Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (
More info?)
On 9 Oct 2004 15:25:08 GMT, in article <ck8vsk0leb@news3.newsguy.com>, B&D
stated:
>
>On 10/8/04 1:18 AM, in article ck57vc02rjl@news2.newsguy.com, "mt"
><jftonk@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Like so many others, I'm looking to build a good system on the cheap.
>>
>> Right now, I only have $1000 bucks to spend.
>>
>> I'm keen on the NAD C320 BEE ($400). Unless somebody knows of a
>> better deal for the money, I'm sticking with the NAD.
>
>That is an excellent choice - though I think it depends upon what it
>replaces - some people think a better source is a worthy first step, and
>better speakers is a second. But it depends upon where the "weak link"
>might be in your system.
>
>Still, I don't think you would go wrong with the NAD.
>
>> For now, I think I'll stick with my current CD player (Sony). I will
>> upgrade later.
>
>NAD has some really great CD players - the BEE series is really
>sophisticated, when you are in the market for a CD player, it would be a
>good consideration.
>
>> Now for speakers...
>> I like the Huark Epilogue ($500). I would prefer to go the bookshelf
>> route as opposed to floor standing (for reasons of space). I'm a bit
>> worried that I'll long for more bass. However, at my first test
>> drive, I thought the Epilogues handled the low end pretty well all
>> things considered.
>
>One quick comment: to get the most out of bookshelf speakers, they really
>need to be mounted on stands - if they are actually placed on a bookshelf,
>in my experience, you aren't going to get the most out of them and in
>extreme cases it would sound pretty nasty. If you are committed to having
>them on stands - you have to buy stands - and it might be cheaper to get a
>floorstander in some cases.
>
>PSB, Paradigm are both good choices for speakers in the price range you
>mentioned- you also should consider the bookshelf speakers from Quad and JM
>Labs - they are both excellent. You have to be careful with Energy speakers
>- but they have some good, affordable speakers to choose from. For more
>money, you could try Gallo Acoustics speakers with a small Gallo sub - it is
>perfect for tight spaces, though it is more money.
>
>Have fun!
My only comment on this is on the NAD. One thing that often is overlooked with
budget systems is that, if you have only $1,000 to spend, then it's likely that
reliability and longevity will be as important to you as sound. In this regard,
I've unfortunately found, in the past, that NAD components don't really make the
grade -- they sound great but, in the past, I have had issues with the build
quality and durability of their components (this has been the case, in my
experience, with multiple components they make, including integrateds and
tuners). My experience is a bit dated at this point (once bitten, twice shy),
so it may be that they have addressed these problems. I admittedly can't
comment from personal experience on their current line.
On speakers, you might also look at Polk; a used set of Vandersteen 2Cs (you
might be able to pick up in the $500 to $600 range) is an interesting idea if
you change your mind about floorstanders, in that they would likely address your
bass issues pretty well and simplify the setup process. They have the benefit
of being quite shallow for their height so the footprint is not massive.
/www.soundstagemagazine.com/measurements/energy_connoisseur_c3/
I think that is a problem with many speakers, they are not
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