Spend my £800 ! You decide.

[s.thomas]

Well, I have posted to another forum looking for advice on an Arcam set-up (having had a good history with Arcam) but for fun I thought Id pose the question to you folks on the 'Wam. Im looking to reanimate my system from the speakers up. I have a pair of

Klipsch Reference RB-61 II speakers which are peppy and entertaining buggers, very dynamic and fun. Im looking to start afresh and need some ideas on which amplifier and cd player would match well with them. I have £800 to spend in total on an amp and cd player, which I know isnt great money but there you go.

I have a small well furnished room that I use as my listening space. I listen to almost all kinds of music. I currently have a cheapo Miniwatt N3 valve amp that I love for the price, its a little hint of valve sound but obviously at its price it does show many limitations - lack of soundstage and it does gets muddled with complex music.

My only criteria is I dont like a clinical/analytical sound. I like a little flavour. I do wish to stay away from valves for a while until in the future maybe I will have funds for a decent amp. I have an old-ish Sony dvd player too, would adding a DAC be worth it, rather than buying a new CDP ?

I apologise as I know these sorts of questions get asked A LOT, but its just a bit of fun here - to know what you all think.

Cheers !

​

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

Class A amp maybe.

Mf A1 or marantz pm4.

 

[HoopsOnToast]

Do you like the Miniwatt amp? Does it give you enough volume.

You could import a new Decware Zen just about on budget

Other than that there are stuff like the Puresound A10, Ming Da 18w SET, Audion Sterling Plus amongst many other valve amps that could be an option.

£800 will get you a LOT of amp :^

 

[s.thomas]

Hiya HoopsOnToast. Well, as I said for the time being I will probably stay away from valve amps - I dont think Im going to hear what I want until I gather more (much more) funds long-term. The Miniwatt is great for the price, a lot of fun with a fair bit of p.r.a.t and stonking midrange/vocals. My speakers are 95db so no issue with volume.

 

[unclepuncle]

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?90463-FS-Musical-Fidelity-A220-50-WPC-class-A-Integrated-very-rare&p=1631032#post1631032

 

[hifinutt]

leema pulse is superb value for money s/h and has a rich organic sound and built like a tank

highly recommended

 

[HoopsOnToast]

FWIW, IME you can get a LOT of valve amp for £800.

 

[s.thomas]

Sorry. I should have been clearer. I have £800 to spend on a cdp and amp together, in total.

 

[smegger68]

Hookers and cocaine.

Well you did say I could decide......

Seriously though, add a halfway decent DAC to your DVD player and look at something like a 2nd hand Exposure amp to give you a bit of grip and pep.

 

[hifinutt]

yes you can buy leema cd and amp s/h for about that if you wait

 

[s.thomas]

Hookers and cocaine.Well you did say I could decide......

Seriously though, add a halfway decent DAC to your DVD player and look at something like a 2nd hand Exposure amp to give you a bit of grip and pep.

Well, yes Hookers and Cocaine had crosssed my mind... LOL ! So perhaps a Arcam rdac (£300) and an Exposure Amp (£300-400) ? Sounds quite nice actually.

 

[kabayiri]

Some nice person on PFM is selling a Naim cd5i and Nait 5i, within budget.

I think they would meet your requirement for a bit of flavour, certainly.

How they work with your speakers? No idea on that one I'm afraid.

 

[Bourney]

Don't know the speakers (all klipches ive heard were 'up and at em' ) but a sugden a21a and cd21 would give you a sweet sound with a bit of flavour or maybe even the bijou stuff.

 

[s.thomas]

yes you can buy leema cd and amp s/h for about that if you wait

I hadnt looked at Leema, so I will definately take note of your suggestion. Thanks.

 

[naxos10]

I have a Meridian 507, 501V pre and 506 power if interested. Very smooth and controlled.

 

[jon]

My only criteria is I dont like a clinical/analytical sound. I like a little flavour. I do wish to stay away from valves for a while until in the future maybe I will have funds for a decent amp.

Have you thought about trying one of the Philips blu-ray plays with 'digital tube sound' filters? They're meant to simulate the sound of tube amps. It means you could add a bit of flavour when you want, and remove it when you want a more neutral sound. I've found it fun to play with - can add a nice bit of extra distortion to rock This would also leave you with £6-700 to spend on an amp (or something else).

*hides and waits for the abuse about using digital effects filters*

 

[s.thomas]

Jon. With respect. No.

 

[jon]

Jon. With respect. No.

Fair enough. So, is this also a bad time to suggest an amp with tone controls if you want to add a bit of colour?

 

[s.thomas]

Lol ! You made me chuckle Jon and that is priceless !