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I'm moving to NYC (just graduated from law school yesterday) and looking to set up a 2 channel audio system. Still apartment hunting, but from what I've seen, I most likely will end up in a studio that's no bigger than 500 sq ft (including the bathroom, closets, kitchen, etc). My musical tastes run mostly to, for lack of a better desciption, "alternative" rock (e.g., Aimee Mann, Coldplay, etc.). My "reference system" for the past three years has been the Grado SR60 with a 4 year old Panasonic portable. My diet has included a lot of hot dogs and cold tuna fish sandwiches.I'm planning on spending around $1500 for the system (including cables). My virtual system is this:
Speakers: Magnepan MMGs (lack of low frequency output not a problem given thin NYC apartment walls and my fear of eviction);
Amplication: cheapest thing possible (probably used NAD integrated) given my anxiety of being overtaken by the "Digital Revolution" (see, e.g., the success of Spectron and TacT);
Source: Cambridge Audio D500; alternatively, the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000, since it has a variable output and can be run directly into a power amp that's even cheaper than a used NAD integrated (probably a used NAD power amp).Unfortunately, I'm beginning to question whether MMGs will work in such a small area (they most definitely will NOT be given the 3-4 feet they need from the front wall). So I'm trying to think of alternative systems. Given (1) my space constraints; (2) the fact that I'll be sharing walls with neighbors; (3) my belief that digital amplifiers will eventually make regular Class A/AB/A-AB amps obsolete; (4) my musical tastes; and (4) my budgetary constraints, can anyone PLEASE come up suggestions for a feasible system? Also, suggestions regarding reputable (and not too snotty -- I am sensitive, after all) dealers in Manhattan would be greatly appreciated. My sincerest thanks in advance.
Follow Ups:
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm heartened to hear that people have had good experiences with Maggies in small NYC apartments. I also found the following link (http://www.timeoutny.com/checkout/178/178.check.stereos.html) that gives a useful (though perhaps outdated) survey of hi-fi shops in the area.
My allover favorite for selection and courtesy:Innovative
150 East 58th Street
New York, NY 10155
Phone: 212-634-4444
Website: http://www.innovativeaudio.com
Email: sales@innovativeaudio.com
I've traveled around the country visiting hi-fi shps and if you wouldn't mind traveling 15 minutes out of NYC I recommend visiting Audio Connection in Verona ,New Jersey, or call 973-239-1799 John Rutan is one of the great guys in Audio and he will set you up with a system that you will enjoy for years and be within your budget.
nt
I've heard one of the NYC shops is famous for its snobby attitude and non-refundable browsing fee. Any idea?
Last I checkedAudio Video Salon
1553 Second Ave
New York, NY 10028had a policy of charging a nominal browsing fee that was refundable upon purchase. Although this might seem offputting, it is an understandable policy in a business that is constantly assailed by folks who browse locally and buy on the internet. This store seems to do quite fine catering to the extremely high-end wallets of its upper eastside neighbors (since 1969).
that explains their policy. No surprises.
Do reviewer's get charged at all?
At Lyric, I believe it was, avoid their *displayed* used equipment in the display window, off to the right - even one of their salesmen hinted that it's cheap for a reason (meaning condition). The best to you.
- Park Avenue Audio: Park Avenue South and 29th street.
- Harvey: 5th avenue and 47th street (store on 47th)
- Sound by Singer: at 14th street
- Lyric hi-fi at Lexington avenuePlease double check address at the Yellow Pages.
Best regards, Antonio Machado.
Check out www.avantgardemusic.biz - this is your not-so-typical loft-style audio salon. While specialized in cost-no-object goodies, I'm told that owner Bob Visintainer has brought in some much lower-priced gear of late, including the phenomenal Sophia Electric Baby Integrated ($799) and the Joseph Audio line of speakers. Bob's by appointment and takes his time demonstrating. Even if his most affordable offering still eclipses your current budget, I recommend to visit just for the heck of it and to get a taste of what a good High-End dealer should be.Many of the others will take your money, but I doubt you'd get this kind of service and enthusiasm. And in the long run, that's worth a lot more than it may seem at first.Cheers,
Srajan
.
Not a problem with that size room. I would suggest off-white on the maggies as they are far less imposing that way.........ahh the new york state bar, that's a load of fun!
good luck,
Pete
I think you should listen to the JM Reynaud Trente MKIIIs, or a used pair of MKIIs, buy used amplification(Creek or Classe integrated), and take a look at one of the DVD, CD combination players that are out there, some of them are very good on CD and you can put on some movies when the girls come over.Do not, I repeat, do not put more than $10 into your speaker cables or $20 into interconnects, no matter what the sales person says.
RonyW
For a nice stereo for a NYC studio try the following @ $1100 new: NAD 320BEE Integrated Amp ($400; new - Harvey Electronics); Music Hall CD 25 CD Player ($490 new; steve at questforsound@aol.com); Wharfedale Diamond 8.1 Speakers($200 new - www.audioadvisor.com). Purchase some interconnects & speaker cables ($125)from Signal Cable (www.signalcable.com) or AV Cable (www.avcable.com) and you should be set. Wharfedale also makes a nice floorstander (Diamond 8.3) which retails for $350. The system will give you very musical sound ... nice detail and punch with vocals and instruments; solid mid-range. I am not a big fan of buying used, so that is why I recommended new equipment. I own all the equipment that I recommended and use it in either my bedroom system or TV room system in my Queens apartment. BTW, other good equipment to consider: Rotel RA-01 Integrated Amp ($400 new; Stereo Exchange); or the Philips DVD963 DVD/SACD Player ($400 new; J&R Music). Good luck, Rich
I personally wouldn't give up on the MMG's. If you like the planar sound, nothing else will do. So, I have Maggie 1.6's in a Manhattan studio, used to have 1.5's (all following a divorce). A friend of mine had his Maggie 3A's in a studio (smaller than yours) for 3 years following a divorce. You just make do and it doesn't even seem like a problem after awhile. Keep them 1 or 2 feet out, then move in when people stop by. Since they're thin & light, I found maggies to be easier to live with than monkey coffins speakers. But that's me -- I'd do without a couch rather then give up my Magnepans. Next: 3.6's when I move to my new space. YOU CAN DO IT!
I agree. Don't give up on the Maggies. They are easy to move if you have to get them out of the way. Go to Lyric Hi Fi up on Lexington Ave. (or in White Plains). I think they're the only Maggie dealer in NYC.
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