starting out - help needed

Hi folks,

This is my first post and I had better say upfront that I don't know much about hifi. I spend most of the time listening to classical cds on portable machines (currently a Bose wave radio/cd.) Thought it was about time I ventured into the world of hifi.

Recently a friend of a friend has been clearing out his stuff and I have acquired the following from him: Arcam alpha 8 cd player, alpha 8 amp and alpha 8 power amp. Unfortunately there are no connecting leads, speakers or speaker cable, so I need help with choosing something that would complement them. (Don't fancy lugging all three around the shops for testing!)

My budget is around 250 for speakers and 100 for leads & speaker cable. (Overall, I have allocated 400 to spend on it, but am looking to get as much value as I can – don't mind used equipment, as that's what I've already got. would it be waiting for post xmas sales)

Some people have directed me to the KEF iq5se, so I went to Richer Sounds during my lunch break and they were impressive. But that was with their equipment, which I figure is not a true test. (This is probably heresy to say, but they “look†great too and won't take up too much room.)

Any help and suggestions will be much appreciated.

 

Don't spend too much time worrying about cables, make sure you get some decent speaker stands and also get the positioning of your speakers right. Good £15-£20 inconnects should do the job, and the speaker cable depends on the length between the amps. I recently bought a Qnex 2 cable for £8 in the sale and I am sure they would be fine for your Arcam boxes.

 

Just find some van damme interconnects and studio grade speaker cable, the bay is as good a place as any or clearly av. That will leave you with the bulk of your money for speakers. You should find some revolver rw 16 on the used market for around ?250
________
Peak Towers Condo

 

People are starting to realise that wanky wires are a waste of money. Studio grade cables like; Van damme, Mogami and Klotz are cheap and all you need.

Speakers are a very personal thing. If you like to listen at low and high volumes, big speakers with big drivers are the way to go. Vintage DC Tannoys are popular at the moment. (The not so vintage Tannoy, DMT, studio monitors are also very popular). Big Tannoys are pretty sensitive, so your kit should have no problem driving them.


Sealed boxes give a nice, tight, fast bass, but are usually lifeless at low volume and quite often require a powerfull amplifier. The smaller the box/driver, the worse the problem gets. ATC make some good sealed designs but I don't think they'd suite your kit.

Rega ela and Royd minstrels are small floorstanders that can be had cheap, and they both get good reviews from people. I would imagine they'd work fine with your kit.


It's a very good time to buy secondhand gear now, because of the credit crunch and being close to xmas.
If you don't spend too much, you can always sell it on for little or no loss.


Good luck!

 

Most my gear is worth more second hand than what I paid for it new, although the crunch may have changed that. With regard to speakers a lot of it depends on room size too.

 

In my experience, small speakers trying to produce deep bass are more likely to sound boomy in a small room. I had some very expensive, standmount, Dynaudio speakers that boomed really badly. My big 10" (small for Tannoys) are much better, but still not as good as sealed box bass.

Big speakers have an effortless quality to the bass that can work well in small rooms.

 

Hi seneca and welcome.

Interconnects?

The debate rages

I say they can make a considerble difference, have a word with zanash.....on this forum....for value for money leads (both speaker and i/cs). He will be able advise on whats best for you....lend you some to try.....and I feel quite sure he'll be very happy to advise on all aspects of your kit.

I am not suggesting you spend a fortune btw, just neither do subscribe to the 2,99 with a packet of chewing gum philosophy. Try to get some to try and use your ears to decide for yourself.

Yes speaker set up can /does make an enormous difference.....as can vibration isolation (oh, don't get me started )



Any help and suggestions will be much appreciated



If i might suggest it, try to head towards producing a good souind stage with instruments clearly defines between and behing speakers.

 

A rather sweeping and mostly misleading statment IMO.



here we go.........

 

I used to own Alpha 8's. I used QED Qunex 2 for interconnects. Those or the latest equivalent will work just fine (as would Cambridge Audio Pacific). For speaker cable the Van Damme Blue Series is good. 2.5mm would do fine but 4mm is slightly better. Anything bigger is probably overkill. Avoid QED SA (silver anniversary). As to speakers, the KEFs will work just fine with the Arcams but if you want to be sure then insist on a home demo.

 

I don't want to fall out with anyone at this special time of year, so how about I send you some of my special xmas cables? They have gold, frankinscence and myyrh in them. The contacts have also been cleaned with holy water.

 

I'm currently using silver tinsel - you should give it a go....

 

I will deffo try some when i get the decorations out of the loft. Do you know if the colour makes any difference? I know we have some blue tinsel, but i'm worried it may be a bit dark sounding.

 

I find silver works the best with gold bits tied at the ends as they make excellent connectors...

 

I bet they look really nice too!
I've done extensive research into cables and found that the more attractive ones always sound better.

 

I never suggested the OP should buy cheapo interconnects, I am merely telling him not to spend £100 on one!

 

The best speaker cable I ever used was plain old twin and earth with the earth wire removed. The only real problem I had with it is that it is not very bendy.

 

No nor I.

Seneca the balls in your court.

You now have both arguements (I think)



"The best speaker cable I ever used was plain old twin and earth with the earth wire removed. The only real problem I had with it is that it is not very bendy"

twin and earth is ok.

 

Hi

I know a few around here bash the PMC's, but I'd suggest some used PMC DB1+ or TB2+'s.

They're very neutral sounding speakers and have impressive bass given their little size. They also have pretty good synergy with arcam gear. I've currently got some FB1+'s (floorstanding version of TB2) bi-amped with a lowly 80wpc avr280, using van damme cables, and it sounds pretty good (imho). I also spend plenty of time listening to classical if that helps.

They're also going pretty cheap now given the introduction of the new i series.

Cheers
Adrian