Keeping it low

[AlCB]

Having lurked for some time, it’s time to say hello again. This subject has come up before, but in a different context and budget. Ten years ago, in the days of steam driven hi-fi, a mere boy wrote to WHF asking what would be a good 1.5K system to listen to quietly as he had a partner with tinnitus and a house with thin walls. Far from the answer being ‘buy some headphones stupid’, a week or so later I had a WHF staff writer and photographer in my living room with some CD/Amp/Speaker/Tuner stuff by people I had never heard of like Arcam, NAD, Roksan, Quad and Mission. We sat there straining to hear systems playing at low volumes and quiet passages in classical music. They listened politely to me saying technical things like ‘it sounds nice’ and ‘ooh I can hear that’, drank some tea and took some pictures of me standing in front of a Roksan amp/CD combo, me holding an issue of WHF (embarrassingly in a public place) and some of my pet house rabbit who fortunately could not be coaxed to pose on top of an amplifier! (the bar for standards of journalism was set high in those days). They went away and, bless them, wrote what they thought I had been really trying to say. All good fun and, yes dear reader, I did buy the ‘ooh I can hear that’ combination of Roksan Kandy CD/Amp and Quad 12L speakers (very much the flavour of that moment). Well my budget is slightly improved these days (5K), my listening is still mainly CD driven and my room smallish (3mX4m), but I find myself wondering again the same questions. Are some combinations better at digging out the detail at lower volumes than others (i.e. up to 8 o'clock on the volume dial)? Can such systems be played louder whilst being non-tiring on may partner’s ear? What are the technical factors involved? Recommendations/comments please. Thank you.

[Moved to HiFi section -Mods]

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi there.

You have posted in the "about the site" section, which means you are unlikely to get as many replies as you otherwise might.

Anyway, I'll do my best to give some thoughts and recommendations for you to consider.

SOURCE - One of your first decisions will be to decide if you are going to stick with a CDP or go for a Streamer, like the Linn DS for example. The latter would be my choice on the grounds of SQ and convenience.

AMP - The decision here is to find out whether you prefer Valves, Solid State or Hybrid; Class A, AB, B or D. My preference for lower level listening would be Class A and Valves, which are smooth and dynamic. Examples would be:

Valve (Icon Audio, Unison Research, Puresound)

Hybrid (Pathos, Croft, Unison Research Unico)

Class A (Sugden A21)

Class AB (Lavardin, Electrocompaniet, Audio Analogue, Musical Fidelity)

Class D (Primare, Linn, Bel Canto)

SPEAKERS

IME. Efficient speakers are inclined to be more dynamic at lower volumes, and are necessary if you go the low powered Valve route. There is also the matter of size, which in your case would probably be Standmount or smaller Floorstander.

Brands that I rate would be Harbeth, Spendor (especially the Classic range), Kef R Series, Audio Note (very efficient), Sonus Faber and Proac.

ONE BOX

A versatile one box system that I rate is the Linn Majik DSM + Kef R Series

The above info is just some of my personal preferences, so you need to suss out what brands you have access to and start the demo process.

 

[AlCB]

Cheers. I subsequently noticed the other more active thread. Thanks for taking the time to respond with your suggestions.

 

[jjbomber]

They listened politely to me saying technical things like ‘it sounds nice’ and ‘ooh I can hear that’,

That's how it should be. don't bother with technical jargon, just go with what sounds best to you. Think of buying a car. You test drive it rather than dismantle the engine. Same with hi-fi.

As you say you prefer the CD format, i would go with aa Audiolab 8200CD Player, Heed Obelisk SI Mk II amplifier, Heed Obelisk Mk II Power Supply and Kef LS50 Speakers. The Audiolab can also act as a DAC should you wish to go down the streaming route later.

 

[nima]

You asked very interesting and extremely important question, that reviewers usually don't take into account.

Generaly hi-fi in the 70s, 80s was much more appropriate for listening at low levels than it is today's. I'm affraid general answers about which system for that kind of money... will not be of great help to you. I belive there is much careful auditioning ahead of you, if anything I would look especially for speakers with paper drivers.

Perhaps WHF should grab the opportunity and pay another visit to you. I think we all (WHF included) could learn very much from that experience.

 

[matthewpiano]

I can't comment on the more expensive models, but my Dynaudios are outstanding at very low volume levels so it might be worth auditioning some of their speakers. Obviously some of the low-level excellence is also down to the amp and the way it controls the speakers.

 

[DocG]

Cno's suggestions give you an excellent base to start from. I really like the valves-suggestion, and I personally have a soft spot for the Unison Simply Italy. Combine it with a pair of easy-to-drive speakers (like Audio Notes). A CDP with digital inputs (like the Unico Primo) will futureproof your set-up.

Or you could go for a CD-drive/DAC/preamp, like the Audiolab CDQ, and drive a pair of active speakers with it, maybe Dynaudio's Xeo 3 or 5. This way, you even add a nice class A headphone amp to the package...

 

[AlCB]

Thanks for all your contributions.

 

[DocG]

Keep us posted on your search. And do let us know what you end up with!

:cheers: