View Full Version : Thinking about building a second system for the office... what to get?
So having spent more time on this forum recently, I have got the bug back and feel the need to build a cheap second (well third) system to go in the office. Annoyingly I let go of an Audiolab 8000a I had spare no so long ago :(
I was thinking of something on the smaller size. The speakers would need to go on brackets on the wall so sound won't be as ideal as i'd like but a good starter for 10.
So what are peoples thoughts?
Currently I have the following as thoughts:
Source: My iMac or?
Amp: Audiolab 8000a or Cyrus I or II or?
Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond IV (always wanted a pair of these!) or Mission 760 or Misson 780 or?
I might even bring my turntable (Linn Sondek LP12, SME Series III, Ortofon Cartridge) out of the loft and use it (my wife won't let me have it in the lounge systems because 'it's ugly' !!)
What are your thoughts?
Paul.
dantheman91
18-07-2013, 16:41
I might even bring my turntable (Linn Sondek LP12, SME Series III, Ortofon Cartridge) out of the loft and use it (my wife won't let me have it in the lounge systems because 'it's ugly' !!)
Man up dude...
I might even bring my turntable (Linn Sondek LP12, SME Series III, Ortofon Cartridge) out of the loft and use it (my wife won't let me have it in the lounge systems because 'it's ugly' !!)
Man up dude...
Yeah I know, but she lets me get away with quite enough, I think that may just push her over the edge LOL
dantheman91
18-07-2013, 16:55
Im lucky im single atm haha..
Yeah I know, but she lets me get away with quite enough, I think that may just push her over the edge LOL
Now that's a thought :scratch:
I was thinking of something on the smaller size. The speakers would need to go on brackets on the wall so sound won't be as ideal as i'd like but a good starter for 10.
Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond IV (always wanted a pair of these!) or Mission 760 or Misson 780 or?
Paul.
Paul
You might try a pair of those Genexxa Linnaeum speakers - quite easy on the ear and you can pick them up for about 50 squids on the Bay from time to time. Much better speakers than their Rat Shack provenance suggests.
They were the thing for a while after Stereophile featured them - I think it was Sam Tellig who went wild over them.
I have a pair for use while working. Not bad ribbon tweeters but you could do with a small subwoofer or something to augment bass if you need.
Peter
walpurgis
18-07-2013, 18:26
(my wife won't let me have it in the lounge systems because 'it's ugly' !!)
Well she's right there! :lol:
Paul
You might try a pair of those Genexxa Linnaeum speakers - quite easy on the ear and you can pick them up for about 50 squids on the Bay from time to time. Much better speakers than their Rat Shack provenance suggests.
They were the thing for a while after Stereophile featured them - I think it was Sam Tellig who went wild over them.
I have a pair for use while working. Not bad ribbon tweeters but you could do with a small subwoofer or something to augment bass if you need.
Peter
Thanks Peter. I currently have my heart set on a pair of Whafedale Diamond IV, but I'll have a look :)
Well she's right there! :lol:
Unfortunately I'd have to agree with you lol
Paul
Did you see this?
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26851-F-S-CYRUS-I-Mk-2-Integrated-Amplifier-by-Mission&highlight=Cyrus
southall-1998
18-07-2013, 22:44
So having spent more time on this forum recently, I have got the bug back and feel the need to build a cheap second (well third) system to go in the office. Annoyingly I let go of an Audiolab 8000a I had spare no so long ago :(
I was thinking of something on the smaller size. The speakers would need to go on brackets on the wall so sound won't be as ideal as i'd like but a good starter for 10.
So what are peoples thoughts?
Currently I have the following as thoughts:
Source: My iMac or?
Amp: Audiolab 8000a or Cyrus I or II or?
Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond IV (always wanted a pair of these!) or Mission 760 or Misson 780 or?
I might even bring my turntable (Linn Sondek LP12, SME Series III, Ortofon Cartridge) out of the loft and use it (my wife won't let me have it in the lounge systems because 'it's ugly' !!)
What are your thoughts?
Paul.
Or perhaps the truth is your wife has good ears and finds the sondek crap :D ;)
JBL Control, 1 speakers, 59.99 from richers outlet on flea bay at the moment. Small box, big sound, comes with wall mounts!
Stick em on the end of a second hand Denon or Yamaha or Marantz all in one system. That should give you CD, DAB, FM capability and a couple of aux inputs you could use.
Add one of those behringer USB DACs for 20 quid and scavenge some wire.
Reckon you could get sorted for not much over a ton.
