Recommendations for Small Musical System - Mid 2017.

[Paul R]

Just wanted to close the loop here - after a couple weeks with the Harbeths and the Peachtree Nova 150, all I can say is "wow." What a nice setup. 

 

First, the Peachtree not only sounds really good, but it is absolutely gorgeous. Karen loves the way it looks and so do I. 

 

The Harbeths are just as gorgeous and sound wonderful with everything I have thrown at them, including using them as TV speakers with 2 channel sound. Absolute pinpoint accuracy in terms of imaging, perfectly understandable vocals, even for me. Everything from British Murder Mysteries, to Rogue One, to Justin Hayward, to Jeff Wayne, to Dvorak and the Mad Russians sounds gorgeous. (Yes, there is some compression in the sound, especially in large orchestral recordings, but not much.)   

 

The TV sound is driven by an optical connection from the television.  This is a 10ft Forspark CL3 rated cable dropped down through the wall. Cheap, and very good quality in my experience. 

 

The audio is driven by an Intel Celeron NUC with a 120gb SSD and 8gb of Ram.  

 

The NUC is running Windows 10 Professional. 

 

Roon Labs Windows 64bit software package is running on the NUC as a Music player. 

 

The NUC is connected via a USB-2 connection to the Peachtree Nova 150 with a Kimber Kable KS-2426 half meter cable. To me, this is the best sounding USB cable on the market. A little pricey, but well worth it. YMMV!

 

The Peachtree Nova 150 has the ebony rosewood case and is drop dead gorgeous. Sounds wonderful too. (By the way, you can get 25% off of the Nova 150 or Nova 300 if you trade in any old Amp, Preamp, or DAC you have laying around...) 

 

Nordost Lifestyle 4 Flat Speaker Cable is my economical choice of speaker cable.

 

And last but far from least, the Harbeth P3ESRs in Rosewood complete the system. 

 

I'm in love.

 

-Paul

 

Oops - for completeness sake...

 

The system sits upon two black brown IKEA Kallax bookshelf units situated horizontally,  filled with IKEA KNIPSA seagrass baskets. (16 of them in total).

 

The Peachtree sits in the middle, next to a Sony UBP-X800 Bluray player, which serves double duty for spinning SACD and DVA discs. 

 

All this sits under a Sony A1E 55" Flat Panel, which is on the wall over the left shelf unit. 

 

PR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ShawnC]

Congratulations, that's a great summary.  Thanks for all then links that you included.  Enjoy

 

Shawn

[realhifi]

That Sony TV is simply beautiful. I want the 65. 

[Ralf11]

nice!  can we see an in situ pic?

[AudioDoctor]

Nove 150 and the Ascend Sierra 2

 

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM2/srm2.html

 

 

Edit, I guess I am too late to this party.

[Paul R]

Hi Doc - yeah. the Ascend Sierra2 was definitely in the running.

[AudioDoctor]

30 minutes ago, Paul R said:

Hi Doc - yeah. the Ascend Sierra2 was definitely in the running.

 

Fine, I'll do it then...

 

;-)

[Paul R]

22 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

Fine, I'll do it then...

 

;-)

 

Give the P3ESRs a listen - expensive yes. But worth every pence.

[AudioDoctor]

40 minutes ago, Paul R said:

 

Give the P3ESRs a listen - expensive yes. But worth every pence.

 

Maybe I will, we'll see.  Right now, this is just an idea and nothing more.

[bobbmd]

Legacy Audio Studio HD monitors hand made/crafted in USA I believe in Indiana and fit perfectly in your budget