Bobby @ Merlin can give you the best recommendation for an integrated, alot will depend on room size and musical taste. For cdp, you might consider a used Audio Aero Prima. I would not think that a dac/trans combo at that price range is a good choice, you are going to need at least one digital cable and perhaps 2 digital cables and a de-jitter device.
Tube, hybrid or solid state for Merlin TSM-MMs?
Dear Audiogoners and/or Merlin TSM owners,
After listening to my HT for years and I finally decided to build a second stereo only system. I consider myself still a novice and would much appreciate any recommendations for my project with limited budget (<$2000 excluding speakers). I am planning on getting used equipments on Audiogon.
I started by acquiring a pair or merlin TSM-MMs. I love them even with my Aragon 3 channel amp. I am considering getting a integrated amp to drive the TSMs and a CD player. I started shopping and I am overwhelmed by the vast number of products, they all seem to have rave reviews. Based on the budget of $2000 for both amp and CD player, My questions are as follow:
AMP (<$1000 - $1400 used):
1) should I go integrated or separates? Tube, hybrid or solid state?
2) Will tubes with less than 30 watts output be sufficient to drive the TSMs?
3) I kind of narrow down to a few models: (I realized the choice of going separates is very limited based on my budget, hence I've browsing at the integrated amps.)
Tubes/hybrids - Shanling STP-80; Jolida 502B: Onix SP3; Pathos Classic One MKII; Unison Research Unico.
Solid State - Krell 300i; Musical Fidelity X150; Arcam A32, A90; Classe CAP-101, CAP-151.
3) Some of the Chinese made Amps look pretty good (such as Shanling, Consonance and Dared), but are they any good?
4) Are there tube integrated amps on the market that come with pre-outs? In case I want to get a separate amp when I have more budget.
CD Player (<$1000 used):
1) Any recommendations is welcome. I kind of like the Rega Apollo and Jupiter. Anyone has experience with them?
2) Should I go with a transport and an outboard DAC (such as the Audio Alchemy combo)?
By all means, I am not limiting myself to the above choices, any other recommendations are welcome and much appreciated. Perhaps there are already existing threads on the subject, if so, would someone please point them to me?
Thanks.
After listening to my HT for years and I finally decided to build a second stereo only system. I consider myself still a novice and would much appreciate any recommendations for my project with limited budget (<$2000 excluding speakers). I am planning on getting used equipments on Audiogon.
I started by acquiring a pair or merlin TSM-MMs. I love them even with my Aragon 3 channel amp. I am considering getting a integrated amp to drive the TSMs and a CD player. I started shopping and I am overwhelmed by the vast number of products, they all seem to have rave reviews. Based on the budget of $2000 for both amp and CD player, My questions are as follow:
AMP (<$1000 - $1400 used):
1) should I go integrated or separates? Tube, hybrid or solid state?
2) Will tubes with less than 30 watts output be sufficient to drive the TSMs?
3) I kind of narrow down to a few models: (I realized the choice of going separates is very limited based on my budget, hence I've browsing at the integrated amps.)
Tubes/hybrids - Shanling STP-80; Jolida 502B: Onix SP3; Pathos Classic One MKII; Unison Research Unico.
Solid State - Krell 300i; Musical Fidelity X150; Arcam A32, A90; Classe CAP-101, CAP-151.
3) Some of the Chinese made Amps look pretty good (such as Shanling, Consonance and Dared), but are they any good?
4) Are there tube integrated amps on the market that come with pre-outs? In case I want to get a separate amp when I have more budget.
CD Player (<$1000 used):
1) Any recommendations is welcome. I kind of like the Rega Apollo and Jupiter. Anyone has experience with them?
2) Should I go with a transport and an outboard DAC (such as the Audio Alchemy combo)?
By all means, I am not limiting myself to the above choices, any other recommendations are welcome and much appreciated. Perhaps there are already existing threads on the subject, if so, would someone please point them to me?
Thanks.