Kevin Groat

Right, I'm putting together a budget separates system and I've finally got my mitts on a Marantz CD63II K1 Signature at a decent price. Anyone recommend an Amp and speakers to match. I'm hoping to pick them up off Ebay as well, current thinking is an Arcam or NAD amp and Mission floor standing speakers. Any suggestions welcome.

Kevin.

beemerboy

i got an acoustic research amp and ar18ls speakers to go with on spiked stands if you want to make an offer.

paulr

I have a Denon 2802....very good imo.You can pick up a good deal on a 3802 atm as they are replacing it

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

I have some mission 700's for sale

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

Go for the Mission cyrus amp, it's the mutts nutts

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

I bought some B&W Kevlar coned beauties the other day, can holey reccomend them, very nice, and look the part too

James

hades

Have you heard any of the kit mentioned above? They do sound different. Eg - if you like the Arcam sound, you may find the Denon sounds a bit "japanese" - lots of detail, less warmth and can sound slightly artificial - but you may prefer that type of sound. I also believe that there are some amps/speakers that can be very good stuff but not work well as part of certain systems - you want to try out any kit together with your CD player if you can.

I would seriously recommend popping into a local hi-fi shop (if there is one) and having a listen to as much kit as you can, even if you don't intend to buy from them. Hi fi is very subjective and what I like best might not be what you like best. Trust your ears as it's you that will listen to it all!

Personally I like Ruark speakers, having made my way up their product range over the years. I also love my ATC power amp, but suspect you won't find that on e-bay in your price range.

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Agreed - if you really care what your system sounds like, you really must listen to it properly demonstrated. At any price level, there will be equipment that you love, and equipment that you hate.

This is particularly true with speakers - over the years I've found myself consistently choosing British speakers (TDL, B&W, Monitor Audio) over the alternatives, based purely on sound quality. I've heard other, well-reviews speakers (at every price point from £100 to £1000+) that sound horrible to my ears with my type of music.

EBay is a great source for a lot of stuff, but in this case (where you don't really know what equipment you want), I can't recommend it.

A.

Toonman1

Use your ears to decide Kevin, not Forum members. HiFi Mag reviews can help point you in the right direction, but nothing's going to work better than using your own ears, with your own music, in the room you're going to listen in. Even cable makes a difference.

A good retailer will let you take the kit home and dem properly. If you don't like it, you should be able to take it back for a swap and some more advice.

Good luck!

Cheers

Mike

Luke

Get yourself to Richersounds. Job done!!!

I would go for KEF/MISSION or TANNOY on the speakers with good cable and a Cyrus amp if you can get one for your money. If Not Cambridge audio make good amps If you can get a CREEK go for it.

jonny32

NAD 3225pe 12 years old ,still going strong ..

Luke

Nad 320i ????? The first one with square buttons and upright speaker terminals??? Fantastic

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

The new Cyrus 6, and 8 are reckoned worth a listen,
Alcazar

Trout

iTrader: (1)

If you are buying second hand - I would go for a Naim Nait or a cheap Naim pre-power combination. Even an old Naim amp can be upgraded/serviced and will blow anything newer for the same money into the weeds.

All IMHO of course!

Rannoch

PS OK - I am biased with a full NAIM system - but I also started budget small and it has never disappointed me

Attu

Ive got Tanoy speakers for my home cimema system, they realy do sound great.
I had a listen to alot of speakers in the price range and for me (and what hifi ) the Tanoy's came out tops but it all down to personal taste.

Andy

super slider

Hi
dont know if youre interested but i have a Linn Kairn (a pre-amp, this pre-amp needs a power amp to work) for sale at £450, original price about £1800. I have had it for 5 years. i have a Linn LK280 (the power amp the )for sale at £350, original price around £1600 i thought, the partner for the Kairn. One the same is currently on ebay with 9 hours to go at £300. not exactly budget, but just a thought. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3006469084&category=
Michael

[Edited by super slider - 2/16/2003 9:57:11 AM]

Little Miss WRX

I have a Cambridge amp with Mission speakers hooked up to it, Pioneer tape deck, Sony tuner and CD player.

Great set up.....I got them all at discount too....

TopBanana

hades: Ruark - very laid back speakers IMO. Not my cup of tea, but quality nonetheless. Dynaudio / Chord for me

hades

I have heard the dynaudios with some CD / Amps where they sound great, whilst the Ruarks work with mine. IMO the Ruarks are real without being artificial forward, and change their style from laid back to dynamic to suit the music, but that's not to say you're wrong either. It just goes to show - what works for someone doesn't work for someone else, so ignore the mags and trust what you like!

Edit to make the words into a recognisable sentence

[Edited by hades - 2/16/2003 1:17:21 PM]

Kevin Groat

Thanks for all the advice - had looked for Magazine reviews on the web but haven't found anything as yet. Popping into a decent Hi Fi shop where I live is a bit difficult so I'm looking for as much advice as I can before trying anything out.
Paid £140 for the CD player in mint condition - hoping to get the Amp and speakers for something similar.
I'll look into the stuff you've got on sale as well.

Kevin.