I'm looking for an advice, and I know you can help me in this one. I'm selling some audio gear that I'm not using lately, and I want to use the money I'll get from it to buy a nice audio amplifier, to listen to music in CD format. I know some about audio monitors and professional equipment, but only a little about HI FI systems. I've been reading a lot in audio forums, and talking to people in the audio business, and I'm thinking in buying a Sansui amp, model AU-717. I was looking for something modern, but they told me that they aren't better than the vintage equipment (of course, speaking of the same amount of money). My previous decision was a Cambridge Audio amp, model 540 or so. These items are hard to find here, but in that price I can choose between:

Sansui AU-9900: [IMG]http://y.delfi.ee/norm/56259/4762100_MSghTL.jpeg[/IMG]

Preamp+power amp Yamaha C50 + M50:

[IMG]http://bimg2.mlstatic.com/pre-y-potencia-yamaha-c-50-y-m-50_MLA-F-130461599_867.jpg[/IMG]

NAD 317:

[IMG]http://www.hifidatabase.com/static/gallery/9/2159-nad317.jpg[/IMG]

Rotel RA-1062:

[IMG]http://bimg2.mlstatic.com/amplificador-rotel-ra-1062_MLA-F-3038507905_082012.jpg[/IMG]

Pre + Power CARVER (C3 + TFM-6Cb)

[IMG]http://img2.mlstatic.com/pre-carver-c3-y-potencia-carver-tfm-6cb_MLA-O-2704388453_052012.jpg[/IMG]

I'm opened to any advise. I know many of you use hifi systems. I'm a newbie at it

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Cambridge audio 540 - is really good; the Rotel is a close second.

The NAD stuff is really good for the right price. In the UK NAD is really good FOR THE MONEY. In the US NAD is fairly (relatively) expensive and therefore not as good value for money.

the other thing - is try it for yourself. If you can listen to any of these before buying them - you will hear whether is suits your tastes. (not sure if possible)

2 cents

{I have a Linn system. With Pro Ac speakers}

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

[QUOTE=Huggie Smiles;1072572]Cambridge audio 540 - is really good; the Rotel is a close second.[/QUOTE]

Sacrilege, it's Rotel or BUST. And don't get the pre-amp and amp racked up in 1. Get the 2 separate units, you won't regret it. I had a buddy who had a studio in NYC and the Rotel set could sing 24 hours a day delivering the most crystal clear sound. I ended up buying a pair from another buddy that barely had a month's worth of use, I never really ended up building my dream audio room. For most of their life, my Rotel's have been sitting in a box. Someday I will unpack them and connect them to a killer set of PSBs. I know there's better speakers out there than this but for the money (and combination), it's a match to beat.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

thanks! I´ve been looking for Linn systems, but very hard to find in Argentina (Huggie, I bet your audio systems kicks ass :) ). So, now I´ll take a listen to the Sansui and the Rotel ones. K-man: PSB´s look great! also hard to find here, but the web site has nice pics.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

I'm not really an "audiophile" but I know what I listen to and I know how I want it to sound, given that, these are my dream PSBs to get - [url="http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/image/Image-T6-Tower"]Image T6 Tower - PSB Speakers[/url]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9771[/ATTACH]

KEFs / B&Ws are a close second, only because I can get nearly the same experience for nearly half the price with PSBs.

This is the Rotel Power Amp that I have

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9768[/ATTACH]

and it's mated to an older generation of this Surround Receiver / Pre-Amp

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9769[/ATTACH]

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Of course if you do want to splurge a little more than the KEFs and the B&Ws and want to really enjoy your EDM to it's finest glory, then you cannot go grown with the Sonus Faber Grand Pianos. Don't know if they are available where you are but they are truly an amazing set. The front of the speaker is leather wrapped and the bass is so tight, it's incredible. When I was hooked to them back in 2004 / 2005, they were nearly $4K a pair.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9772[/ATTACH]

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

^ I´d give in my mother for those :D nice equipment! I´ll let you know my decision in the next days, If I sell my other stuff.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Kamal your budget is way out for many people! The cambridge 540 is around 400 US dollars - its ridiculously good sound for that kind of price. It will drive speakers with ease and clarity. Wharfedale or B&W are an excellent pairing.

Personal sound preferences are always a feature when buying a decent stero sytem that suits each individual.

Of course if people are willing to spend thousands, then pre-amp post amp is the way to go.

P.S. I wanna come over when you set up your system Kamal! Its gonna be amazing. :)

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

You can get a good used pair of Rotel's on ebay that are closer to everyday budgets. Mine were used and even at the time of my purchase, just slightly out of my budget. But it's amazing what a good amp can do even with a shitty pair of speakers. When you posted that the Rotel's were close second to Cambridge, I presumed audio quality was intention behind it and not the entire package. But I stand corrected if that were the case.

Another really good $400 amp / receiver to buy is Yamaha. They are relatively unpopular but them buggers know their shit. Just like the people behind Onkyo. There's a reason why EVERY Bose store across the United States has Bose Speakers connected to Onkyo amps.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Oh, by the way, I'm selling my ProACs D25!

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

sbando, really beautiful speakers. I could only pay for the mailing bill for them :)

Only ROTEL amps for sale (used items) are the models RA-05 and RA-1062. Integrated amps both. Cambridge audio 640A, 650A, 540a (this one is cheaper) Sansui AU417, AU717, AU719

my decision will be between this ones. I was kinda decided by Cambridge, but a man in the business told me the old Sansui's work a lot better. And you say Rotel is pretty good... I'll go and listen to them. It's comfortable to have a remote control, and a nice display... that's one less point for the vintage sansui's.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Here in UK Rotel is seen as a bit of a ...... how can i say....... poor option. Nothing bad, reliable gear but you canget so much better for your money. NAD is shite

Get as much money for your stuff as you can and let us know ? As for speakers, Kef and Wharfdale are both over priced for what they are. In that price range you should be looking for something serious, something with craft. You could buy a pair of Linns second hand that would piss on anything Kef produce for the same money

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

I got your message my friend, I appreciate what may or may not br available where you live is a factor

On ebay there are Linn Kan IIs for 1500 - 2300 peso. Shipping is the problem though huh?

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Arcam Alpha 6 amps go for around 800 peso on ebay, a lovely true analogue. I have one

[IMG]http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2580/alpha21.jpg[/IMG]

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

or this is beautiful

[IMG]http://www.class-a.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/nait.jpg[/IMG]

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

^ nice ones! thanks for the pics. And yes, mailing is the hard part. Thay charge you a big amount of money of taxes when you go to pick up the package.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

naim are fantastic

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

[QUOTE=Huggie Smiles;1073213]naim are fantastic[/QUOTE]

I'm going to invest in a UnitiLite or Uniti 2 in 2013 ... need some gear that takes up less space. Just need to suss out what compact speakers to get.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

[QUOTE=Kamal;1072604]Of course if you do want to splurge a little more than the KEFs and the B&Ws and want to really enjoy your EDM to it's finest glory, then you cannot go grown with the Sonus Faber Grand Pianos. Don't know if they are available where you are but they are truly an amazing set. The front of the speaker is leather wrapped and the bass is so tight, it's incredible. When I was hooked to them back in 2004 / 2005, they were nearly $4K a pair.

[/QUOTE]

I've got the Concerto Domus in Black Piano hooked up to a Naim Nait 5i amplifier. Sometimes it's just like if you're in heaven :D. Only a shame that my neighbours complain sometimes that I play to loud ^^.

[img]http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_3/Show_Images/Sonus_Faber_Domus.jpg[/img]

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

[QUOTE=simonr;1073263]need some gear that takes up less space. Just need to suss out what compact speakers to get.[/QUOTE]

Magik 109s - Audition these with Naim amp and see what you think. The integrated Cd puts me right off the products you mention, just not my thing.

[IMG]http://www.cinenow.co.uk/e/p-l-000/042/876.jpg?1240098266[/IMG]

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

[IMG]http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4903/sv300346.jpg[/IMG]

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

are those sound buffers/absorbers on your wall? (the white things above the speaker)

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

That pic's not mine my friend , I wish it was. I'd buy these tomorrow if I had the cash but @ 900 notes they're out of range for now. Also, I'd need an amp to do them justice so 900 becomes 2k etc etc. You know how it goes I auditioned a pair and I've heard nothing like them until you get up to silly money, so would def recommend. I have a pair of Kan IIs which I'm happy to tell anyone to buy, they're fantastic and you can find them 2nd hand for 300£

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

To answer your question I would say those tiles are for acoustic reasons yes.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

i want some 'tiles for acoustic reasons' but can never find any that arent obnoxiously expensive. was just looking for a recomendation

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Buy some Merdian DSP speakers, you can buy some DSP3100s for $1500.

[url="http://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=175488#Post175488"]FS: DSP3100 Pair - The Hitchhikers Guide To Meridian[/url]

These are a dac, pre amp and power amps all in a speaker with apodising and dsp. They sound full and warm yet extremely detailed no matter what volume.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

[QUOTE=Huggie Smiles;1073488]i want some 'tiles for acoustic reasons' but can never find any that arent obnoxiously expensive. was just looking for a recomendation[/QUOTE]

Huggie, man, acoustic absorbers and/or diffusers are very expensive. But you can build them yourself with the same results, and very cheap. Believe me. I built myself the acoustic treatment of the room that I use as my home studio, and built some "tiles for acoustic reasons" for a friend's house, for the room where he listens to music. Very good results also there. If you need any help, PM me. I studied acoustics and made a big research in the web for DIY room's acoustic treatments. There is plenty of info, and you don't need to turn your house into a dark cave hahahahahaha just add some stuff in the right places.

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

[QUOTE=bigtimm;1073279] Magik 109s - Audition these with Naim amp and see what you think. The integrated Cd puts me right off the products you mention, just not my thing. [/QUOTE]

Its about space ... the reviews speak highly of the two:

[B][url="http://www.whathifi.com/review/naim-unitilite"]Naim UnitiLite review from the experts at whathifi.com[/url][/B]

[B][url="http://www.whathifi.com/review/uniti-2"]Naim Uniti 2 review from the experts at whathifi.com[/url] [/B]

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Finally, my decision was this:

[IMG]http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/310/dsc05293b.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7831/dsc05295nh.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.vintageaudio.dualpixel.com/photos/Sansui%20AU-719%2002.jpg[/IMG]

it's a dual mono integrated power amplifier, 90+90 watts, in excellent condition, great power, low distortion, and beautiful phono pre amp. I'm very happy with it. I tried it with 3 different pair of speakers, and compared it to other amps that the seller had there (including a new Prima Luna tube amplifier). He started trying the amps with some smooth jazz cds, and classical music. I said: "look, music with great dynamic range sounds goos in every decent equipment. I brought something to make it work hard", and took out HC's sequential cds... hehehehhe it sounded perfect in the Sansui amp with the JBL monitors!!!!! Just to tell my experience, I didn't like how compressed music sounded in tube amps... I tried edm and Metallica (noisy!), and It wasn't good through hi end audio systems (Macintosh too). thanks for your opinions posted when I started the thread!! :D

Re: for you, audiophiles at MS...

Gorgeous!

[QUOTE]I tried edm and Metallica (noisy!), and It wasn't good through hi end audio systems (Macintosh too).[/QUOTE]

Sometimes, you learn that at your own expenses.