Were I not so attached to my dittons, which were bargain of the century I'd consider something like this myself. I also have a large room so can fit in stands and such.
walpurgis
18-07-2013, 23:44
I would sooner have my fingernails drawn slowly out than listen to JBL Control 1s. They pander to a similar market as Bose. The drivers are cheap and not very cheerful and the sound is of the shallow 'boom tizz' variety. A bit like owning a pair of seventies Wharfedale Dentons (which were possibly 'better')!
This idea is starting to grow on me...
But what to put in an office... although i like the Cyrus idea, i have not heard one in a long time and dont remember much about how they sound.
Does anyone have any 'all in one' system recommendations they like? I would be interested to hear about it!
I personally have a Yamaha CRX-M170 and it does everything well. It lives in our dining room and is partnered with a pair of Mission 760se. It tends to get used when I'm faffing about in the kitchen or if we have people round for dinner. In my opinion it still knocks the socks off any of the better iPod dock type things.
My sister has a denon one with a pair of mordaunt short bookshelves for a family room, they have young kids so expensive kit is no good for them. I talked her out of getting a dock, she loves her music though and when they get a night off from being parents it gets cranked up for a party... I could live with it.
As for the JBLs, well the other chap here is right in one sense, try and get to hear them, maybe at a Richers branch. They may be your cup of tea, they may not. I only suggested them as they are well considered here and elsewhere and seemed to fit your requirements. I've heard a pair of PROs in a near field budget studio setup which were a bit dry for my tastes but better placement and partnering could make them shine. Comparisons with Bose cubes are unfair. Totally different kettle of fish IMHO.
Andrew B
19-07-2013, 10:03
I'd be tempted by a baby NVA amp and a pair of Royds. The latter work best beside a wall anyway. The former are incredible for the money. If you don't mind buying a used amp, I'd go for something like an old school Rega or Onix. Even a Myst Tma3 if you can get one. All of them beat the pants off a Cyrus IMO. A system of this kind can really satisfy musically rather than just sound "hifi".
Andrew - thanks for the ideas! -
i really do want a system that satisfies musically - thats why i hesitate with something like a mini denon system - although i have had one in the past, and it was good, i want something that really engages, and you get those tingley feeling -
any favorites among the Rega or Onix amps?
there are two Myst tma3s avail on ebay now:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Myst-tma3-stereo-integrated-MOSFET-amplifier-/330956819488?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item4d0e904c20
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Myst-TMA3-Integrated-Amplifier-Very-Rare-in-excellent-condition-cult-amp-/111111757104?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item19dec6dd30
I'd be tempted by a baby NVA amp and a pair of Royds. The latter work best beside a wall anyway. The former are incredible for the money. If you don't mind buying a used amp, I'd go for something like an old school Rega or Onix. Even a Myst Tma3 if you can get one. All of them beat the pants off a Cyrus IMO. A system of this kind can really satisfy musically rather than just sound "hifi".
Andrew B
19-07-2013, 12:07
It's a close one but I'd probably choose the Onix. The OA21 is something I could live with in any system I've owned. It drives speakers so well, it reminds me of the better Naim and Exposures. The Rega and NVA amps are just stupidly good too, especially for the money. It really surprises me that a few inexpenive integrateds can make such good music that you question the need to spend more. The Tma3 is also a lovely amp. The best built and most spacious of all. It was criminally overlooked in its day and it has a superb phono stage. The MC stage (if fitted) is a joy. It doesn't have the drive of the other amps though, and I just wonder if you'll hear the best of its spaciousness with near-wall speakers.
Good luck, and have fun choosing!
It's a close one but I'd probably choose the Onix. The OA21 is something I could live with in any system I've owned. It drives speakers so well, it reminds me of the better Naim and Exposures. The Rega and NVA amps are just stupidly good too, especially for the money. It really surprises me that a few inexpenive integrateds can make such good music that you question the need to spend more. The Tma3 is also a lovely amp. The best built and most spacious of all. It was criminally overlooked in its day and it has a superb phono stage. The MC stage (if fitted) is a joy. It doesn't have the drive of the other amps though, and I just wonder if you'll hear the best of its spaciousness with near-wall speakers.
Good luck, and have fun choosing!
Andrew,
What do you think of the ONIX A55? Is
There is one for sale in my neighborhood as it turns out, its also a good price, so it might be tempting...
Or perhaps the truth is your wife has good ears and finds the sondek crap :D ;)
lol - I suppose I wouldn't know because I've got nothing to compare it win from a Vinyl perspective.
