jdi@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU (John D. Irwin) (11/05/85)
Sorry, this is pretty long...
Currently I'm looking for a simple system in the $2,000 range. This
includes only speakers and amp/preamp.
I've almost decided on a pair of Polk-II's, mainly for the SDA effect
(see any of numerous Polk commercials in various audio rags). However, in
both the Audio and Stereo Review (Yes, I know they're both owned by CBS)
there is a line of speakers listed from someone called 'Kinetic Audio Intl'.
Normally I wouldn't even look at them, since I had never even heard of such
a company before I read the specs. But listen to the specs:
Trapezoid (4-way) ported speaker (middle of line, $1200/pair, list)
Freq Response: 18Hz <-> 22KHz +- 1.5db !!!
Sensitivity: 92 db SPL (1 watt/m)
drivers are something like -- 12" woofer, 5" midrange, 1,3/4" tweeters
5-way heavy-duty binding posts, mirror-matched walnut veneer, etc...
So anyway, is this a case of blatent spec. fantasy or what? To find
another pair of speakers with the same specs you'd have to spend $5,000 or so.
Has anyone heard of this company? I've sent them a letter (they're in Ill) but
have not yet gotten a response. If they sound anything like the specs, I'd
like to give them a listen.
(As long as I don't have to go to Illinois to do it :-)
Part 2 of very long letter coming up:
I've had better and worse luck looking for the other components I need
(amp/preamp). I am looking seriously at the Nad-2200 Amp, although the
comments of net-people don't seem to be wonderful. Any other suggestions?
Also, I do not own a turntable. That's basically because I only have
about 20 or 30 records. As you might have guessed by now, I am going
digital (so to speak :-). So it seems like a waste to spend $350 on a
pre-amp that I'll only use the least expensive parts of (volume, source
selection, tone, etc). Has anyone heard of a line-level-only preamp?
So the possibilities are the following:
1) Buy a separate amp (like 2200 or carver),
Buy a preamp OR -- something else that will work (equalizer, etc)
as a preamp with line-level-only input/output.
2) Buy an integrated amp such as the Pioneer 88 (which seems like
a nice piece of equipment -- anyone have one?)
Note that I don't mention a tuner because I'd like to wait and get one
in 1986 that has MTS decoding etc (like Pioneer or new Proton).
Sorry for the length, but I need some netpinions. All comments/answers/
questions/cash accepted.
-- John Irwin -- jdi@ucbvax.Most-Netsknf@druxo.UUCP (FricklasK) (11/05/85)
> I've had better and worse luck looking for the other components I need >(amp/preamp). I am looking seriously at the Nad-2200 Amp, although the >comments of net-people don't seem to be wonderful. Any other suggestions? Try the Adcom GFA-555. > Also, I do not own a turntable. That's basically because I only have >about 20 or 30 records. As you might have guessed by now, I am going >digital (so to speak :-). So it seems like a waste to spend $350 on a >pre-amp that I'll only use the least expensive parts of (volume, source >selection, tone, etc). Has anyone heard of a line-level-only preamp? Meridian makes one. It's modular and you buy as much as you need. Sounds really good, too. '`'` Ken '`'`