Upgrading my set up, $3k max budget

[john rva]

Looking to upgrade my set up and take my music listening to the next level. Unfortunately there's only one shop in town (Richmond, VA) I'm aware of and I'm not 100% sure the sales dude is on the same page as me or has the same appreciation for music that I do. He's knowledgable, just not sure we're on the same page.
So far he suggested either the Rotel RA 1570 amp or Anthem MRX 700. There are two sets of speakers I've listened to so far, Bowers and Wilkins 683 and Paradigm Studio 20. I like the B & Ws but I'm a little disappointed that a sub would be necessary for either of those. I guess that's typical?
To recap, I'm looking to use the system exclusively for music, mostly vinyl, but also CDs and digital formats.
I listen to rock mostly. Today I took with me Jack White's Blunder Bus, two My Morning Jacket albums, Beastie Boy's Paul's Botique, Dark Side of the Moon and Radiohead Kid A.
I currently have a Sony turntable, a Pioneer vsx 452 and a jvc rx 6000/ amp from the 90's, Bose bookshelf speakers and some Cerwin Vega floor speakers.
My sole purpose of this system is to play music. The room is 12.5' x 26'. Carpeted with an 8ft ceiling except where a finished duct runs through the middle. Setting it up lengthwise.
Looking to take the whole set up to the next level. Budget would be around $3K, but would like to keep it under. Any advice?

Considering this turntable Project Debut Carbon Turntable

[blackraven]

I would consider this Peachtree Nova integrated amp- It is a hybrid unit- tube and solid state and comes with an excellent built in DAC. I have heard this unit and it is well worth its price tag.

Peachtree Audio - Nova 125 - Hybrid-Integrated w/DAC-Audio Advisor

The Peachtree Decco is a litte cheaper due to less power-

Peachtree Audio - Decco 65 - Hybrid-Integrated w/DAC-Audio Advisor

The Rotel looks like a nice unit as well.

These PSB T6's are a smooth sounding speaker and put out some nice bass.

These Monitor Audio Rx-8's will put out some nice bass and play plenty loud with the Peach Tree Decco. As will these Focal Chorus 826's which are on sale at a great price

FOCAL CHORUS 826V TOWER SPEAKERS (PR) at Music Direct

FOCAL CHORUS 816V TOWER SPEAKERS (PR) at Music Direct

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Are you looking for a system with amp, speakers and Turntable for $3K or less?
Don't forget that you will also need a Phono Preamp

A nice system would be the Peachtree Decco, PSB T6's, the Pro-ject Carbon -

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon in Black

and this Bellari tube phono preamp-

Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp

I think that the Monitor Audio RX-8 and the PSB T6-'s will fit your room size better.

[Mr Peabody]

For music you shouldn't need a sub. I'd buy speakers that could do the job.

Look at this NAD integrated, it's fairly high tech but the phono stage is built in which would save and it has built in DAC, and good power. It also has outputs and crossover if you want a sub down the road or bi-amp.
NAD C 390DD Refurbished - Integrated Amplifiers by Spearit Sound

The Golden Ear Tritan 7 would take the rest of the budget but it would rock. Or, a set of JBL Studio 590's. With the Golden Ear and NAD you defintely wouldn't need a sub. The above NAD also has room equalization.

If no Golden Ear dealer in your area and you were interested I have one here that could help you..

[john rva]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not going to necessarily be able to crank it up often and will spend a lot of time listening to my vinyl at a level that will fill the room, but won't both those sleeping two floors up. Will these units work best when pushed or can I expect excellent sound even at a lower level. And by lower level, I'm not implying you wouldn't have to speak up a little if you wanted to talk to me while I'm listening

[Mr Peabody]

I would think the NAD would sound fine low or high. Usually higher current output amps are better at lower levels since they can push the speakers better. NAD uses a lot of capacitance for sudden dynamic swings. Golden Ear are fairly easy to push, our dealer listens at low levels using digital amps but they are out of your budget.

[blackraven]

I agree with Mr. P about the NAD's. The Peach Tree's sound good at low volumes as well. It is basically a digital amp with a tube buffer that is very dynamic and sounds great. I can't comment on the Golden Ear speakers but the PSB's have a warmer sound than the B&W's and use some trickle down tech from the $5500pr PSB Synchrony One's which are a beautiful sounding speaker and would be on my short list if I decide to get rid of my Magnepans.

Let us know what you decide to do!

By the way, check out the closeout prices on the Monitor Audio RX8's and the refurbished prices on the PSB T'6's at -

Saturday Audio

I bought a pair of PSB B6's and Monitor Audio S1's from them that were B-stock and they were like new.


Here is a brief review of the T-6's and B&W 685's which are just the bookshelf versions of the 683's

http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picture...hoice_2010.pdf

Note that you can tighten up the bass on the T6's as I think they come with port plugs like my B6's and the Synchrony's. I love the smooth bass of theses speakers. The T-6's won't need a sub.

[Mr Peabody]

When I think of a system for Rock I typically don't look for warm, I think what will provide a good transient response and dynamics. I personally like a bit of midbass bump for Rock.

[john rva]

Listened to a classe cap 151 today with a project xpression iii and vandersteen 1c. Sounded awesome. I'm wondering what I would hear differently between the project xpression and the debut?

[blackraven]

There is a $300 difference in price. I imagine more detail as the debut is still an entry level TT. The X-pression will be more amenable to upgrades in cartridge and phono preamp.