New stereo-setup, budget about 2000£

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So, I am looking for tips and recommendations for a living room stereo connected to my TV and other media devices. I am interested in small but full sounding floorstanders that can make my music come alive. I need amp and speakers - I have purchased a Caiman digital-to-analog converter already. I need them to have and open, detailed sound with PRAT and good bass output, but quality bass.

I listen to music such as Alison Krauss and Union Station, and singer songwriter stuff and rocknroll much of the time, but also a lot to a diverse selection of music so I need allround qualities as well.

Any good tips?

 

[Craig M.]

welcome to the forum. would you consider 2nd hand or ex dem?

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you.

Yes, I have been searching about and I can get my hands on a lot of different stuff, e.g. Kudos C2 for 1200 pounds used, but how much bass can a single driver provide?

 

[Craig M.]

some idea of your listening room would help, size - positioning options for speakers, etc.

you'd be suprised how much bass a relatively small bass driver can provide.

 

[Anonymous]

If I had £2000 and were looking at buying a system from scratch, I would look at a new cd player, and a 2nd hand amp and speakers ... I would look very closely at the following:

Musical Fidelity A5 integrated (used)- 250 watts @ 8 ohms ... £800

Rega Apollo cd player (new) ... £450

IMF TLS80 speakers (old) - 4 way transmission design speakers .... £600

£150 for used speaker cables/interconnect

then, later connect that to spotify and you will have a really good system ... the IMF speakers are large, so obviously look at something a bit smaller but look at 2nd hand (I have a large listening room so the IMF will do well ... )

 

[Anonymous]

Room is 4 by 4.5 meters. Positioning is max 75 cm from rearwall, pretty well damped, not bright room acoustically.

 

[JoelSim]

cyber:
Thank you.

Yes, I have been searching about and I can get my hands on a lot of different stuff, e.g. Kudos C2 for 1200 pounds used, but how much bass can a single driver provide?

The Kudos C2 offers plenty of bass, plenty. They will rock the foundations of your house if you turn the volume up too loud, in a refined way of course.

You won't be disappointed with them at all. I love mine, they also look great. They do sound way better with grilles off though.

 

[Anonymous]

What about amplification, I was thinking Naim 5i or?

 

[JoelSim]

cyber:What about amplification, I was thinking Naim 5i or?

I'd be surprised if they sounded bad with any amps to be honest, they have a lovely demeanor, detailed but not bright, lovely full midrange. I personally am not a Naim fan. I've used Arcam biamped and Audio Analogue integrated with mine to good effect. Both would be described as warm by some, but that works well with Kudos.

There are a lot of people who use Naim amplification with them though, Derek who runs it used to design Neat speakers and I gather they had links with Naim for a while (could be wrong).

 

[Craig M.]

how have you found the hyper3.0, joel?

 

[JoelSim]

Craig M.:how have you found the hyper3.0, joel?

Not hugely different to the Odyssey actually Craig, perhaps a smidgeon more detail and a teeny tad more full sounding. I'd struggle to tell them apart I think.

The best thing is they are long enough for me to have hidden them in some new cable trunking so it's now got the WAF and looks very neat. Cost me £12 to do the swap including postage so money well spent.

 

[Anonymous]

Bought the Kudos pair.

I`d love some electronics-tips...

Will look into Nait 5i though, but maybe not good enough for the Kudos speakers?

 

[JoelSim]

cyber:
Bought the Kudos pair.

I`d love some electronics-tips...

Will look into Nait 5i though, but maybe not good enough for the Kudos speakers?

Nice one, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I would say that the C2s will support better amps than the 5i, yes.

I think you should be looking at an amp that retails new for £2k or more to get the best out of them. Look at Unison Research, Audio Analogue, Accuphase, ATC, Luxman, Bryston, Leema, Krell etc. Have a look at Audio Emotion's website for 2nd hand as a startpoint, send them an email. Check the classifieds on some other forums too.

 

[JoelSim]

This could be well worth a punt too

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unison-Research-Unico-Integrated-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ230460015258QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers?hash=item35a87cc29a#ht_583wt_941

Or there is an Accuphase e213 going on another forum for just over a grand which I think would work very nicely. Bit of bargaining needed as he wants £1300 or so, but it's been going for a few weeks so he may be open to offers. Quite fancy that one myself.

 

[Anonymous]

I have checked around my area and I can get a Unison Preludio cheap, but it is a valve-model with 2 x 14 watts, a bit low on power.

Also, I can get good deal on certain Audio Analogue models right now, Verdi Settanta and Puccini settanta at 40% off.

 

[Anonymous]

those Kudos speakers look fantastic.

Do let us know how they turn out.

 

[Anonymous]

Will do, looking into amps now, but not really easy to make a choice.

 

[Anonymous]

Ordered Naim Nait 5i today.