Sorry for anyone who received the paper with the blank sections. You can thank the wonderful people at Kinkos for that.
Gordon
High-End systems under $5K
It's actually really easy to come up with a great system, that is of course if you have an unlimited budget. What we will show is that with the right guidance you can really be on top with a system that will rally that of much higher systems.
This of course is based on our Junior Integrated EL84 Single Ended amplifier, the Junior is an excellent base for such a system. Integrated for a long time in Europe has been commonplace, but in the US it really has taken a back seat. I actually prefer that to pre and amp combination, but in bigger systems that is just not possible.
So the Junior, why, how and what is it!
The Junior was conceived from the price point first. I talked to a number of dealers who placed the $2K limit on the design. As you know from some of my higher priced designs that I do not skimp on parts! So were to start, pentode had to be it. I could make a 2A3 SE for that much but at 4W that would not suite the masses. I figured that 8-10W's would be necessary because in this ballpark there are not as many high efficient speakers to mate with the amplifier. I know from my days with the PP-EL34 that to get cool alternatives (Mullards, Amperex and Tellies) that you would have to pay big bucks. I made two calls about the EL84 and found some 30 pieces of 7189A gold pinned Amperex for $15 each, there's a winner! I took a look at the current market and figured the tube set should retail for around $50. A heck of a lot cheaper than an 300B tube set coming in at over $400.
In tube manuals there are suggested operating points all of which said that I could get at least the 8W desired. Also the EL84 has a wide rage of types and current productions. There are myths that Pentodes sound better in Triode mode than in Pentode. Pentodes work their best in their native mode or Ultra-Linear which is actually a Pentode mode derivative. To utilize the most output from the Pentode, it must be used in fixed bias mode. This requires setting because all Pentodes differ slightly. A meter and bias potentiometers were necessary.
As in all of our products tube rectification is used. This results in a more cushioned top wattage. Instead of sharp clips we actually get just a little more instantaneous wattage.
My favorite gain tube is the 6072A, I decided that one of these (two per bottle) would work great as the gain/driver stage for the amplifier.
I put together a prototype that yielded 9W with a 7189A. We laid out the rest, noticing and optimizing components throughout. The final test, how much will it cost (Usually I over shoot my mark by a big difference)? Came in right where we wanted it. The rest is history, it made a big hit at CES almost as much as the Napoleon!
In this capacity the Junior will support a wide range of users from entry level to the basis of a higher end system.
Single Ended Systems Myths and Legends in regards to speakers
If you read the US press you would think that Single Ended Amplifiers (SE) require behemoth speakers with efficiencies exceeding most of our IQ's, this is not the case. In the rest of the world, users are happy with speakers that average sensitivities around 87dB. If the room begins to get large, say over 500 square feet, I would suggest 90dB or better. Maybe some of the problem with the US press is that they are struggling with US monitors. Nothing bad about the designers in the states, but they tend to fix problems instead of designing around them. European and Japanese designers search the world for great compatibility between drivers and then design simple cross overs to suite these. US designers tend to chose fad drivers and equalize the speakers for the best linear results. Equalization tends to suck the power out of any system. In searching for monitors that work well, look at the concepts of the designer as a mean to gauge the compatibility of the speakers. Another item is system impedance, look for systems with higher than 6 ohms as a minimum for best results.
Since all sensitivities are usually exaggerated, stick with 8 ohm speakers. With 4 ohm speakers drop the sensitivity down 3dB to make up for inferior testing methods (2.83V at 4 ohms is not 1W, 2V at 4 ohms is 1W, therefore 4 ohm sensitivities are exaggerated by +3dB).
Setup, interconnect, speaker cable
This is easy, most of the inputs should be 1M or less. The less interconnect you use between the source and the input to the Junior the less of a signature that cable will have an effect on. It is best to place the Junior at the center of the audio system placing sources around it in close proximity. A note on interconnects: Good copper interconnects have always sounded better than cheap silver interconnects.
Speaker cable is going to depend on two things: What Speakers (bi-wire required, placement), distance from the Audio System. I do not prefer to place items between speakers, but it does present an advantage in the length of speaker cable required. If at all possible place the speakers within 3M of the Junior. This is best for two reasons, well three: Cost, character imposed by the cable, increased energy loss.
System configurations
We will talk about three types of systems here: Digital, Analog and mixed. I will try at all times to assure prices but with this many (and especially cable prices) products it may be hard to do.
At first I was putting the actual cables in but there are a bunch and it was too hard so I grouped them at the end.
Also at the end I have a list of speakers that may not have fit or are a good upgrade path. I have also put together a list of importers and manufacturers so you can contact them for info!
