New space saving system for Hamish :)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I am soon to be building a small photography studio and would like to have a small system in there. It is to be computer based and no doubt will contain a Beresford of some sort.

Beond that I'm wondering if, for the sake of space, I should go for a pair of little active speakers? But don't really know where to start looking at that sort of thing?

The other option would be a tripath and a pair of bookshelf speakers. My home office I'm still running a bantam tripath and a pair of dynaudio a42's - very good sounds, if a touch lacking in bass - I'm guessing this is down to the tripath trying to drive 86dB speakers???? So would some more sensitive speakers help in this set up? Or a better amp?

please remeber full size hifi is absolutly not an option! And speakers need to be not much bigger than a pair of a42's if at all!

[Alex_UK]

Have you got an ipod or similar? Just bought one of these for the kitchen - though mainly for radio - normal price would be nearly £300 with the ipod cable/remote! I'm well impressed for £60...

Might be a bit too lo-fi for what you're after, though, but a very small footprint, and the quality is excellent.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

One of what???

[Alex_UK]

Oh bugger!

http://www.planetgizmo.co.uk/myryad-rs-dab-radio-black-with-ipod-connection-kit-ex-display.html

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Blimey, that's cheap arnt those things like £250 normally?
I might get one for the kitchen!
Nice idea, but it def needs to be more hifi!
The studio is going to be the second location for all my backups and so will have all my music on a hdd there so I might as well make use of it! I am also more than happy buying another caiman as a source with the pc. So it really just is small foot print amp and speakers that I need!

Hey stan, you out there? You made a little power amp to go with you dacs yet? You know it's a good idea!!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

This http://www.russandrews.com/viewindex.asp?lookup=1&region=UK&currency=GBP&article_id=somethingtoraveabout&customer_id=PAA2862106609959QLRGCSIDMSCUTECD was another thought to keep costs down, I understand it is a rebranded product from the far east? Anyone have any thoughts?
Come on hifi people I know there must be more out there with an opinion on all of this! Good active speakers anyone?
I forgot to mention £400 is about max budget for amplification and speakers! Less than that would make me happier!

[webby]

I've got a monitor audio i-deck. Actually, I have two. It's very good quality. Nice if you can find one. There are a few on ebay at the moment. Search for monitor audio ipod, or i deck. They retailed for £200 when they first came out. I got my 2nd one for £60 on ebay. A steal!

[Alex_UK]

Blimey, that's cheap arnt those things like £250 normally?
I might get one for the kitchen!

Near £300 with the ipod/remote kit, but I think they are discontinued, hence the clearance price (£10 more for a sealed white version) - mine is in the kitchen, where I mainly want it for "talk" radio (Radio 5 Live, Radio 4) when I have to get up at silly-o'clock with the nipper - so yes, Hamish - it's a good idea to have one for the kitchen! ;)

I can't find the link now, but Stan did produce a mini-amp, via his German(?) distributor?

How much moola do you want to spend - assume you are happy to go second hand? I'm guessing you will be fairly close to the speakers, and thinking maybe a set of active studio monitors would fit the bill - something like the M-Audio range, maybe?

http://www.maudio.co.uk/index.php?do=products.family&ID=studiomonitors

EDIT: Took to long, you posted before me: I was going to suggest the CX8 (£305+VAT) - but let me know if you are interested, one of my best mates works for the owner of M-Audio and can get a discount I think.

[Marc B]

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/68323

:)

I had the bigger versions with 8" cones, nice sound out of them. None of that high frequency harshness or anything.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Those m audio's any good?

And why was I never told about a stanamp?? Same size as the dac? Sounds intersting!

[Alex_UK]

Those m audio's any good?

And why was I never told about a stanamp?? Same size as the dac? Sounds intersting!

I've got a pair of these at work - not massively loud, but they are very tuneful.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Audio-Studiophile-Av40-Desktop-Speakers/dp/B000RPT0UE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1256772156&sr=8-3

Don't know about the more expensive versions personally, but there are reviews out there...

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I shall mooch.. Have just spotted the lower end dynaudio monitors that I had forgotted existed!

Still very intrigued by the idea of a stan power amp!?

[Alex_UK]

Still very intrigued by the idea of a stan power amp!?

I'll find the link, but don't get too excited, I doubt you'll be able to buy one...

[Alex_UK]

Here you go: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showpost.php?p=73053&postcount=543

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Why not?

[Alex_UK]

Why not?

Fair point actually, you just might have to import one, if they have any left... Where is Stan when you need him - tinkering in his lab I suspect! ;)

(Why do I have a mental picture of Doc from Back To The Future when I type that? ! )

[The Vinyl Adventure]

not quite the right thing any how!
i might see if i can get my gain clones working properly actually.. they were suposed to be for the bed room but we dont listen to music much in there anyway..
so its that or active speakers... more mooching required i think!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Fair point actually, you just might have to import one, if they have any left... Where is Stan when you need him - tinkering in his lab I suspect! ;)

(Why do I have a mental picture of Doc from Back To The Future when I type that? ! )

:lolsign: yeah.. same just with a different accent

[The Vinyl Adventure]

i think the tripath route seems like the best (smallest) option ... gainclones in home office tripath in studio. that means no money to spend on amp. studio monitors are too confusing i think... so...
speakers advice please .. higher sensitivity might be a spec requirement if that will help the sound with the tripath???

