to their operating limits... which unless you have really understanding neighbours I don't think you'll do.

The Diamonds are passive, as are all the above speakers. Most hi-fi bookshelf speakers are passive except for some very expensive designs, or more studio aimed monitors... but please let's not get into an argument over studio monitors vs passive hi-fi speakers.
 
Thanks for the info re the Diamonds - although I do recall Wharfedale did make an active version (many years ago, so not sure if that was an option).

The Roland DS-30A (active) might be an option for the OP (and me), as they can be had for ~ £130.00 (new).

Although having already bought the T-Amp, passive (but sensitive) speakers would be better for the same price - in theory.
 
300 mA seems rather low - it's supposed to be 2000 mA. Tantronics (.co.uk) have a 12V 2000 mA switching adaptor that fits the t-amp just fine. Map.lins do a 13.8V transformer but from the picture of it I couldn't see how it would connect to a t-amp, so I went with the 12V switching adaptor. I've been using that for about a month without problems.

Volume wise, if I have windows and wave volume on 50%, the t-amp needs to be at about 40% (11 o'clock position) to give good volume (with 8 ohm speakers).

The t-amp definitely has some advantages - it's small, light, uses little power and doesn't get hot, plus it does sound good. I tested mine a lot versus my Marantz PM66-SE, which is a respected £230 amp, if a little dated now, and the t-amp held it's own in most music (particularly rock and pop). You probably would have to spend over £100 on a used integrated amp to outperform it.
 
One more set of speakers to look out for - Monitor Audio Bronze B2, which are £200 new I believe. I've got the Mordaunt Short 902i on order myself, and if they ever turn up (the stupid shop I ordered from - Forum Hi-fi - are proving rather unreliable) I'll report back with how good they are.
 
fish99 said:
300 mA seems rather low - it's supposed to be 2000 mA. Tantronics (.co.uk) have a 12V 2000 mA switching adaptor that fits the t-amp just fine. Map.lins do a 13.8V transformer but from the picture of it I couldn't see how it would connect to a t-amp, so I went with the 12V switching adaptor. I've been using that for about a month without problems.

Volume wise, if I have windows and wave volume on 50%, the t-amp needs to be at about 40% (11 o'clock position) to give good volume (with 8 ohm speakers).

The t-amp definitely has some advantages - it's small, light, uses little power and doesn't get hot, plus it does sound good. I tested mine a lot versus my Marantz PM66-SE, which is a respected £230 amp, if a little dated now, and the t-amp held it's own in most music (particularly rock and pop). You probably would have to spend over £100 on a used integrated amp to outperform it.
Click to expand...

Yes, 300ma is low, bu it's the only 12v psu that fits which I have in the house. :(

I have seen a regulated 12v 1500ma PSU (with interchangeable output plugs) for £24.99 - so I might buy a couple.

My T-Amp is warm to the touch while it's burning-in at the moment.
 
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***Update***

Just wired up my Mission 73s to my PC and they are sitting on my desktop (not ideal, I know).

T-Amp has no problem in driving them - I cannot get the volume control even up to half-way without deafening myself. :)

Quite surprised at the improvement - not huge but significant. Also, cost me nothing, except some physical exercise to locate them in the attic. :)
 
Rambaud said:
***Update***

Just wired up my Mission 73s to my PC and they are sitting on my desktop (not ideal, I know).

T-Amp has no problem in driving them - I cannot get the volume control even up to half-way without deafening myself. :)
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the same T-amp that ive just googled which pumps out a blistering 6 watts at 8ohms?
 
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