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advice needed on 1st real stereo system

Hi everyone,

I am a 1st time "real" stereo buyer and would really appreciate some advice from a community of experts. I am looking for a system for my living room (about 20x20), for a wide range of music (jazz, classical, rock) and tv/movies etc.

1. I am looking at the Peachtree Decco/Nova amps. I get that the Nova has more power, but will the Decco suffice at 65 w per channel? I will not be blasting music at full volume, but does wattage also improve sound at low/moderate levels?

2. I am looking at a pair of Totem Rainmaker speakers, any thoughts on these or others?

3. Do expensive speaker cables make a difference?

Thanks so much in advance for your advice!
newguy1

Showing 4 responses by unsound

unsound
7,311 posts
 
Know your total budget, know your room, begin with speakers.
unsound
7,311 posts
 
A 20 X 20 room is going to be a bit of a challenge. Choose your speakers carefully, and you might want to consider some room treatment. With all due respect to the other posters, while highly efficient speakers with their lower power requirements might at first seem like a good idea, please keep in mind that often that efficiency comes at the cost of reduced bass output, which in turn might have one looking at the added expense of a subwoofer(s). While I'm not against the notion of a speaker with high efficiency, I've yet to be satisfied with what's been offered. Low powered tube amps tend to cost as much if not more than higher powered ss amps. Again, choose your speakers first, then select the appropriate amplification for those speakers.
unsound
7,311 posts
 
One more time, choose your speakers, then your amp!
unsound
7,311 posts
 
I've only heard the Totem Rainmakers briefly at shows, I can't really comment on them, but these measurements from Stereophile:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/totem-acoustic-rainmaker-loudspeaker-measurements
should offer some insight.
I have to wonder if they're big enough for your room, and if a low/medium powered tube integrated is the way to go with them?
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