Andrew B
19-07-2013, 20:32
I must admit that I don't know the OA55. Onix today aren't the same amps as the originals and The OA55 isnt from the original company.
There has been so much to and fro over the past few years, I've lost track of all the details. Thankfully, Wikipedia of all places has most of the info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onix_Audio
The OA55 might be a good amp, but I'm afraid I just don't know. Maybe someone else on here will now more.
southall-1998
19-07-2013, 22:47
The baby NVA amp looks sweet !
That is quite a story!
I hope someone has experience to share with the OA55 (help anyone!)
What do you think of the SOAPs? would you buy the OA21 with a SOAP?
I must admit that I don't know the OA55. Onix today aren't the same amps as the originals and The OA55 isnt from the original company.
There has been so much to and fro over the past few years, I've lost track of all the details. Thankfully, Wikipedia of all places has most of the info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onix_Audio
The OA55 might be a good amp, but I'm afraid I just don't know. Maybe someone else on here will now more.
I would sooner have my fingernails drawn slowly out than listen to JBL Control 1s. They pander to a similar market as Bose. The drivers are cheap and not very cheerful and the sound is of the shallow 'boom tizz' variety. A bit like owning a pair of seventies Wharfedale Dentons (which were possibly 'better')!
They may be aimed at roughly the same market as Bose but they are nothing like Bose, sound wise - and I'm guessing you mean those things on the walls in crap resteraunts. They are only cheap due to the numbers made and sold. I'm not saying they are the last word but they have a well judged balance of sound for a miniature loudspeaker. Lets face it all miniature loudspeakers are heavily compromised, even the expensive ones. Very good build quality too. Although I think the Diamond IV edges them - if you can find a mint pair.
StanleyB
20-07-2013, 09:15
I own a set of the JBL C1 and don't recognize the negative description of them. They perform sterling service as wall mounted speakers in the dining room. Bass is of course lacking in such a small enclosed box so I have a separate subwoofer to add extra depth.
I don't think Geoff is a fan of small speakers per se :eyebrows:
So the office system has begun :)
Managed to get myself a pair of Whafedale Diamond IV today for a pretty decent price of £30 and the guy even through in his speaker cable which is Cable Talk, Talk III. The same as what I use on the main system so I'm a happy camper :)
P.
Interesting story here.
It turns out the recent Onix equipment is manufactured by a different company, at this website: - it looks british, claims the onix heritage, but is actualy an italian company...
http://www.onix-hifi.com/
But, allegedly, they dont have the rights to the 'onix' name, claims Onixdna. Here is there story:
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-105564.html
Some reviews on the onix-hifi equipment have been removed from Audiophile websites, base on threats from Onixdna, hence there is very little information out there on the Onix A55 (which was quite good from some reports, reports one of the journalists whose reviews were removed)
Onixdna (the real 'Onix' trademark owner) indicates they will have new products out this year:
http://onixdna.com/
and that, seems to be the rest of the story....
I must admit that I don't know the OA55. Onix today aren't the same amps as the originals and The OA55 isnt from the original company.
There has been so much to and fro over the past few years, I've lost track of all the details. Thankfully, Wikipedia of all places has most of the info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onix_Audio
The OA55 might be a good amp, but I'm afraid I just don't know. Maybe someone else on here will now more.
That's very interesting Stuart. It is ridiculous what the Italian firm are doing and downright wrong!!
Andrew B
22-07-2013, 01:27
I've never had the pleasure of using an OA21 with SOAP but I know some here have. It sounded mighty fine in a dealers when I heard it. Just a bit more of everything. The stock OA21 is still a fine amp on its own though IMO.
Hi Andrew,
I've been looking about and cannot for the life of me find any Onix amplifers on the market - do you know where / if I could get one?
Other options I've been looking at are:
Audiolab 8000A
Cyrus I
Cyrus II
Cyrus III
Pioneer A400
Pioneer A400X
Marantz (can't remember the model but know which one it is when I see it lol)
Paul.
So my new (office) system is pretty well complete being the following;
Cyrus I Mk II Integrated amplifier (thanks to Mike 'datawireless')
Wharfedale Diamond IV (thanks to Fleabay)
Cable Talk Talk III (thank to Fleabay)
iMac 21 Inch 2 GHz PowerPC G5 (thanks to me) playing Applelossless or MP3 files.
Next thing to do is get the old Linn Sondek out of the loft and give it a whirl :)
Paul.
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