Help with set up AMP and SPEAKERS

[DaveITFC78]

Hello People

Just to give you some background as to why i have got to where i am today. I am trying to build a decent set up, similar to what my dad had back in the day, which was Cyrus II amp with Ruark Sabre speakers, i am trying to do this without buying the same kit, my purchase history has been;

Yamaha AS-500 AMP with KEF IQ5 - good overall sound, but felt it was lacking a little

Yam AS-500amo with Ruark Swordsman - seemed a bit weak in variety of sounds, nice top end, shame about the mid-range

Yam AS-500amp with Focal 706 - very bright sound, lacking in bass, i did actually take my amp into the store and listen to them before i bought them, but getting them home in a larger room they felt lost

Fat Man Valve Amp with Focals, - this sounds awful, very very bad sound

Nad C-350 amp with Focals - worse than the yamaha, totally lacking in top end and mid range, but alot bassier than the yam.

I have now just bought some 2nd hand mordaunt short MS20i pearl, waiting for it to arrive now, very very nervous, and probably will get divorced if they dont sound right..

Question is; what hifi set up should i be aiming for before i run out of money? I would ideally like to have something with options for todays market rather than look at setups from the old days - does this make sense to anyone? has anyone liked the Cyrus II and the Ruark Sabre and updated recently?

Its sooo annoying, i know the sound i like in my head, but i am always left dissapointed

 

[knaithrover]

Can't answer your question. but know EXACTLY what you mean about striving for the sound you have in your head.

Also, it's a right bummer when you put a question up and don't get any answers....

 

[knaithrover]

Can't answer your question. but know EXACTLY what you mean about striving for the sound you have in your head.

Also, it's a right bummer when you put a question up and don't get any answers....

 

[DaveITFC78]

Thanks Knaithrover, its good to know that someone feels my pain!!

There is a gap in the market for Hifi shops that sell 2nd hand equipment that you can listen to before you buy, most hifi shops have their own line of hifi equipment and can be biased in my opinion, along with an element of superierority complex, ah well, it is very addictive..

 

[BigH]

There are a few hifi shops that specialise in used gear, whereabouts do you live?

 

[CarlDW]

IMO the Mordaunt Short MS20i Pearls are excellent speakers, I hope they help towards the sound you are after!

 

[davedotco]

Buying equipment pretty much at random could take quite a long time to get you where you want to be.

My recommendation is to get to your dealers, tell them the type of music you like and what your budget is and let them play you what they think is the best options.

Don't worry if it is not the latest 5* product, dealers usually chose product they like, that fits in with the other product that they sell, not what the magazines rave over this month. A competent dealer will know the combinations that work well, just relax and listen, offer comments on what you are hearing so the dealer can change things to your taste.

Do not quiz him about products he does not sell, that is just pointless, if possible do this at several dealers and buy from the one who is the most helpful and makes the best sound.

Edit, For crazy random emoticons

 

[BigH]

Why not buy the Cyrus/Sabre gear if thats what you like? Rather than wasting money trying to get something similar by buying seemingly ramdon kit. If not go to a decent dealer and listen to some hifi. I suspect your amp. maybe the problem.

 

[DaveITFC78]

i live near shrewsbury' would be very interested if there was anything nearby, thanks

 

[BigH]

i live near shrewsbury' would be very interested if there was anything nearby, thanks

Sorry I don't know that area.