Hi guys
This is my 1st post on the forums here - I currently have Monitor Audio BR2s which I really enjoy, that are being driven by a 27yo Pioneer amplifier - the SA130. My source up until now has been an Arcam rDock with a mixture of lossless and 320kbps AACs which has bipassed the iPod's volume control to use the DAC of the amplifier. The lounge which the system is in is 18" by 12,6".
Because I've been saving for a bit and currently have pretty few sources of expenditure, I could now upgrade my system. To me, the obvious component to change is the amp, but strangely enough to really get one that is much of an improvement in overall music delivery I think I'd be looking at something in the price range of the Naim Nait 5i. I've compared the Pioneer, not in an A/B test, but using the same speakers as a kind of constant, with the Marantz PM6002 amp, and their was very little discernable improvement, apart from less muddy bass and some better separation between instruments so the sound was a little more crystal - not that I'd exactly call the exisiting sound mushy, but perhaps not quite as clear on the faster and more complex songs.
Although I'm sure many here go by the source 1st philosophy, I deliberately chose the Arcam rDock because I thought that it allowed it to not be too much of a limiting factor on performance with other equipment, because it effectively just acts as a transport. I am however strongly considering getting a CD player once I change the speaker and/or the amp and am pretty set on the Arcam Cd192 (I don't want Cyrus) because I like it's sonic attributes and it can be had ex demo or s/h for a very good price!
However arguably the most critical determinant of the performance is the speakers and their synergy with the rest of the system. I am going to a local hifi store tomorrow to listen to some speakers - namely the PMC DB1i, Neat Motive 3, the Epos M12i and Proac Studio 110.
However, unfortunately at the moment he does not have the Ruark Sabre IIIs in, and I think partly just due to the fact they're not a very active brand now in releasing new models, his feeling is that they're not competitive as they were and have been slightly eclipsed by improving competitors.
What I want to know, from anyone whose heard them, is are they definitely worth hearing in the sub 1k monitor market before buying anything else.
Just to ask a slightly hypothetical question, basically, if you had the option of partnering with any mid priced electronics of your choice and you wanted a system that majored on being quite exciting and dynamic + had a pristine-like sound with high frequencies, taut impactful bass but not necessarily bass that's very loud, as well as the ability to create some space around the instruments (quite a long list of requirements I know!), which standmount or compact floorstander would you choose up to £900. Would you favour the Ruarks over any/all the speakers mentioned above.
At their RRP they are comparatively expensive, but if I could get ex demo ones for £600 would you consider that good value?
Basically I have the chance to listen to all of those speakers, except for (atm anyway) the Ruark, and wondered whether it was worth holding out trying to hear it? Avreview, here and another mag all rated the Sabre IIIs highly but I see it doesn't get alot of mention when recommendations are made now, so perhaps it's been eclipsed by competition.
I personally really like the sound of what it can bring to the table though! Of course your opinions are really welcome & thanks very much in advance!
Jonny
This is my 1st post on the forums here - I currently have Monitor Audio BR2s which I really enjoy, that are being driven by a 27yo Pioneer amplifier - the SA130. My source up until now has been an Arcam rDock with a mixture of lossless and 320kbps AACs which has bipassed the iPod's volume control to use the DAC of the amplifier. The lounge which the system is in is 18" by 12,6".
Because I've been saving for a bit and currently have pretty few sources of expenditure, I could now upgrade my system. To me, the obvious component to change is the amp, but strangely enough to really get one that is much of an improvement in overall music delivery I think I'd be looking at something in the price range of the Naim Nait 5i. I've compared the Pioneer, not in an A/B test, but using the same speakers as a kind of constant, with the Marantz PM6002 amp, and their was very little discernable improvement, apart from less muddy bass and some better separation between instruments so the sound was a little more crystal - not that I'd exactly call the exisiting sound mushy, but perhaps not quite as clear on the faster and more complex songs.
Although I'm sure many here go by the source 1st philosophy, I deliberately chose the Arcam rDock because I thought that it allowed it to not be too much of a limiting factor on performance with other equipment, because it effectively just acts as a transport. I am however strongly considering getting a CD player once I change the speaker and/or the amp and am pretty set on the Arcam Cd192 (I don't want Cyrus) because I like it's sonic attributes and it can be had ex demo or s/h for a very good price!
However arguably the most critical determinant of the performance is the speakers and their synergy with the rest of the system. I am going to a local hifi store tomorrow to listen to some speakers - namely the PMC DB1i, Neat Motive 3, the Epos M12i and Proac Studio 110.
However, unfortunately at the moment he does not have the Ruark Sabre IIIs in, and I think partly just due to the fact they're not a very active brand now in releasing new models, his feeling is that they're not competitive as they were and have been slightly eclipsed by improving competitors.
What I want to know, from anyone whose heard them, is are they definitely worth hearing in the sub 1k monitor market before buying anything else.
Just to ask a slightly hypothetical question, basically, if you had the option of partnering with any mid priced electronics of your choice and you wanted a system that majored on being quite exciting and dynamic + had a pristine-like sound with high frequencies, taut impactful bass but not necessarily bass that's very loud, as well as the ability to create some space around the instruments (quite a long list of requirements I know!), which standmount or compact floorstander would you choose up to £900. Would you favour the Ruarks over any/all the speakers mentioned above.
At their RRP they are comparatively expensive, but if I could get ex demo ones for £600 would you consider that good value?
Basically I have the chance to listen to all of those speakers, except for (atm anyway) the Ruark, and wondered whether it was worth holding out trying to hear it? Avreview, here and another mag all rated the Sabre IIIs highly but I see it doesn't get alot of mention when recommendations are made now, so perhaps it's been eclipsed by competition.
I personally really like the sound of what it can bring to the table though! Of course your opinions are really welcome & thanks very much in advance!
Jonny
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