Time to upgrade Rega Alya's, whats a good mini floorstander?

[ant]

I've some Rega Alya's picked up 2nd hand a while ago that I use with a Quad 306 and Chromecast Audio. I really like the sound and the conciseness of the setup.

Have just moved to a new flat and broke the binding posts on one of the Alya's and there is a rattle now on the other, so maybe time for something new. Are there any modern mini floorstanders like the Alya?

 

[Al ears]

What is your budget?

 

[ant]

Budget is flexible, maybe up to £500 - its just for the old Quad 306 with Chromecast Audio so it probably doesn't make sense to spend loads?

 

[Al ears]

These?

Totem Arro Floor Standing Loudspeakers | eBay

Totem Arro Floor Standing Loudspeakers in black. Good condition and with original boxes.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[ant]

Thanks! Had not heard of them but they look exactly the type of thing I'm looking for.

 

[Al ears]

Thanks! Had not heard of them but they look exactly the type of thing I'm looking for.

excellent speakers with great soundstage, let us know if you get them and what you think

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks! Had not heard of them but they look exactly the type of thing I'm looking for.

I agree with Al ears. Had these on demo a couple of times over the years and they are fantastic speakers. The imaging is second to none below really silly money.

The only slight hesitation I have is the Arros can be tricky to drive and control. I'm not familiar with Quad amps so I don't know the real world power, although from what I've read about the brand should be fine tonally with the Arros.

 

[Al ears]

I agree with Al ears. Had these on demo a couple of times over the years and they are fantastic speakers. The imaging is second to none below really silly money.

The only slight hesitation I have is the Arros can be tricky to drive and control. I'm not familiar with Quad amps so I don't know the real world power, although from what I've read about the brand should be fine tonally with the Arros.

the Quad is only 50 wpc but is meaty enough for the Arros I feel, it was designed to drive the Quad 10L speakers which were 84dB

 

[plastic penguin]

the Quad is only 50 wpc but is meaty enough for the Arros I feel, it was designed to drive the Quad 10L speakers which were 84dB

That's fair enough. However, the Arros are 4 ohms where the 10Ls are 8 and need a fair bit of air to make the dinky drivers bounce.

 

[Al ears]

That's fair enough. However, the Arros are 4 ohms where the 10Ls are 8 and need a fair bit of air to make the dinky drivers bounce.

Roger that, although the current -dumping nature of the amp makes it suitable for most speakers.

 

[Al ears]

Even better these for £319 have to worth a punt even if you don't like them easy to sell on.

Totem Arro floorstanding speakers in maple mahogany / rosewood finish | eBay

<p>Totem Arro floorstanding speakers in mahogany / rosewood finish. </p><br><p>Condition is good, with a few age related marks. </p><br><p>Small knock on one of the plinths. </p><br><p>Grills are not original, but do keep the drivers safe. </p><br><p>Blue tape on the rear can easily be removed...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[plastic penguin]

Roger that, although the current -dumping nature of the amp makes it suitable for most speakers.

Fair play.

 

[Al ears]

Fair play.

I think they are certainly worth a punt with that amp.
we'll see if the OP thinks so later I guess.
for £319 it has to be worth a look, even if you have to sell them on later.
Was thinking about getting them for myself as I reckon they would go well on the end of my Parasound, however my dear lady might have something to say about another pair of speakers in the house.....

 

[Deleted member 195327]

I think they are certainly worth a punt with that amp.
we'll see if the OP thinks so later I guess.
for £319 it has to be worth a look, even if you have to sell them on later.
Was thinking about getting them for myself as I reckon they would go well on the end of my Parasound, however my dear lady might have something to say about another pair of speakers in the house.....

I too think they seem good value and pretty low risk as.youd probs get most of your cash back if you didn't like them. Tempting, but Mrs Amor would take the same view.

@AI ears. I've not been on here for a while as I changed my phone (which auto-remembered my password). However, I am Amormusic (without the _ mark). That acc is connected to an old work email so I can't update it. Is there anyway you can merge this one and that one? Or change my proper (old and long-term) account so it connects to a current email and I can reset it?

 

[plastic penguin]

I think they are certainly worth a punt with that amp.
we'll see if the OP thinks so later I guess.
for £319 it has to be worth a look, even if you have to sell them on later.
Was thinking about getting them for myself as I reckon they would go well on the end of my Parasound, however my dear lady might have something to say about another pair of speakers in the house.....

Yup, I would have taken a punt on them as well in the OP's situation. But I think if I staggered through the door with a couple of speakers Mrs. P would lay an egg.

 

[ant]

Hey people, I'm back with an update. Have finally got some Arro's! Was holding out for cherry ones. While waiting I'd sorted out the Alya's so have them both running now, side by side.

I know the Alya's are pretty old but I really like the sound, and they seem to work well with the Quad 306. Visitors sometimes comment how good they sound. While I was moving I had the Alya's with an old Denon DM38. Not fancy but for a mini system it got 5 star reviews back in the day, and it sounded ok with the Alyas, but when I put them back on the 306 it was amazing the difference, like the speakers had been under a duvet with the DM38.

Anyway, it some respects the Arro's sounds similar to the Alya's, the mid and trebles maybe, but with the bass there is so much more and it's big and deep and firm - the difference is staggering, amazing for such a small size. And the Arro's look so elegant, side by side they make the Alya's look quite squat and fat.

So quite pleased with the purchase. Thanks for all the recommendations.

 

[nopiano]

That’s great to hear. Thanks for coming back with the update!

 

[plastic penguin]

Hey people, I'm back with an update. Have finally got some Arro's! Was holding out for cherry ones. While waiting I'd sorted out the Alya's so have them both running now, side by side.

I know the Alya's are pretty old but I really like the sound, and they seem to work well with the Quad 306. Visitors sometimes comment how good they sound. While I was moving I had the Alya's with an old Denon DM38. Not fancy but for a mini system it got 5 star reviews back in the day, and it sounded ok with the Alyas, but when I put them back on the 306 it was amazing the difference, like the speakers had been under a duvet with the DM38.

Anyway, it some respects the Arro's sounds similar to the Alya's, the mid and trebles maybe, but with the bass there is so much more and it's big and deep and firm - the difference is staggering, amazing for such a small size. And the Arro's look so elegant, side by side they make the Alya's look quite squat and fat.

So quite pleased with the purchase. Thanks for all the recommendations.

Really pleased for you. You should also notice lovely holographic imaging and bigger soundscape.

The Arros really are pocket rockets. That said, I am rather biased towards them.

Enjoy.

 

[Al ears]

Really pleased for you. You should also notice lovely holographic imaging and bigger soundscape.

The Arros really are pocket rockets. That said, I am rather biased towards them.

Enjoy.

Me too, if I hadn't found the Adagios I now have I would be running a pair.

 

[plastic penguin]

Me too, if I hadn't found the Adagios I now have I would be running a pair.

Mmmm... never heard of them before, Al. Are they as compact as the Totems?

 

[Al ears]

No, they are significantly bigger

 

[plastic penguin]

No, they are significantly bigger

And a lot more expensive, even compared to new Arros.

 

[Al ears]

And a lot more expensive, even compared to new Arros.

got them second hand for a very good price
cheaper than a new pair of Arros

 

[plastic penguin]

got them second hand for a very good price
cheaper than a new pair of Arros

Fair enough. I was just making a pertinent point that for a sub £500 used pair the Totems are hard to beat.

 

[Al ears]

Fair enough. I was just making a pertinent point that for a sub £500 used pair the Totems are hard to beat.

with that I would wholeheartedly agree and, if I could find a decent pair for that price, would buy them.