FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK!!!

Ok, guys, just looking for your feedback on a project.

Putting together a system for rock music - classic rock, 80s rock, all sorts of rock, from hard to old skool to prog to space.

Component count must be minimal, and mandatory that it be CD-based.

So, for example

CD player - integrated amp - passive speakers

or

CD player with vol/preamp - power amp - passive speakers

or

CD player with vol/preamp - active speakers


What are your suggestions for a lively presentation with great bass and rock attitude. Ok, no suggestions for PA systems, please!


Budget - between RM5k and RM8k

Get Lee's interconnects for lively PRAT to start with... the Western Electric interconnects II. And well within budget so you have plenty left over for the other components. They got me to get up and Boggie. so cheap.

bal

I'm trying to figure out how I could have miscommucated my intentions here ... Interconnects n cables are the least important in this equation ...

oops. ok. so now we know.

I have the feeling that the current hifi fever and industry in Malaysia is truly slowing down a lot. Somehow it feels like getting more and more niche, it starting to become singular now.

Anyway, here is my opinion; Audio-GD Master-10 RM6k++

The rest of it are very much everything possible to suit the budget~.

IMO, Power from Amp is the up most important, and what I recommends is basically the cheapest I can find on well specced amp, bar those DIY effort.

Source this day is dirt cheap, a 100~200++ from and DVD nowadays is surprisingly good; if not get a 1k worth of DAC, and you are all set.

Look for the largest diameter woofer driver u can find on KEF, Mission, Whafardale, Tannoy, JBL.. and the cheapest from their range.. Then you are all set for Rock and Roll Nirvana.

Speaker Cable is Zip Cord, and Interconnect is Red and Black freebies from DVD player

For an rm 8k project, going the non standard route (which yields the best bang for the buck), here's what I can suggest for you SJ.


CD player
https://www.hifi4sale.net/t30457-marantz-cd-player-model-63mkii?highlight=marantz

Modifications :

1) Add tube stage directly after DAC chip for the clearest sound.

2) Add new remote volume control after 1st tube stage.

3) Add 2nd tube stage as a booster hence removing the need for a preamp.

4) Change crystal clock to low jitter TCXO.



Speaker
http://symphonyclassicaudio.blogspot.com/2012/10/focal-jmlab-702-odeon-k2-used.html

Modifications :

1) Remove passive crossovers.

2) Add new active crossover circuit.

3) Add 100W x2 channel amplifier per speaker.


So the overall system is just very simple. CDP output with RCA interconnect to the speaker. I can guarantee it will blow your mind.


cheers.

MMmmm...sounds like the teacher is asking all of us a question

Here goes-
Brian Johnson should approve of- Marantz 5004, Naim Nait 1 or 3 and Triangle Color (floorstander). Heard the Nait 1 running with the 5004 & Color. Sounds 'alive', tight bass and for attitude get the Red 'Color' but of course to match the album (cover of FTATR(WSY)), get the 'gold' one. Respray diy style if you're on a tight budget.
Nait 1 is old but still available and a damn good rocking musical little 'un! In all your hifi years, I am sure you've heard of it. Or can try the Nait 3 which of course, is more recent. No need to modify sum more.

For history or nostalgia- Bon Scott wouldnt mind hearing- the cd 63, audiolab pre/power 8000 (no soul?) & TDL RTL3 or even the Teac VRDS 7, NAD 302 & Mission 780. Dirty deeds never done so dirt cheap before! Rega Planar 3 should also be in the mix...shame.

Speaking of "For Those About To Rock"...anyone here prefers the Bon Scott era or feels that Brian Johnson is an 'adequate' replacement? And isn't 'Back in.....errr...sorry teacher out of topic.

Bon Scott anytime. Shelled out for 'Bonfire'.... far superior to anything else AcDc ever did/done.

Was about to suggest Nait 1 too, heard them eons ago with heybrook HB 1 and the pair blew my mind. Almost put money on them from those purveyors of fine things HiFi... from days gone by, Trikay. Do the Epos rock? the old 11's or 14's?

Hi...

Going to take the conservative route...pre-owned gear...

- NAD / Naim / Exposure integrated.
- NAD power amp
- A nice little CA DAC
- NAD CD player
- Speakers...wharfedale 9.2 or Sonus being bookshelves and add a sub. (if needed / added Bass)

May have some surplus cash for accessories.

That's my preference.

Cheers

Guys, thanks for all your feedback and suggestions ... I've been doing some rounds since I posted this and based on some of your replies ... Will update on the results when everything falls together.

Ok, I'm putting together this "minimalist" rock system for myself - I'm looking for something into which I can feed AC/DC (yah, the band) and ZZTop and such, and that will peel the skin off the face and squeeze the balls till they hurt bad ... and from a couple of auditions I'm doing, it's getting close ....

