2nd hand separates system.
Discussion
I’m looking to get a separates system, 2nd hand.
Many years ago I ran B&W 602 S1’s, Arcam Alpha 8 integrated amp, an Arcam Alpha 8 power amp, along with an Arcam Alpha 7se CD player. It sounded awesome!
Then I sold it all and went to a home cinema set up using an Arcam AVR250 amp running the KEF Egg speaker with a sub. This was great for films and OKish for music.
So, too now, I want a separate system again, as we’ve moved house and we have a large room with a high vaulted ceiling and so the acoustics will be brilliant.
I’m looking at getting 2nd hand B&W 603 S3 speakers but I’ve no idea what amp to use. Can anyone recommend a 2nd hand amp that would allow digital input and also able to run a sub woofer.
Many years ago I ran B&W 602 S1’s, Arcam Alpha 8 integrated amp, an Arcam Alpha 8 power amp, along with an Arcam Alpha 7se CD player. It sounded awesome!
Then I sold it all and went to a home cinema set up using an Arcam AVR250 amp running the KEF Egg speaker with a sub. This was great for films and OKish for music.
So, too now, I want a separate system again, as we’ve moved house and we have a large room with a high vaulted ceiling and so the acoustics will be brilliant.
I’m looking at getting 2nd hand B&W 603 S3 speakers but I’ve no idea what amp to use. Can anyone recommend a 2nd hand amp that would allow digital input and also able to run a sub woofer.
If you liked your previous amps I’d think about looking for a used Alpha 9. Analogue only but a modern cheap DAC would sort out your digital input.
A little rare but the Alpha 10/10P combo came with a Dave module giving digital inputs (primarily for DD/DTS but just as capable with 2 channel).
Another option would be analogue quality amp, add a DAC and then a sub from BKelectric - they come with high level inputs so source to amp, amp to sub, sub to speakers.
A little rare but the Alpha 10/10P combo came with a Dave module giving digital inputs (primarily for DD/DTS but just as capable with 2 channel).
Another option would be analogue quality amp, add a DAC and then a sub from BKelectric - they come with high level inputs so source to amp, amp to sub, sub to speakers.
As above if you like Arcam sound then consider an analogue amp with a stand alone DAC.
I've had an A19 with a Cambridge Audio DAC which sounds great, had it running with B&W 606 speakers recently and it worked well.
Came across a great deal on a Musical Fidelity M2si recently and it was a very hard decision but I've had Arcam for years and so decided to let the A19 go, I may regret that decision later.
It's on ebay at £270 with not long to go, as it's in great condition someone is going to get a real bargain I fear.
I've had an A19 with a Cambridge Audio DAC which sounds great, had it running with B&W 606 speakers recently and it worked well.
Came across a great deal on a Musical Fidelity M2si recently and it was a very hard decision but I've had Arcam for years and so decided to let the A19 go, I may regret that decision later.
It's on ebay at £270 with not long to go, as it's in great condition someone is going to get a real bargain I fear.
Herr Schnell said:
As above if you like Arcam sound then consider an analogue amp with a stand alone DAC.
I've had an A19 with a Cambridge Audio DAC which sounds great, had it running with B&W 606 speakers recently and it worked well.
Came across a great deal on a Musical Fidelity M2si recently and it was a very hard decision but I've had Arcam for years and so decided to let the A19 go, I may regret that decision later.
It's on ebay at £270 with not long to go, as it's in great condition someone is going to get a real bargain I fear.
Can you tell what your A19 would give me over an Alpha 8 with an 8 Power amp?I've had an A19 with a Cambridge Audio DAC which sounds great, had it running with B&W 606 speakers recently and it worked well.
Came across a great deal on a Musical Fidelity M2si recently and it was a very hard decision but I've had Arcam for years and so decided to let the A19 go, I may regret that decision later.
It's on ebay at £270 with not long to go, as it's in great condition someone is going to get a real bargain I fear.
As I’ve said before, I’ve been out of the Hi-Fi arena for some years so I’m on the ‘learning curve’ again.
smiffy555 said:
Can you tell what your A19 would give me over an Alpha 8 with an 8 Power amp?
As I’ve said before, I’ve been out of the Hi-Fi arena for some years so I’m on the ‘learning curve’ again.
In terms of features, not a lot.The phono stage and headphone amp are probably better on the A19 but it doesn't have inbuilt DAC or any of the things the latest amps do, that said external DACs are often better than what is put into amps anyway. The A19 has a power outlet to run Arcam's rBlink, IrDac or other accessories without external power sources. As I’ve said before, I’ve been out of the Hi-Fi arena for some years so I’m on the ‘learning curve’ again.
I've never heard an Alpha 8 witha power amp so couldn't comment on sound quality but this thread with a similar query might help:
https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/131030-arca...
Prior to the A19 I had a Nad C320Bee with a Nad power amp as a bi-amp comination. I found the A19 to be better all round particularly in terms of depth of sound and separation of instruments.
Mine went for £330, it's immaculate and has the original box and accessories. Slightly marked examples are around the £250 mark.
If you go that road you might want to check about powering a sub.
Mark V GTD said:
Update - managed to find a nice pair of 603's from an ebay seller - just need to track down an Audiolab 6000a now (although likely to have to buy a new one I imagine).
Nice one! We were probably bidding against each other!! LOL. Post what amp you get in the end....interested to know.
I got them from a nice guy in Stevenage actually - perfect condition for £350. It was a 'buy it now' job :-) Having had them a week - really happy with the dynamic sound and they look great too. The Audiolab 6000a amplifier arrived today so just getting it set up but initial signs are very encouraging. Going to try it with headphones too as I believe it has a really good presentation on them due to the dedicated circuitry. Looking to partner with the matching CD transport unit asap.
Have ordered a pair of Audioquest 'Rocket 11' speaker cables too.
Have ordered a pair of Audioquest 'Rocket 11' speaker cables too.
Mark V GTD said:
I got them from a nice guy in Stevenage actually - perfect condition for £350. It was a 'buy it now' job :-) Having had them a week - really happy with the dynamic sound and they look great too. The Audiolab 6000a amplifier arrived today so just getting it set up but initial signs are very encouraging. Going to try it with headphones too as I believe it has a really good presentation on them due to the dedicated circuitry. Looking to partner with the matching CD transport unit asap.
Have ordered a pair of Audioquest 'Rocket 11' speaker cables too.
Lintone Audio were selling the amp and transports at pretty reasonable prices last week. They have an eBay store as well as a shop.Have ordered a pair of Audioquest 'Rocket 11' speaker cables too.
Mark V GTD said:
I got them from a nice guy in Stevenage actually - perfect condition for £350. It was a 'buy it now' job :-) Having had them a week - really happy with the dynamic sound and they look great too. The Audiolab 6000a amplifier arrived today so just getting it set up but initial signs are very encouraging. Going to try it with headphones too as I believe it has a really good presentation on them due to the dedicated circuitry. Looking to partner with the matching CD transport unit asap.
Have ordered a pair of Audioquest 'Rocket 11' speaker cables too.
I've also just upgraded this week to the audiolab 6000a / Fyne f502 speakers, seems like a great combo so far. Have ordered a pair of Audioquest 'Rocket 11' speaker cables too.
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