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New HiFi Enthusiast Setting Up a Reference System

You have very similar ideas i had with my recent new system purchase, after a lot of shopping this was my choice that i am listening to with extreme happiness, and I still do not think it can be improved on for the total cost of $5000. This includes playback of vinyl/cd/ usb / headphones, class A/B 250wpc 8 ohms. 6 lines in, 1/8", sub outs with crossover. full range outputs, 80hz outputs, power amp input signal loop, future expansion bridge mono capability. Simple remote that switches 1-6 input choice and tone control bypass. After breaking it in, and adjusting speaker placement, i have a strong clean high end, fast kicking tight lows, volume, lots of reserve power, accuracy and sound stage. True to the recording absolutely, This was hard to accept at first, some recordings just suck and i can tell now, this was hidden better with my vintage equipment that i do still love. The speakers are just amazing, they are a much beefier LS50 sound, the low end driver leaves the uniQ for only mids and highs, very open and clean mids and top, with a fast powerful low end.

1 Pre amp. Parasound 2100 new $695

2 Power amp. Parasound 2250v2 new $999

3 Speakers R300pr kefs new $1799

4 Dac Cambridge dac100 new $199

5 Turntable Technics sl1200 mk5 refurb $999

6 Phono pre Schiit mani new $169

7 Cd transport nad 516ce new $299

8 Usb music, HP stream mini laptop new $199

9 Pickering xv15 d1800s cart and stylus $125

10 Headphones Grado sr125 new $149
 
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@freQ(*)Oddio

That looks like a bangin' system.
When it came right down to it, what made you pull the trigger on the parasound pre and power amp?
My work buddy loves his Grado cans. I swear by my Sennheisers HD280 Pros.

Can anybody drop some knowledge about the break-in period?
Is that primarily for the speakers, or does every component require some time?
I only own used gear, so I've never thought about it.
 
scottyawd said:
@freQ(*)Oddio

That looks like a bangin' system.
When it came right down to it, what made you pull the trigger on the parasound pre and power amp?
My work buddy loves his Grado cans. I swear by my Sennheisers HD280 Pros.

Can anybody drop some knowledge about the break-in period?
Is that primarily for the speakers, or does every component require some time?
I only own used gear, so I've never thought about it.
Click to expand...
as far as the parasound brand, i wanted a new separate pre and poweramp, not a receiver. the parasound design is smart and simple to use. I think the company has a great heritage, pricing and reputation for great sound. If you really look at the specs it was a easy choice for the price, just 1 mac component would take my entire $5k, and i needed a entire lifetime lasting, wall of components for not much $$$. Break in was important to the preamp and how i sped that up was leaving a tv station on in a rca input 24/7, with the volume at 2/3 and the poweramp speaker button off, manual says 72 hours. the rest of the components are pretty much ready for the best sound instantly, or after a few hours. The new stylus took a few weeks .
 
So I listened to a set of passive KEF LS50s over the weekend.
I was BLOWN AWAY by sound that came out drivers of that size. They really are amazing little buggers.
I was told that (for coaxials) they are pretty finicky about placement. (May have to do with the small driver size?)
Weird.

If the LS50s sound this good, I'm really looking forward to seeing the KEF R300s for a an additional $500.
And would the 6.5" LF driver negate the want for a sub?

The LS50s with a sub is an interesting proposition but it adds levels complication to a system that would otherwise be pretty simple.
Namely getting a pre-amp with an EQ'd sub out, or relying on a sub with "high level in" and trusting the crossover of the sub.
Oh man, re-thinking my whole budget and priorities. (Wow-is-me. Who am I? Why am I here? Why is anything?)

BTW: After being here for few days, this thread probably belongs in a bunch of different forums on this site.
I didn't know that AK was strict about talking value, prices and costs of gear. Apologies to the forum if this thread is bending the rules.
 
A sub out does not necessarily need to be EQ'd. The controls on the subwoofer make the most difference. Here's a couple of hints. Set the subs crossover frequency at the -3dB of your main speakers. Adjust the level so that you can't tell when the sub is on but can easily tell when you turn it off.
 
@JoeESP9

Thank you for the tip.
I guess my concern, is it worth it to complicate the system this early on.
This may be a good argument to the significant other to allow for tower speakers, and that opens up a whole new world.
 
Check out my signature. I use two subwoofers. I've been doing so since before way before 2006. IME most bookshelf speakers do not have the low frequency extension that I want.
 
I have not found ls50s finicky about placement at all. They actually have really wide dispersion that I find make them more forgiving of placement.

Also, they come with bungs so if you have to place close to a rear wall you can stuff them to help out or just let them get a little bass reinforcement that way.

For certain musical genres a sub would help fill out the low end for sure. One thing I have found to be true is a driving them with a solid amp. Some lowered powered amps I have tried just didn't cut it; the already thin bass really suffered. Good luck!

Finally, if you do go with them and a sub there are few preamps with built-in crossovers floating around. The Parasound was already mentioned but there are others as well. B&K, Emotiva, and Anthem come to mind.
 
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