I read an article back in the day when they had blind listening competitions between half a dozen or so home speakers. Believe it or not the Bose 901's came in second, but just barely to some large floor standers that cost 4X as much. I have a set of 901's among other speakers and they sound great to me. Different than traditional box speakers. I also have some RTR's which I like. I have had JBL's and Polk's over the years. The best sounding speaker for the price to my ear is a set of two way bookshelf Yamaha's I paid like 100 bucks for a couple of decades ago. I have mucho stereo gear and speakers. Here is a 1980's two channel setup that is stacked in the garage right now.
Most high end names in the game haven't even been listed. We need a budget and music preferences size of room or it's a waste of time it's just the truth
Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how this Technics is received in audiophile circles. To many, class D is the work of the devil.Most hi end would Scoff at class D amplification not saying I do but many many still think and is wrong approach.
Ive heard of McIntosh, Bang & Olufsen, NAD (Nihon Audio Devices? People forget "Japan" is really "Nihon.") And Nakamichi. Never SEEN any of these in someone's house.
I have a love for Onkyo because our friend in Connecticut had a really high end COMPLETE Onkyo setup. Sounded really good. Loved it.
There WAS a boutique audio store in Paramus, NJ. Maybe went in there one time. I remember thinking all the prices were wrong. One of the things cost $8000 (if I remember right. Maybe $3000, but i think it was a McIntosh or a Bang & Olufsen and I was like.. "For a RECEIVER?")
We had a Philips receiver,
A Sanyo tape deck (old school Sanyo was good. Had a VU meter. Volume Units. Not DB)
A Technics rape deck (high end Panasonic. Really good. Digital DB meter)
And an Akai 100Wx4 amp.
That Akai was GREAT.
That was our "component stack"...
With streaming being the main way we listen to music anymore and for TV and movie watching. Going with a Sonos system is awesome. No wires to mess with and the sound is incredible. Plus it supports Dolby ATMOS. We got rid of our Denon receiver and el-cheapo speakers. Sure it is expensive but considering we stay at home and don't go anywhere and don't see going out in the distant future with having special needs in the house it made sense.
Back in the day ie 1980 or so, I remember Nakamichi and Klipsch being the brand to get. Guys coming home from being stationed in Japan could get Nakamichi for a great price and the ones in Germany got the Klipsch speakers as well.
If that was like that in the early-mid 90s not past 1997 or 1998 then maybe that was the thing lol.Check out Bryston:
Bryston – Music for a Generation
bryston.com
Their B135 is the only integrated (receiver) that they sell:
B1353 – Bryston
bryston.com
And a review of it:
Review: Bryston B135 Cubed Integrated Amplifier - Twittering Machines
Michael Lavorgna's Twittering Machines: HiFi with a twisttwitteringmachines.com
Note that several of the modules, like Phono and DAC, are optional and carry a not-so-insignificant price tag ($750/each). Now, this is not a piece of kit anybody who is looking to build a serious Bryston-based system would purchase, it's more like a "value" or "convenience" product from the brand. Maybe a good choice for the cottage for example.
Base price, without the modules, was $6,695.00. So he was at that price point, $8,195.00 with the modules added.
I've never owned Klipsch speakers but I remember every single article of Stereo Review reviewed them with highest ratings and I said.. "one day."With streaming being the main way we listen to music anymore and for TV and movie watching. Going with a Sonos system is awesome. No wires to mess with and the sound is incredible. Plus it supports Dolby ATMOS. We got rid of our Denon receiver and el-cheapo speakers. Sure it is expensive but considering we stay at home and don't go anywhere and don't see going out in the distant future with having special needs in the house it made sense.
Back in the day ie 1980 or so, I remember Nakamichi and Klipsch being the brand to get. Guys coming home from being stationed in Japan could get Nakamichi for a great price and the ones in Germany got the Klipsch speakers as well.
Yep. I only really know about D-9s.All this talk is bringing me back to my teenage years and 20s. Turntables and vinyl is making a comeback too.
Onkyo and Sansui were my favs' - after Macintosh.
I Ilke all the new little pods and bars and stuff - but lets be honest it does't get it done like the old school stuff.
Im using the same amp I've used since 90, a Mcintosch MC2500. Its so powerful you can arc weld with it literally lit my JBL 4412's - on fire.
Im currently running Bowers and Wilkins and have turned it down so as not to blow them up.
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Sadly my big iron get used little anymore, the new stuff although lacking the clout - is very space efficient and a houseful of tiny pods connected wirelessly actually sounds pretty good.I have a complete Denon system from the early 80's stacked in the garage. First year CD player is with it. Had some mid 80's Adcom gear which I gave away. Tape decks, graphic equalizers, tuners, receivers.....Too much stuff I don't use anymore taking up space but even though it is worth some money I can't bring myself to part with it. I still have the 901's stacked in the garage too.