My last rodeo


Ready to buy new equipment after 20 years without.

I'm going to take this in steps and it may take me a year to a point where only minor tweaks may be all that remains. Ultimately, I may have about 30K available. 

I want to start with amp and speakers by telling you what I had. MFA 200C mono blocks, Audio Concepts Saffire III's with a pair of powered Sub 1's. The reason I mention this is because I was pleased with the results. As a matter of fact, I looked forward to coming home from work everyday to enjoy the music. A similar or better match would be great. Thanks

 

tburdwin

Audio Concepts had some really good speakers. I had a pair of the Jaguars for a while and they were excellent. Their only downfall was that they couldn't play really loud, which is the only reason I sold them.

Good luck with your search.

 

I doubt many people are familiar with your speakers, so it’d help if you could share what you loved about them and what sound characteristics are most important to you so we know better what you’re looking for.  Also, are you looking for a tube amp again, and would you prefer separates or an integrated amp and are you looking for a warmer sound or more neutral?  Would you be buying new or used?

@soix 

I'll do my best to explain. The final sound through the component chain was detailed, large soundstage, focused, good bass extension and great front to back layering.  I was happy with the final sound. I probably would prefer tubes but maybe SS amp with tube preamp would do.  Would say I'd prefer warm/ neutral and not analytical. Used is a possibility. I hope this helps. Thanks

 

For monitors I’d look at the Joseph Audio Pulsar, ProAc K1, and Acora QRB for neutral yet very natural sounding and musical speakers that excel at producing a layered 3D soundstage among other things.  For something that leans a tad warmer the QLN Prestige One or One v7 would be very worth exploring.  I’d pair any of these with a Spatial Audio Raven preamp and a Coda S5.5 Class A amp, and I’m not the best resource for tube amps so I’ll leave that to others but hope this at least gives you some ideas.  Best of luck.