Help with new set-up needed.

[admin_exported]

Hi there,

First time posting and planning on making it regular being somewhat of an audio obsessive.

Right to the chase then,

I recently decided that i've recovered from some muppet at a party blowing my floorstanding wharfedale's 4 years ago, and its time to purchase some new speakers and need some help.

I will be using these speakers primarily for music (running straight from my macbook), but will also have the ps3 running through them for games + blu rays. 

My budget will basically be £400-£450 (give or take... we all know how it goes)

I will be upgrading each month as I go along. So first month or so will be some nice speakers, stands + cable, second = nicer amp, third = nice cd player.

Bearing this in mind I will be using the amp I currently have with the potential new speakers... which is a sony ta-fe350r. 

 

SO... speakers I need help deciding between and have narrowed it down to:

Klipsch RB-61's.

B&W 685's.

OR

B&W CM1's.

 

The room these speakers will be in is pretty small and has some awkward angles. In addition to this, unfortunately being more than 12" away from the nearest wall is not an option. 

Also stands will need to be at least 71cm high due to current objects within the room. I have no idea about stands and will need a bit of help in this area for sure.

 

All help will be massively appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Luke. 

 

[matthewpiano]

Ditch the Sony amp. Buy a used NAD C320BEE or Arcam Alpha 8. The Sony just isn't good enough to use with any of the speakers you suggest. Then I'd suggest trying each set of speakers with the amp you end up with to see which you like the best.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with the last post.

Get a second hand amp for £100 and then get some nice speakers for £300-£350

 

[up the music]

If you're buying a new amp a month after the speakers anyway, don't buy a temporary amp for such a short duration. It's mot worth the hassle of buying and selling on even of you don't lose money on it.

Consider instead persevering with your current system a couple of months longer and demoing and buying all new kit at the same time.

You'll have a better idea of how it sounds and may weangle a greater discount.

 

[Anonymous]

After reading the helpful replies im thinking about pretty much going over budget (knew i wouldÿ) And getting myself the following setup tomorrow:

B&W 685 speakers,

Atacama Nexus 1 stands (filled),ÿ

QED X-Tube 350 Cable,

and

an NAD C325BEE amplifier.

ÿ

Can someone please advise asap on this set up?

Thank you again.ÿ

 

[matthewpiano]

A good set-up that. The C325BEE is a cracker and will work well with the 685s. I'd suggest trying Chord COmpany cables as well though. The QEDs might suit you (they suit many people) but I just think they are completely over-rated and slightly flat sounding.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd listen to the CM1s as well.

 

[the record spot]

I wouldn't let the Klipsch kit fall by the wayside either - their new range looks very interesting (if you can find a dealer in which to demo them in that is).

 

[d_a_n1979]

I agree with MP; great sounding set-up there but the Chord cables would be a better choice; their soundstage is well suited to B&W. NAD and Arcam separates.

The Chord Carnival Silverscreen speaker cable is well worth looking at as is the Chord Crimson interconnect

With regards to the Atacama stands; do you mean the Nexus 10's or the Nexus 5 or 6 stands as i've never heard of the Nexus 1's?

I'd recommend the Nexus 5's or 6's loaded with Atabites as the 685's really need a good solid platform to perform at their best

 

[Anonymous]

the record spot:I wouldn't let the Klipsch kit fall by the wayside either - their new range looks very interesting (if you can find a dealer in which to demo them in that is).

Seconded. The RB61 are very fine speakers, I've never heard them on the end of a NAD amplifier, but driven bij a Yamaha CD-S1000/AS-1000 and Marantz PM8003/SA8003 I thought they sounded excellent, punching well above their pricetag.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for the replies,

I did indeed mean the Nexus 6's. My mistake. And I think after reading a lot about that set up im going to go for it today. However I am taking heed on the cable and looking elsewhere for chord. The only problem now is that im starting to become a bit confused by it all. For example why is chord calypso cable (with only two connections on each end (red + black)) considered the companion product to chord silver screen plus (with four connections!? two red and two black)) Firstly why the change in connection amount and secondly...help. lol.ÿ

 

[d_a_n1979]

I just think youve seen the bi-wire version of the Chord cable that's all; they do a normal 2 wire version.

The best place to get it, if you ask me, is via Audio Analogue on eBay (Chord Sepcialists) - Just search for Chord in the cables section on hifi gear and theyre called Chord i think.

 

[Anonymous]

Have now found the cables, but after some more research im now thinking I may go for a Rotel RA-04 amp? Anyone know how these sit with b&w 685's?

Going to order all this today so feedback appreciated. lol, itchy fingers, unsatisfied ears and cash burning a hole.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Luke S:
Have now found the cables, but after some more research im now thinking I may go for a Rotel RA-04 amp? Anyone know how these sit with b&w 685's?

Going to order all this today so feedback appreciated. lol, itchy fingers, unsatisfied ears and cash burning a hole.

lol just kidding, I would advise you to see the light and go second hand on the amplifier, the NAD C352 is a big step up from either the C325 or the Rotel and you need only read some of Dan's posts to see how happy he is pairing it with the 685's

However if I must choose one from the two mentioned, it would be the NAD C325 although from what I understand it's being superseded by the C326 so now might be a time to look for this on item on clearance sales.