Not bad for a first system

by themudhead on Opinions Please

Description

Hi all,

this is my initial venture into the hi-fi world. This system replaces an early 90's Sony boombox that lasted 10+ years. I'm currently looking for a better pair of main speakers. The Paradigms sound nice, but this is where I compromised based on my very limited initial budget ($2k).

With the initial $2k I was able to get the pre, amp + speakers, using my old Sony DVD player as my source. I eventually upgraded my source to the 1070 cdp.

I only do 2-channel listening, but bought the 5 channel for potential HT use. Anyway, I listened to a pair of Totem Forest and Mani-2 speakers. The Mani-2's blew me away. What a speaker! Too bad they're so pricey, but I think I can talk the wife into getting them. Any other recommendations on a comparable speaker? Better value w/ comparable sound? This speaker seems like the kind of speaker that is very future-proof since it should continue to sound better as I upgrade components in the future. Also, it's essentially a full range speaker in a small size + very attractively veneered for the wife-friendliness factor. If I do go this route, I'll likely switch my ic's and speaker wire to Straight Wire Rhapsody.

Any recommendations/opinions are appreciated.

My system has been edited! I replaced the Paradigm Monitor 7 speakers with Revel F30 speakers. Wow, what a huge improvement! My system doesn't have the same degree of resolution that the Mark Levinson setup (390S cdp + 33H monoblocks) in the store, but I am VERY happy w/ the sound of my rig with these speakers.

I may play a little with some speaker cables + interconnects, but I'm already extremely happy with the sound. Recommendations on good cables for Rotel + Revel speakers?
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Rotel RCD-1070
    Soooo much better than my old DVD player as a source.
    • Rotel RSP-976
    5.1 pre-amp
    • Straight Wire Rhapsody II
    1m RCA ic
    • Audioquest Copperhead
    RCA ic
    • Revel F-30
    Full-range loudspeaker
    • Kimber 8TC
    Good bang for the buck cable
    • McIntosh MC-402
    400 WPC stereo amp

Comments 19

Sign in to comment
going for Loudspeakers, unless you need that last half octave of bass low 30sand under the JMR Offrand is a no brainer.
It does evwerything well,someone said the jm-be or micro
excellent top end but to much so,like a microscope .the SONus Faber is more romantic sounding ,Merlins resolving and nice speed ,details don't pull you in like a Jmr will though.
Remember this if it jumps out over the other instruments over time it will be fatiguing.Go hear it live then listen to a jmr twin,trente or Offrande. whatever your budget can
handle .I spent 25 years mixing and matching with the best .I am a Audiophile,- sound engineer.If you listen to cds even more so.warm -but not at the expense of detail.
not the best at anyone dept except imaging and especially soundstaging when you get to the trente on up, well balanced is what makes these so special.

pjl2122

Hey, nice rig. I especially like the wall color and the hardwood floors. (See my pic so you can laugh)

drewman73

I 2nd the AZ Satori speaker wire. I have the the shotgun version for BiWiring and have found them to be a big improvement over the StraightWire Duet. (Old school Straigtwire internally BiWire cables)

groove

You might want to look into the Audio Physics Virgo speakers which are 4 ohms and 89db. I'm using them with an Aleph 5 amp and an Aleph P preamp and the combination is beyond words.

johnmilner

I take it with your choice of a 5 channel amp and 5.1 channel pre-pro that you eventually plan on expanding to home theatre. I don't recall if the Rotel 976 has 5.1 analog inputs for DVD-A or SACD but seem to think it does. You have a very good foundation system for 2 channel playback, not state of the art, but a very good start. You would be surprised at how good 5.1 can be with DVD music videos in DTS(or movies for that matter!) with the current level of speaker you have. You just need to get a matching center channel, surrounds, and a big screen rear-projection for a very satisfying level of home theatre.

jimburger

Congratulations on the Revel F30 - I would think a significant step up. I was going to recommend Vandersteen 2 or 3s. The Vandersteen line is often paired with electonics costing several times more than the speakers - that is every improvment in the electronics can be appreciated through the VS. I currently have $30,000 of CD/Pre/Amp running the VS 3A Sig, and I'm not sure yet that changing speakers is the next upgrade. I imagine this is true for your Revels as well. Enjoy.

pubul57

I am using the Mani-2 speakers on May Audio stands driven by a Pass Aleph 5 and am quite pleased with the LF response. No sub needed here, and the speakers work well with Aleph. Also switch out with a ARC VT-100 for fun. The manis are strong and use a lot of power, but the rewards are worth it. Keep 'em!

tumbler

Owner
System edited: I just added a picture of the whole system.

themudhead

Owner
System edited: I replaced the Paradigm Monitor 7's for Revel F30's. No offense to any current Paradigm owners, but if the Revel speakers are in your price range, MAKE THE SWITCH!!! I had auditioned even the Paradigm Reference 100 and it doesn't even come close. I had auditioned Spendor SP2/3 (in fairness not truly a full range speaker), B&W N804 + N803 as well as Dynaudio 1.8 Mk III, Totem Forest + Mani-2, Aerial 6 and Meadowlard Shearwater. The Revel blew me away! I placed my order that very day, and I really wasn't intending to make a purchase that day. This speaker is such a great buy in the $3-5k range, from the candidates that I checked. Does anyone have recommendations for speaker wire + ic's to audition? I'm actually very happy w/ the sound, but have a little left in my budget for some reasonable cables.

