New Stereo or new Watch? Stereo won!!

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

Last week it was a toss up between a new Exp-II or a new stereo for the home. No 2 guesses as to which one came out tops. Got the new Harman/Kardon CD/Receiver combo with a fine pair of B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) speakers. Good system overall and quite a bit cheaper than the Rolex.




The speaker...

[Seadweller]

How the hell are you going to get that on your wrist.
I really can't beleive you chose a stereo over a Rolex !
Cool looking stereo.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Seadweller

How the hell are you going to get that on your wrist.
I really can't beleive you chose a stereo over a Rolex !
Cool looking stereo.

Thanks Craig, I didn't have much of a choice. My wife wanted a stereo and felt that two watches for any one human being are more than enough! LOL! So the stereo won. And in all fairness to her, we did NEED a new stereo.

JJ

[Sam]

That's alright.....the Explorer II will be next months purchase!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Sam

That's alright.....the Explorer II will be next months purchase!

You must be joking. More likely next year!!

[Gedanken]

Say JJ, where are the other 3.1 speakers?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Say JJ, where are the other 3.1 speakers?

LOL! James, I just got myself a 2-channel job; so the other speaker is identical. I really don't have room in my lounge for a surround sound system, not to mention all that messy wiring all over the place.

These speakers are really good capabling of handling a max. of 150 watts at 8 ohms impedance. The receiver belts out 60 W/channel rms which again is more than adequate for the size of our living room.

Cheers - JJ

[Uncle-AJ]

It's good to see Zemina gets her way every now and again. Nice system JJ.

[padi56]

Nice system JJ you old rocker,or is more Barry Manalow these days.

[Earl]

LoL padi!!!!! JJ I knew you wouldn't get a new watch this fast.... you have to unload one of your current ones first roflmao... I'm thinking Zemina is a very nice and understanding woman to a point and that being your grounded on the watches until further notice :o) ;o) :o)

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

It's good to see Zemina gets her way every now and again. Nice system JJ.

Thanks, Adrian and the rest of you guys. I've always believed that the best speakers are British....like B&W, Mission, Tannoy, KEF, etc. The Japs are tops in TVs, DVDs, VCRs, Amps, Recorders, etc. but their speakers suck...big time.

When I went to pick up this system, the salesman made me listen to a pair of Reference KEF speakers at $45,000 a pair. They sounded just out of this world...but then you always get what you pay for.

Cheers - JJ

Don't forget the amazing speakers from Paradigm, out of Toronto. When I got mine I went in looking to buy either a pair of Mission or Boston Acoustic, but the Paradigms blew the competition away (in my price range).

Actually, not much high end audio comes from Japan. I've actually spent more on audio equipment than watches........

John - speakers seem to be one thing that Canadians do well. Goes back to testing done at the NRC back in the late 70's and early 80's. I have Tannoy's on my surround system, but Mirage (Canadian) on my main 2-channel system.

Much like your experience, I found the Mirage blew away speakers that were 2-3 times their cost. I also have a Canadian intergrated amplifier (Simaudio Moon I5) which is quite good. Most of my other stuff is British.

[mamas]

Congratulations JJ.. good to give the wife her choice on this one.. will make getting your next watch easier!
mamas

[Rodentman]

I really like my B&W 805's with a Sunfire Sub. I just bought an Arcam FMJ preamp. The Parasound power amp is next to go.

Originally Posted by Avalon

Actually, not much high end audio comes from Japan. I've actually spent more on audio equipment than watches........

John - speakers seem to be one thing that Canadians do well. Goes back to testing done at the NRC back in the late 70's and early 80's. I have Tannoy's on my surround system, but Mirage (Canadian) on my main 2-channel system.

Much like your experience, I found the Mirage blew away speakers that were 2-3 times their cost. I also have a Canadian intergrated amplifier (Simaudio Moon I5) which is quite good. Most of my other stuff is British.

