Building a system for low volumes, please help.

[admin_exported]

Hi there guys (and gals?)I'm currently attempting to build a a very clear and detailed system.I've got a Cyrus CDXTSE into a beresford dac.I have been experimenting with various amplifiers including cambridge audio, cyrus, nad etc.I've never been quite satisfied with the performance. I have Monopulse 32A speakers are excellent at higher volumes (these are now on ebay for £430 o.n.o). However, since I've moved to London, I now have paper-thin walls and need something that sounds great at lower to mid volumes. I have got a decent headphone set-up but i need to share the music with my girlfriend and also might be doing some mixing.I listen to the full range of music. From lots of electronic/dance to hip-hop, indie, rock, folk and classical.A few questions I hope you experts can help me with:1. Would I be better off with smaller stand-mounted speakers?2. Any recommendations for a second hand power amp/speaker combo around the £1000-£1400 mark?i was thinking about a pmc speaker and bryston power combo. I've been reading a few things that say some of the pmc range need fair volumes to really shine?It would be great to hear some of your ideas!Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Headphones? You can then turn them up as loud as you want without offending anybody! You could get a pair of Grado GS1000s and a Graham Slee headphone amplifier for that price!

 

[plastic penguin]

meemswardrobe:Hi there guys (and gals?)I'm currently attempting to build a a very clear and detailed system.I've got a Cyrus CDXTSE into a beresford dac.I have been experimenting with various amplifiers including cambridge audio, cyrus, nad etc.I've never been quite satisfied with the performance. I have Monopulse 32A speakers are excellent at higher volumes (these are now on ebay for £430 o.n.o). However, since I've moved to London, I now have paper-thin walls and need something that sounds great at lower to mid volumes. I have got a decent headphone set-up but i need to share the music with my girlfriend and also might be doing some mixing.I listen to the full range of music. From lots of electronic/dance to hip-hop, indie, rock, folk and classical.A few questions I hope you experts can help me with:1. Would I be better off with smaller stand-mounted speakers?2. Any recommendations for a second hand power amp/speaker combo around the £1000-£1400 mark?i was thinking about a pmc speaker and bryston power combo. I've been reading a few things that say some of the pmc range need fair volumes to really shine?It would be great to hear some of your ideas!Thanks

That's a good call from Hughes. But if you want to stick to conventional amp/speaker combo then Cyrus 8VS2 and Dynaudio Focus 110 would fit the bill nicely at low levels.

 

[Anonymous]

plastic penguin:Cyrus 8VS2

Speaking of which there's one on ebay nor for £600...ÿ

 

[drummerman]

I think it would be fair to say that if you're not absolutely sure what you want, buying new and listening to the products first is a much safer option. The chances of getting it wrong buying blind simply by punter recommendation is considerable.

I've had a few complete budget/mid range systems here recently, Kandy K2, CA840v2, AVI ADM9.1, Cyrus so if you consider any of those let me know if you need more info. Best of luck.