ELECTROCOMPANIENT

[Tin Bird]

Ha! I'm like a fantasy novel writer! ;-) Isn't it something that the name of the thread is an amp that came and went months ago... For the record, I will stipulate that I was happy w the NAD D 3045...sound wise....so...I CAN actually stop buying amps and speakers.... hmmm...doth I protest too much?

 

[Tin Bird]

Yes I saw it after I posted.
A pinball story ;-}

That was a VERY nice way to describe it! ;-)

 

[Eli47]

Ha! I'm like a fantasy novel writer! ;-) Isn't it something that the name of the thread is an amp that came and went months ago... For the record, I will stipulate that I was happy w the NAD D 3045...sound wise....so...I CAN actually stop buying amps and speakers.... hmmm...doth I protest too much?

I personally don't believe it's a matter of protest, so much as self doubt, considering the high aspirations this thread started with, and how it came to pretty much 180 degree turn to near where you started with.
As long as you're happy with your new investment, is what really counts.

 

[Audiofreak71]

OK. Have decided to move on from the NAD D 3045. It does sound very good, but the random cutting off and/or turning on by itself is a bother... whether it is the power in my house or not.
I am going with an AVM Inspiration C 2.2 all in one CD/integrated amplifier. The reviews are good. I found one on sale. And they are beautiful. Will keep you updated. Sticking w the Monitor Audio Studio and Monitor 100 bookshelf speakers.

Well I really hope you find what your looking for and it’s nice of you to share your experience with each piece , it may become a good tool for someone looking for the same thing . I know if I had a thread on all the gear I have gone through even recently it would have been a very very long thread , so hats off to you for your persistency.

Audiofreak71

 

[Tin Bird]

I personally don't believe it's a matter of protest, so much as self doubt, considering the high aspirations this thread started with, and how it came to pretty much 180 degree turn to near where you started with.
As long as you're happy with your new investment, is what really counts.

What a nice thing to say. Thank you.

 

[Tin Bird]

Well I really hope you find what your looking for and it’s nice of you to share your experience with each piece , it may become a good tool for someone looking for the same thing . I know if I had a thread on all the gear I have gone through even recently it would have been a very very long thread , so hats off to you for your persistency.

Audiofreak71

And another very nice thing to say...thanks guys. I question my nobility, but appreciate your sentiments. The quest for the best sound at whatever level one is, is a worthwhile quest I believe. I think I have the right speakers...I'm still looking for the right components to go w them. As always...we shall see...

 

[Tin Bird]

btw just for the record, the Monitor Audio Monitor 100's ARE a smidge on the bright side...just a dust particle. I think the Studios are a one-off unique speaker for MA. Zero brightness, detailed, I guess maybe a tad analytical, but very enjoyable to listen to. I guess the ONLY weak area is that the bass is clear and detailed, but not warm. I think this speaker with dual 5 inch woofers would be like the best speaker on the planet. As it is, it sounds great...and has bass presence...but overall acts like a smallish monitor speaker (in the studio..I guess).

 

[Akustic]

Changed my mind...you don't say...! Going w the Quad Artera Solus instead. While the AVM looks amazing and very well might be superior, it is VERY expensive. Further, while the watts are more, it is class D, while the Quad is class AB. Feel a bit safer going that route. Plus, the guy that wanted to sell me the AVM was trying to go "sale final" on me. Never a good choice for ole Tin Bird.

I'm with you ... sale final is for Ice cream ..

 

[Tin Bird]

I'm with you ... sale final is for Ice cream ..

Yeah. I was going to go w the Quad Artera Solus, but dealer was sold out. I actually found a used AVM Inspiration CS 2.2 and decided to go with that. It was rated as 9/10 condition from a reputable dealer and was a lot cheaper than a new one! So cool... Has a seven day return policy as well which should be fine if there is an issue. I hope this is my jams!

 

[Audiofreak71]

Good looking unit, AVM makes solid gear , in fact there’s two AVM mono blocks on Barter Town right now for sale that for the life of me don’t understand how they haven’t sold . Anyway good luck hope this works out for you .

Audiofreak71

 

[Tin Bird]

Good looking unit, AVM makes solid gear , in fact there’s to AVM mono blocks on Barter Town right now for sale that for the life of me don’t understand how they haven’t sold . Anyway good luck hope this works out for you .

Audiofreak71

Thanks. Given that all I listen to are CDs, an all in one seems to make sense. Plus, I agree that it looks really sleek and minimalistic which I tend to prefer. The all important sound is where there rubber will meet the road. Fingers crossed as the reviews describe the sound I tend to prefer smooth, detailed, full bodied. i think it will make a nice visual match w my grey MA Studio speakers as well.

 

[Tin Bird]

AVM CS 2.2 scheduled for Tuesday delivery! I am very excited and hoping that this is FINALLY the answer. All in one solution with terrific sound, great minimalistic look, and hopefully no problems shutting on/off. More to come...