Al, I've had the same Pioneer receiver for 25 years and while it is still working more or less fine, I saw a (canadian made) Rotel amp at a local swap-shop for about $100. I may go in and take a more serious look at it. Rotel makes some nice bits.

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Don't forget the amazing speakers from Paradigm, out of Toronto. When I got mine I went in looking to buy either a pair of Mission or Boston Acoustic, but the Paradigms blew the competition away (in my price range).

Whoa, Paradigm! The first time I heard a pair of Titans, I looked around for a subwoofer - there's no way speakers that tiny could produce that much bass!

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Whoa, Paradigm! The first time I heard a pair of Titans, I looked around for a subwoofer - there's no way speakers that tiny could produce that much bass!

Mine are Atoms, a touch below the Titan and I agree... how can that much bass come out of a bookshelf speaker? I've got mine mounted in my living room at the ceiling pointed down and across the room. My amp is only 15w a side but extremely clean to the point that this combination just blow away more powerful amps with bigger speakers. I know a Rotel amp would just increase that clean sound.

Here's a review of the Atom:

http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/664/

[padi56]

Yes all my HI-FI is 100% British, two Mission Cyrus 11 amps, that have been
made mono. plus two separate PSX power supply .One amp/power/supp each for right left channels,quite old now but still a hard to beat sound.Speakers
TDL Studio 10 floor standing speakers with a very deep true sounding bass.

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Mine are Atoms, a touch below the Titan and I agree... how can that much bass come out of a bookshelf speaker? I've got mine mounted in my living room at the ceiling pointed down and across the room. My amp is only 15w a side but extremely clean to the point that this combination just blow away more powerful amps with bigger speakers. I know a Rotel amp would just increase that clean sound.

Here's a review of the Atom:

http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/664/

Hey, under most circumstances, using that full 15W is more than enough unless you're running a disco.

Nice to know that a published reviewer did exactly the same thing I did.

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes all my HI-FI is 100% British, two Mission Cyrus 11 amps, that have been made mono. plus two separate PSX power supply .One amp/power/supp each for right left channels,quite old now but still a hard to beat sound.Speakers
TDL Studio 10 floor standing speakers with a very deep true sounding bass.

Well, you're not going to have to worry about crosstalk there, Peter. What's the sound source - LPs or CDs?

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Hey, under most circumstances, using that full 15W is more than enough unless you're running a disco.

Nice to know that a published reviewer did exactly the same thing I did.

This is something I don't understand... the 'need' for higher wattage. I mean, the average amp today (not audiophile components, but surround sound systems, etc) has something like 240w a side. Ridiculous! That only says to me that the amp produces very dirty reproductions.

Same goes for car audio. Why would anyone need a 1,000w amp in their car? Even with a paltry, but clean 50w you can do damage to your ears in a car.

For my money, give me a low wattage, clean amp with good speaker wires of equal length and connected in-phase and you can't go wrong.

[Gedanken]

Ahh, it's all a numbers game, John. Your average consumer considers himself sophisticated if he can tell the difference between RMS and PMPO, and the manufacturers flatter guys like that by listing the biggest RMS numbers they can, so Billy Bob Bumpkin can tell his mates that his 100W RMS blows 1000W PMPO out of the water and bask in their undying admiration. What they forgot to tell old Bill is that that 100W RMS comes with 15% THD, but in any case, if Bill could hear the difference, he still wouldn't be any the wiser.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Well, you're not going to have to worry about crosstalk there, Peter. What's the sound source - LPs or CDs?

Hi James.
Did have both a Pink Triangle Tarantella record deck with a decca LG cartridge
a superb sound. And IMO the LP still has the edge on all digital music.Sold all
my collection and deck about 1 years ago.My cd player is a Arcam Alpha 8SE,later had new module put in, to upgrade it to Alpha 9 its about 7 or eight
years old, but still a fine sounding player.But not as good as the Pink Triangle
record deck,I got offered a very good price,for deck and collection so it had
to go.The most important thing with the mission amps, now they have been
mono-ed is the high current output, thats what drives the speakers not so
much watts.I remember when I auditioned the Pink Triangle I took my amps
with me luck they had the same speakers in shop.After audition he hooked
my R / deck up to a 15watt valve amp, cannot remember the name. But the
sound was unbelievable,totaly the best sound I have ever heard.The sound
difference between the transister,and valve well hard to explain, so I will say
difference between chalk and cheese.

