Earthy combination

[plastic penguin]

One of the buffers stopping me from finalising my upgrade is, although I've heard some of the most wonderful sounding amps and speakers within the price bracket, most notably Leema and PMC DB1S, I haven't heard them together.

One of the traits I loved about my A65+ was its lovely organic, almost analogue sound quality. So my question is will the PMCs sound earthy enough with the slightly analytical sounding Leema Pulse? I don't want a muddy sound, nor do I want it to veer towards the clinical sound.

Recap: Organic + clarity + detail + timing and pin-point imaging. Hopefully, once I've formed these pieces of the jig-saw, the whole picture will fall into place.

Suggests will be appreciated. Earthy, but no worms.

Cheers, pp

 

[Anonymous]

The Primare I30 did all of that on the GB and FB1s. Very clean, refined, large soundstage with great imaging and organic sound. This was with the matching CDP. Very nice indeed. I guess the weakest bit was that it wasn't overtly about PRaT like Neat and Naim are (less coloured).

I would also recommend the Quad 909/99 (or other pre) for a very organic, smooth and analogue sound. The tradeoff for a little warmth is the absence of the extreme precision that can come with the sharper, more clinical amps, eg Cyrus MonoX. The Quad's most noticeable weakness is the lack of loads of 'toppy air'.

If I were in your position I'd also be auditioning the NaitXS.

 

[Blackdawn]

There must be other amps around the £1k mark like the Pulse which build on what you found in the A65+. If in doubt go back to your old system which you loved so much. Have you thought about valve amps?

Have you heard the Primare I30, any amps from Quad? Just some ideas.

 

[Anonymous]

Not that I could ever recommend to any that buying blind is a great idea, the other forum that conjures up images of tents has a Netaudio Quad 405 MK3 for sale on the classifieds. Great amp for the money (probably a fair price is somewhere around £350 to £400.

 

[Craig M.]

something from moon, perhaps?

 

[plastic penguin]

Blackdawn:

There must be other amps around the £1k mark like the Pulse which build on what you found in the A65+. If in doubt go back to your old system which you loved so much. Have you thought about valve amps?

Have you heard the Primare I30, any amps from Quad? Just some ideas.

There is but can't find them with such a hefty discount. There are no Quad dealers around my area and Primare I30 is probably outside my budget. What a rascal...

 

[the record spot]

The Harman Kardon HK990 would be worth hearing. Has all the drive and power of the Leema and then some, but a tad less clinical. Heard one the other month and was pretty impressed with both. Less so the Exposure 3010.

Not sure what else has the warm and fuzzies out there right now. The current trend seems to be for detailed and more analytical amps. The Leema I enjoyed, but it's very much a contemporary sound. I guess one of the reasons I like the Sansui is it has all of the detail, but minus the detachment some of the other amps I've tried also brought. Not sure how many amps up to £1000 tick all the boxes you're looking for PP.

I recall John Duncan mentioning the Marantz PM7001-KI amp having the kind of qualities you wanted, so maybe look at - in its' absence - the PM8003 which is the descendant?

 

[plastic penguin]

the record spot:The Harman Kardon HK990 would be worth hearing. Has all the drive and power of the Leema and then some, but a tad less clinical. Heard one the other month and was pretty impressed with both. Less so the Exposure 3010. Not sure what else has the warm and fuzzies out there right now. The current trend seems to be for detailed and more analytical amps. The Leema I enjoyed, but it's very much a contemporary sound. I guess one of the reasons I like the Sansui is it has all of the detail, but minus the detachment some of the other amps I've tried also brought. Not sure how many amps up to £1000 tick all the boxes you're looking for PP. I recall John Duncan mentioning the Marantz PM7001-KI amp having the kind of qualities you wanted, so maybe look at - in its' absence - the PM8003 which is the descendant?

The ideal compromise is the Caspian, with the emphasis being placed on "compromise." Hoever, the lack of inputs and the lacklustre sound at low values rather choked me off.

I have to admit, to my disgrace

, I've been mulling over whether the Kandy K2 is worth a punt. I loved the old LIII but, according to dealers and memebers on here, the K2 errs on the warm side.

 

[John Duncan]

Have you heard a Naim/Neat combo PP? Or indeed the 5i with DB1s? I'd wager either of those would cover off most of the things you seem to like, though might not totally sway you in the imaging department, which in some ways is a bit more 'approximate' than 'pinpoint'.

RS's re-mentioning of the 7001-KI has also reminded me what a fine amp it is, and I suspect you'd enjoy that and a pair of DB1s (or similar) very much indeed.

 

[JoelSim]

Having owned both Arcam and Leema, and heard several pairs of PMCs, I very much doubt you will have anything to worry about PP.

If in doubt, buy the amp whilst it's cheap and take it to the dealer with the PMCs and hook them up.

