Upgrade Questions


Seeking to upgrade older consumer system (onkyo tx-840 and boston acoutic a-60's). I might add because I live in a condo with two common walls and common floor (my floor/neighbor's ceiling) that floorstanding and subwoofers are out of the queston therefore I'm limited to bookshelf speakers on stands. Listen to several speakers in the $500-600 a pair range and the ones that I seem to like best are the B&W DM602 v3. I'm also thinking at some point (because of budget issues this a two-step operation) that I'll replace the Onkyo receiver with an integrated amp. Heard a Jolida with NHT speakers a while back and was taken with the sound of tube equipment. Of course, my budget will still be limited ($600-700) so from reading various reviews if I wanted to get into tubes at that price, I would probably be looking at one of the Jolida Hybrid Integrated Amps. From what I've read, the Jolida 1501 sounds like it might be a good deal. Anyway, here's the questions.

1. Would the Jolida 1501 match well with the B&W 602's? If not what would be some good integrated amp matches (doesn't necessarily have to tube or tube/hybrid).

2. Based on the equipment I got (Onyko TX-840, 60 watts RMS and Boston Acoustic A-60's), what would you replace first, receivers or speakers. Both are in good working order and will be bases of a second system in my guest bedroom. I guess what I'm really wondering about will the Onkyo have enough power to drive the B&W's?

3. Also, a "dark horse" speaker enters the picture. A good friend of mine who's taste in music I trust (Been to many concerts with (Allmans, Little Feat, Sonny Landreth, Derek Trucks, ect) suggested that I might like the Cambridge Soundworks Newton series M-80 bookshelf speakers. Reading some reviews in audioreviews.com the majority of the people there seem to like them especially for the price ($499 a pair new, $350 for "B" stock). Of course, they're are no Cambridge dealers in my area but they do seem to have a good policy about auditioning their speakers (mail order, they pay for intial shipping, and you get a 45-day testing period). Anyway, was wondering if any of you had actually heard these speakers and could comment on them. Please keep in mind, the various factors (budget, amp/speakers synergy, need for "just" bookshelf speakers)that are involved in my modest upgrade.

Other useful info:

22 x 18 foot listening area, 15 foot cathedral ceiling (dropping to 8 foot at other end). Wall to wall carpeting. Standard living room furniture.

Listening likes: Blues, Classic Rock, Americana and Bluegrass. Most listening done at low to moderate level (Volume control on receiver rarely goes above the 9 or 10 o'clock position). Listening done on a Onkyo DX-C540 CD changer (yes, I know it's a changer, but for my listening habits a changer works best).

Thanks for any help and suggestions you can give me.
cleaneduphippy

Showing 1 response by mrtennis

there is atotem speker in the $500 range you might want to listen to. i don't remember the name. its a relatively small book shelf speaker.

what about a magnepan. you will lose some bass, but get a boxless, very coherent sound.