Downgrade in Progress

[newworld]

I've been vying for an opportunity to downgrade my system and free up some cash. Now that I already have buyers in place, I need to look for replacements! The amplifier is going to be either Naim Nait 5si at the most or Rega Elex-R. Arcam A19 is also possible.

Any recommendations for speakers under 1000GBP? Floorstanding would be preferred and the less expensive the better. I listen to classical, jazz, and pop. Much appreciated!

 

[Thompsonuxb]

What do you currently have and are you looking to improve on or match the sound you are already getting at a budget?

 

[Superaintit]

In your situation I would single out a few speaker brands, listen to them around the pricebracket you have in mind and base my system on that.

My personal preference would be pmc db1i or gb1i, db1s-a second hand as I like spacious and smooth treble, clear voices and unforced, natural presentation. I also feel that the gb1i was a clear step up from anything that was cheaper and that the law of diminishing returns set in after that.

If you give us your preference for speaker presentation we could advice a few demo options.

 

[matthewpiano]

What do you currently have and are you looking to improve on or match the sound you are already getting at a budget?

This is the crucial question...

 

[newworld]

What do you currently have and are you looking to improve on or match the sound you are already getting at a budget?

This is the crucial question...

I currently have the Naim Supernait 2 and Proac D2's. I'm not trying to improve or match anything. While dabbling in this wonderful hobby of ours I've come to realize that much enjoyment can be derived from lower budget. I enjoy my system very much and am struggling to part with it, but I feel a little silly to have spent this much money. I'm sure there will be even more upgrade path in the future, and that is a scary thought. Rather than spending more money, I want to save some.

I know the Naim, Rega, and Arcam amplifiers very well. They are all different, but I can live with any of them. It will be great if you can give me suggestions on budget speakers that come alive with each of those. I'm not looking at Neat speakers because there's no distribution here, or Rega speakers because they are downright fragile. It can be either large bookshelf or floorstander. Thanks.

 

[Superaintit]

Maybe a sonos set would give you more enjoyment for a reasonable price?

It's something way different but every time I hear it it sounds quite good for the price. Also good pride of ownership, multiroom capability and good fun to use. Been using spotify daily since a year now and has given me lots of joy. I believe spotify is integrated in it.

As an alternative I would suggest to look at the Marantz cr510 or 610 and couple it to your current speakers for a demo.

 

[EvPa]

You could also pool the money that you plan to spend on the amplifier/speakers and get some very nice actives.

 

[matthewpiano]

KEF work well with Rega. I was going to suggest Rega RS1 as well. Why do you say they are fragile?

 

[newworld]

KEF work well with Rega. I was going to suggest Rega RS1 as well. Why do you say they are fragile?

Because I've blown woofers on them before. It was driven by Nait 5i.

 

[chebby]

KEF work well with Rega. I was going to suggest Rega RS1 as well. Why do you say they are fragile?

Because I've blown woofers on them before. It was driven by Nait 5i.

So you like it very loud at times? (All the time?)

 

[newworld]

KEF work well with Rega. I was going to suggest Rega RS1 as well. Why do you say they are fragile?

Because I've blown woofers on them before. It was driven by Nait 5i.

So you like it very loud at times? (All the time?)

I guess.

 

[newworld]

This is going nowhere. Moderator, remove the thread, please.

 

[drummerman]

This is going nowhere. Moderator, remove the thread, please.

Strange request ...

... but, if I were to build a reasonably priced system with power I'd probably look at NAD, XTC or Roksan, with their K2 BT available at discounted prices (I personally didn't like the non-BT version but many do).

Your suggestions of Brio-R and A19 don't have to much power and will soon run out of steam. Their strengths lie elsewhere.

Alternatively a good AV-Receiver would perhaps do what you need.

As for speakers, perhaps something like a Zensor 3 or similar which will take the abuse but have hifi credentials.

Good luck

 

[Thompsonuxb]

What do you currently have and are you looking to improve on or match the sound you are already getting at a budget?

This is the crucial question...

