2 Channel Audio?

[ErVikingo]

Not to distract the attention further from the NAD amp thread, here is one for 2 channel audio. Following is an extract of systems through time:

- The Phillips Tuner and Power Amp to Klipschorns. Various turntables, TEAC reel to reel
- AR (Acoustic Research) 3a, AR amp and turntable
- Technics turntable, Shure stylus, SAE Clip and Pop filter, Teac cassette, SAE parametric eq and preamp, SAE 2400 amp to Dahlquist DQ10
- Swapped to Carver magnetic amps
- added Meridian CD
- replaced preamp with a NAD
- replaced Dahlquist with Mirage M3s
- replaced Carvers (went to my brother to power his MLogans) with Adcoms
- replaced the NAD preamp with an Adcom

Short term affairs with 901, Carver and M Logan speakers

moved to CONUS

- Theta transports/DAC into AR (Audio Research) preamp, manley, VTL and Threshold amps, Infinity Beta, SONY DAT, TICE TPTs, etc.

- separate system(s) Modded Sony CDs, Theta transport+DAC, Lexicon preamp-processor, bryston and Sherbourn amps, Aerial and Wilson Watt speakers

- current, modded Sony CD, SACD, Theta transport+DAC, Lexicon MC-1 preprocessor, Bryston/Sherbourn amps (Brystons going out, Threshold coming in or will use extra channels bridged on Sherbourn to bi amp), Aerial 8b, Sony ES DVD, Onkyo Surround sound receiver processor with tons of monitor audio in walls.

Infinity Betas coming back into the room. Thinking of selling them due to their space requirements (hard to fit a good sized projection screen when you have monster sized speakers - 2 towers per channel)

[aschen]

We have had a few discussions

My current main system is: Dynaudio Confidence C4s, Audio Research LS15 pre, VPI scout turntable, Bryston 4b3 amp, DIY sub from 18" driver, 1500w Crown amp, and minidsp filtering.

Been an audio enthusiast since I was a teenager

[jyl]

Nice list!

What does everyone rec for speakers small and unobstrusive enough for a living room that has no open wall space and whose missus will not tolerate big speakers? I’ve been using a succession of bookshelf and sat/sub systems. Thinking about 901s partly for the novelty and partly because, with stands, they’d be passable as end tables. Yeah, I’m THAT much of an audiophile. Music is background streaming and vinyl jazz.

[Ayles]

I have a two channel analog system:
Vpi scout tt
Audio Research sp6 pre
Antique Soundlabs Typhoon amp
Klipsch kg4 speakers/vandersteen 2c

Two channel digital in our living room:
Linn Classik CD
B&W 601 S2 speakers

[aschen]

Originally Posted by jyl

Nice list!

What does everyone rec for speakers small and unobstrusive enough for a living room that has no open wall space and whose missus will not tolerate big speakers? I’ve been using a succession of bookshelf and sat/sub systems. Thinking about 901s partly for the novelty and partly because, with stands, they’d be passable as end tables. Yeah, I’m THAT much of an audiophile. Music is background streaming and vinyl jazz.

Revel, Elac, JBL, Dynaudio ideally stand mounted or floor standing.

If you get a very nicely finished pair you may get buy in. I think there are many petter options than 901, but go with what you like of course.

[aschen]

Also KEF Ls50 series has been one of the most successful small high quality speakers in the last decade. They have amplified versions to really make the system small form Factor. They have no bass though and require a sub for any decent sized room.

[Mahler9th]

" Nice list!

What does everyone rec for speakers small and unobstrusive enough for a living room that has no open wall space and whose missus will not tolerate big speakers? I’ve been using a succession of bookshelf and sat/sub systems. Thinking about 901s partly for the novelty and partly because, with stands, they’d be passable as end tables. Yeah, I’m THAT much of an audiophile. Music is background streaming and vinyl jazz. "

I remember the 901's-- used to sell them as a teenager, and used to listen to them at frat parties.

I have never been a huge fan of Bose speaker products, but I respect the contributions Bose has made. I know people that had him as a professor at MIT.

If I were going to consider something really small and modern, I'd listen to the little KEFs as part of my auditioning mix. I have read great things about them from sources I trust.

Speaker recommendations are really hard of course,. I suspect that during this pandemic there may a greater number of ways to audition at home.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Mahler9th

" Nice list!

What does everyone rec for speakers small and unobstrusive enough for a living room that has no open wall space and whose missus will not tolerate big speakers?

My current setup will not meet your needs (Klipsch Cornwall's - Front, Klipsch RP600 - Rear, Klipsch RP64 III - Center, & Klipsch Pro 800 SW - Atmos)

However, I highly recommend you check out the below YouTube Link. This guy does an amazing job demo-ing hundreds of high-end speakers. Even though you are reviewing using your existing system, you can really hear the differences between speakers. He reviews everything from huge to small, outrageously expensive to affordable. It was this channel that helped me with my decision. Sound Sommellier.

My previous speakers were Bose AM10 original cubes (two sets) that lasted 40 years and are still in use in my garage (student loan money well spent ). After that I changed to Definative Technology which I find very overrated, expensive, and I blew 3 speakers in 3 years - Me don't like. My current setup is phenomenal!!, hands down the best I've had. Equipment driving is Yamaha Aventage 3050; does surround very well but also does 2 channel or 9 channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLleWZ74MYiSxG31BkmBnvQ

[Scott Douglas]

Do you have a couch you can hide some behind?



