speakers for arcam

[admin_exported]

I was wondering if anyone has experience of my system and could reccommend suitable speakers. I have a CD73 and Alpha 9 integrated.

My room is about 3.5x4.5m so i am guessing that standmounts would be best suited and would prefer bi-wirable so i could add a power amp in the future.

Considering RS1's and B&W 685/686 so far but suggestions are very welcome.

Also seen some 601s2 and s3 on E-bay. Don't know if these are worth considering or if i should just up the budget and go for something better.

 

[fr0g]

Gears of Law:
I was wondering if anyone has experience of my system and could reccommend suitable speakers. I have a CD73 and Alpha 9 integrated.

My room is about 3.5x4.5m so i am guessing that standmounts would be best suited and would prefer bi-wirable so i could add a power amp in the future.

Considering RS1's and B&W 685/686 so far but suggestions are very welcome.

Also seen some 601s2 and s3 on E-bay. Don't know if these are worth considering or if i should just up the budget and go for something better.

I tried both MA and B&W with Arcam, and preferred the MA by a long way. Also consider the small Dalis.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Gears of Law:
I was wondering if anyone has experience of my system and could reccommend suitable speakers. I have a CD73 and Alpha 9 integrated.

My room is about 3.5x4.5m so i am guessing that standmounts would be best suited and would prefer bi-wirable so i could add a power amp in the future.

Considering RS1's and B&W 685/686 so far but suggestions are very welcome.

Also seen some 601s2 and s3 on E-bay. Don't know if these are worth considering or if i should just up the budget and go for something better.

My Arcam cd/dvd player sounds sweet as with my RS6s.

 

[Anonymous]

Arcam gear certainly seems to take the somewhat 'bright' top end off of MA speakers. MA also have a range to suit most budgets and from what Ive heard, they always fair well at each price point (with suitably matched equipment) and offer great VFM. Well worth checking out.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice.

Will definitely give MA's an audition. Do you think the RS1 is a good match or am i better having a look at the gold series? Don't mind spending a bit more for the right speaker if it will make a big difference.

Would something like PMC DB1's be a good choice. They are over my budget but just wanted to hear any thoughts if they are worth the extra over £400 speakers.

 

[Big Chris]

If you're auditoning anyway, you'd be foolish to not listen to the 685s. I have no negatives to report running my Arcams with my B&Ws.

 

[Anonymous]

MA works well but MF amp in my case - smooooooooth!

 

[haider]

Having had a hand in both the products you have (well the predecessor of the CD73, but unlikely to have changed a great deal) then i would firstly say keep the CD player, drop the amp, then consider your Speaker options. The 9 was really far from our finest hour(when i was there) and I really wasn't happy with it going out there. Even the alpha 8 ate it for breakfast! The CD players were however wonderful for the price and I have only bettered them with the more expensive products with Sonneteer.

However if you really have to keep the 9 then get some very bright speakers like Triangle and some very low capacitance cable. So none of that flat rubbish that simply muffles the sound at best and frys tweeters at worst.

 

[Anonymous]

I was under the impression that the alpha 9 was a decent amp but had thought about giving something a little newer a try. I know these are only opinions and they are bound to differ somewhat but what, in your opinion would be a good partner for my CD73? (another Arcam or something completely different like Rotel, Roksan or Cambridge audio maybe??)

Or maybe i should keep the alpha???

All help and opinions greatly appreciated

 

[John Duncan]

haider:
Having had a hand in both the products you have (well the predecessor of the CD73, but unlikely to have changed a great deal) then i would firstly say keep the CD player, drop the amp, then consider your Speaker options. The 9 was really far from our finest hour(when i was there) and I really wasn't happy with it going out there. Even the alpha 8 ate it for breakfast! The CD players were however wonderful for the price and I have only bettered them with the more expensive products with Sonneteer.

However if you really have to keep the 9 then get some very bright speakers like Triangle and some very low capacitance cable. So none of that flat rubbish that simply muffles the sound at best and frys tweeters at worst.

Bundle! Can John Dawson give us a reply?

 

[haider]

I would recommend any other Arcam or Sonneteer amp really. I just wasnt mad on the 9. Anyway its pretty old now, time for an upgrade! Then you can get some speakers that will really make you music..erm..sing! Plenty of them about, but you need to try them. Your tastes may not match the reviewers or mine. You need to find a dealer from te old school who isnt tied down to specific brands and has a variety in stock, book some time in and go listen. Surprisingly there are still a few around who dont simply want to prise your wallet from you the moment you step through the door. Don't be fooled they still want your money, but tehy also want you happy so you'll come back and with your friends.

