speaker help

[pauldownton1979]

just assembled a retro rotel pairing of ra820ax amp and 965bx cdp. currently running with wharfedale 9.0 , which i will change when i have funds.

question is, what sort of budget do i need to get something suitable for these components, which were not cheap when launched yonks back, so im cluesless as to what i should be lookng at to get the best out of them. i would like something more detailed than the diamond 9.0, standmount and not fussy about being close to a wall. i dont mind saving up whatever it takes, but i wouldnt want to overspend as this system is only because i wanted something decent untill i can afford what i really want, so i want an improvement, but speakers that my system will get the best from. listen to all types of music.

also ca pacific i/c chord rumour 2 cable.

cheers

 

[plastic penguin]

pauldownton1979:

just assembled a retro rotel pairing of ra820ax amp and 965bx cdp. currently running with wharfedale 9.0 , which i will change when i have funds.

question is, what sort of budget do i need to get something suitable for these components, which were not cheap when launched yonks back, so im cluesless as to what i should be lookng at to get the best out of them. i would like something more detailed than the diamond 9.0, standmount and not fussy about being close to a wall. i dont mind saving up whatever it takes, but i wouldnt want to overspend as this system is only because i wanted something decent untill i can afford what i really want, so i want an improvement, but speakers that my system will get the best from. listen to all types of music.

also ca pacific i/c chord rumour 2 cable.

cheers

What system do you really want? The only reason why I'm asking is because play it right and you could kill two birds with one stone. To refer to your original question I would look at something like B&W 685 or if you can afford it, Ruark Sabres. Although the Sabre's are quite old, they produce a superb sound, if a little lean in the bass. However, they sound impressive close to a wall, improving the bass depth to boot.

 

[Anonymous]

I recently decided to split up my 'hybrid' system so that I had a separate 2-channel stereo room.

I managed to purchase a full set of 1987 Rotel '870 tuner, pre-amplifier and power amplifier. It set me back AUD$400.00 (about 200GBP).

I already had a Cyrus CD 8 SE CD Player and PSX-R out-board power supply.

I, too, was in a dilemma. I did not want to spend too much on loudspeakers, especially considering I had only spent AUD$400.00 on the electronics (even though they would have cost a fair bit of money back in 1987), and my music room is only small - about 3.0-metres by 3.5-metres.

I decided to purchase B&W loudspeakers, because based on my readings, B&W loudspeakers and Rotel electronics seem to flourish when partnered.

I wanted stand-mount loudspeakers, because the room is small and also because the loudspeakers would be fairly close to the rear walls.

Hence, I decided to go with B&W 685 loudspeakers with B&W FS700 loudspeaker stands. I managed to get a pretty good bargain (in Australia, anyway) at AUD$1,200.00 with the stands (about 600GBP).

The system sounds good, and while I know that my Cyrus CD 8 SE CD Player is too good for the system, it still sounds great, and perhaps in the future, I might end up upgrading to new(er) electronics and also better loudspeakers, but for now, I am very happy with the sound quality.

Dan.

 

[pauldownton1979]

Thanks for the input. I know the b&w 685 are highly regarded, are you sure my rotel combo wouldnt be punching above their weight ? from the review i wasnt confident my amps 30w (although not too skimpy) pc would get to the depths of the 685's. which brings me on to asking if i got a demo would i just ask the salesman to pair with a modern rotel setup equivalent ?

to answer your other question, im just not sure what im looking for in a system i will be eternally happy with, i think ive a long way to go before i realise what im happy with. what makes it tricky is i like most types of music,tho mostly rock, i like the subtle details of a track as well, as this is where i feel i can get into a performers thoughts and feelings. so much to consider, also we live in rented accomodation, so we would need to settle before i know the accoustics of the room to house my choice set up. so the thinking at the moment is just to get a system i can happily engage my passion for music with at a cost im comfortable with and take it from there. i will end up spending more than i bargained for on the speakers pureley because i couldnt belive how little i paid for my excellent retro rotel gear - i didnt think i would get anything this good on a shoestring, which i must say is making me smile even with the diamond 9s, which to be fair are digging deeper than i imagined. i played kasabians clubfoot earlier and it was sweet enough with the only struggle being with the deepest of bass, but they made me smile over my music again, so for now theres worse things in life.............

 

[Anonymous]

I would think that the help of a friendly salesperson would be of good benefit to you.

