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What is a really good sounding low volume system??

I'm trying to gear up for when I get married this september and move in with my fiance into her place. Living quarters will be cramped and we will share a wall and floor (thier ceiling) with the home owners. Headphones don't sound like fun but perhaps I'll have to bite the bullet and buy some hd 800's or something. I suppose my other option is to build a "second" system that really excels and sounds good at low low volumes. Nearfield listening? I've thought about just adding a nice pair of bookshelf speakers to my current front end, something that lacks bass but excels in micro detail and imaging at low volumes. I guess I could set up a secondary nearfield listening station but don't know where to start. There is a prima luna pl2 integrated amp for sale locally and I'm wondering if this int. paired with a bookshelf speaker that has great detail and imaging might work for me.
What do you guys think??
128x128b_limo

Showing 7 responses by rrog

rrog
1,958 posts
 

It was nice knowing you. Good luck with your marriage. I will do some research for you on power cords for your new Bose radio.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Atmasphere, Can you think of any other amplifiers that would work with the High Emotion Audio Bella Twins?
rrog
1,958 posts
 
B_limo, Be aware of these brands you never heard of. Obviously they have poor distribution and there is a good chance that when you need assistance or parts they will no longer be in business. More brands of stereo equipment have come and gone than you can possibly imagine. Giving Magnepan a second thought is a good idea and a good recommendation. Owners of original Maggies from several decades ago can still get their speakers serviced. It's a name you can trust.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
"I would heed Atmasphere's advice."

What advice? To buy his amplifiers?

"they like to played at medium-high levels to sound fully fleshed out and to not sound very dynamically polite."

You just described all speakers to some degree. However, it depends a lot on how you tune your system.

Quads are good at low level listening, but if you ever want to play them loud it is likely they will be damaged and very expensive to repair.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
B_limo, Are you serious?
rrog
1,958 posts
 
"Perhaps, depending on what one considers loud. But, so what? The OP is not concerned about loud, he needs to play music softly."

Listening at low levels over long periods of time will only make the average audiophile anxious for the opportunity when nobody is around so he can turn it up.

Even though the NEW Quads claim to have a better protection circuit many have been damaged from too much power. Most of the earlier Quads are due for rebuild simply because the adhesive used has lived its useful life.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Atmasphere, I was just looking at High Emotion Audio's website. It looks like the speakers and subwoofer will typically cost $10,000. Is this correct?
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