Audio Excellence's Best Components you can buy with $2,500!
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- Опубликовано: 22 авг 2024
- In this video Adrian, Vilip, and Angus discuss what the best components you can buy that we carry with $2,500 (CAD).
They cover speakers, integrated amps, digital and analogue sources.
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Audio Excellence Inc. is a high end audio/video store in Markham, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto. We've been in business since 1991.
Check out our interviews with designers and audio luminaries like Daryl Wilson of Wilson Audio, Paul McGowan of PS Audio, Paolo Tezzon of Sonus faber, Wendell Diller of Magnepan, John Atkinson of Stereophile, Dan D'Agostino of D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, Nelson Pass of Pass Labs and others.
Contacts:
Adrian@audioexcellence.ca
Vilip@audioexcellence.ca
Angus@audioexcellence.ca
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To walk into a hifi shop and ask for a $2500 product and be told you need to spend $13k is just so offensive.
We don't do that… our recommendation is either a $2520 CAD dynamic speaker or a $945 CAD panel speaker.
Thats when you take your business elsewhere!!!
Luckily the shop by me has some more entry level stuff, and they'll even recommend you products they don't even sell just to help you for your budget better if you can afford a specific thing from them
$13k recommendation because "$2,500 doesn't cut it." Lol
What a bamboozling goof ball. Talk about trying to scare sell fools away from their money.
I think .. in Europe is more simple for Exemple Speakers; warfedale Linton 1.4k with the Intregrated Ampli. “Icon Audio” tube stereo 45 mkII kt88 2.4k ( Excel.lent ): PreAmp; Gold Note PH10 1.6k Excel.lent and the Dac; 5x1 Ps10 wifi… 1.4k TurbTable Rega PL3 ( the winer in a lot of tests) 1.2k with the Excel.lent Capsula “Hanna Ml MC” 1k. Perfect starter or Jubilator system..!
When I was a kid in 1986, a department store rack system from Sansui, Kenwood, Onkyo, Sony, etc were about $1,000. I remember a rack system from Luxman, the colorful acrylic buttons series, was about $2,000. Adjusted for inflation that’s $2,800-6,000 today.
I really think if you want a decent system and using some time reference, us older guys, $5-6K for a system is the target budget. A really nice system would be around $10-15K.
I paired the Bluesound Node 2, with a pair of Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duos, and MAN does that sound great for the money! No amp needed, since the B&Ws are powered, and high-res sounds SO good, and even Tidal MQA is just lovely.
You Canadian guy are great to watch, love your channel! Greetings from Minneapolis Minnesota! I ordered the iFi Zen phono stage just to compare it to the phono in my McIntosh c50 preamp. To my surprise the Zen is as good if not an upgrade if you like a punchier more detailed sound. I also purchased the balanced cable to connect to the c50, and I ordered the upgraded power supply. The Zen is quieter than the MC phono in the c50. I am using a VPI Prime 3D table arm combo with the Ortofon Quintet Black. I have to admit I listen exclusively to the Zen now. I also had the Magnepan.7i that I drove with the c50 and an mc352, loved that combo, then traded for the 1,7i. In all honesty I miss the .7i. I think the .7i is the faster better speaker.
I was waiting for something like this. Great video! Please do one for a higher price tier. Under $10k?
It's great you were talking about something most of us can afford
Thank you for making this video, your low end is my top top end!
It must be great to not have to sell products under $2500.00. Where I live most people buy total systems that run $2500.00 because that is what they can afford. We've lost most stereo shops due to multichannel systems being dominate. The shops that do sell 2 channel products, like you guys, only carry products that the average working Joe just can't justify the price.
You guys sell speaker cables that sell for three times as much as my whole system costs. I like my set-up it consists of a Cambridge Audio CXA81 integrated Amp $1400.00 with built in DAC, Martin Logan Motion 60XT speakers, $2700.00 a Node2I streamer, $550.00 and a Cambridge CD player, $400.00. So $4100.00 suits my needs just fine.
If I had the ability to buy what you guys sell I would be in heaven.
The crazy thing is the systems that cost 2500 combined can sound probably 80% as good as systems costing multiples of that. The bigger issue is we who cannot afford 2500 a component also can't afford a fucking house or living space big enough for this hobby without our wives killing us because we used the living room.
