Pioneer A400 out of retirement - recommended secondhand floorstanders

[admin_exported]

First post so go gentle. I'm bringing my Pioneer A400 out of retirement and looking for floorstanding speakers recommendations (the amp will be fed from an Apple TV). I listen to a fairly wide range of music from Ella Fitzgerald to Queen. At some point in time I'd like to add a DAC to the system and possibly upgrade the Amp to a Musical Fidelity A3 but for now I'll be using the line out on the AppleTV (my collection is coded as Apple Lossless).

I'm prepared to pay up to £200 or thereabouts on eBay. Key consideration is that the speakers look nice (the other half has said something in a light oak would be best!). So far I'm considering:

• Ruark Talisman II
• Castle Severn
• Mission 753 (but they almost always come in black)

Anyone run these speakers with the A400, or any other suggestions?

Thanks

Tom

 

[Anonymous]

of the 3 speakers you have quoted, Mission 753 would be my choice ....have seen rosewood ones (think they are rosewood) sell for less than £200 on ebay ... but dont buy the freedom model ... buy the older model!

many positive reviews on google with the Pioneer A400 in conjuction with the Mission 753 ....

or if you want something a bit older and different .... B&W DM2 (3 way transmissions) ... paid £50 for mine off ebay but needed the cabinets french polished ... sound is superb with the A400 and bass is stunning ... these use the same tweeter and supertweeter as the Spendor BC1 (so I suppose the spendors would also be a good match?)

if you go for the DM2 speakers, look for the 1st version (hand built) ... you will need low stands (which sell for cheap) .... you should find a pair of DM2 speakers in good condition for approx £150-£180

 

[matthewpiano]

Well I've just got my A400 and Mission 751s and the sound is superb, so I'd expect the 753s to be an excellent match.

You'll need to make sure your source is up to scratch though because the Pioneer is VERY revealing, so I'd recommend using lossless files rather than MP3s.

 

[John Duncan]

These are fabulous, and will go for a song.

In fact, I might buy them myself

 

[Anonymous]

id look at the tannoy 600 series too they can be had at good prices judging by whats on ebay at the moment

excellent speakers perhaps a touch fuller in sound than modern equivalents

 

[plastic penguin]

tr85858:

First post so go gentle. I'm bringing my Pioneer A400 out of retirement and looking for floorstanding speakers recommendations (the amp will be fed from an Apple TV). I listen to a fairly wide range of music from Ella Fitzgerald to Queen. At some point in time I'd like to add a DAC to the system and possibly upgrade the Amp to a Musical Fidelity A3 but for now I'll be using the line out on the AppleTV (my collection is coded as Apple Lossless).

I'm prepared to pay up to £200 or thereabouts on eBay. Key consideration is that the speakers look nice (the other half has said something in a light oak would be best!). So far I'm considering:

• Ruark Talisman II
• Castle Severn
• Mission 753 (but they almost always come in black)

Anyone run these speakers with the A400, or any other suggestions?

Thanks

Tom

Look at Kef IQ5, they are going for good numbers at the moment - if the Tannoy's don't appeal.

 

[Anonymous]

Mission's classic 753 floor standers in cherry wood ... ebay item 200399568843 ... on auction format (not buy it now) ... still 9 days to go ... they have the front grilles ... expect to pay plus minus £200 ... and a drive to London to collect (where you can listen and check them out before departing with cash)

 

[matthewpiano]

Those Missions are lovely.

I was about to suggest looking out for a pair of Quad 21Ls. The 11Ls work very well with the A400 (I used my previous one with 11Ls) so I'd expect the 21Ls to as well, and they look good. However, I find the 751s to be better than the 11Ls so the 753s would probably be a better buy than the 21Ls.

 

[Anonymous]

have never heard the quad 11L speakers, but have read many positive reviews saying that they are awesome with the A400 amp

then have read reviews where people use other amps and they say the 11L speakers have no or very little bass?

 

[matthewpiano]

dim_span:
have never heard the quad 11L speakers, but have read many positive reviews saying that they are awesome with the A400 amp

then have read reviews where people use other amps and they say the 11L speakers have no or very little bass?

I've still got a pair here and was using them with the Pioneer again before I picked the 751s up. The 751s are undoubtedly better but the 11Ls are very good indeed. I originally used the Quads with an Arcam CD73 and A65+ and they sounded flat and lifeless, as they did again with a CD73 and A70. They've responded very well to a Rotel RA-01 and the Yamaha A-S700 and are particularly strong with well recorded acoustic music. The 751s have more body to their sound though without losing any of the attack and speed.

 

[Anonymous]

hi i still use mission 753 and they are ace speakers, i used to drive drive them with the a400 and
very good sounding they were to, but the amp got a can of beer knocked over it so it blew up
i now use musical fidelity mono amps to drive them,so try and buy the missions they work a treat
with your amp..