• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

New HiFi Enthusiast Setting Up a Reference System

scottyawd

scottyawd

Member
Howdy fellow enthusiasts,

I'm pretty fresh to the HiFi scene and am looking to set up a new system for my listening space.
I'm sure the vets in here have seen all of this before and are rolling their eyes as they read this.
So here it goes.

I have a mixed use living room in which this system will share space but NOT components with my home theater. The space in total is about 15' wide by 17' deep. I am able to put about 8' between the right and left speaker and about 2' between the speakers and the wall behind. It is a fairly reflective space so I will be acoustically treating the space as much as I can without upsetting the significant other's delicate style sensibilities. (a few wall panels and maybe corner bass traps, but this is still in flux) This is an apartment so I won't ever be operating at an obnoxiously high volume.

My ultimate goal is to be able to hear recordings as they were recorded, avoiding as much coloration as possible. If the punk garage band was recorded with Sony Walkman from 1987, I want to hear the hiss of the tape. If the record was pressed in 1968, I want to hear the crackles and pops of the old vinyl. I consider it part of the experience. I'd hesitate to limit the genres of music I would want to enjoy on this system. From Van Morrison to Wax Taylor and everything in between. I also intend to make it easy to audition new equipment frequently. (Something I feel people take for granted) ALSO... I'm on a budget, so I'd be buying most, if not all components used.

Currently in the space, I'm running a (classic) Yamaha CA-1010 integrated amp to a pair of (sort-of-classic) KEF C30 bookshelfs (replaced a pair of JBL HLS610s). My turntable is a MusicHall MMF 2.2 on the phono stage of the Yamaha, with their "special" Magic2 cartridge (something Ortofon whipped up for them) My other source WAS the Logitech Squeezebox Touch for Spotify, Pandora and Tidal digital music consumption, but they recently dropped support for Spotify and Tidal and I don't have the digital music library to justify creating a Squeezebox server. So to make do, I've rigged up a Apple Airport Express to stream from our litany of iDevices.

This is what my budget is looking like so far:
Pre/Source selector: $500-750 (A Tandberg TCA 3008A filling this role at the moment)
Power Amp: $500-1000
Phono Stage: $200-500 (I'll likely use the phono stage of the Tandberg initially)
Turntable: $500-700 (Not in a huge rush to replace the MMF 2.2)
DAC/Streamer: $200-500
Bookshelf Speakers: $1500-2500

I've been looking into Ryan Audio, Buchardt and Harbeth as far as the speakers go, as they all have good bookshelf offerings in my price range, but am open to stuff I've never heard of.

I definitely will not be purchasing all of the components at the same time, but that's part of the ride, right?
I think I'm on the right track, but any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Register to hide this ad
You have a very good foundation in the Tandberg preamp, if it's working properly. I have the 3002A and it's stunning; when it came out, TAS compared it favorably to the current Mark Levinson — and the 3008A is supposed to be better. The Phono Stage is great — completely separate MM and MC sections, no compromises, and it will easily surpass anything in the $200–500 range you mention. Definitely "reference" quality. The T'berg should the last component you part with as you assemble the rest of the system.
 
@bimasta

Thanks for the tip. My Tandberg interest began with a TIA 3012A. I still use it in my bedroom with a set of Cambridge SX50s.

I'd been considering picking up a 3006A or a 3016A for a long time. Before I got this crazy reference system idea. I still may... if I ever come across one... that I can afford.

@Drugolf

I favor the bookshelf formfactor due to space constraints and "wife acceptance factor". Plus with my budget and smaller listening space it seems like I can get more bang per buck than with towers. Also, it makes auditioning other speakers much easier. (One of the important roles of this system.) I want my buddy with the KEF Q100s to be able to come by, plug them in and see how they sound. Also vice versa. I'd be able to bring my (hypothetical) Ryan R610s to his or her listening space, plop'em on the stands to see how the sound with other components in other spaces.

If I could get my hands on a set of reliable well cared for JBL Studio 4312s or affordable 4350s I'd be all over them. However, most of the 4312s I find for less than $2,000 have spent the majority of the last 25 yeas in a damp basement or garage and the 4350s never vote up for sale under $10k and are usually closer to 20.

Thanks guys.
 
Last edited:
@E.Man

It's hard to not think you're trolling a noob, Mr. Super Member.o_O

I'd say the definition of a reference system is a set of components that are ideal for ones listening space, music taste, and budget. It's an organism, constantly changing and growing as the space, tastes and of course budget grow. Also having a system of quality components that you and your co-enthusiasts can enjoy and compare to what sounds good. A reference for you and a cross reference for them.

Just lookin' for guidance my friend.
 
scottyawd said:
@E.Man

It's hard to not think you're trolling a noob, Mr. Super Member.o_O

I'd say the definition of a reference system is a set of components that are ideal for ones listening space, music taste, and budget. It's an organism, constantly changing and growing as the space, tastes and of course budget grow. Also having a system of quality components that you and your co-enthusiasts can enjoy and compare to what sounds good. A reference for you and a cross reference for them.

Just lookin' for guidance my friend.
Click to expand...
It was actually a real question.
Being 'Super' with a cape is laid on me by AK, not individually optioned. Underwear is on the inside ;)

I had never heard of someone's own system as being 'Reference'. I thought it might be some 'Ultimate Assemblage' to which all things would be referred. A tall order.

