[keysersoze123]

Hi guys,

I am pretty much sold on going the digital streaming route, as I love controlling my music from my laptop. I have heard only good things about the Linn DS range (although I would also consider the Logitech Transporter) and I think that my choice of source is pretty much done..

Now, as for speakers, I like the Monitor Audio range, having heard the lower silver range, and the GS60 come highly recommended.

I need to go to some shops and demo as much as possible (I'm stuck on a rock - Jersey - at the moment) and make sure these are the speakers for me. Aesthetics are important to me, and the GS60s tick the right boxes in the looks department.

These speakers cost about £2k.

Does anyone have experience with the speakers, and more importantly are there any particular amps that would be worth a demo in unison? Recommended amp requirements is 60 - 200 Watts - I'm not sure if that means per speaker, or in total? I'm fairly certain it means in total, for both speakers.

My understanding of the Linn DS range/Transporter, is they will work pretty well with any good amp/speaker combination, and the synergy of amp and speakers are what is most important.

The GS60s appeal to me because apparently they are very adept at the kind of fast paced, punchy music I like, as well as modern rock, dance, electronic etc - I don't really listen to classical music..

So, I know I might sound crazy having practically made up my mind on source and speakers without any demos, and it may be that the GS60s aren't to my taste after all. After research though, I have a feeling they will pretty damn good for me...

So... what kind of amplification should I be looking at....?

I take it I'm gonna need to blow at least £1k on an amp to drive these puppies - I've got no problem spending £2k to be honest. Been saving up for ages and now it's time to get that stereo I've always dreamed of.

The problem with a Linn DS or similar streaming device, is you can't really take it into a shop, because there's no music stored inside the DS, and you can't plug in a CD either... I doubt most Hi Fi shops have a wifi connection...

So, what amps should I look to demo with the GS60s? Will I probs end up going pre/power or integrated?

Many thanks!

Keyser

[Timbo21]

Could try some Primare, or even Arcam. Primare would be better, IMO, but Arcam can sound good with Monitor Audio.

I would stay away from Cyrus. I think they are a bad match for GS60's. GS60's are quite bright and Cyrus is fairly lean sounding.

Leema could also be good. I'm not sure if they've got an integrated in the £2K range.

There is an infinite amount of speaker and amp combinations you could try, and thoroughly confuse yourself. Could be a good idea to demo the GS60's, but also ask to hear a combination the dealer recommends, which might include some other speakers. Prefferably a dealer who has been recommended.

I recently bought an Accurate DS, and the Majik is about 85-90% of the sound quality. Very good device and I have found a way to stream Napster & Spotify to it, also. CD's seem so redundant now. I think it's a big mistake for anyone to buy a CD player over £1200, now (IMO).

[keysersoze123]

Originally Posted by Timbo21

Could try some Primare, or even Arcam. Primare would be better, IMO, but Arcam can sound good with Monitor Audio.

I would stay away from Cyrus. I think they are a bad match for GS60's. GS60's are quite bright and Cyrus is fairly lean sounding.

Leema could also be good. I'm not sure if they've got an integrated in the £2K range.

There is an infinite amount of speaker and amp combinations you could try, and thoroughly confuse yourself. Could be a good idea to demo the GS60's, but also ask to hear a combination the dealer recommends, which might include some other speakers. Prefferably a dealer who has been recommended.

I recently bought an Accurate DS, and the Majik is about 85-90% of the sound quality. Very good device and I have found a way to stream Napster & Spotify to it, also. CD's seem so redundant now. I think it's a big mistake for anyone to buy a CD player over £1200, now (IMO).

Hey Timbo, thanks for your reply, good to hear that I can get 90% of the performance for half the price Ah the law of diminishing returns, I'm sure the same applies to the lower range Sneaky as well, half the price of the Majik DS...

Would you perhaps be able to elaborate a little on your experience with the GS60s? You didn't say they were a rip-off in your post, but you didn't say they were amazing either... At that sort of budget, do you think that the GS60s could be very good value for money to some people's ears? Or is there definitely better out there...?

[Timbo21]

I don't think anyone could say the GS60's are a rip off. No way. I think they are very good value for money. They are very nice speakers, but a bit on the airy side for my personal tastes. It really depends on the sound you're after. GS60's have a brilliant, detailed soundstage, and very controlled and detailed bass. The only trouble is that if you get a particularly bright recording, you will certainly notice it. but many out there like that.

Personally, I would prefer something from B&W or possibly Spendor. B&W CM9's would be worth a listen. Spendor A6 if you like a smoother, less pronounced treble, but some consider that too unexciting There's no wrongs or rights. It's whatever you like the sound of.

[keysersoze123]

Originally Posted by Timbo21

I don't think anyone could say the GS60's are a rip off. No way. I think they are very good value for money. They are very nice speakers, but a bit on the airy side for my personal tastes. It really depends on the sound you're after. GS60's have a brilliant, detailed soundstage, and very controlled and detailed bass. The only trouble is that if you get a particularly bright recording, you will certainly notice it. but many out there like that.

Personally, I would prefer something from B&W or possibly Spendor. B&W CM9's would be worth a listen. Spendor A6 if you like a smoother, less pronounced treble, but some consider that too unexciting There's no wrongs or rights. It's whatever you like the sound of.