 

[Tin Bird]

Just a quick one...unit arrived safe and sound...super quick hook up and listen...first impressions VERY GOOD! Nice relaxed, yet full and detailed sound. Sibilance seems under control and it does not sound bright at all. I like it. It looks amazing and is a very solidly built unit. More after some time...

 

[Tin Bird]

Unfortunately, my ear condition has reacted to the sound of this unit and I am not feeling well. I noted within minutes the full bass sound so I checked and the bass had been turned up two notches. I turned it down and the sound was more tolerable but apparently the damage had been done. Probably the amount of sheer power (165 watts into 4 ohms) is part of the issue as well. Feeling very ill this morning and discouraged. Not sure what my next steps are. A simple, lowish powered entry level amp w simple smallish speakers is probably going to have to suffice. I gave it the college try. For the record, the AVM CS 2.2 sounded totally amazing and wonderful...very full bodied sound and it was not bright. It did have that general class D clinical nature to it a tad, but overall sounded lush, layered, and full. A sad chapter in the story for sure. :-(

 

[Tin Bird]

For the record, I have something called vestibular hyperacusis which is very similar to meniere's disease. On top of that I have problems with TMJ. I have permanent high-pitched tinnitus, oversensitivty to certain sound freqencies and frequent bouts of vertigo and migraine headaches. This has been a journey to see if despite these challanges, I would be able to assemble a hi-fi system of some quality that is tolerable for me. It appears now that anything above fairly basic entry level is simply going to remain out of my reach. Considering how much I have already given up (I was a drummer for many years), it really is not the end of the world. I simply have to accept "average" sound. If I am able to still enjoy my music, that will be enough for me. I am a lucky man with a winderfully supportive wife and family.
That said, I am going to attempt a smaller, low key system...I WAS able to tolerate something like this two years ago...hope that hasn't changed...
I am going to try a TEAC NP-H70 integrated. Class A/B - 40 watts, an Onkyo C 7030 CD player, and go back to my easy on the ear, beautiful and terrific sounding, Wharfedale Denton bookshelf speakers. Wish me luck. If this is now out of reach, then I guess I'll finally bite the bullet and get a smartphone with a small bluetooth speaker. I bought one for my son and honestly, it sounds really good. The saga continues...sort of...
One more quick note... I just wanted to say, again, that several of you have posted some very kind words along this journey...I have appreciated them and appreciated that folks have been supportive.

 

[Tin Bird]

OK, so isn't going to be the TEAC...sold out. So...ran up to my local Best Buy to see if they still carried the Rotel A12. Bought the last one... I had this amp before...sounded good and did not bother the ears...fingers crossed that is still the case.

 

[Audiofreak71]

I’m not sure if this was brought up before , but is there a reason why your going for small desktop type systems? For the money you could get a full size full range setup that would more than likely be more pleasing to your ears . If your space is the problem then I understand. Congratulations on the Rotel hope it works out .

Audiofreak71

 

[Tin Bird]

I’m not sure if this was brought up before , but is there a reason why your going for small desktop type systems? For the money you could get a full size full range setup that would more than likely be more pleasing to your ears . If your space is the problem then I understand. Congratulations on the Rotel hope it works out .

Audiofreak71

Thanks. Got the Rotel A12 yesterday...it sounds good. Waiting on the Wharfedale Dentons though before I do any serious listening. I don't think the A12 has enough power for the Monitor Audio Studio bookshelfs, so I think they are probably going to be moving on. As much as I like them, I have to stick w lower power for sure. I tried the Rotel w the Monitor Audio 100's last night. Sound was OK...honestly really kind've "meh", but it didn't seem to bother my ears (anymore than they are already bothered!), so I think...like really think...that I should leave the Rotel in place and make the most of it. It is a solid unit, well regarded, w decent specs...and not class D which seems to bug my ears so much.
As for the desktop sized units, I think it has been partially space and partially preferred aesthetics. I have had some larger units in the system here and there...the Rotel is actually a decent size...but yeah, don't have the area for a bulky tube amp..at least not right now. If I can't make this last iteration work, than heck, all bets are off anyway. Honestly, even separate from the hi-fi system, my ears are really unhappy in general..have been dealing w some dental work that has gotten things unhappy above my normal threshold. I'm hoping that once I get that mess dealt with, if I can hang in there w a reasonably decent sounding, but not overpowering system, I can at least salvage a half-decent system.
That AVM unit sounded freaking amazing...I mean blow your mind holy crap I'm being transported to another world amazing, but man did it produce a full bodied sound. Not bloated bass just firm and confident...I would highly recommend that unit to any CD or streaming fan if you can afford it and have normal ears!

 

[modalmood]

Ha! I'm like a fantasy novel writer! ;-) Isn't it something that the name of the thread is an amp that came and went months ago... For the record, I will stipulate that I was happy w the NAD D 3045...sound wise....so...I CAN actually stop buying amps and speakers.... hmmm...doth I protest too much?

I know. Been following this. How on earth did you get from Electrocompinet (a LEGENDARY brand btw) to NAD integrated amps??

 

[modalmood]

HA!! And Rotel. How did I know...