Amp and possibly speaker advice required!

[Zag]

Hi all,

My trusty 13 year old Arcam 7R amp has developed a fault which is causing one speaker to drop out every now and then - after some investigation it seems to be related to the switches on the front but needless to say it is very annoying!

So with this in mind, I see this as an opportunity to update my setup (in my signature) either by replacing the amps (I currently bi-amp with the Alpha 8 Power) and keeping my existing speakers or by replacing both. My budget is up to £1500 and I would like some help with what I should be auditioning?

I have a very eclectic musical taste (Dance / Hip Hop / Rock / Folk / Pop) and whilst I like my current setup (neutral/warm to my ears) I am not adverse to moving in a different direction. The majority of my listening is CD based but I also use my current setup for movies and TV in stereo. The room is about 3.5m deep X 2.5m wide with laminate flooring although the listening position is about 2.5m in to the room. Let me know if you need to know anything else!

Thanks in anticipation

Matt

 

[CnoEvil]

IMO. You need to compare a more expensive amp with your speakers, with a less expensive amp and new speakers. This will allow you to see how best to spend your budget.

More expensive amps: Croft integrated, Sugden Mystro or A21, Arcam A39, Rega Elicit R, Creek Evo 100A, Electrocompaniet PI-1.

Cheaper Amps: Arcam A19, Creek Evo 50A, Rega Brio R

Speakers: Kef R300, Epos K2

 

[TrevC]

It's a common fault and easily fixed. Buy some Servisol switch cleaner, open the amp and spray liberally on the switches. Exercise them repeatedly, job done. Turn the amp off before you do it by the way.

 

[CnoEvil]

It's a common fault and easily fixed. Buy some Servisol switch cleaner, open the amp and spray liberally on the switches. Exercise them repeatedly, job done. Turn the amp off before you do it by the way.

Certainly worth a shot......unless there is an itch to scratch.

 

[dim_span]

get this .... Musical Fidelity M6i ... for £1295

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSICAL-FIDELITY-M6I-INTEGRATED-AMP-USB-DAC-SILVER-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/261795698523?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cf43d575b

at a later stage, upgrade your speakers (not sure what they are?)

 

[Zag]

IMO. You need to compare a more expensive amp with your speakers, with a less expensive amp and new speakers. This will allow you to see how best to spend your budget.

More expensive amps: Croft integrated, Sugden Mystro or A21, Arcam A39, Rega Elicit R, Creek Evo 100A, Electrocompaniet PI-1.

Cheaper Amps: Arcam A19, Creek Evo 50A, Rega Brio R

Speakers: Kef R300, Epos K2

Thanks CnoEvil, that is a very good point. Thanks for the suggestions of equipment to try as well.

It's a common fault and easily fixed. Buy some Servisol switch cleaner, open the amp and spray liberally on the switches. Exercise them repeatedly, job done. Turn the amp off before you do it by the way.

Thanks TrevC, I will certainly give this a try and see if it resolves the issue. I have been considering an upgrade for a while so as CnoEvil puts it there is a bit of an itch to scratch but if it gets it working it would mean I could potentially sell the 7R and get a a bit more for it than just parts.

 

[Zag]

get this .... Musical Fidelity M6i ... for £1295

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSICAL-FIDELITY-M6I-INTEGRATED-AMP-USB-DAC-SI...

at a later stage, upgrade your speakers (not sure what they are?)

Thanks, speakers are a fairly old pair of Acoustic Energy AE 105's - similar to these (from memory the SE was a different wood finish but I might be wrong - long time ago now!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Energy-AE105-Great-British-Speakers-Superb-Sound-/201302000579

 

[dim_span]

get this .... Musical Fidelity M6i ... for £1295

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSICAL-FIDELITY-M6I-INTEGRATED-AMP-USB-DAC-SI...

at a later stage, upgrade your speakers (not sure what they are?)

Thanks, speakers are a fairly old pair of Acoustic Energy AE 105's - similar to these (from memory the SE was a different wood finish but I might be wrong - long time ago now!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Energy-AE105-Great-British-Speakers-S...

get the Musical Fidelity amp and these old B&W DM2 speakers for £80 and sell your other amps/speakers

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-W-Studio-Speakers-DM2-/331499991949?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d2ef0738d

enjoy them, and at a later stage, get other speakers (The DM2 are good for £80 (3 way transmissions), .... but not pretty

if you want to keep them, have the cabinets sanded and stained/varnished.... mine have been varnished with Yacht varnish