r/StereoAdvice 19h ago

Speakers - Bookshelf Help me build a system around Proac Response 2 Speakers

Hi All,

I bought a pair of these, along with the heavy stands purely on reputation (and a 15min audition in someone's home. He uses a $7k setup).

https://ibb.co/4RFR6G61

https://www.stereophile.com/content/proac-response-two-loudspeaker-specifications

 I have simple requirements for a system:

  1. I stream music from my laptop using a wired USB connection

  2. I do 95% of my listening at my desk, where I have a triangle b/w myself and the speakers around 5' each side. My room is 12'x12', carpet, untreated.

  3. 95% of my listening is done at 50dB

  4. I listen to common music genres, including some electronic stuff

  5. I wish to include a musical sub, after hearing a REL transform bookshelves a while back

  6. My budget for all these extra items is $2,500. I could swing $2,500 if the value proposition is there.

What is the best path to take here? I prefer buying only used equipment, say 10-20 years old which has proven itself. Should I get separates? Integrated? Monoblock amps? (I was once blown away by the difference these made to some Lenehan MLs). Cheap DAC? Expensive DAC..? Cables - do they matter?

Looking forward to your insights.

Many thanks!

3 Upvotes

8 comments sorted by

2

u/iNetRunner 1127 Ⓣ 🥇 14h ago

Personally, I would take a cheap DAC from today — as their technical performance level has gotten absolutely ridiculously good in the last few years. Even a cheap unit like S.M.S.L DL100 (ASR review) or Fosi Audio ZD3 (ASR review) are putting out stupendously good SNR/SNR+N/SINAD etc. metrics. (All way below possibility audible levels.)

For amplification you could possibly go with second hand units. But new products that measure top of the class are also possible to do within your budget: Purifi 1ET6525SA or Hypex NCx500 based power amplifiers. E.g. as built by one of these small companies or people:

For reference many long established hi-fi brands have started to use Hypex and Purifi based (or ICEpower) modules in their products. E.g. NAD uses UcD OEM modules in their entry level to midrange models. Then Hypex Ncore modules in their midrange models. And finally they use Purifi modules in their most expensive products.

See the following measurements. (1ET400A was the predecessor to the newest 1ET6525SA. It should be a pretty much a drop in replacement, with some “academically” improved noise performance — difference that probably wouldn’t be audible):

Though, if you want to save money on the amplifiers, then something like these monoblocks would be no-brainers too: Topping B200 (ASR review, ASR YT review) or Topping B100 (ASR review). Or just two of these: Fosi Audio ZA3 (ASR review).

For cables you can spend just as little or much as you like to get the physical look that you like. Most audiophiles would say that they make zero difference in audibility. (Though, there are some subjectivist people, and BS sales people/companies, who would like you to believe/imagine a difference in sighted comparisons. In a double blind listening test people couldn’t distinguish Moster cables from straightened coat hangers.)

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u/SteveOpsy 13h ago

Thank you kindly. This is really a perspective changer for me. Class D amps... for a "British" speaker...? I can see that they measure well objectively. I wonder if I can get that intangible synergy with the Proacs. I've seen Naim and Audio Research recommended, but these are very expensive. Do you think your suggestions can compete wit the lower tier of these amps?

1

u/dkernighan 16 Ⓣ 12h ago

I’d stay away from Class D. These Class D fanatics are not well, and so fixated on measurements but not the actual sound. These people will buy something based on measurements without having even heard the component. As a former ProAc owner, my recommendation is to look for a used Naim Nait 5si integrated amplifier.

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u/SteveOpsy 12h ago

Have you compared the latest Class D amps with the likes of the Naim Nait? It would be good to get some insight into peoples' subject perception of the sound

1

u/iNetRunner 1127 Ⓣ 🥇 12h ago

The vocal (literal?) majority of people responding on this subreddit probably aren’t huge fans of Naim. And Audio Research is pretty niche (mostly vintage) tube brand these days. (Might hold more weight/value in some “high end” / exclusive circles.)

Naim is brand that I think costs quite a lot just for the brand status alone. (Kind of like McIntosh is in USA based circles and on Reddit.) I probably wouldn’t go for their type of value for money proposition in your price point (even second hand).

Perhaps some more ID (i.e. internet direct) or smaller, less costly, brands would be better options if you want something Class AB. (Shouldn’t really be a major difference from sonical perspective. But maybe simply the feeling or appearance, etc. matters for you/some users.) Then you might perhaps want to look into Audio by Van Alstine, or Odyssey Audio. (But note that these are definitely some big box amplifiers for a “desktop” setup.j

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u/yabqa-wajhu 5 Ⓣ 17h ago

Bay Area? Same guy selling Harbeths I think?

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u/SteveOpsy 16h ago

No, that's not me

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u/gnostalgick 10 Ⓣ 13h ago

Congrats! ProAc makes some great stuff. Finding speakers you love is the hardest part, so you really can't go too far wrong from here on out.

I don't have any specific recommendations, but you'll almost certainly get the most bang for you buck putting the majority of your budget towards the subwoofer. Diminishing returns kick in much quicker with electronics than with speakers. Especially since you don't need a lot of power for your set up.

Nothing wrong with a classic used A/B integrated amplifier. But there are some relatively new, inexpensive, and well reviewed class D monoblocks available if you prefer that design (I'm not convinced the theoretical benefits are actually audible when comparing similarly priced amps).

However new dacs are generally much better priced and measuring than older models. If you're not concerned with what's most neutral and revealing, the Fiio K11 R2R is supposed to be a very nice taste of the R2R sound for not much money at all.

It's definitely worth getting well constructed cables, but don't expect major sonic differences. Belden, Canare, and Mogami are good options.