Nico Adie wrote:I am considering a Pre + Monoblocks setup, and I have a budget of around £600.

Any recommendations are welcome.

If I wasn't up to my neck in tube-based projects, I would be fooling around with building a pair of these Gainclones. You get everything but a pair of chassis and the transformers. There's a detailed thread explaining how to build the kit here. Looks like they put out about 55W per side.

I figure you'd still have around £400 to spend on a nice pre-amp.

pro-ject 1 (floor model)
grado silver
rotel 30 watt int. amp
rotel 955 cd player
sherwood tuner (tube--thrift shop find)
paradigm mini mk 2 (floor model) (replaced the drivers six months ago)
ipod

everything but the ipod and grado silver were purchased between 1991 and 1993. still going strong.

i'd love to get a vpi scout and a input/power circuit by this guy:

http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/

My very space-conscious, NYC apartment setup:

Panasonic SA-XR55 all-digital receiver - sounds incredible for all-digital, has a very slim profile, and generates a lot less heat than analog (necessary because it's in a rather cramped space)

Orb Audio Mod1 Plus 5.1 bookshelf speakers - can't say enough good things about these little wonders. They sound spectacular for their size.

Oppo 970HD upconverting DVD player - needed a multitasker as my source, since this pulls double duty as a home theater system too. The audio peformance on this thing is fantastic and it'll play damn near any kind of disc you put in the drawer. I could probably get it to read my coasters.


No vinyl for me. The last thing I need is a vice that takes up that much room.

Currently, early 80s solid state Technics integrated amp (taking over for my sadly out-of-commission 1961 Pilot tube receiver), early 80s Technics direct drive/linear tracking turntable (I know, I know, not as good as belts, I've heard it before), Creek tuner, California Audio CD player, early 80s Sansui speakers which I was about to get rid of until I heard the Pilot through them. Now that I'm back to the Technics, it's a bit of a drag.

As far as what's in my hi-fi, I'm going to say dust and also guess the following: missing puzzle pieces, plastic stuff broken off of toys and inserted into various interesting slots, little bits of torn up paper. I know some of that's found its way into the VCR, what with that tempting mail-slot in the front.

Nico Adie wrote:My amp has died, and cannot be repaired. I am now in the market for a new amp, and need something with at least 60W per channel to drive my ATC's.

I am considering a Pre + Monoblocks setup, and I have a budget of around £600.

Any recommendations are welcome.

I've been using a Roksan Caspian power amp at 70W a side for several years with zero problems. Built like a tank. Since you're in the UK, perhaps a used one would be easy to find. I know they make a monoblock version as well.

Hey, this is cool. I've made a few changes in the last several years.

Systemdek IIX turntable w/ Shure M97xe cart
Cambridge Audio 340C - just couldn't bring myself to spend a ton of money on a CD player these days, and this one is really nicely built
AMC CVT1030 preamp
Roksan Caspian power amp
Proac Studio 125

Boom!

joelb wrote:Hey, this is cool. I've made a few changes in the last several years.

Systemdek IIX turntable w/ Shure M97xe cart
Proac Studio 125

Boom!

My friend John's hifi uses these same two pieces of gear!

Roksan gear is on my tentative shortlist, though I must admit to being tempted by some of the high-end Japanese gear from the 70's, especially the Pioneer Spec-4, Kenwood 700M, Yamaha B-2 and Accuphase P-300.

Fun times ahead.

I just bought B&W 685 speakers for the Hot Wheel room hi fi. Man, they sound great for small speakers and they not tons of $$$, either. They seem very efficient, 25 watts per channel kicks them across the room. Highly recommended, even for a larger place.

anyone wanna recommend me a decent sub? my two small infinity speakers really lack the low end and i need some ooomph. i might be open to replacing them and going for some free standing speakers. the bar below me can suck it so i can be as loud as i want.