Sounds like a pretty good plan Chris. One note I may throw in is, if your looking in the Meridian 508.24 category for a cd player, I strongly recommend you listen to a BAT VK-D5. On the used market you can get one for about the same price, I like the BAT much better than the Meridian or the Resolution players. IMHO.
Vienna Acoustics vs Revel Studios?
Three years ago, I invested in a system that has given me many hours of listening pleasure. I have Vienna Acoustics Beethoven speakers, a SimAudio I-5 integrated, and an Ultech CD player. At that time, that was about as much as my budget would allow, and I have never regretted buying any part of this system. The only "problem" I am having is that the system lacks "rock out' power. It is perfect for moderate listening, but will occasionally clip or become slightly shrill or unfocused when "cranked."
So now, of course, I'm pondering all kinds of potential remedies. I could simply use the I-5 as a pre-amp and add something like a Bryston 7B ST for extra volume. I could sell the I-5 and go for separates, maybe even try out some tubes, such as the Sonic Frontiers Power 3 set-up (although I have heard that tubes are not necessarily a good match for the 'warm' Vienna speakers). Or I could sell the system and try out the Revel Studios (I think the Salons are probably too big for my living room) with some combination of the above to drive them.
I am not a true audiophile, in the sense that I know an awful lot about this stuff, but I do know that I enjoy good music played on a good system. I don't mind paying for top notch equipment, within reason, but I don't want to fork over 10-12K when a modest adjustment in my current set-up would be almost as good.
So, I appeal to all of you true audiphiles for advice. Please show me the way. Would the Revels be a big step up from the Viennas? Would separates be much better than adding an amp, while using the I-5 as a pre-amp? Any suggestions on possible matches?
I realize the answers are, to some degree, subjective. But I am interested in your feedback and experiences.
Many thanks.
So now, of course, I'm pondering all kinds of potential remedies. I could simply use the I-5 as a pre-amp and add something like a Bryston 7B ST for extra volume. I could sell the I-5 and go for separates, maybe even try out some tubes, such as the Sonic Frontiers Power 3 set-up (although I have heard that tubes are not necessarily a good match for the 'warm' Vienna speakers). Or I could sell the system and try out the Revel Studios (I think the Salons are probably too big for my living room) with some combination of the above to drive them.
I am not a true audiophile, in the sense that I know an awful lot about this stuff, but I do know that I enjoy good music played on a good system. I don't mind paying for top notch equipment, within reason, but I don't want to fork over 10-12K when a modest adjustment in my current set-up would be almost as good.
So, I appeal to all of you true audiphiles for advice. Please show me the way. Would the Revels be a big step up from the Viennas? Would separates be much better than adding an amp, while using the I-5 as a pre-amp? Any suggestions on possible matches?
I realize the answers are, to some degree, subjective. But I am interested in your feedback and experiences.
Many thanks.
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- 32 posts total
A quick word is response to the preceding (Bishopwell's) comment ... As [email protected] seems to understand, the Mahler, for all its strengths, MUST be used in a large room or will overload the room with bass. Each speaker has two ten-inch woofers and two woofer ports, not to mention two seven-inch mid/bass drivers (again, that's EACH speaker). My listening room is +/-1,700 sq. ft. and I have some boom, even when I drive it with a powerful solid-state amp with high damping factor that can really control its drivers (a Bryston 4B-ST). If you have a BIG room and good amplification, the speaker's bass is reasonably flat, but make no mistake -- it will sound like hell in a small room. Best wishes. |
Brother Dearing, with all respect if you have a 1700ft2 room and you're having problems with boominess, you either need to work on placement or you need some serious acoustic treatment. I've heard Mahlers perform magnificently in rooms as small as 18X20 and the bass was not overwhelming and certainly not boomy. I do agree that they require amplification that affords excellent damping. If you want to email me, I can put you in touch with a guy with very fine ears who uses his Mahlers in the room I mentioned above. Possibly he could give you a hand with your bass problems. I assume you've already looked at source issues, cabling, and the like. |
- 32 posts total