[Pierre Lambion]

Hi everyone,

It has been a long time since I last posted here but I checked the forum from time to time.

I'm pretty much satisfied with my current setup: an ATOLL CD80 cd player with a Porta Corda II and AKG240S. Nothing fancy but solid and pleasant sound anyway.

However, I would love to switch to speakers (no offense to headphones lovers, sorry!) but I live in a small appartment and we have a kid. The only time I can listen to music (classical and jazz) is after 10PM and during the weekend. This makes me reluctant to put money into a speaker rig that I could not use much.

At AudioAsylum I saw a reference to Antique Soundlab 8W monoblocs (around $300 the pair). They were recommended as valves would be more fit to low volume listening.

Do you think that paired with a $600 pair of speakers they would deliver enough detail and plain musicality at very low volume?

Should I forget about speakers and upgrade my headphones and amp? Or hold on untill I eventually move to a larger appartment and buy a regular integrated amp?? Anyway, 2X8W seems enough: my old mini (hooked up to the dvd player) is only 10W and I never go above the third line!

Thanks in advance for any advice or therapy to cure my undetermination!

P.

 

[MoLtoSoLo]

If you are talking about the ASL wave 8w monoblocks. I am not a big fan of it. The sound is kind of thin and dry to me.
I would suggest nOrh SE9 (www.norh.com). For $400 USD shipped I think it's a great value.
Or if you like the AKG house sound, you can try the AKG K1000. I love mine.
Enjoy.

 

[Pierre Lambion]

Thanks for the answer. Yes it is the ASL Wave 8W I was referring to. Thin and dry is certainly how I like it!

AKG1000 could be the answer but I find them too expensive for a headphone rig. And they require an RKV or a high-end corda ...

Do you think this 9W Norh (or anything else) would deliver good sound at really low volume?

P.

 

[Pierre Lambion]

Of course, a 9W tube amp bought for speakers (and those nOrh speakers look nice too!) could easily drive AKG1000 I suppose. Hmmmm... That's an option.

Quote from http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/norh_se9_e.html :

Quote:

However, as with many other single-ended amps, the SE9 can be played at very low volumes while maintaining its rich, musical output. This is a great advantage when using the amp in places or at times when low volume is desirable or necessary.

Sounds like a winner. Anyone bought from nOrh with shipping to Europe? I suppose shipping will be a bit costly. I might bundle with speakers. Problem is buying without listening of course ...


P.

 

[MoLtoSoLo]

I used to use Triangle Titus 202 with nOrh SE9, very nice combo. Great image, sweet voical, and not a lot of bass.

 

[TheBeave]

I've heard a lot of the ASL line and really quite like it. Though I haven't heard the wave 8's specifically, I'm sure if matched with speakers of appropriate sensitivity you'll be just fine.

 

[bundee1]

I dont know how much of a difference it would be to ship to France since the company is based in Thailand.

 

[Pierre Lambion]

Yes, I saw that after. Shipping is included for most countries.

Tempting. I might in the long run go for this amp witk K1000s and some $500-$600 speakers ... Around $1500 in total and a versatile rig ...

P.

 

[bobjew]

How about the Sophia Electric Baby amp? Supposed to be sublime sounding w/10 tube watts output.

 

[TravelLite]

Quote:

Originally posted by Pierre Lambion However, I would love to switch to speakers (no offense to headphones lovers, sorry!) but I live in a small appartment and we have a kid. The only time I can listen to music (classical and jazz) is after 10PM and during the weekend. This makes me reluctant to put money into a speaker rig that I could not use much.

Pierre Lambion, I thought I'd go ahead and refer the following URL for consideration in your particular application.

FMR Audio - Home of the Really Nice Compressor and Preamp:
http://www.fmraudio.com/

The Really Nice Compressor (RNC1773) operated in "SuperNice" mode interfaces very well in unbalanced speaker (and headphone) systems.

TravelLite