For rock you need an amp with balls so minimum would be olive naim nac72 nap140. Later since you are at the moment constrained by budget you add a hicap and upgrade power amp to nap250. The source should really be a naim CD3.5 at least but due budget again maybe a Marantz CD94. The CD63/67 SE models being more suited to jazz or classical. 1st choice for Speakers would definitely be the Epos ES11 for their sweet treble and mid-range. You will need more grunt to augment the lower frequencies so add a REL Strata sub to the mix and you should have a great system for rock. I think i busted your budget ......sorry!

BR,
one very under-looked at brand is Vincent. I bought one of their old power amps, it puts out 100W per channel, and it is an absolute joy to listen to rock with it. In my system, i have compared it against a NAD power amp, against another amp that goes for 7K, against the wyred for sound 1000watter, against even a Quad, and this Vincent has the best PRAT. The other amps naturally have their own strengths, but if you are looking for PRAT, you may want to look at this little hidden gem. I have a new power amp to play with, so if you want to listen again you are welcome to. I use them to drive maggy MMGs, and the combo is a killer. if you try, you may find them in the used market for rm2-2.5K.

Tks ... there's no Vincent dealer here, I take it ...?

ah no, nearest source is honk kong or china i'm afraid. sorry to bring up a make that may be difficult for you to obtain. Will think a bit harder before i post. Just testing a Copland power amp, with black diamond racing cones beneath them, they have amazing prat, better than the vincent, better than any other amp i have had in my system. Copland you can find used, mine set me back 2.8K used, within your budget.

I heard a China-made Xindak amp that almost blew me away at the shop ... gonna give that a shot also ...

Hi Bassraptor, I sincerely invite you to come and have a listen to my active system that costs around the RM8k figure (depending on configuration, of course).

Give me a call, have sent you my mobile on PM. Location is in Shah Alam.

btw BR,
what became of your Maggies? Don't they rock enough for your liking?

Curious Bal...

Oh, my Maggies are rocking all right ... there's really nothing much more I want to do with them, unless I rip out crossovers, re-frame, etc. They're in a state of statis with my Level A system. Now, I want to see how good I can make a dynamic speaker sound in my room, but spending less money. Things music/audio geeks do when they get bored. And then, maybe one day, I'll just sell everything and get 3.7s or Wilson boxes with Macs or Soulutions or such ... ... can dream, what ...

bassraptor wrote:I'll just sell everything

Bass...keep me in mind when that day comes.....

Cheers

wingman wrote:

bassraptor wrote:I'll just sell everything

Bass...keep me in mind when that day comes.....

Cheers

Haha, will do, Siva ... why am I already envisioning large birds of prey circling over my room!

Exposure integrated amps are also pretty good man...

The Exposure 1010 CD and amp combo totally rocks. I heard a system based around this, hooked up to Triangle bookshelf speakers and did it rock? Oh yes, indeed it did... Damn affordable too...

Incidentally, am having a listen to the Exposure 2010s2 CD player now ...

Ka-chinggggg!!! I love exposure... my 2010s2 is pulling pre-amp duty, signalling an Odyssey Khartago.... Hoo yah!!

Greetings, salutations, and jubilations, oh enlightened one, giggle, i love saying that !!
It's been 3 weeks give or take since your 'quest' for the ultimate rAwk out system, and will you kindly share your thoughts? Have you narrowed down to anything we can learn from your experience? The pluses and minuses, so to speak, of components suggested and tried? Would be a good read, me thinks...

lately been having wet dream about Audio Note complete system.. like the one in KLIAV 2 years ago.. running on puny 8watt monoblock...

sound so dynamic and real. Total against the law of physic(flea power produce powerful sound).

whenever I listen through my down to earth system now.. I would have imagine my exposure is those monoblock and my speaker is the AN-E..

uh oh... sounds like you kena ajinomoto glowing light bulb poisoning... quick, go play AC/DC and Megadeath, followed by Metallica and then if still feeling poisoned, better go through entire Led Zeppelin catalogue...

Bal - taking a bit longer than I though n costlier but 80% there ...patience ...


Really, I prefer having wet dreams with at least one female involved ....

Got none of those rock stuff. I am into country n oldies. And 1 Disco club music. Ya those damn glowing bulb equipment, radio actively poisonous.

Well we need to keep our animal instinct in check. Rather listen to some seductive female vocal ya.

Okay ... my project has taken different routes and I've actually not settled on anything definite.

However, I do think I've outgrown my Maggies ... my next step in speakers will have to be a big one, not linear.

So, if anyone is willing to shell out 8k for a mint-condition MG1.7, with its box ... talk to me ... ... I'm not putting it up in classifieds at this point. See if I can raise the money for a certain deal ...