System Builder: Clearaudio Concept

[Fulmer]

Hello all.

Having sold off my hi-fi system a few years ago in favour of a home cinema system (mail for the kids) I am now looking to get a new hi-fi setup. I have decided to get back in to vinyl and, looking at last year's awards issue, thinking of building my system around the Clearaudio Concept and am looking at a good amplifier and speakers to pair them with.

I had been thinking about the Rotel RA-1520 and the B&W 684s on the basis of the last single make roundup and adding in the Rotel RDG-1520 later on. This is because I have about 300 CDs all ripped as AIFFs in iTunes however I found out that the RDG doesn't support MacOS or iTunes so I am reconsidering the RA-1520. Equally the recent success of the Spendor A5s has made me wonder if they might be a better, longer term purchase over the B&W 684s.

Bearing in mind that my goal here is sound quality and I like a range of music from Bach to The Who, from James to Placebo, and from Florance + the Machine to Miles Davis I am looking for something which is musically versatile.

Any suggestions on a couple of amplifier and speaker combination I might want to audition to complement the Clearaudio?

 

[plastic penguin]

Leema Pulse. Has a superb built-in phono stage for the TT and has more inputs than you can shake a stick at. Superb sounding amp too.

 

[Chokobolt]

I thought you were not so sure about your purchase of the Leema Pulse, Mr. PP?

 

[Fulmer]

In the absence of any other suggestions and weighing up budget as well as sound tests, I am leaning towards partnering the Clearaudio Concept with the Roksan Kandy K2 amplifier with a pair of ATC SCM 11s.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[floyd droid]

Yup. Go second hand for this amp/phono pairing. Icon Audio stereo 40 mk2/mk3. Icon Audio PS1.2 MM/MC Phono. As for speakers Q acoustics 2050. You should get this little lot within your budget. I wouldnt worry about going s/h for the Icon gear. David at Icon will have them in for a checkover/service anytime.

This set up with your TT should tickle yer fancy .

 

[Fulmer]

Hi Floyd. Thanks for the suggestion, though I am not sure I am ready to dip my toes in the world of value amplifiers given the three small children in the house; doesn't matter how many times you tell them not to touch things, they still do! 🙂

Any input from any of the WHF staffers?

 

[Ketan Bharadia]

Hello,

I think your suggested system of Clearaudio, Kandy K2 and SCM 11 will work really well. The Kandy has a decent moving magnet phono stage and the ability to drive the SCM 11s properly. It has also just dropped in price to £750.

 

[Fulmer]

Hi Ketan!

Thanks for the reassurance, apologies for the delay in replying but I've been away this week. I have decided to go for the Roksan/ATC combination with the Clearaudio and am now trying to think about stands and cable - any recommendations?