@@V1ralB1ack I hear you. My house is on a smaller scale. I'm looking closely at the Sonus Faber Omnia, and I'm still wondering if my wife will think it's ugly (I haven't found a single speaker she likes the look of). And I also worry if my wife would kill me for spending US$2000 on speakers, even though I've wanted a really high quality set of speakers for *decades.*
James: They have a video explaining about some of the good and bad of the industry. It's definitely time and capital intensive, but an unfortunate side effect is they do they exclude themselves from most of the market.
@@petedawg Hopefully a really good demo and dinner date might help change her Mind? I'm selling 2 pairs of speakers because my wife agreed I can have a 2nd pair of towers if I sell enough to make room for them.
I switched to a different streamer after trying the Zen Stream. I encountered too many WIFi connection issues with it and I didn't like the app. Bluesound is the way to go. They have a really nice app and no WIFi issues.
Got my Zen Stream stabilized by wiring to my router, factory reset and latest firmware update. Not all at one time. Happy now.
I returned mine too.
Yes, I'm happy with my Bluesound node too, upgraded the board power supply and added an external LPS.
Hi AEC, Thanks for your reviews. Just to add, I purchased a Zen Stream after watching your video and yes, it's been great. No connectivity issues whatsoever, and a big improvement over Bluesound Node2i with coaxial. Shortly after buying the Zen Stream, I purchased an upgraded linear power supply from a British company called McRU - they have one designed for Zen Stream (9v output). All together, this $750USD package has features that I think rival top-end streamers, and sounds great to my ears.
i had nothing but connection issue with the Zen Stream after buying 2 of them. finally gave up and bought the Node 2i which works with all network environments.
@@xstensl8823 that sounds frustrating. Did you update the software first before trying with wifi? And when did you last try the zen stream? Maybe some/all of the issues you experienced were from earlier release? As I mentioned, it’s been rock solid for me using tidal connect.
@@joshuaschneck i struggled with if for 4 months trying to get it to work. from August to November and did all the updates. i was told that it was my network. bought the Node 2i and it worked flawlessly with my "network" so evidently the Zen Stream was not designed to be compatible with all networks, and the Bluesound is simply more robust. it did sound good and this is the reason i kept it for so long. hopefully Ifi will fix all the issues. i am not the only one who has found this to be frustrating. check the forums.
Maggie's and Parasound.
I had a system a few years back that was a Magnepan 1.7 (w/ modded ninja xo), Parasound HINT, two Carver subs… was very nice!
H95 is great value! First amplifier I’ve owned where it gives you a taste of audiophile like performance…. and it has a streamer and a pretty good DAC.
I enjoyed getting your take on blue collar works components you would recommended. Stay well all
Great video. I enjoyed the the look at high value gear. While on the topic of high value gear, what did you think of the GoldEnear Technology speakers? You had a great unboxing video on a pair and we never saw the review. Thank you!
This was very informative. Could you do the same thing at $5,000 & $7,500?
My dad has had a couple NAD amps/receivers for at least 40 years and they're still going strong. You just need to give them plenty of air and ventilation.
For my experience, the quality of the final sound is given by the room and by the synergy of the products in the chain rather than the quality of the individual components. Not infrequently I have heard systems from 5-6000 euros sound better than systems of 30-40000 euros badly matched, and in any case where a large part of their cost is due to the processing and exclusivity of the product. One of the worst pairings heard was a Gryphon Diablo 300 driving a pair of Sonus Faber Serafino ... maybe with 2000 euros of well-selected components I did better.
I agree that you can tweak a fairly modest system to sound exquisite lacking nothing you can hear in the moment I say in the moment until you hear better
I had a clearaudio turntable would
Not get it again because of the fact that the antiskate settings are underneath, which makes zero sense. Got a Technics 1210 gr
much much better.
You guys need to carry Bryston amps.
Also..
Rouge Audio chronus magnus 3 with Maggie 1.7i was the best combination I have found for Maggies
I've got the Rogue Sphinx w/Gold Lion tubes and the Magnepan LRS+ w/Gustard R26 DAC - smooth as butter.....
@@scottroberts4551 I bet that sounds amazing
Had an H90 and I found it to be an exceptional value.
Vilop, when I see your review of lrs and then hear your not speaker for < 2,500, it makes me wonder about your reviews. if your are not consistant then what can I take from your opinion?
Magnepan 1.7i though maybe a bit more than 2.5k would really scale. Nice video. Maybe you can have something like this every 6 months? And comment on potential combinations for system and those with synergies....
This episode needs a follow up with DACs Pre’s and power amp as separates, preferably both in transistor and tube recommendations.
