System budget
September 18, 2003
What would a person reasonably need to spend to get a
decent system for a college dorm room? I want fairly full sound, not a mini-system or
portable.
Darren Andersen
Around $1000. With $200 for a DVD player, $400 for a
receiver, and another $400 for speakers, you could assemble a system that,
performance-wise, would have cost much more just several years back. We have tons of
examples of worthy components in our archives for you to research. I'd also shop for
closeouts and demos, as you could maximize your dollar even more with some savvy shopping.
Add a couple more hundred dollars for some rear speakers and you'd have a surround system,
too.
Tubes for JMlab speakers?
September 17, 2003
I have been very happy with my NAD amp and preamp for the
last 17 years. Recently I have purchased JMlab Cobalt 806 speakers. I love them, but I am
now hearing what people have spoken of as "solid state." The treble can be hot
or harsh sometimes. Now I see in many reviews that people with French speakers might want
to look into tubes. I don't have a big budget and my room is very small. I was looking at
the Rogue 66 preamp (reviews say it has great dimension in sound, which is important to
me) mated to my NAD amp until I can replace it. Or the Audio Refinement Complete
integrated, which is also French and some say is very warm like tubes. There are no
showrooms around me to audition the Complete (only mail order). What is your opinion?
Nell
It sounds to me like you should give a tube amp (or
preamp like the Rogue) a try in your setup. That way you'll know if the sound is what
you're looking for. Once you've established the sound of tubes in your system it'll be
easier to listen to something like the Audio Refinement and make a determination on just
how close it is getting you to your goals. I wish I could help more, but this is a case
where there is no substitute for listening in your own system and making a decision that
you can live with for the long term. Good luck.
Seeking Adcom info
September 15, 2003
Great website! I check the reviews often as you review
items I can afford!
I live in an area where auditioning is out of the question.
Technics and Pioneer speakers are considered the cream of the crop where I live. I have a
few questions. I have never seen reviews of any of the Adcom gear on this site,
particularly their power amps. I have just purchased an Adcom GFA-5400 and just wondered
if you may have heard it and if you have any impressions about Adcom power amps in general
and this model specifically. It is very hard to find reviews for the lower-end Adcom gear,
particularly the power amps.
Duane Lewis
I have heard the GFA-5400. It is a punchy, dynamic amp
and a great bargain on the used market. I'd be willing to bet you'll be really happy with
it. The company has kept a low profile in the magazines over the last few years, and I
believe Adcom products are now made overseas. They have been a little more visible at the
last few trade shows -- CES and CEDIA -- so maybe we'll see more of 'em in the future. And
hey, since you're having trouble finding speakers, why not look at some Internet-direct
manufacturers like Axiom Audio?
Athena, Paradigm, and Outlaw
September 12, 2003
First of all, great site. I have been reading all of your
writing for years.
You gave both the Paradigm
Esprit v.3 and Athena Technologies Audition AS-F2 loudspeakers a Great Buy rating.
Comparing these two speakers, are they similar or are the AS-F2s is in a higher category?
I am planning to buy an Outlaw 1050 to drive them. Do you think that it is a good choice
or do you have other recommendations (you did mentioned that good amps are needed for the
AS-F2). Thank you.
Bo Chen
With two excellent speakers like the Paradigms and
Athenas, it's really more a matter of your tastes and priorities than which one is
"best." Both companies have a strong dealer network, so finding a place to
audition the speakers should not be a tough task.
The Outlaw 1050 is a great choice to power either
speaker, and it gives you the flexibility to move into multichannel music or home theater
if you choose. Looks like you're on the right track to me.
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