I currently have the Naim Supernait 2 and Proac D2's. I'm not trying to improve or match anything. While dabbling in this wonderful hobby of ours I've come to realize that much enjoyment can be derived from lower budget. I enjoy my system very much and am struggling to part with it, but I feel a little silly to have spent this much money. I'm sure there will be even more upgrade path in the future, and that is a scary thought. Rather than spending more money, I want to save some.

I know the Naim, Rega, and Arcam amplifiers very well. They are all different, but I can live with any of them. It will be great if you can give me suggestions on budget speakers that come alive with each of those. I'm not looking at Neat speakers because there's no distribution here, or Rega speakers because they are downright fragile. It can be either large bookshelf or floorstander. Thanks.

Even though you have abandoned this thread I'll say this....

If your system is fine there is no point feeling guilt - the money has already been spent.

Swapping kit will require further spend which in your situation makes no sense.

My suggestion to you is go buy yourself some music. Enjoy what you have.... You've earned it and spent it nothing to feel guilty about...... :-D

 

[cheeseboy]

This is going nowhere. Moderator, remove the thread, please.

that's a bit harsh. People are trying to offer you suggestions, but in order to do that properly one has to establish what kind of thing you are looking for and your listening habits.

Not sure what you expected to be honest.

 

[JoelSim]

I was once an upgrader but have now had my system for 5 years and have absolutely no plans to change it.

It streams music. It plays CDs. I can listen to the radio through streaming. It sounds great. Job done.

I'll replace it when it breaks.

 

[newworld]

Sorry, I just got a little impatient with the first couple of replies as I thought I was quite specific.

Zensor 3 is a great recommendation. It would be helpful to hear people's experience using them with Naim and Rega amplification.

 

[steve_1979]

You could pick up a secondhand pair of AVI ADM9's for well under £1000. Job done.

 

[CnoEvil]

Arcam A19 + Kef LS50 would be my choice, provided ultimate volume wasn't an issue.

 

[newworld]

Arcam A19 + Kef LS50 would be my choice, provided ultimate volume wasn't an issue.

Good call. I haven't heard the two together, but they sounded fine with other gear.

 

[lpv]

If that's my money I would go to a good pro audio store/ dealer offering wide selection of studio monitors.. you can buy an excellent sounding ones and ( most of the time) with a huge power reserve, great dynamics and wallet friendly prices. Have a quick look here

http://www.attackmagazine.com/features/ten-best-nearfield-studio-monitors/

 

[lindsayt]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Akai-SW-177-Hi-fi-Home-Audio-Stand-Alone-Stereo-Speakers-100W-Watts-/141628285344?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20f9b421a0

Buy these. Or something like them. Plenty of money left in your budget to sort out the squashed in dust caps. And to get you any stands you may need to get the midrange drivers to ear level.

There's a decent chance you'll prefer the overall sound of them to EVERYTHING mentioned in this thread so far, including your existing speakers.

 

[Vladimir]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Akai-SW-177-Hi-fi-Home-Audio-Stand-Alo...

Buy these. Or something like them. Plenty of money left in your budget to sort out the squashed in dust caps. And to get you any stands you may need to get the midrange drivers to ear level.

There's a decent chance you'll prefer the overall sound of them to EVERYTHING mentioned in this thread so far, including your existing speakers.

You do realize vintage Akai is kryptonite to flatearths? *pardon* Why not Dittons instead? (no affiliation)

 

[Thompsonuxb]

The proac d2 is a much better speaker than the likes of the Zensor 3 or the LS50...

And the amps mentioned are more a sideways move the A19 for example will not deliver anything like your current amp..

Don't take this the wrong way but what exactly are you trying to achieve. The suggestions so far make no sense.

On paper what you already have is good. Just curious to know what is the issue you're having.

 

[Vladimir]

The proac d2 is a much better speaker than the likes of the Zensor 3 or the LS50...

And the amps mentioned are more a sideways move the A19 for example will not deliver anything like your current amp..

Don't take this the wrong way but what exactly are you trying to achieve. The suggestions so far make no sense.

On paper what you already have is good. Just curious to know what is the issue you're having.

BIG HINT! The title of the thread says DOWNGRADE! *biggrin* Could be a similar thread to the one by Gazzip, just with higher budget (x3).