The H95! Its great for what it is... but now I'm thinking about H190 or H390. More money, but more features - including raw power and XLR inputs. THANK YOU to Audio Excellence / Jay on his channel for Hegel coverage on Yotube (Anders and Brent should be proud of you!) else I would not have even looked at it! I would have bought from Audio Excellence if I was in Canada. Wish you all the best.
The opticalRendu is an amazing streamer, maybe they haven’t heard it, so much better than Zen Stream.
Hegel h95 sounds great and is the best value as it has a very good DAC as well
I'm surprised you guys don't sell Paradigm Speakers? Made in Canada!!
Nice video. Maybe another one later uping the ante a bit What power amp (not integrated) would be your minimum recommendation that would make the Maggie LRS "sing"?
Hegel H120 - especially now that it is Roon Certified and the firmware has been released.
@@vilipmak3973 Thanks Vivip. What's your recommendation for a power amp? The H120 is an integrated. Thanks again.
Linn select dsm katalist upgrade to organik or Lumin p1 ?
Adrian or Vilip, have you guys experienced a lot of issues when it comes to Tidal connect on Zen Stream? I’ve purchased it sight unseen based on Vilip’s recommendation, but I’ve got to say that the networking portion of Zen Stream left a lot to be desired. Often times, the Zen Stream is not visible on either Tidal or Spotify Connect. It seemed like it has its mind all on its own, and choose to show up whenever it wants.
So I kind of want to solicit your user experience of it. When it is working, it sounded great. But dealing with its networking issues have proved to be much to bear with at times.
AGREE, I thought this would be an end game purchase on the cheap. NOT SO with networking issues as well so I returned it for a full refund. However, it sounds great when it was working!
A lot about the connectivity has changed for the better as ifi addressed this issue by releasing firmware upgrades for the Zen Stream.
I will look forward to a version 2!
Focal Solo 6 be, great sound! And of course upgrade the fuses to Synergistic orange.
This was great. Would you be able to maintain the MQA decoding in the Bluesound Node if you used a ifi Zen Dac V2?
I love vilip! No speakers less than $13k. Makes me wonder what he recommends at $13k?
Also.. The Sonus Faber Lumina series are great value as well.I own the Lumina 1’s.
Did anybody of you tried LRS with H390? Please share your experience.
Thanks!
The Powernode is the best value but was not mentioned at all.
It's not my style but it's very true bluesound products are perfect. Convenience, ease of use, good sound and small footprint. It's the best choice.
I also love smsls new vmv series. I love the vmv a1, a2, d1, d2. They are phenomenal.
Agreed, digital out to a quality DAC and you're set.
this explains a bit more of the buchardt debacle, phillip is not a believer in "cheaper" speakers
Vilip, what is the 13k speaker you mentioned.
Hey, since phnostages were finally brought up in this channel.
I'm really curious about the Syntesis Roma 79DC phonostage, seems no one on the whole internets has tested it.
Since you guys were somwhat fans of the brand , maybe you could bring one in? I probably will end up getting one anyway (as I said, curious), but I still think you could do the "word" a favor with your evaluation of it
The zen stream should cost more so they can provide real customer service. I liked the way it sounded but it was giving me some interface issues that the tech support was unwilling or unable to address.
this product needs a complete redesign from the ground up. so you where not the only one. perhaps the could learn something from Bluesound?
My Pro iDSD was buggy as well. Streaming would start cutting out and skipping after some time until rebooted. Great sound though.
Tech support just pointed fingers at tidal for ALL of the issues and offered no solution.
@@johnnixon2504 no issues with Tidal on the Bluesound. they would not admit to culpability
I went to NODE after the Zen Stream
Hello from Chicago,
I see you talking about media streamers ..
What do you think about the HiFi Rose 150B streamer?
Please comment on it if you can .
Thank you,
James Rivera
Chicago IL
Bought the Bluesound, but got suprised it doesnt support dlna streaming (they rejected it because too many streams loses sync or something...) and dlna is very important to me. So I immedietly sold it on
I have a Orchard Audio PecanPi streamer (with Volume knob) connected to a Topping PA5 amplifier. Do you think this amp would drive the Magnepan LRS’s ok?
you guys should sell Exposure
ie: Exposure 2510
What speakers would u recommend to pair with the 2510 ?
So what is the $13,000 speaker that Vilip was talking about in the beginning?
The Wilson Audios mentioned literally two minutes later.
I'd like to hear from Vilip or someone at audioexcellence.
Tunetot!
