High End HI Fi

[TopCat]

This enquiry is directed at Jeroen who clearly knows a thing or 2 about top end Hi Fi!

Thing is my amazing Yamaha CR 2020 Amp Receiver is BER - beyond economic repair= if you know old HiFi you guys will know how good this machine is- 100 RMS per channel x4 etc
https://www.google.com/search?q=yamaha+ ... 80&bih=513

These Amps have a different non modern non metallic rich sound if you get my drift?

Remembered Richer Sounds - he seems to have Marantz and Cambridge Audio- I think I shall have to save up around 1000 for a decent replacement= ouch! Having come back from the Alps on skiing trip this may have to wait.....

I like the sound of Cambridge Audio- sounds like my sort of thing:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/amp ... b-851a-sil

Advice gratefully received

[e21-Mark]

I bought a new Nakamichi Amplifier2 a few days ago and use it to drive Linn speakers. I also have an A400 Pioneer that I bought new when they were first released in the mid 90's.

Also have a Cambridge Audio and a lesser Nakamichi I bought from Nas a while back.

Still hope to own a Transcriptor Reference some day.

[TopCat]

Recommendation?

[e21-Mark]

What speakers are you using?

[TopCat]

Wharfedale Mach 9

[e21-Mark]

I'd get this and save yourself some cash. I really like the warmth and depth of sound with mine and they're made when Nakamichi still meant quality.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NAKAMICHI-AMP ... 338ae379e5

[TopCat]

Thanks will ask him what RMS etc it puts out!

[harleytrike]

better off with one of these just my opinion
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VELLEMAN-K400 ... 20e1bbfd70

[Jeroen]

Well, what are you after, besides are warm and detailed natural sound? A modern day classic, a modern digital A/V integrator, a vintage amp or receiver, or top of the range stereo to name but a few?

I've always liked the vintage stuff like your Yamaha, and brands like Marantz and Luxman have some real good alternatives. But in the end, there is a limit to their quality. I'm a real class A man (so no Technics surrogates) and the Velleman vacuum tube kit does deliver that, but there are limitations and alternatives as well. Still that's more my thing than the modern digital AV stuff. And for you?

[nas80]

I used to run marantz ki signature amp and ki signature cd player.

I still have my series 3 dm603s they fill my room pretty well but I have now got a mid range mordant sub for enormous amounts of bass. .

You know its a mine field choosing the right setup. You could go out and low 20k on this stuff.

Nowadays my cd player is more or less redundant. I now use a 7.1 marantz av amp on source direct if I feel like going through some cds.

[323baur]

Im a very big Rotel fan. Specially the older models. Clean and warm sound. Very good stability and reliable.
always go for split amp: pre and end separate is a huge step in quality.

[Jeroen]

Just did a Google search on Wharfedale Mach 9's. Apparently very good loudspeakers from the early 1980's. Because of their age and the fact that back then (afaik) no OFC copper was used in components, coils or wiring, the loudspeaker's characterictics may have deteriorated somewhat over time, especially the frequency range of each driver unit. Compared with the relatively warm sound of any Wharfedale I think that vacuum tube (my overall favorite) would be overkill. You need a more open character and the improved control (damping factor) of a semiconductor amp. The high sensitivity makes that the loudspeakers do not need an overly powerfull amp, but the control of abt 80 Watts would be welcome I think.

Just a few examples of classic hifi stuff I'd choose myself (sticking to old school stereo) that are a step up from your Yamaha:

Any Rotel amp indeed, especially the stronger ones like RA 970 (integrated) or the separate preamp and power amp combo's. Their RC 995 I currently have is a brilliant stereo preamp and also good enough if you want to upgrade your power amp at a later stage. This equipment is very good, but still class AB like 99% of the market.

There is a limited number of manufacturer's that produce real Class A stuff that gives you Class A detail and transparency, and is affordable as well, a very well known example is Marantz's PM-80 integrated amp. Not the best Class A amp but affordable and switchable between 20W Class A and 100W Class AB if you need more power at a party haha. And there's more, like Musical Fidelity, Audio Analyse, Duson, Luxman, etc.

But ok, what are you looking for haha?!

[TopCat]

wow!
that's quite a lot of info to go on!

thanks

Mark
That Nakamichi is 50 watts per channel- still tempted though...................

[pandemonium001]

I have a Yamaha RX-V 1067 amp I paid £600
Review from what hifi got 5 stars: http://www.whathifi.com/review/yamaha-rx-v1067
KEF KHT-5005.2 main speakers

2 ceiling mounted KEF Ci50R front presence speakers
2 wall mounted KEF Ci50R back surround speakers


If you are doing a tv room have a look here:
http://www.thx.com/consumer/home-entert ... er-set-up/

There are calculators online for room sizes speaker positioning, they will map out your reflection points you can diy this with a mirror from seated position to the speaker.
they will also map out your high and low points in the room, amplified and cancelled points of sound.
soft furnature, heavy rugs and curtains all improve sound reflection, you can go another step and DIY sound cancelling boards at the reflection points.

all these things will effect how the speakers sound.

[TopCat]

Result!

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I eventually bought this Rotel 1203 with a fairly considerable 120 watts RMS

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rotel-RX-1203 ... true&rt=nc

for £350 delivered to England - all I now have to do is wait until I can get it over to IoM next week- will fire it up next weekend- I am back on Scotland-IoM ferry tomorrow

we have had a fairly full on children's holiday in Highlands with 6 under 15s!

hope I bought the right one? It seems to fit the bill! Can't wait now!