My troll says my speakers are 'Reference' (Studio Monitors) and I might be a bit concerned having a 'growing organism' in the house. ;)
 
@E.Man

I appreciate the cut of your jib. I would call a personal "reference system" a cut above something for occasional casual listening, but by no means and "ultimate assemblage". That's a bit outside my taste and way outside my price range.

I guess my definition of "reference" is becoming more subjective the more I think about it. My grand idea was to keep the setup very modular.

My troll says your troll's KRK Rokit 6s are not "reference" studio monitors. :p

All joking aside, am I on the right path here?
 
What's reference is all a matter of individual taste and finances. As an example, I've never considered any bookshelf speakers to be reference regardless of the "studio monitor" label. IMO/E most bookshelf speakers don't go low enough to be a reference. All the true reference gear I've ever heard in 50+ years with this hobby has been expensive even used. For more recent gear make that unbelievably expensive.

I've never heard of Ryan Audio or Buchardt. My system is modular to the point of using all separates and 4 mono blocks to bi-amp via an electronic crossover. It is an IMO very good two channel system to which I've added surround/HT capability. All two channel sources are connected to my preamp and to my front amplifiers, crossover, DSP and speakers. All surround/HT sources are connected to my pre/pro. It is used by placing my preamp in bypass mode and turning on my rear amps and crossover. This gives me a very good dedicated two channel system that with the flick of a switch becomes a good HT system. There is little to no compromising of either.

BTW: My personal reference for sound is the Philadelphia Orchestra at The Kimmel Center. Very few systems (maybe 3) I've heard even come close.
 
Keep your eyes open on the used market then for some of the smaller Studio monitor (43xx) JBL offerings. They will come up in your budget. My 4313b's were like $450
 
@JoeESP9

I appreciate your sentiment. I understand that HiFI can be an incredibly expensive hobby. As I'm sure most folks who are just getting into this feel, I'm trying to do what I can with what I've got.
I know my budget is pretty small in the grand scheme of audiophile-dom, but from the cursory research I've done there are some very well performing products in my range. And as mentioned on previous posts, I plan for my system to grow and change over time.

In case your curious at all about the parts you've never heard of.
Ryan Speakers: http://ryanspeakers.com/index.html
Buchardt: https://www.buchardt-audio.com/

@Drugolf

I'll continue to keep my eyes open for those classic JBL monitors.
did you find yours o n eBay, Creaigslist, forums or locally?
Also the that classic Klipsch too. I've never heard any in person, but they certainly are pretty.

I'm here so I can avoid making ALL the amateur mistakes and learning from this forum's communal experience.
If there's something glaring or silly in my original post, I just want to know.
 
A pair of kef ls 50 actives, or better I think: Elac airx 403

Edit: both can be augumented by a sub. At that point you want to me measuring and eq/dsping though.
 
Last edited:
@ev13wt

Thanks for the recommendation.
My gut is to shy away away from powered speakers for this particular system, but it's interesting to see what people are using them for.
I love the Elac Uni-Fi UB5s. Elac makes some pretty great sounding stuff, at a very reasonable price.
I've never heared the KEFs in person, but all the reviews I've seen are raves.
 
Hey Scottyawd,

Welcome to the site, your on the right track. There are so many suggestion that can be made for components... sound is subjective.

Advice that can be helpful... if you can demo/listen to any gear before you buy it, do so. Also keep in mind your ear is different than others, so what may sound good to another member may sound like crap to you. I know it's not always possible to demo all gear, but if you can I'd do so.

Also check your local CL and eBay Postings.. also Bartet Town is a fantastic place to purchase & sale gear.

Good luck with it!

Kind Regards,
John
 
scottyawd said:
@ev13wt

Thanks for the recommendation.
My gut is to shy away away from powered speakers for this particular system, but it's interesting to see what people are using them for.
I love the Elac Uni-Fi UB5s. Elac makes some pretty great sounding stuff, at a very reasonable price.
I've never heared the KEFs in person, but all the reviews I've seen are raves.
Click to expand...

I'm the same way, but those KEFs are verry well known, and they have an unpowered set.
 
I hope you won't be disappointed if you can't hear groove hiss! On any good setup (put a VPI 16.5 RCM near the top of your vinyl list) it's almost imperceptible or not!
Also-don't give up on the Squeezeboxes. The Spotty app is relatively simple and restores Spotify nicely (I have 2 Touches and # Radios, can't go back!)
 
@jobrewer1983

Thank you for the encouragement.
I'm going to try to audition some passive LS50s this weekend.
I know I wont be able to take them home but hearing them in person should be a step in the right direction.
Trust me, I've been active on eBay and Craigslist. To that end, I've never heard of Bartlet Town. Thank you for the heads up!

@pfcs49

Tape hiss and record crackles are endearing, especially if it's true to the sound of the music. (-;
I'll look in to the Spotty app. That's actually pretty exciting for me and my significant other!
Do you get the 384k out of it with Spotify Premium?

Thanks fellas!
 
Reference standard speakers are Infinity RS series. :biggrin:

The Infinity RS-1b' or RS 4.5 were both some of the audio publications reviewers reference model. I think they also for a while used Apogee's. I have no idea what their reference models are today but most likely very expensive TOTL models.

The audio reviewers idea of a reference speaker was one that performed at the highest levels in speaker performance, one that they used as a measure of all others of lesser or near equal levels . And yes speakers are subjective to most people but upper tier level speakers are usually somewhat more easy to measure even to most people as they are able to do most all task in a superior manner. Some of those being extended ranges, lower distortion, increased db levels, items that make a speakers overall better than most others.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom