Brio 3 or Mira 3

[admin_exported]

Hi to all,

I'm new to the this forum hi fi internet business so please excuse me if I've posted in the wrong place or something silly.

I have recently got hold of a second hand Rega Planet CD player (the one that looks like the Apollo) as I'd read lots of good stuff about it. I've also bee reading about system synergy too so it seems to me that I should try to go for a Rega amp. Question is which one? I'm using a pair of Revolver RW 16 speakers which I understand are relatively easy to drive and for my ears at least sound wonderfully together. My music taste is very varied, tend to lean towards electronica but rock, dance acoustic also feature well.

Up until the Planet CD player I was using Cambridge Audio Azur 640C and A and while ok in my opinion it sounds far to brittle. As my budget is limited, I could afford a new Brio or perhaps a used Mira but which is the better amp? I'm not bothered by things like flashing lights, remote controls or big impressive numbers, just a nice sound. I know I should always demo kit before buying but I would like to get some advice and opion on here.

Many thanks

 

[the record spot]

Audiolab 8000s, £270 at Superfi currently, if you're near one of their branches. You have the added option of adding a power amplifier to that as and when funds allow.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your suggestion.

A friend of mine has the older 8000A which he swears by but in my humble opinion sounds quite unemotional (if that makes any sense at all). He is using his with an Arcam CD player (not sure of model) and B&W speakers (once again don't know model maybe CDM1) so maybe that has something to do with lack of musicality (my opinion again) although I have tried his amp with my speakers and Cambridge CD player and for sure it didn't sound brittle but it did sound quite analytical. Do you think the 8000s is different to the older 8000A? Does it work well with the Planet CD player?

I must confess I like the idea of matching components from the same manufacturer but only if it gives great results. I'm certainly not looking for perfection, my budget doesn't allow for that but I know with my speakers and cd player I can have a system that plays music rather than give an analysis of the sound.

The Revolver loud speakers seam to present a full picture of the music and the addition of the Planet CD player seams to have played to the strengths of the speakers. I think the CA 640A is now the week link in my system.

 

[the record spot]

You might like the Rega amps, but I don' tknow how well they would combine together. I hear good things of the Marantz PM7001 amp (or the KI version, both of which could be on good deals as end of line stock) and likewise NAD. Haven't heard in partnership with your CD player, but they all have a complementary sound quality I think - the Marantz in particular is rather good to listen to.

 

[batonwielder]

I've had both, and I can tell you, the Mira is a substantial upgrade over the Brio.

I'm not sure if the Brio is better than the Cambridge, however.

Maybe you are not happy with your speakers?ÿ

 

[plastic penguin]

If some of the alternatives don't really do it for you, try one of the Arcam amps from the DIVA range - currently going at rock-bottom prices and they'll tame any harshness with the CD player

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for your responses.

As far as the Marantz goes, maybe this would be worth looking into although I haven't had any experience with Marantz kit at all.

From what I am reading, it seams as thought the Mira gives a far more laid back sound than the more lively Brio and I wonder if it would be too flat sounding for my taste. Would that be a fair description of the two amps? It's very confusing to someone who can't pretend to know about Hi Fi but loves music in all its forms. I've read reviews on the Brio and while some say it has a 'tube like' warmth it others seem to disagree. Whatever, it does seem at least that reviewers agree that there is a fluidity to its sound which appeals to me as long as it isn't bright, brittle or harsh.

I've had the Revolver speakers for about 3 years now and I tried all sorts before buying them. In my opinion they sounded very natural without over emphasis on any part of the sound. In short they sounded musical to my ears so I would very hard pushed to try something else.

 

[John Duncan]

The Planet and Mira are the most fun I've had in a hifi shop ever, I think......

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your suggestions and to Batonweilder, you're right I'm not happy with my speakers.

In the end I went for the Brio amp. I don't really know how to describe the sound except to say that with the Planet CD player, it has a purety and is very musical. I'm running them with a pair of Monitor Audio BR1's just now as the Revolver speakers didn't work at all well with the Brio. This did surprise me but now I've got a good excuse to buy a new pair of speakers. Question is what to go for? Can anyone give me some suggestions? I live in a small cotrtage so floorstanders are out of the question. My budget is around £400 - £500 max. I had a listen to the Rega R1's and although they seem like great little speakers, I think I would prefer something that gave a fuller and less lean sound. I've been doing some reading about the Monitor Audio RS1's and on the face of it seem ideal if they are a better quality version of the BR1's I'm currently using.

Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.