Indeed. I imagine demoing will be a lot of fun, but at the same time it is totally bewildering how many bloody combinations of amps and speakers there are... could definitely go a bit crazy with it... end up listening to too many different combinations in different states of mind, and not necessarily getting an 'accurate' impression on some of the speakers/amps because you're so tired out from listening to so many other systems... (sorry that was very long-winded, think you catch the drift)

Also, one question I have, rather than using a Linn DS, is it possible to get equal sound quality by using an external DAC, and somehow connecting to the DAC wirelessly from my laptop? It's just I like itunes... One problem though is I think itunes doesn't support hi-rez 192khz 24bit files, it might do 96khz I think.. not hugely relevant at the moment, but maybe in the future...

But yeah, ideally I guess I would use itunes.

[keysersoze123]

CM9s definitely look the part! To my eyes anyway... Maybe a tad shiny, have to check them out in store

[Timbo21]

Originally Posted by keysersoze123

Also, one question I have, rather than using a Linn DS, is it possible to get equal sound quality by using an external DAC, and somehow connecting to the DAC wirelessly from my laptop? It's just I like itunes... One problem though is I think itunes doesn't support hi-rez 192khz 24bit files, it might do 96khz I think.. not hugely relevant at the moment, but maybe in the future...

But yeah, ideally I guess I would use itunes.

Personally, I think Linn DS is good if you are starting from scratch. You can burn your CD's with the album art in FLAC, which makes it the best format for DS control points. Sonos is the most simple to use, though.

Many consider Sonos with a good DAC vs Linn DS. I don't know what's best, but I like the DS because it doesn't use an spdif digital connection.

As you say, there are a million combinations. One person on here will say try Proac speakers with x, y, & z. The other will say Dynaudio with k, l, m. Can you try them all in the same listening environment? Answer: no.

I know there may be better combinations out there than what I've got, but I can't spend my whole life trying to find them . That's why I think it's worth finding a good dealer who can perhaps play you a couple of systems and get a feel for what you like.

[Graham27]

Originally Posted by keysersoze123

I need to go to some shops and demo as much as possible (I'm stuck on a rock - Jersey - at the moment)

I'm not sure if you're just in Jersey temporarily, but if not, have you tried Ultimate Audio

Very friendly chap, demo's by appointment. He may have something to suit. Very competitive prices, too. When I spoke to him he was offering 'genuine' Jersey prices, a fair bit cheaper than UK RRP.

[keysersoze123]

Originally Posted by Graham27

I'm not sure if you're just in Jersey temporarily, but if not, have you tried Ultimate Audio

Very friendly chap, demo's by appointment. He may have something to suit. Very competitive prices, too. When I spoke to him he was offering 'genuine' Jersey prices, a fair bit cheaper than UK RRP.

Cheers for the heads up, I may be stuck here for a while, so I might go and investigate the shop, especially cos you say the guy is cool... But eventually I'll be going back to the mainland so getting stuff shipped over will be a hassle.. Still, may have to go check it out!

Thanks!

[Graham27]

Originally Posted by keysersoze123

Cheers for the heads up, I may be stuck here for a while, so I might go and investigate the shop, especially cos you say the guy is cool... But eventually I'll be going back to the mainland so getting stuff shipped over will be a hassle.. Still, may have to go check it out!

Thanks!

Wish I was stuck on Jersey, I'm doing everything I can to get back!

If you send Ultimate Audio an enquiry, I'm sure you'll get a friendly response back. I think they have a decent range on display, and they stock some really nice stuff.

Even if you don't buy from them, Jersey's VAT situation is great for buying expensive stuff, hope you're up to speed? You could save £250-300 on your speakers alone, providing you can find someone willing to ship to Jersey. Even if carriage is £30 both ways, it's still a decent saving. Obviously then it all depends on whether you plan to declare them when you arrive back in the UK...

[keysersoze123]

Originally Posted by Graham27

Wish I was stuck on Jersey, I'm doing everything I can to get back!

If you send Ultimate Audio an enquiry, I'm sure you'll get a friendly response back. I think they have a decent range on display, and they stock some really nice stuff.

Even if you don't buy from them, Jersey's VAT situation is great for buying expensive stuff, hope you're up to speed? You could save £250-300 on your speakers alone, providing you can find someone willing to ship to Jersey. Even if carriage is £30 both ways, it's still a decent saving. Obviously then it all depends on whether you plan to declare them when you arrive back in the UK...

Yeah my mum lives here, and I've been staying here for a good few months now, I lived here permanently when I was younger, so I know the island pretty well

Beautiful place in the summer, but I need to get back to the mainland, 9 miles x 5 is pretty tiny (although technically no smaller than Edinburgh where I live), but yeah, I need to get home to where all my friends are..

I think if possible I will definitely get down to his shop, sounds like a good way to spend some time, don't see why I wouldn't be able to go visit,

Thanks mate

[Graham27]

Originally Posted by keysersoze123

Yeah my mum lives here, and I've been staying here for a good few months now, I lived here permanently when I was younger, so I know the island pretty well

Beautiful place in the summer, but I need to get back to the mainland, 9 miles x 5 is pretty tiny (although technically no smaller than Edinburgh where I live), but yeah, I need to get home to where all my friends are..

Ah, so you're pretty much a local, but yet you're complaining about the island and talking like an 'outsider'?! Risky! Word will get about y'know, they'll be discussing you in the Evening Post tomorrow

Anyway, I live about 40 mins from Edinburgh, I'll swap ya!

[keysersoze123]

Originally Posted by Graham27

Ah, so you're pretty much a local, but yet you're complaining about the island and talking like an 'outsider'?! Risky! Word will get about y'know, they'll be discussing you in the Evening Post tomorrow

Anyway, I live about 40 mins from Edinburgh, I'll swap ya!

Hahahah - done!