I managed to sneak some Infinity CS3008's behind the couch as rear speakers for my theater in the living room.

[ErVikingo]

yeah!

[ErVikingo]

Can't say I know of good monitors, I have an old set of Cambridge separates that I enjoy.

Are headphones an option? If money is no object a good tube headphone amp and some Grado headphones is a fantastic choice. Warning, once you listen to a great pair of headphones, not a lot of systems will make you happy.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by jyl

Nice list!

What does everyone rec for speakers small and unobstrusive enough for a living room that has no open wall space and whose missus will not tolerate big speakers?

I'd probably look for a good used pair of 2-way Dynaudio bookshelfs. I like properly implemented 2.1/2.2 systems over anything more complicated. That is, decent monitors on stands + 1 or 2 good subs with a relatively low-freq. (60-80hz) and steep-ish filter. Crossing a sub over that low requires a decent/capable mid-bass on the mains. The 7" drivers on the larger Dyn bookshelfs are a good compromise in that regard, IMO. YMMV.

[908/930]

Mine started with Luxman R 1070, Lux PD 277, Bose 331 changed to Harbeth MK2
Updated to BAT VK40 with McCormack DNA1 deluxe and adcom GCD-700
Then started getting carried away a little, system now is Wilson Watt Puppy 3/2, Paradigm sig servo sub, JL audio F113 sub, Mark Levinson #333 amp, ML #332 amp, ML #37 cd transport, ML 360s DA converter, Audio Research Ref 3 preamp, Audio Research PH5, Marchant XM44 electronic crossover.

[ramonesfreak]

Bryston B60 integrated amplifier
B&W CDM1SE speakers
HARMAN KARDON T-403 AM FM stereo tuner
Rega Planet 2000 CD player
Rega RP3 turntable with Groovetracer Reference subplatter, Groovetracer Delrin Platter, Nagaoka MP-150 cartridge
Budgie phono pre-amp
cables nothing crazy. Prism bi-wire etc can’t remember

[ramonesfreak]

For something small, check out the offerings from Elac. I dont own them but a friend owns a hifi shop and ive heard them....very nice and at a very nice price. quite small and unobtrusive
https://www.elac.com/category/bookshelf-speakers/

For something a little bigger, I am lusting after a set of Wharfdale Linton speakers with matching stands lately.

Originally Posted by Mahler9th

" Nice list!

What does everyone rec for speakers small and unobstrusive enough for a living room that has no open wall space and whose missus will not tolerate big speakers? I’ve been using a succession of bookshelf and sat/sub systems. Thinking about 901s partly for the novelty and partly because, with stands, they’d be passable as end tables. Yeah, I’m THAT much of an audiophile. Music is background streaming and vinyl jazz. "

I remember the 901's-- used to sell them as a teenager, and used to listen to them at frat parties.

I have never been a huge fan of Bose speaker products, but I respect the contributions Bose has made. I know people that had him as a professor at MIT.

If I were going to consider something really small and modern, I'd listen to the little KEFs as part of my auditioning mix. I have read great things about them from sources I trust.

Speaker recommendations are really hard of course,. I suspect that during this pandemic there may a greater number of ways to audition at home.

[Ayles]

[David]

Originally Posted by jyl

Nice list!

What does everyone rec for speakers small and unobstrusive enough for a living room that has no open wall space and whose missus will not tolerate big speakers? I’ve been using a succession of bookshelf and sat/sub systems. Thinking about 901s partly for the novelty and partly because, with stands, they’d be passable as end tables. Yeah, I’m THAT much of an audiophile. Music is background streaming and vinyl jazz.

When I was looking for small bookshelf speakers for the garage I listened to everything I could find at the local stereo shops and electronic stores but couldn't find anything that sounded good. I took a chance on articles I read on the internet and bought LSA-10 speakers from a local distributor I found online (picked up at his house). I'm really impressed.

Unfortunately LSA sold and the new owners appear to only sell their high end stuff so no more new $800 speakers

https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/lsa-speakers

[greglepore]

I really like the old Mission monitors. Available on ebay for +-200, have really nice midbass and above and are very flat and warm. Run these with a dared tube amp (pure class a, only 15 w but amazing).

Main system is a chinese Conrad johnson clone pre, a dedicated meridian dac, and a Cary tube amp running kt88s. These drive either Ohm 4s or koss esp9 electrostatic cans. Have a Carver Thm25 solid state amp i can switch in, as well as a nad 200 wpc with crazy headroom.

Bedroom is nad receiver, homebuilt open speakers using Betsy full range drivers , heil tweeters and a sub.

Patio is nad and same Missions, with s pair of mission towers in the garage.

Had a bunch of stuff in the past, what I miss is my Accoustats but they pinned you to a position about ft square. The Ohms are polar opposites, good soundstage from pretty much everywhere.


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[KFC911]

My ears are shot .... my system needs TLC, but my House/Wall of sound daze are history .... I thought about getting two Carvers brought back to life, but nope... I would use them bridged mono, bi-amped at 1K into vintage SDA Polks. Big suckers .... nope. I need a pre to drive my last living Carver 4.0T and two of my smaller SDA Polks... 425wpc is sufficient for those and my earz.

Anybody need/want some awesome Polks from yesteryear ... 170lbs each .... plus S&H

[Scott Douglas]

^^^You have any pics of those Polks?