[John]

Why not just get decent headphones use Beresford dac and computer and not worry about the amp and speakers. In your sitiuation it would be the best sound per pound option
I guess it will depend how much you be in one place to go for the headphone option

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hamish,
Jerry's yer man...........

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4182

I think you might like those & you won't need a monster amp to drive them. I'd have snapped them up by now if things had been a little different.

[Ali Tait]

Hamish,another option could be an active version of these-

http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/oldeworldehtml/wdalediamd1985.html

A mate had a pair years ago,and very good they were too.

[Ali Tait]

Or these perhaps-

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Oct04/articles/wharfdiamond8.htm

[DSJR]

Just get some AVI ADM9.1's and be done with it......

Staying with AVI in all seriousness, the little N5's at £400pr are sublime - not as bassy as the lovely little harbeths, but clear and sweet up top and less harsh IMO than many of the little active imported home-studio models.. You could get a little used A60 or creek amp to drive them, or possibly something like the "Fatman" dock, which has just enough power I believe.

Hope the above isn't total nonsense. Worth a look hopefully...

[REM]

How about those Pro-ject little box thingies? They do amps, dacs, tunas all sorts of stuff about the size of a fag packet and you can get different sleeves for them, look really dinky.
CLICK HERE (http://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/product-list.asp?shop=0&b=2&m=111)

Cheers

[The Vinyl Adventure]

john: there will be frequently 2 of us woring in the studio
chris: jerrys speakers are as good as sold, but you have given me an idea
ali: i think im going to go down the passive route
dave: i cant find any info on avi n5's for some reason?
ralph: i looked at the project amp box a while back, and did seriously considor it, but after reading about it came to the conclusion that a tripath would be a better cheeper option

any more suggestions

[The Vinyl Adventure]

aaah nvi neutron 5.. tasty looking! good sounding too?

the other option i have concidored are the klipsch R-51 and usher s520 any thoughs on either of these?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

other option i breifly looked at today were focal chorus 705v .. any thoughts on them or others mentioned?

[DSJR]

I have a pair of late prototype N5's (slightly different proportions but same innards and box volume) and they're lovely, if not as full-bodied as the baby Harbeths are. I can vouch for the basic good vibes from them though, although I don't wish to be regarded as an AVI shill as others have been, so I'll say no more about them ;)

You're just going to have to venture out and do some listening i reckon, 'cos the longer this goes on, the more choices you'll be flooded with and the more confused you'll get...

[Ali Tait]

Another vote for the AVI's.Lovely little speaker.A friend had a pair.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Am Going to listen to some focal chorus 705v's later this week.. The budget is spot on and I can actually listen to them... Have been told I might like them based on my pmc preferance... ???
I get the "flooded with choices" thing hence my aranging some listenings!

[Themis]

other option i breifly looked at today were focal chorus 705v .. any thoughts on them or others mentioned?
A bit too bright-sounding speakers, imho. They need kind of Denon/Yamaha amplifier to pair to. Don't go well with straight-sounding gear. They're a bit like Klipsch in this aspect. ;)

EDIT: good if you go to listen to them, you'll be able to have your proper view on how they sound.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

its a bit of a bugger really because i doubt the ushers will go well with a tripath either...
this could take some time!

[alb]

Just wondering if you may be better with something a bit more lo-fi at work.
I find listening to a good system distracting, when i'm trying to concentrate on other things.
At work i have a radio, and in my garage i have a cheap mini system. I find that i can get on with what i'm supposed to be doing, without constantly worrying about sound quality and thinking "this don't sound right". Doesn't stop me tapping my feet and singing along if a good tune comes on.
Personally, i reckon a good system only come into its own when you have time to relax.

[REM]

Hamish, just another thought, ebay seems awash right now with Fatman amps for around £100 w/o ipod dock or £150 ish with. They're hybrid amps with an s/s output stage so should drive any reasonable speaker, they look good and sound pretty good too, worth a look I think.

Cheers

[The Vinyl Adventure]

we sell them in the shop... perhaps its jsut that i havent heard one with decent speakers yet but they always some a bit crappy to me

[The Grand Wazoo]

Is there a reason for said awashedness, I wonder? Have they all gone wrong at the same time - developed the same fault due to a badly specified component or something maybe?

Just a thought.......

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Is there a reason for said awashedness, I wonder? Have they all gone wrong at the same time - developed the same fault due to a badly specified component or something maybe?

Just a thought.......


???

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hamish, just another thought, ebay seems awash right now with Fatman amps

Awashedness - ok maybe it's not a real word, but I bet the spelling is correct!!

Almost a Googlewack - there are only two other instances of it and this one is top!!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

im with ya... maybe its just because people have all bought them when they came out for the novelty .. now the novelty has worn off and people have realised they are a little biit pants ... on to ebay they go!!

just listened to a pair of focal chorus 705 v's and 806v's .. outcome... 705's lack grunt and 806's to expensive! although he has promised me a discount on the 806's...
i think the second hand option is a better one

[The Grand Wazoo]

Secondhand is good, mate esp. for an extra system.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

any thoughs on what i might get at an extra good price... i had though about trying to find some of those speakers that you have .. the ob ones... i remember you saying they went for good money... but im not sure i could realisticallly acomodate the size/design!