chunky_john wrote:
(Tried posting this on rec.audio.high-end. Got lots of advice, but
no-one actually answered my question...)
Current system: Marantz CD63 KI Signature, Arcam 8/8P biamped to
Monitor Audio Gold Reference 20s via Chord Odyssey 4. Interconnects
are Cambridge Audio Studio Reference.
Have just upgraded speakers & cables. Very nice!. What next?
My thoughts are interconnects first,
Don't waste more money. If you follow my suggestions below you will
want a I-link cable, but I-link is (in physical terms) the same
thing as Firewire or IEEE 1394, so you can buy it in a computer
store.
probably CD player second,
I suggest that you buy an universal player (CD, DVD-Audio, SACD), and
since you seem willing to spend lots of money, one with an I-link
output. For instance the Pioneer DV-868AVi-S or DV-757Ai:
http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/produ...onomy_id=62-84
http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/produ...onomy_id=62-84
then amplification last.
A amplifier with a I-link input, like the Pioneers VSA-AX10Ai-S or VSX-AX5i-S:
http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/produ...onomy_id=62-98
http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/produ...onomy_id=62-98
The combo DV-868AVi-S + VSX-AX5i-S has been reviewed in the audiophile
press (I am looking at hi-fi World March 2004 issue, page 34,
although the article covering the DV-868AVi-S was on the previous
issue) and given 5 stars by Noel Keywood, who is the guy who does
the measurements (elsewhere in the same magazine (page 81) he writes
that he wrote "a cheque large enough for a good car" to buy a "new
Rohde & Schwarz UPL analyser [which] can resolve down to 0.0002%".
http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/
http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/www/dev...f/html/1116118
If you don't want to buy more speakers, I am sure the amplifier can
be configured to use only two (but check the manual). But your budget
is enough to buy some speakers.
A modest windfall and an understanding wife mean budget is circa
£3-4000.
The DV-868AVi-S + VSX-AX5i-S costs £2000, according to the article
(probably list price).
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