Have you guys any experience with Primare?
i would recommend the exposure 2510 amp, has phono....good all aroundamp at 1900 euro
What speakers would be a good match with this amp ?
I had bought the zen stream for my headphone system but could not get it to setup via wifi. The room i had it in is know to have reception problem. Interestingly enough i can use a pi2aes which uses a raspberry pi4 and have no connection problems. I let my brother try the stream to compare it against his bluesound node2i with upgraded power supply.He like the bluesound better. Just to let you know , he has a good system with meitner ma1 ver 2 dac, jeff rowland synergy pre-amp, pass lab x350, b&w 801 ver2
Did he try the Zen Stream with an upgraded power supply as well? A better PS results in more performance. Apples to apples…
@@vilipmak3973 no he did not. The upgraded power supply for the 2i was inexpensive, I think about $120 cad. Not sure how much you have to spend for the zen stream to better the included power supply
What is the 13k speaker rec?!
Lumina 2. Depending on sources and amplifier 😎
Thank You.....
you should sell Rogue Sphinx v3
Agreed! (Because I love mine.) Maybe its sound just suits my ears/taste? However, it's in a lower price range which really isn't included in this presentation. I guess I just enjoy "Mid-fi"? LOL
That's what I bought over the Hegel. Rogue is a tremendous value and that tube preamp, smooth, hand built in USA. the Magnepan engineers recommend them too.
@@scottroberts4551 Glad to hear that. Wondering if you had the opportunity to hear the Hegel? I also like your description as "smooth". As words to describe sounds, my first and ongoing impression is "warm" but, smooth works as well.
@@zizendorf I have heard Hegel, nice stuff. I went with Rogue for a few reasons, designed/made in US, more power (200 w/ch 4 ohms), tube preamp. Rogue seems more focused on quality sound than hyper integration (streamers, dacs, etc). Plus I can tube roll which is fun and when I call the factory in Pennsylvania I can talk to an engineer about all of it for as long as I want, tremendous customer service.
@@scottroberts4551 Thanks for the reply. I absolutely agree with you about their "customer service" as it's more than that! I live about 40 minutes from them and have also had great/helpful correspondence with them. I'm curious, have you upgraded the stock power cord? I have not due to my communication with Rogue Audio. I asked about said possible upgrade and they suggested 'not necessarily'; only if I had noise floor concerns, that it would be better to spend that money on more music, and if I did decide to do so it would need to be of high quality. The stock cord does appear of a bit better quality than the norm and is shielded.
Simaudio Moon 110LP v2 Phono preamp
NO DSD w/o conversion to flac on Bluesound :(
Revel Performa 3 speakers
You guys need to check out the Lindemann Limetree network streamer. Hooked it up to my H390 and couldn't believe the improvement and the software work pretty good.
with budget in mind what dac would you use with the Zen stream?
ifi Zen DAC.
what you mean there is no limit to the LRS? you telling me if i put a 20k amp on the lrs, itll sound like a 20k system?
Not sure you should take this THAT literally! But I do have a pair of LRS and it does scale well! I use amplifiers that are like 6x to 10x the speakers' value and it delivers! Still feel like you need to add fast subs behind to get the full package. Btw, high current amp are best. So check the specs of your own amps. Otherwise you might be disappointed.
I run the bluesound node into a McIntosh 5300 integrated abs it’s DAC. Sounds good. Wondering about the roon nucleus. Does that improve sound over what I’m running now?
Check out the Aurender gear, I run an Aurender N10 into my MA5300 and it sounds great. It has a dedicated app which works great and has frequent updates. I run Tidal mostly or media stored on the hard-drive, but also can stream Spotify all within the app. Just my two cents. Cheers.
@@tdin42 thanks! what speakers are you running with the 5300.
@@jearley22 The Aurender I have is actually the N100 not the newer N10 as previously stated. Speakers are B&W 705S2 and a pair of REL T7i’s using High level inputs.
How about you?
@@tdin42 MA5300, Bluesound 2i, Sonus Faber Minima Amator II, REL T/7X. Again, just trying to determine if streamer would improve.
Hi, what about DACs in this price point?
Svieks Jani, what DAC are you using now? I have an audio quest dragonfly cobalt for my iPad to stream Amazon prime, it sounds about as good as the DAC in my McIntosh c50 preamp, which sounds about as good as my Oppo 205 player. I want something better.
@@johngutmanis3580 Hi, im using Pro-Ject DAC box DS2 Ultra with NAD C355Bee Amp and Klippsch RP 600M Bookshelfs, but I'm thinking to upgrade all components
Gustard x26 pro. Best dac I've ever heard.
