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New HiFi Enthusiast Setting Up a Reference System

@Ken Boyd

Haha, so far this thread, I've seen more than enough definitions of "reference" to know that I haven't used to term correctly.

I did however look into the Infinity RS series of speakers. It appears that the same guy I bought my KEF C30 bookshelfs from is selling a set of RS 5000s.
He's asking $300 for the pair. I wonder if there's a deal to be had there.

Thanks for the info!
 
They're a deal if 1) they are in the ballpark of market price, or below, and 2) you listen to them and like them! No substitute for listening to speakers before buying.

Actually I was going to suggest you do some listening, in case others haven't (I didn't read every word of the thread). Other AKers are a great way to do that - I don't know what gatherings are happening in CA, but it's a great way to hear some gear you would not otherwise.
 
JoeESP9 said:
If musicians playing/performing live using unamplified acoustic instruments sound that bad why would you bother listening? What are you listening to, grade school and junior high ensembles? Here's a tip; those types of ensembles/orchestras rarely sound very good regardless of how the parents may think.

The real question is, can your system reproduce these "worse sounding" instruments/performances accurately.?:D
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My day gig is principal viola in the Victoria Symphony, where Yannick used to be our principal guest conductor (his second "titled" position, when he was a youthful twenty-something. He even conducted a viola concerto I wrote!), but ya gotta do what ya gotta do, so I moonlight, coaching string ensembles in the public school system, and the youth orchestra. And when you are in the industry, you simply can't help having to hear stuff you wouldn't necessarily choose to.

But really, it's a poor show to be a snotty git about less-than-stellar musical expression, unless you can deliver like YNZ can! Attitude, man. Something dear and precious can almost always be found in every musical performance, if you are listening for it. Inversely, if there is none to be found, it is usually the listener's personal baggage causing this.

Sometimes I think audiofools are as messed up as art critics.
 
How does not wanting to listen to music poorly performed make one a "snotty git" and an "audiofool"? Frankly, name calling isn't necessary.

Although I do play an instrument one doesn't have to play anything to know what sounds good and what doesn't.
 
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Playing music is not like the Special Olympics. Prizes and ribbons are not awarded for merely showing up.
 
Man there are a lot of amazing bookself's for that money. I'd take a look at the kef LS50's. You can't find a bad review and they have a large following here. For me I'd stay away from the powered ones. I've got Martin Logan LX16's and love them. I added a ML Dynamo 300 sub and it's the nicest sounding system I've ever had and I've had a few.

Also take a look at some of the 2 channel receivers out there. I just got my Outlaw RR2160 today. It covers all the bases your looking at. I'm listening to the Alligator Records internet radio station right now and it sounds really good. The only thing not new is the Empire TT and the Pioneer CD/SACD player. All told 2500 in whats playing right now.
 
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@JLange2010

I appreciate the sentiment. I wanted to give you folks a good base of what I'm working with and I'm proud that the question was informative and concise enough to be digestible.
As for the title AND subject of this thread, I may have made a mistake. With that said, I completely appreciate your suggestion to avoid impulsive behavior. (eBay and Craigslist do give me a bit of a rush though)

Thank you for the positivism.

@sanford12

That's another point in the LS50 column.
I'd prefer the stay way from receivers for this system. As I in mentioned in my original post, my intention is to keep this system as modular as possible and I have a pre-amp that I'd (at least initially) like to use.
Apparently it's got a dope phono stage and a really good headphone stage. Additionally, my Logitech Squeeze box does internet radio duty which is cool enough for now.

@JoeESP9 and @doctor fuse

I'm pretty disappointed that your contributions to this thread have degraded to name dropping conductors and who's better at listening what live music.
When teaching, even failure (as an expression of trying) should bring a certain amount of pride, to a teacher or a parent.
I (and I hope the rest of the people interested in participating in this conversation) are wholly disinterested in hearing student orchestras being compared to the Special Olympics.
 
LS50/ Adcom SLC 505/ Adcom GFA-555 se/ Logitech Squeezebox/ sorry I do not do records but a good reel to reel is fun...
 
My vote is for something coaxial in a nearfield setup. It's a great way to get clear spacial cues.
 
@wallacefl

That looks like a pretty nice setup. All the votes for the LS50s are making me pretty excited to try them out this weekend.
You would recommend the Adcom GFA-555 over the Tandberg TPA-3016?
 
scottyawd said:
You would recommend the Adcom GFA-555 over the Tandberg TPA-3016?
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I'm the guy who praised the T'berg preamp waaaay back in post #2. Amazing how argumentative this thread became. I don't want to add more disagreement, but I own the T'Berg 3006A, and I did own the Adcom. Again I'd commend the T'Berg.

You seem to prefer Music to Sound, and the 3006A sings — my Adcom shouted. Also you know it'll be a perfect match with the T'Berg pre. It has 150WPC, far more than you need but at the levels you'll be playing at it's very smooth and relaxed, yet conveys all the detail and dynamics. And emotion. It sells for silly prices because Tandberg is relatively unknown, and underrated — so as value-for-money, it's hard to beat.

You opened this thread with a shopping list, and only one component in hand. You also opened a can of worms — people pushed their personal favorites, and dissed others' favorites. Welcome to AK. You've done a good job moderating this fractious panel, and if you continue with the patience, composure and critical thinking you've shown thus far, you'll end up with a great system.

BTW, where are you in CA? I'm in LA...
 
@asilker

That's not a bad idea. I'd call that another point for the LS50s. (-:

@bimasta

I appreciate that recommendation. I had a feeling pairing Tandberg parts would be a good option, but I didn't want to oversell myself on that.
If the sound of my TIA 3012A is any indication, my TCA 3008A paired with a TPA 30XX would likely be a winner. I've been keeping my eyes open for ALL Tandberg 3000 series components and they do come up, but in my experience , few and far between.
I was anticipating doing a bit of wrangling when I opened this thread, but the slanderous commentary and intense distraction was not something I expected.
I intend to be patient. Thank you.

Silicon Valley. Literally smack-dab between San Francisco and San Jose.
 
scottyawd said:
@asilker


I get that. Do you have any thoughts on KEFs C series of speakers?
I don't know if I should sell them to add to budget for this system or keep them in my arsenal.

Thank you
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Here's my experience:

KEF that uses the t27, b100 or b200 drivers are great. That includes the 104ab, LS3/5a, 101, a few others. I also think highly of the series which feature the ls50 and reference series metal coaxial tweeters.

I am not nuts about the uni q or c series.

There are some people who like to keep spares, that's not me. I like to have one pair of speakers so that I can leverage the biggest budget toward something I really love.
 
@JoeESP9 and @doctor fuse

I'm pretty disappointed that your contributions to this thread have degraded to name dropping conductors and who's better at listening what live music.
When teaching, even failure (as an expression of trying) should bring a certain amount of pride, to a teacher or a parent.
I (and I hope the rest of the people interested in participating in this conversation) are wholly disinterested in hearing student orchestras being compared to the Special Olympics.[/QUOTE]

You're right. Apologies to anyone I made puke from my name-dropping. And to Joe for my questionable language.

To quote Artie Fufkin from Spinal Tap, "Kick my ass! C'mon, kick my ass!"

I consider my ass kicked.
 
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