AudioNervosa
The Market => Classified Ads => Topic started by: etcarroll on January 31, 2014, 03:31:40 PM
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Background - after divorce and wife moving out in 2010, I began assembling a 2 channel system after a 15 year hiatus.
Went through a number of used components, finally got to a system for vinyl I liked with some guidance from Pman.
Bought a close to 30 year old Bryston 4B for 500-ish dollars, sent it to Bryston for recapping to bring it to 4B-ST status for $600-ish.
Then Pman let me hear another members hot-rodded Hafler XL-280, and I fell in love with the sound and bought it, I guess the mosfets did it.
So, I just got $1300 for the Bryston, and can live with the Hafler indefinitely, but find myself lusting for a Van Alstine Fet Valve 600R.
I heard one at the Capitol Audio Fest driving Salk speakers, loved the sound, but paid more attention to the speakers than amp as didn't have the Hafler at the time.
So, what do folks recommend I look at?
I listen to vinyl, (obviously), lots of rock, new wave and the like from 70's and 80's, plus some classic rock. In last 2 years have built a jazz collection, lots of 50's and 60's stuff, bob, hard bop and soul jazz, love trumpet and sax, and Bill Evans on piano doesn't stink either.
And for a change of pace I have about 1000 classical albums bought since 2010.
A tube pre-amp and tubed phono-pre in the mix already.
Range between the $1300 in pocket and a top of $2100.
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etcarroll,
Highly recommend Odyssey Khartago or Stratos.
Mike
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What speakers Gene? Still the Vandys?
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Thx Mike.
Rich - Vandys in bedroom system, main system has Onix Reference 3, http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=3864.0. (http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=3864.0.)
Added Skiing Ninja Platinum xover for the Ref 3s, plus the cabinet lined with NoRez. Just added stereo 10" sealed subs as well. Have a Dahlquist external xover for the subs.
I'd like to upgrade the speakers to something more musical, but waiting till I sell my house in a year.
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Hi,
I know that your after an amplifier but I've always found the best improvement are in speakers. If you like Salk Sound speakers have you thought of the Soundscapes? They retail for about $2000US and are in your budget. I will declare that I've had a pair of HT2's and I now have HT3 speakers.
Just another option to consider.
Cheers Rod
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Well, I'll be putting house on market in a year, want to hold off on the speakers till get into new digs. I do watch classifieds looking for Legacy and Daedalus products however.
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Hi,
I actually meant to mention Songtowers which are about $2000. If your after Van Alstine Amplifiers he has some SS amps which are near your budget. Your in the US so you could also check audiogon as well.
Regards Rod
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ET,
A shameless plug; Eastern Electric M88 to you $1400
Bill
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Bill -
Intriguing, I have the original EE DAC which I am very fond of, so another EE product would be considered. But isn't this an integrated unit? I'm already using a pre-production model of the Purity One pre, with a pair of NOS Mullards in it, pretty happy with the sound. Can't see buying pre-amp functionality that I wont use.
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Gene,
Come to Newport and listen to some Melody. :)
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ET,
You can use the M88 strictly as an amp also.
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If you can find one, the Bow Walrus power-amp can be had for under 2K
and its a fabulous SS amp. Its one of those amps that fly under the radar and are severely under priced.