Newbie Needs Assistance


I am getting back into "Audio". around 15 years ago I had an AV receiver driving some Kirksaeter Silverline 120’s. I still have the speakers but the amp is long gone. My wife and prefer tubes. Budget is 5 - 6K for amps and eventual speakers. I have researched out and come down to the following:

Eventual Replacement Speaker for Kirksaeter:

Salk Song Series

Focal Aria 926 - I have heard the Chora 826 but not these

Amp Options:

AVA Transcendence 10 RB and a Vision Set 120

Tsakaridis Aeolos Tube Integrated

Input will be BlueSound Node and eventually possibly a turntable.

I have not heard either of the amps but they both fit in as far as price point (2,000 - 2500) leaving me roughly 4k for speakers. Has anyone heard these amps or speakers? I forgot to add music we listen too. Everything from Sinatra, Dean Martin to Led Zeppelin and alternative rack and a lot of blues including B.B and SRV.

boots72

Put a hard hold on the TT. Once you get the streaming dialed you may not want to mess with vinyl. You can use the BS Node as jump off spot for dialing in a high end streaming setup.  I use my TT less and less.

 

I have been running the Focal 926 for several years. I have rolled through Quad S-5s, Sonus Faber and Gallo and nothing has knocked them from the perch. Although if I could find another pair of the Quads I might swap out as it was a very good speaker and wish I had never sold them.

If I were you I might try to stretch a little for Raven Audio Nighthawk amp and CeLest speakers.  Excellent products made in the USA, and obviously they’re made to work optimally together.  Just my $0.02 FWIW, and best of luck. 

@soix You gotta be kidding, advising purchase of Raven amp, especially at this time! 

Thank you for the comments so far. My budget is pretty fixed unless I want to sleep on the couch. Any advice between the two amps. i know the Tsakaridis Aeolos might be a tough one to get opinions on. 

I definitely agree with a better DAC for the Bluesound. I found the internal DAC on the first three Nodes to be somewhat adequate,an external DAC made a substantial difference. 

@sns I’ve obviously got my head up my butt on this Raven thing.  What’d I miss?

You missed nothing. Except all the guys accustomed to head up butt even further up butt.

OP if you're serious about a fine tube system on a budget then it will take a while but order a Decware amp and ZP3 phono stage. The good news here is you only pay 10% deposit now and balance on shipping. Meantime get Tekton Double Impact and research turntables and cartridges. 

I’m not sure I would hang up the vinyl idea. There is something special about it, period. There are plenty who will argue that unless you spend a gazzilion dollars on a rig that it just won’t sound good. I disagree. You can do pretty well, but you might need to stretch your budge a little. The BS Node’s DAC is adequate to start, or find an Int or preamp (if you decide separates)  with an onboard DAC. Keep in mind all the goodies like cables etc, they can add up too. You have a reasonable starting budget, especially if you buy right used.

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Give yourself the gift of efficient full range speakers, sized for your space, which is _____?

That will avoid the NEED for subs (cost/placement/blend issues).

Will also keep your power needs lower. smaller power needs = less money, less size/heat/weight, more placement options, much is gained besides saving money.

..................................

New or Used? Caution with return privilege's can often get you quite a lot of choices.

Personally, I avoid esoteric brands.

happy hunting,

Elliott

 

@sns I’ve obviously got my head up my butt on this Raven thing.  What’d I miss?

 

A circle jerk festival....9 pages so far. They have a picture of MC and one of Raven Dave in the middle. Obviously there is still time to get involved but I doubt you'd like it. You have too much sensibility.......well, unless you like buying equipment by the pound. Think lb. = pound...not.....................

 

Gave a call to Decware this morning. List is 11-12 months deep. Probably not a good option for someone trying to get back into into. Most likely a great future option for upgrade. 

Maybe the better option is shoot for something like a Rogue Audio Sphinx or Schiit something and then get on the list for a Decware in a year or two. I did find a used AVA Set 120. Then I can grab the Bluesound and a Dac.

My wife did hear Tannoy Stirlings and she really liked them. I do find it funny. She gives me a budget of 5 - 6K but when she finds something she likes the budget creeps a bit.

@elliottbnewcombjr 

My space is on the small side. The room is a U shape with 2 11 ft walls and 1 14 foot wall. The back opening opens to the dining/kitchen.