 

[Anonymous]

plastic penguin:Blackdawn:

There must be other amps around the £1k mark like the Pulse which build on what you found in the A65+. If in doubt go back to your old system which you loved so much. Have you thought about valve amps?

Have you heard the Primare I30, any amps from Quad? Just some ideas.

There is but can't find them with such a hefty discount. There are no Quad dealers around my area and Primare I30 is probably outside my budget. What a rascal...

You're putting up walls, PP. You seem to be stuck so you have two choices; wait for new kit to land in your local dealers or get out there and throw the net wider. Why not try to take a trip to somewhere that sells Quad? Make a day trip and take the family. Keep scouring the numerous dealer used pages and eventually you'll find a Primare that you can trial at the right price. I've seen the I30.1 and matching CDP from a dealer for £750 a piece today. Perhaps you should buy the PMC DB1i and take them with you; they're superb speakers and you know you'll find something to work with them, even if it's a used A32.

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, three choices, buy an iPod

 

[JoelSim]

I used to be indecisive...

 

[plastic penguin]

JohnDuncan:Have you heard a Naim/Neat combo PP? Or indeed the 5i with DB1s? I'd wager either of those would cover off most of the things you seem to like, though might not totally sway you in the imaging department, which in some ways is a bit more 'approximate' than 'pinpoint'. RS's re-mentioning of the 7001-KI has also reminded me what a fine amp it is, and I suspect you'd enjoy that and a pair of DB1s (or similar) very much indeed.

I've heard the Nait and the DB1s at Infidelity sometime back. I have to admit it did sound rather good, however, I also know from experience the Nait and Arcam CDP is a rotter, synergy-wise, so I was pinning my hopes on an amp that would gel well with 73T.

 

[plastic penguin]

JoelSim:

Having owned both Arcam and Leema, and heard several pairs of PMCs, I very much doubt you will have anything to worry about PP.

If in doubt, buy the amp whilst it's cheap and take it to the dealer with the PMCs and hook them up.

Seems logical, but was that the Pulse?

 

[plastic penguin]

igglebert:plastic penguin:Blackdawn:

There must be other amps around the £1k mark like the Pulse which build on what you found in the A65+. If in doubt go back to your old system which you loved so much. Have you thought about valve amps?

Have you heard the Primare I30, any amps from Quad? Just some ideas.

There is but can't find them with such a hefty discount. There are no Quad dealers around my area and Primare I30 is probably outside my budget. What a rascal...

You're putting up walls, PP. You seem to be stuck so you have two choices; wait for new kit to land in your local dealers or get out there and throw the net wider. Why not try to take a trip to somewhere that sells Quad? Make a day trip and take the family. Keep scouring the numerous dealer used pages and eventually you'll find a Primare that you can trial at the right price. I've seen the I30.1 and matching CDP from a dealer for £750 a piece today. Perhaps you should buy the PMC DB1i and take them with you; they're superb speakers and you know you'll find something to work with them, even if it's a used A32.

You're right about putting up barriers - there's good reason. The Pulse has all the inputs (incl. phono stage) I need and really rocked when I heard it with Spendor SA-1 and MA GS10. But due to the locality of the amp it was impractical for a home demo, so I still don't know how the sound will envelope itself once planted in my living room.

As regards an IPod...Why? Have nothing against them just it wouldn't get much use. I hardly ever use buses or trains, if I did it would make a lot of sense.

 

[Anonymous]

plastic penguin:igglebert:plastic penguin:Blackdawn:

There must be other amps around the £1k mark like the Pulse which build on what you found in the A65+. If in doubt go back to your old system which you loved so much. Have you thought about valve amps?

Have you heard the Primare I30, any amps from Quad? Just some ideas.

There is but can't find them with such a hefty discount. There are no Quad dealers around my area and Primare I30 is probably outside my budget. What a rascal...

You're putting up walls, PP. You seem to be stuck so you have two choices; wait for new kit to land in your local dealers or get out there and throw the net wider. Why not try to take a trip to somewhere that sells Quad? Make a day trip and take the family. Keep scouring the numerous dealer used pages and eventually you'll find a Primare that you can trial at the right price. I've seen the I30.1 and matching CDP from a dealer for £750 a piece today. Perhaps you should buy the PMC DB1i and take them with you; they're superb speakers and you know you'll find something to work with them, even if it's a used A32.

As regards an IPod...Why? Have nothing against them just it wouldn't get much use. I hardly ever use buses or trains, if I did it would make a lot of sense.

...it was just a tongue in cheek joke...

 

[John Duncan]

plastic penguin:
JohnDuncan:Have you heard a Naim/Neat combo PP? Or indeed the 5i with DB1s? I'd wager either of those would cover off most of the things you seem to like, though might not totally sway you in the imaging department, which in some ways is a bit more 'approximate' than 'pinpoint'. RS's re-mentioning of the 7001-KI has also reminded me what a fine amp it is, and I suspect you'd enjoy that and a pair of DB1s (or similar) very much indeed.