Digital Systems
Digital System #1
My first system is the top dog in Digital setups:
Junior Integrated amplifier $2000.00
Rega Planet CD $800.00
Coincident Conquest Loudspeakers $1500.00 pr
Speaker Cable under $125 $125.00
Interconnect under $75 $75.00
$4500.00
The Conquest are rated at 92dB and are floor standing taking this setup to new limits. From the press, you can't put down the Rega Planet, and they are having a hard time keeping them in stock. The Kimber is real good cable and will work better than most for this type of setup. A number of variations would prevail:
Digital System #2
This is my entry level system that can be upgraded with a number of products.
Junior Integrated amplifier $2000.00
Marantz CD 67SE $500.00
Rega Kyte Loudspeakers $475.00 pr
Target SP60 Speaker Stands $70.00 pr
Speaker Cable under $90 $90.00
Interconnect under $60 $60.00
$3195.00
The Kyte speakers have a following with EL84 SE amps that is real surprising. The Marantz 67SE is the latest incarnation of low cost high output CD players from Marantz, an alternative would be the CAL DX-1 for another $95 more. With over $1800 left you could sure put a good analog system together or just buy a whopping good set of CD's.
Digital System #3
This system emphasizes the CD with lower cost speakers and cables that can be upgraded later.
Junior Integrated amplifier $2000.00
Meridian 506 CD Player $1700.00
Rega ELA speakers $1000.00 pr
Speaker Cable under $90 $90.00
Interconnect under $60 $60.00
$4850.00
Analog Systems
Yes this is a wee bit tougher because of the cost of tables, phono preamplifiers and what not, but it is a great place to be ounce you are their.
Analog System #1
Junior Integrated amplifier $2000.00
Rega Planar 3 w/RB900 arm w/Elys Cart $1525.00
Creek OBH-8 MM Phono preamp $200.00
ProAc Tablete 50 $975.00
Target SP60 Speaker Stands $70.00 pr
Interconnect under $60 $60.00
Speaker Cable under $90 $90.00
$4920.00
I will tell you this, a system such as the one above will do justice to ones listing a bunch more. Make sure you get the Planar 3 in some wild color like purple. With the addition of the RB900 this table becomes a real player. Also the Exact cartridge is by far the best pick here, but that puts us over the mark by $200 so here the Els is used instead. The Rega is nice because the setup is perfect out of the box. By the way I have this table setup right now, mines in purple (with the Exact!).
Analog System #2
Junior Integrated amplifier $2000.00
Project 6.5 turntable system withOyster $695.00
DB Systems DB-8 MM Phono Preamp $150.00
Snell J/IV $800.00 pr
Target SP40 Speaker Stands $70.00 pr
Speaker Cable under $90 $90.00
Interconnect under $60 $60.00
$3865.00
The Project table has got infinite press in the UK for a wealth of reasons, most notably the price. For the price so is the Snell speaker system that abounds me also with it price/performance.
Analog System #3
Junior Integrated amplifier $2000.00
Cotangent MM/MC Phono Preamp $1000.00
Rega Planar 3 $650.00
Goldring Eroica low output MC $350.00
Snell K/III $600.00 pr
Target SP50 Speaker Stands $70.00 pr
Speaker Cable under $90 $90.00
Interconnect under $60 $60.00
$4820.00
Analog and Digital Systems
Since this is so hard to complete I am just going to give one system here.
Junior Integrated amplifier $2000.00
Marantz CD 67SE $500.00
Rega Planar 3 $650.00
Goldring Eroica low output MC $350.00
DB Systems DB-9 MC Phono Preamp $250.00
Rega Kyte Loudspeakers $475.00 pr
Target SP60 Speaker Stands $70.00 pr
Speaker Cable under $90 $90.00
2 pr Interconnect under $60 $120.00
$4505.00
Speaker and Interconnect Wire
The best for the money interconnect is available from Kimber. If you want to step up a bit the Nirvana and Acrotec are wonderful products. If you do not think cable will make a difference, replace the Kimber PBJ with the Nirvana SL-1, shocked is the only word that comes to mind.
Interconnect
Cardas 300B 0.5M 85.00 1M 115.00
Kimber PBJ 0.5M $60.00 1M 68.00
Kimber Hero 0.5M $85.00 1M 110.00
Nirvana SL-1 $695.00 1M
Speaker Cable 3M or 8ft.
Acrotec 6N-S1030 $175.00
Acrotec 6N-S1200 $350.00 bi-wireable pair
Acrotec 6N-S1040 $695.00
Cardas Twinlink A $145.00
Kimber 4VS $68.00
Kimber 4TC $160.00
Kimber 8TC $225.00
Nirvana SL-1 $1195.00 2M
Speakers Alternatives
EPOS 12/14 Both work really well with our products.
Coincident Triumph is a very nice stand mounted speaker.
Spendor LS3/5A, SP 2/3, SP 7/1 are a very nice choice.
Reference 3A Grand Master, pricey but nice.
Also check the information page on our website for up to the minute additions!
Please look up the individual companies in the Audio Equipment issue. Thanks so much for your interest in our products. If you have any question please don't hesitate to call!
