What audio system do you have, or plan on getting?

[Daverz]

On Sunday I'll be taking delivery of some very fancy hardware...but somewhat old.  It consists of two oak cased floor standing speakers (three way I think) and an accompanying Amp.  My sister in law who is a music nut (but sadly not Classical) bought them to compliment some high end audio equipment in 2001, and at that time the whole system bundle cost over £1,500.  She has changed her audio setup now, and I'm the lucky guy who gets the stuff!  Free.  (I'm a relative!)  I am excited as hell, because obviously I have heard her setup in action, and the sound from those speakers was OUTSTANDING in every way.  I remember enviously thinking they would be perfect for my music.   
For all the audiophiles here, I will return on Sunday in suitably excited fashion to report exactly what they are, make, wattage, etc, and post a picture.  I know the audiophiles here already have monster high end stuff, but it will be  nice to share what difference such an upgrade makes to someone who isn't all there when it comes to more sophisticated setups.

Oooh, mystery speakers.  I gather that these are a British make?  Tannoy, perhaps?

[mahler10th]

Oooh, mystery speakers.  I gather that these are a British make?  Tannoy, perhaps?

I think they are German...not sure though...will excitedly reply tomorrow.

[mahler10th]

I have these now, which Daverz correctly suggested may be English...



Photos (c) http://www.canuckaudiomart.com

I also inherited a 'Marantz' amp to go along.



The speakers are engineered (hand built!) for 'natural sound' - so no fancy audio enhancement hardware such as separate woofers, etc, are necessary, and nor so I have any mind to switch on any equalizers, effects or anything from third part sources with this setup - because it sounds brilliantly balanced already. They less than a foot away from the wall and giving good bass for it, without mugging everything else out.  I sit about ten feet away from them on the other side of the room, and have them positioned so that their potential is fully maximized.  The difference in sound quality now has gone through the roof.  I didn't hear those newfound violin mistakes in Davis's Sibelius 7 with the LSO before, it all sounded fine, but with the above setup I can hear things going on that have given me an eye popping Jim Carey-like amazement with what stuff is going on in the background there!
My god.  I have come of age here on GMG!   

[Daverz]

I have these now, which Daverz correctly suggested may be English...



Photos (c) http://www.canuckaudiomart.com

Very nice.

[mahler10th]

Here it is in situ.  I am as chuffed about this as a five year old.   

[petrarch]

Here it is in situ.  I am as chuffed about this as a five year old.   

Very good and very tastefully done. Bravo!

[HIPster]

Nice scores!

Rega makes some very fine equipment and that Marantz piece is highly rated (and looks beautiful).

I bet it sounds great.

[DavidW]

Nice equipment John... now move them away from the wall and you'll really hear what the speakers can do!

[The new erato]

Experimenting a little with speaker placement - and these aren't too heavy I guess - is good advice. Cheapest upgrade available if one has the space.

[marvinbrown]

I have these now, which Daverz correctly suggested may be English...



Photos (c) http://www.canuckaudiomart.com

I also inherited a 'Marantz' amp to go along.



The speakers are engineered (hand built!) for 'natural sound' - so no fancy audio enhancement hardware such as separate woofers, etc, are necessary, and nor so I have any mind to switch on any equalizers, effects or anything from third part sources with this setup - because it sounds brilliantly balanced already. They less than a foot away from the wall and giving good bass for it, without mugging everything else out.  I sit about ten feet away from them on the other side of the room, and have them positioned so that their potential is fully maximized.  The difference in sound quality now has gone through the roof.  I didn't hear those newfound violin mistakes in Davis's Sibelius 7 with the LSO before, it all sounded fine, but with the above setup I can hear things going on that have given me an eye popping Jim Carey-like amazement with what stuff is going on in the background there!
My god.  I have come of age here on GMG!   

  Congratulations on your new system! Marantz do indeed make very good amps! I have the Marantz PM6004 amp and CD combo. What model is that Marantz?

  Ever since I bought my system last year, I have been rediscovering my collection all over again. Floor standing speakers are indeed the way to go. You should position the speakers with your listening position so as to form an equilateral triangle with you sitting at the apex of that triangle. 2-3 meters apart should be sufficient. There is a "sweet spot", you will know it when you position yourself there.  The best way I can describe it is that at that position the speakers seem to disappear, the vocals appear to be coming from various positions (usually the centre depending on the recording) in a soundstage produced  between the speakers. it is truly marvellous! Verdi's operas never sounded this good on headphones or tiny bookshelf speakers,

  Happy listening!

  marvin

[71 dB]

What model is that Marantz?

Hint: When people post pictures, the filenames often tell a lot. This time the address of the picture (right click => image properties) is:

http://www.hifiengine.com/images/model/marantz_pm6010.jpg

So, a Marantz PM6010 it is. 

Verdi's operas never sounded this good on headphones or tiny bookshelf speakers,

  marvin

Did you use a crossfeeder with headphones? With a crossfeeder headphones rule.

[mahler10th]

Hint: When people post pictures, the filenames often tell a lot. This time the address of the picture (right click => image properties) is:
http://www.hifiengine.com/images/model/marantz_pm6010.jpg
So, a Marantz PM6010 it is. 

71 dB - spot on.