You may consider upgrading the crossovers in your speakers. Danny from GR Research makes a crossover upgrade that does wonders for the Klipsch 600M
Gustard R26, warm, musical, intoxicating...
What $13,000 speakers would you recommend?
The Lumin D2 is a greater streamer for under 2.5K USD.
There are a lot of good network streamers out there with all sorts of capabilities. Some are even sub $200USD, some are north of $20K USD.. Hmmm....
Lumin is excellent and great package.
@@kimchee411 I would agree but the fact that it does not support Amazon Music natively on its app is a deal breaker for me.
Is iFi Zen the better streamer compared to the bluesound? Also does bluesound do full MQA etc over optical out?
Not sure about the MQA question, but optical out will almost always sound worse than USB output or coaxial output, so I'd stay away from it if you can.
i bought 2 Zen Streams and both had connection issues. returned them and bought the Bluesound. no issues with the Bluesound. also the Node 2i has the best OS compared the the Zen Stream that can be buggy
@@xstensl8823 did you use a wired connection or only wi-fi?
@@andyrocha wired.
@@xstensl8823 did yours come with the iPower supply? the one i have did not, a/b testing and do not hear a difference in the Node vs Zen Stream and Node software is better. No setup issues though on the zen took 2 minutes firmware update and done.
Any chance you could change your theme music? Commission a 30 second theme from an Asian-Canadian student composer from one of Toronto's many fine music schools..or have a contest awarding the winner of the best Audio Excellence Theme song with I-don't-know-what... Note: Film composer Jerry Goldsmith started his career writing 15 second jingles for radio shows. He said it was enormously helpful and challenging to him as he had to learn how to write something brief and memorable.
I like the intro music! It often gets stuck in my head, lol
@@kimchee411 How about this as a theme song? ruclips.net/video/fzvTIAqFWgI/видео.html
aren’t those speakers right behind you in that $2500 range?
The Apertura Edena's are around 12,500 CAD Dollars. -alex
I LOVE the Cayin but I can't locate them in the USA when I was in the market about 3 years ago... Sigh..
Reach out to VAS Audio. They are a dealer in the US.
@@JayLee-zz3ty I did… thought he was an importer.. But we were not able to strike a deal… So I ended up with a USA made SET amp instead…. Not as pretty as the Cayin but still a great unit…
@@ptg01 highly recommended the Rogue Cronus Magnum 3. What did you end up buying?
@@JayLee-zz3ty There are so many really good tube amps out in the market at all sorts of price points. I ended up with the Rogers Hi Fidelity 65v-1 amp.. Takes both EL34 and KT88 tubes, either TRIODE or UltraLinear modes. I think less than 10 watts per channel tops... I have very efficient Klipsch Cornwall speakers so no issue there ! It's actually a very good match. Only drawback is it is pure class A and so it runs very HOT
@@ptg01 nice! There are a lot of great tube amps.
I find these videos interesting because as much as you guys gush over SF speakers and McIntosh equipment to my ears they are examples of form over quality and are not worth the exorbitant prices they ask. My guess is they are big sellers in your store to the tin earred millionaires you cater to and you would never say anything bad about any of their products. That's what makes this fun that each of us should judge with our own ears and decide what we like.
IMO with Mac, it depends on the specific piece.
Have you heard a MC452 or 462? I had a 452 and it's one of my favorites that I've owned, which includes Luxman, Accuphase, Boulder, Hegel, LTA, VTL, ARC Reference, etc etc. At
Agree ! Sonus Faber are overpriced !
Owned by the same parent company
Ive watched quite a few of your videos and still can't get over your employee. Surly, snarky, snide comments about anything that doesn't cost as much as a car. It's unbelievable the amount of elitism in the audiophile community.
5 Times the price? Who said that 😂
To do a 20 minute piece on the "value end" of the audio spectrum which is clearly NOT your focus or area of expertise is a waste of my time...the value end is covered fully by a variety of contributors out there...stay with what you know would be my suggestion
So you can't enjoy music unless you spend 13,000 dollars, you need to get a grip on reality.
I don’t know what to make of this video.
Very uncomfortable to watch.
Brian
Angus, you need to shut up !!! You’re constantly speaking over Vilip’s and Adrian’s assessments 🤫 it’s disrespectful and irritating !
Grab a chair and seat in front of the camera instead.
Vilip you’re the King 👑