I would personally think that the B&W 685 loudspeakers would go along very well with what you have now obtained at a very reasonable price.

I have been ultra-impressed with the 22-year-old Rotel kit that I purchased - with my new B&W 685 loudspeakers and near-new Cyrus CD 8 SE CD Player.

The B&W 685 loudspeakers are very confident loudspeakers throughout the frequency spectrum, and are certainly not short of bass for this type (and size) of loudspeakers.

Dan.

 

[Anonymous]

Just one note about the B&W 685 loudspeakers - they need a fair amount of running-in (like most well-designed loudspeakers) before they start sounding the way that they can.

When I first un-boxed them and started playing music through them, the sound quality was not brilliant. However, based on What Hi Fi's reviews, I was confident that all it needed was running-in, so for about 8 days, I had them running all night every night and averaged about 12 hours per day of running-in for these loudspeakers.

They now sound fantastic for all the genres of music that I enjoy listening to.

Dan.

 

[pauldownton1979]

would the old b&W dm601s2 be a worthwhile upgrade from the diamond 9.0 ? i havent got the funds at the mo to go silly, so i have seen these very reasonable on ebay, i might go for these to complete my retro setup and then fill the piggy bank and do some serious research into what i ultimately want from a system.

 

[plastic penguin]

pauldownton1979:

Thanks for the input. I know the b&w 685 are highly regarded, are you sure my rotel combo wouldnt be punching above their weight ? from the review i wasnt confident my amps 30w (although not too skimpy) pc would get to the depths of the 685's. which brings me on to asking if i got a demo would i just ask the salesman to pair with a modern rotel setup equivalent ?

to answer your other question, im just not sure what im looking for in a system i will be eternally happy with, i think ive a long way to go before i realise what im happy with. what makes it tricky is i like most types of music,tho mostly rock, i like the subtle details of a track as well, as this is where i feel i can get into a performers thoughts and feelings. so much to consider, also we live in rented accomodation, so we would need to settle before i know the accoustics of the room to house my choice set up. so the thinking at the moment is just to get a system i can happily engage my passion for music with at a cost im comfortable with and take it from there. i will end up spending more than i bargained for on the speakers pureley because i couldnt belive how little i paid for my excellent retro rotel gear - i didnt think i would get anything this good on a shoestring, which i must say is making me smile even with the diamond 9s, which to be fair are digging deeper than i imagined. i played kasabians clubfoot earlier and it was sweet enough with the only struggle being with the deepest of bass, but they made me smile over my music again, so for now theres worse things in life.............

If you're looking at extra bass with minimal cost, a sub might be the perfect solution. There are other members who are better qualified on subs and which type. . . .can anyone take this subject on, please.

 

[pauldownton1979]

thanks penguin, i tried subs but didnt like the cohesion, timing etc. just on the last point - is it worth getting the dm601's for say £90 ?

 

[plastic penguin]

pauldownton1979:thanks penguin, i tried subs but didnt like the cohesion, timing etc. just on the last point - is it worth getting the dm601's for say £90 ?

I'd say no. You'd probably better off looking at the 602's. They are a slightly larger standmouted speaker, this will equate to broader soundstage and overall a more 'grown-up' sound.

I'll check & see what's going, if that's no trouble to you?

 

[plastic penguin]

Ebay have a pair 602 S3. I think these would be the perfect compromise (if you catch my drift. . .ooo, very hippyish). Alternatively, check out any of the bigger retailer's website.

 

[pauldownton1979]

thanks pal thats appreciated, ill check them out

paul

 

[pauldownton1979]

no can do - pick up only - im in lancs! neva mind

 

[plastic penguin]

Can't win'em all! Keep looking on ebay. There's normally at least couple of pairs on there.

 

[pauldownton1979]

yeah will do mate, shame that, they were a good price, seeing as though the atacamas came with them

 

[pauldownton1979]

ive just realised my 9.0's are within the return period at richer sounds, however, it states on the receipt that they will be subject to a 15% handling charge as they have been opened. people on here often advise buying from rs due to the fact unsuitable goods can be returned for full value. can anyone clarify this either way for me ?

thanks in advance

paul

 

[pauldownton1979]

anyone ever heard tannoy saturn slr8 ?

 

[plastic penguin]

pauldownton1979:anyone ever heard tannoy saturn slr8 ?

Nope, can't say I have. Are these available from Richer?