themudhead

The Rhapsodys are holding you back.I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this weak link before their suggestions.I went from them to Maestro's[better]then HT Truthlinks[better yet][$125-$150 used],then AZ Matrix[I'm done].As I progressed soundstage opened up,more air,deeper and tighter bass,cleaner highs and mids etc.Rhapsodys sounded restricting to say the least[compressed].Same advice for speaker cables[No Rhapsody's!]I recommend AZ Satori's for speaker cables[Used $3-$350].I would take care of this before auditioning speakers[At least your AQ and Rhapsodys IC's].You may very well like your current speakers after this.I haven't heard your speaker cables so no comment.You won't hear the potential of any speakers in your system with current IC's and maybe your speaker cables.1st things 1st.Hope this helps,I've been there.JD

jdlepera

If you can find someone on this site selling thiels in your area, I would go for those. A great frame for upgrading later and wife friendly as well (that angling has some appeal).

scottlilly

First of all the Mani II is a much better speaker than the Forests, but still for their used price they are not particularly worth it. You are really paying for their amazing bass abilities. Now their bass really is jaw droppingly good but the rest of the presentation is good but not necessarily worth their high price. I do find the mani IIs superior to the Dynaudio 1.3SEs but they are being discountinued anyways. So what do i reccomend? Merlin VSMs are a good bet as are dynaudio craffts, or JMR Offrandes or Micro utopias which are a steal at 2250.00 which someone put them on for. If i had a choice i think the micro utopias would be wonderful despite their utter lack of bass. The mani's are a good option but probably not the best. Still you they are a good purchase if you value bass.

lordgorian

Just a thought - your system leans toward a detailed and somewhat bright presentation. You may want to offset that sound by adding a warmer, more musical speaker. If you like the Ninkas (which I did as well) you owe it to yourself to check out the Vienna Acoustics line of speakers. VA speakers have decent detail and are very musical and warm. I own a pair of VA Mozarts that I think are great. If you live near a Tweeter, you can buy VA's with a 30 day no-questions return policy. By the way, I listened to almost every brand you listed in my speaker hunt before buying the VA's. Just remember, when it comes to speakers, your ears are the final judge. Good luck!

crega

Dynaudio 1.3mk11 or SE is a great place to start. You'll avoid the price mark-up of the Totems since they use Dynaudio drivers, and get a better cabinet at the same time. I do recommend that you try both on your system first given that most of the speakers that Totem sells or that Dynaudio markets in their Contour range are fairly inefficient, but not dreadfully so.
JM Lab monitors are exceptional as well. Much more efficient and forward sounding at a bit of a better price. However, the bass on the Electra monitors is definitely shy, depth wise, of that produced by the Dynaudio monitors, i.e. I had to use a sub with the JMs, with the Dyn's I can turn the REL off and still enjoy.
The Ninka is wonderful, especially heard with all Linn gear. The entire Linn product has a delicious signature that doesn't always play well with others, so another must audition at home first recommendation (you should always do this, but there are cases where it's a must)
Lastly, I know that there is no Dynaudio or JM Lab in your area. To me both are worth a 300 mile drive to hear and pick up without auditioning at home. Try and find a room at the dealer that is comperable to the size of your room. Likewise, you should insist that the front end be a solid state amp and cdp that are in the price range of your components. I'm not the authority on this stuff, but I've heard a lot of what there is to dream for.
Kirker

ryan_kirker

If you love Totem Mani I'd suggest taking Forest that is much more stable and easier to drive than Mani(and +++require no stand$$$) and less costly.

marakanetz

Owner
Thanks to all for the warm welcome. In response to Stne418, I have listened to several speakers, though haven't auditioned them in my home since I was not ready to buy yet. I've listened to:

Paradigm Reference Studio 60 (too boomy for my taste)
Linn Ninka (nice sound + pretty cabinet)
Totem Forest (very enjoyable sound and beautiful speaker)
Aerial 6 (enjoyable sound as well, but kinda pricey)
Meadowlark Shearwater (sounded very natural, but a bit too laid back for my tastes)
Totem Mani-2 (Wow! Very accurate and amazing bass for size)

I am very happy w/ my components, but I think that my speakers are my bottleneck. I'd like to get a pair of speakers that I can grow into. I mean, I'd like to get a pair of speakers that would still be a good match even if I were to eventually upgrade my components. BTW, I can get a pair of new Mani-2's for $3.5k which is at the limit of my speaker budget.

Does anyone else have recommendations for other speakers to consider up to this price range? Brands that dealers carry around me are:
NHT
Paradigm
Totem
Martin Logan
Aerial
Thiel
Linn

Basically I need the speakers to sound fine w/ my existing components & still be semi-wife friendly. Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

themudhead

That's a very good FIRST system (your emphasis I might add...lol!)...much better than my first.
I'd suggest you not limit yourself to any speaker initially and try to audition at least 10-15 different ones in the same approximate price range. If you want fairly decent bass response and have a room to support it...you are gonna have to pay a bit more...but it's probably worth it. You can always get a deal here too! An in home audition once you narrow the field is invaluable if you can arrange it.

stne418

goodies

my first system also start with Rotel, 971(if I remember correctly).

Welcome to the play ground.

lafish

Hi. I'd like to congratulate you on your first system, and welcome you into the audio hobby. I think you are starting out fine, and everybody here started somewhere. Many on this site have systems that have evolved over decades, and they didn't just go out and buy the whole thing overnight. Just study, listen, and audition, and you will be making strides toward your goals.

twl

Displaying all 19 posts
  • 13.5 Thousand
  • 19
  •  0
© 2026 Audiogon.com