  Congratulations ...You should position the speakers with your listening position so as to form an equilateral triangle with you sitting at the apex of that triangle. 2-3 meters apart should be sufficient. There is a "sweet spot", you will know it when you position yourself there.  The best way I can describe it is that at that position the speakers seem to disappear, the vocals appear to be coming from various positions (usually the centre depending on the recording) in a soundstage produced  between the speakers. it is truly marvellous! Verdi's operas never sounded this good on headphones or tiny bookshelf speakers...

I found that sweet spot Marvin, whilst listening to some kind of trio by Mendelssohn for clarinet, viola and piano.  By the end of listening to it, I knew exactly where the piano was playing in front of me (it was slightly off left), the Clarinettist was in the middle and Violist to the right.  I could recognize that whilst at the same time experiencing the music in front of me in..er..all the ...eh...fullness of its glory..  
I sit about 10 feet away, direct opposite the speakers which are 6 feet apart (approx) and angled just to hit me with that sweet spot every time.  It is outrageous and wonderful what I experience in music now, never mind the straightforward listening to it. 
Total Concert Hall experience in my wee hoose. 

[marvinbrown]

Hint: When people post pictures, the filenames often tell a lot. This time the address of the picture (right click => image properties) is:

http://www.hifiengine.com/images/model/marantz_pm6010.jpg

So, a Marantz PM6010 it is. 

Did you use a crossfeeder with headphones? With a crossfeeder headphones rule.

  Thank you for the tip 71 dB.  No I did not use a cross feeder with headphones.  I had a pair of Bose headphones  which I got tired of using and never upgraded once I bought my first bookshelf stereo speakers many years ago.

  marvin

[DavidW]

John I found a pic of you listening on your new speakers:

[mahler10th]

John I found a pic of you listening on your new speakers:

Thanks, it's just right, except of course you can see I was wearing a wig when that photo was taken (only 12 hours ago).   

[Fëanor]

My recent upgrades have been ...

• Schiit Audio Bifrost Uber DAC
• Audio Research LS9 (solid state) preamplifier
• Pass Labs X150.5 amplfier

The X150.5 arrived just yesterday -- really great amp.  The clarity, separation, and palpability of instruments & voices in the soundstage is truly outstanding.

[mahler10th]

My recent upgrades have been ...

• Schiit Bifrost Uber DAC
  Audio Research LS9 (solid state) preamplifier
  Pass Labs X150.5 amplfier

The X150.5 arrived just yesterday -- really great amp.  The clarity, separation, and palpability of instruments & voices in the soundstage is truly outstanding.

I notice you have a 'pre-amp' and mention your 'DAC'.  As I'm learning about these things, I am interested to know about the DAC - it is all very well having great speakers and a good amp, but now since you've quoted your DAC, it seems necessary for me to find a unit with a good DAC.  I am playing through an HD DVD player hooked onto the Marantz PM6010 amp, but your post has made me realize that the quality of sound (and it really is quality!) can be even further improved by the addition of a DAC unit, which is especially true because much of my collection is (again) in digital format.  I have always wondered what the benefits of a DAC would be, and you have completely answered that for me...  Thanks Fëanor, a good DAC is my next target.
The clarity, separation, and palpability of instruments & voices in the soundstage is truly outstanding.

[petrarch]

The X150.5 arrived just yesterday -- really great amp.  The clarity, separation, and palpability of instruments & voices in the soundstage is truly outstanding.

Have you heard any of the XA series? I have heard the X300 (.5? can't remember) a few years ago and compared against two XA60's in mono mode... The XAs had all that you said in a much more pronounced way than the X.

[Fëanor]

Have you heard any of the XA series? I have heard the X300 (.5? can't remember) a few years ago and compared against two XA60's in mono mode... The XAs had all that you said in a much more pronounced way than the X.

No, I haven't heard the XA.5's, (nor had I heard the X150.5 before mine arrived).

Your observations sound about right.  Here's what an acquaintance said about the XA30.5 vs. X150.5:

- mids and treble a bit more detailed, more overtones in high frequencies
- mids more prominent
- bass is more fleshed out, rounder, but less "clean" and controlled than X150.5
- dynamic attack is a bit attenuated in comparison
- because of difference in mids prominence, soundstage seems a tiny bit more forward of speakers.

I chose the X150.A because (a) I could get a used one a bit cheaper, and (b) its lower power consumption and heat.

[Fëanor]

I notice you have a 'pre-amp' and mention your 'DAC'.  As I'm learning about these things, I am interested to know about the DAC - it is all very well having great speakers and a good amp, but now since you've quoted your DAC, it seems necessary for me to find a unit with a good DAC.  I am playing through an HD DVD player hooked onto the Marantz PM6010 amp, but your post has made me realize that the quality of sound (and it really is quality!) can be even further improved by the addition of a DAC unit, which is especially true because much of my collection is (again) in digital format.  I have always wondered what the benefits of a DAC would be, and you have completely answered that for me...  Thanks Fëanor, a good DAC is my next target.
The clarity, separation, and palpability of instruments & voices in the soundstage is truly outstanding.

Well the DAC is pretty much necessary in my case because I listen almost exclusively to computer files.

Of course, your DVD player has it's built-in DAC but I'd venture to say that external DACs are available which, fed from you DVD player via S/PDIF or your computer via S/PDIF or USB, can significantly improve the sound you'll get.  Based on my personal experience I can recommend the Schitt Audio Bifrost with USB and with or without the Uber analog upgrade.  The Bifrost is moderately priced and offers huge value for the money ... see LINK.