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While my Audio Research > Bryston > Acoustat system is in storage, I'm building a new set of gear for my desktop. Given the scale, I'm thinking of a small tube amp, with speakers to match. Very simple and musical.
I tend to listen to jazz (not just small ensembles), country, blues, and chamber music, but I'd like gear that can also serve up some late 19th c. symphonies and large scale rock 'n' roll like the Grateful Dead. I used to play bass, so there's usually some solo bass (e.g. Dave Holland) in a week's listening, and I'm partial to the lower frequencies in general: tuba, french horn, trombone, bari sax, left-hand on piano, etc. So it's important to get those instruments right -- timbre, attack & decay. I want to hear the sync between a double bass & bass drum as two instruments, for instance. That's not necessarily the same as big bass, in my book.
Speakers that interest me so far include the Omega Super 3 Desktop, Tekton Mini Lore Monitor, Decware Trapezium, Zu Cube, and Blumenstein Orcas. Blumenstein and Zu seem pretty explicit about the need for a subwoofer, so I'm wondering about that, too. Amps so far are the Decware SE84CKC, what was known as the MiniWatt and now the APPJ PA0901A (I think), the Xindek MT-1, and the Jolida FX-10.
I've only read about these. Although I'm in suburban Chicago, the 3rd largest metro area in the country, so far as I can tell none of these manufacturers have dealers. Decware's Peoria headquarters would be a day trip.
I already have a small DAC, the Meridian Explorer, the Klipsch X11 in-ears, and an 8 GB MacBook Pro running Audirvana+.
Eager to hear anyone's experiences with this gear, further alternative choices, and any suggestions as to how I could audition some of this wonderful gear.
Follow Ups:
i have 3 different setupspinacle p2 speakers with 15 watt diy tripath amp, arcam usb dac,sony 8 inch sub
speakers are on a bookshelf behind and about5 ft away as the cats drop them
sounds very good but not spectacularvintage ROR e3 speakers 4 inch full range ,vintage audio pro sub(push pull),schitt audio bitfrost, and diy rebuilt magnavox el84 se amp
fantastic lush vintage full range sound i don't even use the volume at the 10 o clock positionoffice
micca mbx42 speakers from amazon, topping 25 watt tripath amp from parts express,hrt line streamer plus usb dac,parts express 10 inch sub
surprising great speakers very good for the price often too loud for the officei of prefer the vintage tube system as i spend most weekends on the computer checking news ,communicating with family etc very relaxing sound
hope this helps
Edits: 10/22/14
Cool looking amp!
Just curious, what do you think of the Bifrost?
Jim J.
thanks the amp was a fun rebuild those vintage magnavox amps are really magic
i was surprised at the sound of the bitfrost i initially heard it in my nephews studio as he has a production company
probably the best usb dac i have heard so far right out of the box it reminded me of the assemblage platinum
i felt the difference with dac is that having a independent power supply gives better resolution than dacs that use the computer power supply passively
and its made in the usa
I have had SET based home office systems for years with many different speakers and amps. We are talking 12 x 10 room, 8’ ceiling and 6’ listening distance. Here is my 2 cents.
If are a bass lover, you will need a sub. I have use the REL subs with great success and am currently using the REL T-3 as a sub woofer. This is a small unit with 8” active driver, 8” passive driver and 150 watts. I have found the REL speaker level connection works great with low powered SET amps and the process of integrating into the system is easy.
As far as amps go, I would suggest the Decware from your list. It is the only one on your list that is a SET amp, and it is tube rectified, both very important factors. It also has a great selection of tubes to roll. The number of possible tube combinations with this amp is staggering. This is also very important, as you have not really heard what any tube equipment can do until you have tried a variety of tubes in it. This amp is on my list of amps to try, after I sell two or three of my current amps.
Speakers for SET amps are just as personal as in any system. My favorite is the Coincident Speaker Systems Triumph Extreme II, the latest stand mounted from that line. It is expensive and well worth it at $3,000. I have tried a lot of different monitors and have summed up my experience in previous posts, see the link below. Of the ones on your list, I have only tried the Omega speakers. I think they are a great value, but fall short of the best I have heard. Although I have a pair of the Blumenstien Orcas in a box somewhere, I have not yet listened to them. If you could find a used pair of Coincident Triumphs, even the older models, or a good deal on a pair of Reference 3A MM De Capo’s, I think you would be happy with the results.
http://db.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=hug&n=122957&highlight=rel+Rick+R&search_url=%2Fcgi%2Fsearch.mpl%3Fsearchtext%3Drel%26b%3DAND%26topic%3D%26topics_only%3DN%26author%3DRick%2BR%26date1%3D%26date2%3D%26slowmessage%3D%26ip%3D%26sort%3Ddate%26sortOrder%3DDESC%26sortRank%3DNone%26forum%3DALL&r=
Best of luck with your quest.
You should know that SET systems can be addictive and lead to obsessive behavior and equipment expenses. You have been warned!
Second the Decware recommendation :)I haven't owned the 'CKC, but I had its predecessor of a few generations back, the SE84CS. Should never have sold that little guy...
Welcome to Audioasylum.
Jim J.
Edits: 10/22/14
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