P.S. Try: [in no particular preference order]Totem, Penaudio, Jamo concert series(if you are lucky to find any second hand), Harbeth. Dont get too fancy wih the cables and you'll be satisfied. I think!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Haider

Have bought an a85 now to replace the alpha and much prefer the sound although need to add some decent speakers to do it justice. Will try and find some of the ones you mentioned and any others anyone might like to suggest.

 

[aliEnRIK]

I have an a85 and I use Monitor audios silver range (The old ones though). They compliment one another very well. Music is beautiful and detailed and movies sound awesome (I also have a denon av on center and rear duty).

At the end of the day though its by far the speakers that make the biggest difference to a hifis overall sound so you REALLY need to shortlist some and go audition them.

 

[JoelSim]

I have a 192 and A85/P85 and they go very well with Dali Ikon 6 if your budget is bigger. Really detailed and engrossing sound. Ex demos from £650 ish at audiologica.co.uk

 

[aliEnRIK]

Ive always wondered wether to get myself a Poweramp. Would you say it was worth it with the A85? What improvements did it make?

 

[JoelSim]

A much more controlled, full, detailed soundstage. More verve. Better in every way.

 

[Anonymous]

I have B&W 685's with my Arcam amp.
I love them !

Great sound.

 

[Anonymous]

I have heard great things about the Dali's and have considered adding them to my shortlist but wondered if they would be too big for my room (about 4.2x3.2m).

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether i'd be better off with standmounts or floorstanders?

 

[aliEnRIK]

JoelSim:A much more controlled, full, detailed soundstage. More verve. Better in every way.

wow

Im sold.

Just have to wait till I can find one at a good price now.....

Cheers for that Joel

 

[haider]

Sounds like a lot of you have been helpingeach other out. One thing though, teh guy who said that speakers are the main thing in the system is misguided. Yes a lot of speakers are unfortunately, rubbish, and hence switching from one to the other can seem to make a big difference. The main problem is that its easy to put a couple of drivers in a box, tweak a little and pretend you've designed a speaker. There are a few serious designers out tehre but they are tainted by the rest. Electronics is another matter as I defy anyone not causing a few fired while designing their first amplifier or even CD player etc. Oh and you actually need to have some electronics nouse to start off with!

The fact is the whole system is important and becouse they are deisgned with total blindness to the parts the customer will add to them, they have to be designed as innert as possible to the outside world. An ideal world would see a whole system designed as one. Unfortunately electronics guys are often rubbish at accoustics and visa versa.

 

[JoelSim]

Gears of Law:

I have heard great things about the Dali's and have considered adding them to my shortlist but wondered if they would be too big for my room (about 4.2x3.2m).

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether i'd be better off with standmounts or floorstanders?

My room is smaller than yours and my Dalis sound great. I have them in the corners about 3.5m apart and facing almost straight forward. I sit about 3m from the front of the speakers and the sweet spot just works where I sit. I'd prefer a bigger room, but they sound great even in this small space (and close to the walls which is never ideal).

 

[batonwielder]

What happened to the Rega R3's you just ordered?

 

[Anonymous]

As you can see, i started this post when i was looking into buying speakers and was considering my options. Since then i have heard the R3's (although not the Dali's mentioned) and was impressed with the sound (and the smaller size - don't think i would have got away with anything much bigger) so decided to go for them. Should have them on Friday so will let you know my first impressions.

Whilst in the shop i had a listen to a Rega Apollo and noticed an improvement over my CD73 (heard more detail and a tighter bass presentation) so might upgrade that next. Also considering CD192 and Cyrus players but will have to listen to a few first. Any ideas for my shortlist are most welcome.

 

[JoelSim]

The Apollo, Cyrus and 192 are all significantly better than your 73. All depends on how much you want to spend. I haven't heard the Cyrus, but the Rega and the 192 are very good CD players.

ÿ

 

[batonwielder]

Gears of Law:
As you can see, i started this post when i was looking into buying speakers andÿwasÿconsidering my options.ÿ Since then i have heard the R3's (although not the Dali's mentioned) and was impressed with the sound (and the smaller size - don't think i would have got away with anything much bigger) so decided to go for them.ÿ Should have them on Friday so will let you know my first impressions.

Whilst in the shop i had a listen to a Rega Apollo and noticed an improvement over my CD73 (heard more detail and a tighter bass presentation) so might upgrade that next.ÿ Also considering CD192 and Cyrus players but will have to listen to a few first.ÿ Any ideas for my shortlist are most welcome.

Oh I see. That makes sense. I'm supposed to be picking up the R3's for demo at home along with my new Mira 3 by Friday. I would be interested to compare notes.

I don't think you can go wrong with either Rega or Cyrus CDP, but I think your integrated amp needs attention first. Not sure if it's the best match for your new speakers.