I've heard the Nait and the DB1s at Infidelity sometime back. I have to admit it did sound rather good, however, I also know from experience the Nait and Arcam CDP is a rotter, synergy-wise, so I was pinning my hopes on an amp that would gel well with 73T.

Ig's right - I think you need to worry less about the CD player and more about the amp-speaker combo, which is much more important (IMO)...

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks, JD, I am over pedantic - synergy is everything as opposed to individual talent. Again, harking back to my old A65 and RS6, as individual components, they were never going to set the world alight, but the synergy...ooh, the synergy.

 

[SteveR750]

I think you would find the K2 a different proposition from the previous version. I have a similar desire for the sound you are describing, I now exactly what you mean about analogue. Despite what's written, I still don't really truthfully like CD, the Cyrus is supposed to be as good as it gets at that price, but frankly a 20yr old Sondek knocked spots of it. The K2 makes it bearable, it's not overly lush as in lacking rhythm and dynamics, but it there is plenty of weight behind it. It's everything that a Cyrus am isn't (to my ears anyway).

 

[JoelSim]

SteveR750:I think you would find the K2 a different proposition from the previous version. I have a similar desire for the sound you are describing, I now exactly what you mean about analogue. Despite what's written, I still don't really truthfully like CD, the Cyrus is supposed to be as good as it gets at that price, but frankly a 20yr old Sondek knocked spots of it. The K2 makes it bearable, it's not overly lush as in lacking rhythm and dynamics, but it there is plenty of weight behind it. It's everything that a Cyrus am isn't (to my ears anyway).

I think that depends on which reviews you read, the Cyrus is god at WHF Towers, but not anywhere else. It all boils down to what you are looking for. I can't begin to describe the difference between my own system and the reference system in the test room. The latter which was high-end Naim, Bryston and ATC was just not my bag at all, I found it totally devoid of everything I look for in a system, very very digital sounding.

The Cyrus kit I have heard has been very similar. Not for me, and as far away from organic as it's possible to be.

I do feel that I know what PP is used to, having owned 9 Arcams myself over the years, and I also feel that the CD73/Pulse/PMC will suit perfectly.

 

[plastic penguin]

igglebert:plastic penguin:igglebert:plastic penguin:Blackdawn:

There must be other amps around the £1k mark like the Pulse which build on what you found in the A65+. If in doubt go back to your old system which you loved so much. Have you thought about valve amps?

Have you heard the Primare I30, any amps from Quad? Just some ideas.

There is but can't find them with such a hefty discount. There are no Quad dealers around my area and Primare I30 is probably outside my budget. What a rascal...

You're putting up walls, PP. You seem to be stuck so you have two choices; wait for new kit to land in your local dealers or get out there and throw the net wider. Why not try to take a trip to somewhere that sells Quad? Make a day trip and take the family. Keep scouring the numerous dealer used pages and eventually you'll find a Primare that you can trial at the right price. I've seen the I30.1 and matching CDP from a dealer for £750 a piece today. Perhaps you should buy the PMC DB1i and take them with you; they're superb speakers and you know you'll find something to work with them, even if it's a used A32.

As regards an IPod...Why? Have nothing against them just it wouldn't get much use. I hardly ever use buses or trains, if I did it would make a lot of sense.

...it was just a tongue in cheek joke...

Whooosh!! The tension is starting to mount as decision time looms ever closer. I used to be young and stupid, now I'm older still non the wiser...

 

[JoelSim]

The Leemas will be sold out by the time you've made a decision.

 

[plastic penguin]

JoelSim:

SteveR750:I think you would find the K2 a different proposition from the previous version. I have a similar desire for the sound you are describing, I now exactly what you mean about analogue. Despite what's written, I still don't really truthfully like CD, the Cyrus is supposed to be as good as it gets at that price, but frankly a 20yr old Sondek knocked spots of it. The K2 makes it bearable, it's not overly lush as in lacking rhythm and dynamics, but it there is plenty of weight behind it. It's everything that a Cyrus am isn't (to my ears anyway).

I think that depends on which reviews you read, the Cyrus is god at WHF Towers, but not anywhere else. It all boils down to what you are looking for. I can't begin to describe the difference between my own system and the reference system in the test room. The latter which was high-end Naim, Bryston and ATC was just not my bag at all, I found it totally devoid of everything I look for in a system, very very digital sounding.

The Cyrus kit I have heard has been very similar. Not for me, and as far away from organic as it's possible to be.

I do feel that I know what PP is used to, having owned 9 Arcams myself over the years, and I also feel that the CD73/Pulse/PMC will suit perfectly.

Glad someone knows...

On a more serious note, it is hard to convey the exact sound I'm looking for, but once I hear it then it's a sort of 'eureka' moment.

 

[JoelSim]

Detailed, melodic, involving, encompassing, warm, lovely.