Need advice building 2ch system $3-5k.

Here's a great deal on Energy Veritas 2.3 floor-standing speakers....

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/pr...20--%20B-Stock

Would you consider the Mag 1.6s? I think they come in at just around $1500 for the pair, but you'd need to really build the room around them, as they can be rather picky as to their placement.

*Never heard, just heard of.

Maggie 1.6 would be a good call for speakers, depending on your room layout and space available. They need to be at least 3-4 feet away from the back wall to really open up, so this requires some length to the room to let them throw it at you! They're pretty inefficient as well, so you would have to be careful in terms of the amplification used.

Another choice along these lines would be the Newform Research R645's, which are a hybrid design that integrate seemlessly (ribbon towers with dyanmic mid bass drivers). They retail for about $2,300 or so, but are more like $1,300 in the used market on Audiogon on the rare occasion when they come up for sale. The sound is glorious (to my ears at least), similar to the Maggies but not as fussy in terms of placement and amplification. I've often found myself going back to the Newforms despite having another pair of speakers that retail for about 6 times as much (Talon Khorus).

Good call on the source. There are a growing number of universal players in the $1k region. Check Welly Wu about this (he seems to be up to speed on the latest digital players and formats, etc.).

One suggestion would be to think carefully about whether you want a 2 channel only system or a 5.1 HT. I say this for a couple of reasons:

1) It's hard to do both equally well on any given budget, and there is no sense in spending a big part of your budget on a subwoofer, center channel and surrounds if movie watching is only 10% of your expected use of the system.

2) Likewise, your search for a source will be guided by the 2 channel versus HT decision. If you decide to go 2 channel initially with the thought of going to an HT setup in another year or two, it would be wise IMO to get a CD or CD/SACD only player for now and hold off on the universal player until it is needed.

3) Obviously your amplification would be impacted (duh), and again you will get more bang for your buck in terms of sonics with a 2 channel amp and pre (or possibly an integrated 2 channel amp) than you would by getting a 5.1 receiver and then only using 2 of those channels!

If you're looking for the bargains in the receiver department, look for something that has been out for a year or two (but not longer than that). I've found that receivers are generally overpriced when they first come out because they incorporate all of the latest and greatest, 90% of which the average dude doesn't make use of. So in the receiver market, the key is to do your homework in terms of which features you really need/want, and then "settle" for less than the latest and greatest technology because it comes at half the price (or less in the used market) and gives you all that you will ever use. Examples of what I'm talking about are the B&K AVR 507 which now goes for about $1,500 on Audiogon and is a total steal at that price, and the same is true for the top Denon receivers.

But do check Welly Wu about the universal players. He'll be able to point you in the right direction.

A third vote for the Magnapans!
Jeez this model is nearly a classic as one of THE best bargains in high-end audio. As is the similarly priced Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature. Another possible classic.

IF you go Maggie, the least expensive high quality amp with guts I can think of is the 200 WPC Krell KAV-400xi at $2,500.
And that is a good deal.

The older 300xi still 200 wpc should be less. Or Rotel separates (2nd choice), Musical Fidelity (emphasis on being pretty).

http://www.stereophile.com/amplifica...iews/205krell/
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superio...llkav400xi.htm
http://www.stereotimes.com/amp071604.shtm

Correction 150 wpc. $1600-$1900 @ Audiogon.

Wow, it would actually be possible in the used market on Audiogon to put together that Maggie ($1,200) and Krell ($1,800) system plus a new universal source ($1,000-$1,500) and still be within budget!

That would get my vote, but you would have to have some faith in the Audiogon market. As someone with over 100 rated transactions as a buyer there, I certainly do. I've built several systems from Audiogon and have yet to enter into a "bad" transaction.

You can get Spendor S5e floorstanding speakers for under $2k. I haven't listened to this model but I listened to some S3's and they were very good.

Magnepan make center and wall mounted speakers.

Yeah $1000 each basically eliminates the high end with regard to multichannel. The best bet may be something like Rotel's flagship behemoth sized multichannel receiver RSX-1067 for like $2000.
Kills all birds with one stone 7x100 watts and will sound pretty good. Of course a more sensitive speaker than Magggie or Vandersteen will have to be decided upon.
http://www.audaud.com/audaud/OCT04/component/comp3.html
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...er-1-2005.html



And I thought I was assisting only THE jefemeister!

I have studio 40s also, and if you like that sound, (what version are yours?) I would consider

A) Studio 40 v2 Actives (don't need a amp in this case)
B) Look at the Signature S4's.


What are you using to drive them now? You could also change out amps/source and keep the studio 40s, they are very good speakers in that price range, maybe if you feel something is missing (bass?) add a subwoofer.

You know...that is one damn fine speaker! The S6e two way'll work too.

Sensitivity for 1W @ 1m 87dB
Impedance nominal 8 ohms
Impedance minimum 4.4 ohms

Makes it more friendly to a variety of amps than the Maggie or Vandersteen. $1649/pair is sweet.
I've heard Spendors and they are perfectly fine. A little safe/forgiving compared to a Maggie but maybe that's better in the long run.
And they look great as a bonus.
http://www.spendoraudio.com/exp1024.htm
Nice review!
http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeak...ws/904spendor/



Classy

This is somewhat complicated if you must have a two channel amplifier. A
good Pre/Processor is going to be cost prohibitive.

I would recommend Audio Refinement Pre-2DSP DPL II Preamp-Processor and Multi-2 Amplifier. I think they are both around $1400 each.
http://www.audioplusservices.com/ref.../products.html

All of these components work phenomenally well with Cardas. You will at
least need to get the Quadlink-Five C Interconnect or you will be
wasting your money on the electronics and speakers I have recommended.
http://www.cardas.com/content.php?ar...&product_id=10

JM Lab Cobalt 816 S floor standing speakers are also a great match for
these cables and electronics. $2000 range
http://www.focal.tm.fr/gb/home/cobaltS/c816s.htm

I can't give a higher recommendation to the Cambridge Audio Azur 540D
DVD Player at under $400 it is unbelievable for sound and picture.
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summar...ect%20pictures

If you are open to Receivers then Sherwood Newcastle is the way to go.
Hands down the best audio receiver I have ever heard at any price. They
have models from $800 to $2000. The 2k model is outstanding. They also
make separates but I would go for the Audio Refinement over them.
http://www.sherwoodusa.com/nc_cat_av.html

If you take the time to research these components or better yet go and
have a listen I think you will hear how for the money they are hard to
beat. These combined together are Magic.
All of these components are designed first for music but easily allow
you to upgrade later for multi-channel home theater.

Good Luck and most important Have Fun

I know you specified 'no used market' stuff, but what about refurbished? You also stated that you love the Pass Labs and Bryston sound. I'd recomend giving Mark Sammut at Reno Hi-Fi a call. He is the dealer for Pass Labs refurb stuff, and I can guarantee you wont be able to tell the difference! He's a personal friend of mine, and his father is the president of Pass Labs. For ~$3500 (1700ish + 1750ish) he can put your friend into a Pass Labs X2.5 preamp and an X150 power amp.

Anyway just a thought. His website is Reno Hi-Fi

Good Luck,
Jeremy Capurro

I logged back in because I remembered Audio Refinement as the only sub $1000 multichannel preamp maybe worthwhile, but I had in mind the $850 Pre-5 5 channel preamp without all the extra circuitry. I nearly bought this once a few years ago but decided to stay 2-ch.

http://www.uhfmag.com/Issue61/Pre5.html