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Recommended one make systems?

Man, do I love music! I am so thankful to have grown up in the South were just about everyone plays an instrument or sings. Being a part of those Saturday evening pack porch picking sessions, Sunday morning worship services, riverbank practice sessions...whatever....really ingrained a deep reverence and appreciation of music. Anyway, on to adulthood and only having time to myself late in the evenings to enjoy music. My present system just does not have the presence that live music has. But, then again, does anything?

What one make system really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up? What gets your toes tapping? What stirs your soul? I've read tons of reviews from noted reviewers, but how do these one make systems compare in real life? I think I would like to try the Quad 909/99 CD-P2, Krell 400xi/SACD Standard, NAD M3/M5, NAIM NAIT 5i/CD5i, Ayre AX-7e/CX-7e or maybe even the Cambridge 840A/840C. Which systems have I missed that are head and shoulders above these? Granted, these would have to be used to fit my budget, but I am a patient man.
My present speakers are Quad 21L's, which may need replacing to bring out the beauty of these systems. Care to share your thoughts?

Thanks!
6stringsling
osgorth
109 posts
 
There are many brands that come to mind. Obviously keeping within the same brand can have benefits. For one thing, components are most likely to match eachother well, and they have often been voiced together. Then there's the design aspect of it of course!

Brands that come to mind that work very well together include MBL, Audio Research, Accustic Arts, Accuphase, McIntosh, Linn, Naim, Musical Fidelity, Krell, Marantz, Nagra and probably a lot more! Those are just ones I've heard.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Not sure why you'd want to stick with one brand system other than simplicity or laziness. No offense intended.
I suggest you look at Audiogon systems listed under "budget minded" for some ideas that work. Good luck and keep enjoying the music.
tarsando
578 posts
 
BOSE ....
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
revox, cyrus, arcam, linn
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
It is possible to do everything from one manufacturer e.g. McIntosh (except for the turntable, cartridge, tonarm) but you will sacrifice quality in certain elements. e.g. Mac's amps and preamps are excellent, but IMO, you could do better with a CD player and speakers from other manufacturers, etc.

That said, for starters, I've found that grouping certain system elements, according to excellence in a particular area, can yield a successful synergy. Using my own system just as an example, Wadia for digital, Levinson for amp+preamp, MartinLogan for speaker/subwoofer, Purist for cabling, etc.

On the other hand, I recently replaced my (very excellent) Levinson amp with a Mac tube amp, just because I prefer tubes for driving electrostats. Yet I don't intend to replace my Levinson preamp with a Mac preamp (any time soon;--) just to maintain uniformity of brand in the preamp+amp group.

However, grouping things this way can be a good starting place, and is possible even within a modest budget.
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