All, I'm a newbie attempting to put together a system for our home. Here are some details about what I'm looking for:
Music I listen to: Classic Rock (Dire Straits, Floyd, REM ), a good bit of folk (Fairport Convention, Dylan, Joan Baez etc.) and occasionally Jazz and a little Classical (vocal and instrumental).
Room dimensions: I plan to play these records in a living room that is about 16 x 20 x 10 ft with wooden laminate flooring with a small area rug with leather sofas and 2 windows along 1 side (usually left shut). There is drywall and a fireplace but very little fabric other than the area rug currently in the room.
Budget: Am looking to spend about $1000-1500 on speakers and another $1000 on amps
My sources: Typically CDs (off an Onkyo player), a bunch of vinyl records (off a Project Carbon Debut) and flac files out of a Logitech Squeezebox.
Speaker characteristics I'm looking for: My preference is for speakers that have a wide soundstage and precise imaging at lower to moderate listening levels. I play most of my music at relatively moderate levels and am not much of a bass head either - as long as the bass is relatively tight and refined, I'd care more about the details in the mid to upper ranges.
Given these preferences, my research led me initially toward Planar speakers (such as the Magnepan .7) but the WAF is just too low to pass muster at home
and the placement requirements for them also just kill the deal. So, now, I'm trying to determine how stand mounts (such as say used ProAc Tablettes or KEF LS50s or B&W CM5s) would compare with floorstanders like (Tannoy XT6F or MA Silver 6 or B&W 683s) and which would be a better fit given my musical preferences, my desire for a great soundstage and imaging and my room size?
Also, what amps would I look for to pair with the above for about 1000-1500? Would something like a Rega Brio-R or a NAD 375 work ? I'm open to considering used amps such as the Naim Nait 5i or the Peachtree Nova..
Have been unable to find if any dealers in my area where I can audition all or even a couple of these brands in 1 place (let alone in-home!!) and so am looking for inputs and advice from folks here!
Thanks!
Music I listen to: Classic Rock (Dire Straits, Floyd, REM ), a good bit of folk (Fairport Convention, Dylan, Joan Baez etc.) and occasionally Jazz and a little Classical (vocal and instrumental).
Room dimensions: I plan to play these records in a living room that is about 16 x 20 x 10 ft with wooden laminate flooring with a small area rug with leather sofas and 2 windows along 1 side (usually left shut). There is drywall and a fireplace but very little fabric other than the area rug currently in the room.
Budget: Am looking to spend about $1000-1500 on speakers and another $1000 on amps
My sources: Typically CDs (off an Onkyo player), a bunch of vinyl records (off a Project Carbon Debut) and flac files out of a Logitech Squeezebox.
Speaker characteristics I'm looking for: My preference is for speakers that have a wide soundstage and precise imaging at lower to moderate listening levels. I play most of my music at relatively moderate levels and am not much of a bass head either - as long as the bass is relatively tight and refined, I'd care more about the details in the mid to upper ranges.
Given these preferences, my research led me initially toward Planar speakers (such as the Magnepan .7) but the WAF is just too low to pass muster at home
Also, what amps would I look for to pair with the above for about 1000-1500? Would something like a Rega Brio-R or a NAD 375 work ? I'm open to considering used amps such as the Naim Nait 5i or the Peachtree Nova..
Have been unable to find if any dealers in my area where I can audition all or even a couple of these brands in 1 place (let alone in-home!!) and so am looking for inputs and advice from folks here!
Thanks!