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Ahh, it's all a numbers game, John. Your average consumer considers himself sophisticated if he can tell the difference between RMS and PMPO, and the manufacturers flatter guys like that by listing the biggest RMS numbers they can, so Billy Bob Bumpkin can tell his mates that his 100W RMS blows 1000W PMPO out of the water and bask in their undying admiration. What they forgot to tell old Bill is that that 100W RMS comes with 15% THD, but in any case, if Bill could hear the difference, he still wouldn't be any the wiser.

So true. The majority of the purchasing public have no clue what good sound is. The evidence is the big box store with 50 pairs of speakers on the wall and one big switching board to choose the pair you want to hear (along with all the colouring from the other 49 pairs on the wall).

The place I deal with has dedicated listening rooms, and their non-commissioned staff is not interested in selling you the most expensive thing in the store. When I went to buy an integrated amp many years ago (ended up with an Arcam unit - good value for the dollars!) they asked me what I wanted to buy, what my price range was, and then what the rest of my system consisted of. They then set-up a room with components of equivalent quality to what I already had (or close) and then brought in 4 or 5 amps in the price range I was after so I could hear them all. With speakers, I have had them deliver several sets to my house after hearing them in the store so I could hear how they sound in my room (kind of like trying a watch on your wrist to make sure you like it before buying). They have trained staff to help set things up in your room, and suggest improvements (corner traps, soft wall hangings to reduce reflection and standing waves, etc.). I have to admit that I have spent a great deal of time on things like speaker placement - the technical side can get deep if you want to get into it. I'm weak on the electronics side of things (being a mechanical engineering guy after all), but know enough to understand that big power numbers mean squat.

It is a hobby nearly as addicting as watches..........

I consider my system to be on the low side of what would be classed as "high end." Having said that, I've heard systems that cost $50K+ that don't sound as good as mine does. It's not about spending the most, but ensuring balance in your system in my view...........

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Ahh, it's all a numbers game, John. Your average consumer considers himself sophisticated if he can tell the difference between RMS and PMPO, and the manufacturers flatter guys like that by listing the biggest RMS numbers they can, so Billy Bob Bumpkin can tell his mates that his 100W RMS blows 1000W PMPO out of the water and bask in their undying admiration. What they forgot to tell old Bill is that that 100W RMS comes with 15% THD, but in any case, if Bill could hear the difference, he still wouldn't be any the wiser.

Well said, James.

[dman]

Good find JJ, was it worth taking the day off from work to have them set it up?

[Gedanken]

Peter, I went straight from tape to CD, so I missed out on the whole LP thing. I keep hearing that LPs have a "warmer" sound than CDs, though. I suspect that there's only so much you can do with digital recording at the moment, and some things that analog recordings pick up are missed by the digital coding process.

As for wattage, back in high school I had a mate who followed his dad in ebing a hi-fi-nut, and he showed me what just 20 watts could do if applied properly. Ever since then I've learned to disregard the big-number marketing strategy.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Peter, I went straight from tape to CD, so I missed out on the whole LP thing. I keep hearing that LPs have a "warmer" sound than CDs, though. I suspect that there's only so much you can do with digital recording at the moment, and some things that analog recordings pick up are missed by the digital coding process.

As for wattage, back in high school I had a mate who followed his dad in ebing a hi-fi-nut, and he showed me what just 20 watts could do if applied properly. Ever since then I've learned to disregard the big-number marketing strategy.

Like I said on Skype James its current amps output ,what drives the speakers
not watts.Yes IMHO analog still has the edge over the small cd disc.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by dman

Good find JJ, was it worth taking the day off from work to have them set it up?

It sure was, Daren....very exciting day off!!