Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Stereo system for $1000

I would like to get a small stereo system for about $1000. I like classical music at fairly low volume. I have seen the Nad L40 music system that comes with PSB alpha mini speakers. This with the alpha subsonic 5 sub has received good reviews and totals about $1000 by shopping the best prices. If I buy just the Nad L40 (20 watt integrated amp, cd player, and tuner) and purchase a factory blemished axiom M40 or M50 I would still be in my price range. I like the appearance of the axioms, but I don't know if they would perform well with the 20 watt amp. Which of my options would be best or is there a better option. I love the idea of keeping the system simple (one unit), and the sound is suppose to be good for a budget system. Also, how delicate are speakers? I have small children.

The NAD pieces are solidly built, and offer good value for teh money. They have good quality amps, are very sturdy, and sound quality is good. I have been driving large Axioms AX3' with a NAD 40watt for some time, and I also have a 25w that I use occasionally. You will have not touble with 20w.

I have not seen the combination machine, except on the web. I suspect that NAD would not release a substandard product. The reason NAD is mated to the PSB's, is because they are owned by the same company - Lenbrook from just outside Toronto Ontario Canada (Pickering for those near TO>)

You are asking a lot from $1k, but your choices are quite good given your budget. I am not a fan of combo players, and feel they are convenience appliances. But this manufacturer can be trusted. You might want to think about buying a separate CD of quality, with an amp, and waiting for a bit to get speakers (assuming you have a pair to make do with).

A proper system should be upgraded from the source (CD/Turntable/DVD) first, with electronics and speakers following. This is because if a poor source can not reproduce the data on the media, the amp or speakers will NOT be able to add the missing information.

Regards,

BBIBH

BBIBH , I see your point regarding the importance of the source first. I notice the Cambridge D500se cd player, Cambridge a 500 amplifier and T500 tuner are suppose to be good value separates. However, I definitely need speakers. I'm leaning toward the M40's or M50's because I wouldn't have to purchase a subwoofer. I've never bought an expensive system before, so never worried about the kids damaging the speakers (and they never have). But how delicate are the floor standing speakers? Would you recommend wall mounted speakers instead? Which speaker would you recommend for the cambridge system? I'm willing to spend a little extra to get something of significant better quality. Thanks! marc

check out the following site and you may be able to get what you want for under $1000.

the cambridge amp and cd player were on sale last month, but are still the best price i've found on the net. they may even give it to you for their sale price since it only ended a couple days ago.
remember it's all in canadian dollars. they include shipping i believe but you'll have to pay the 6% sale tax.
http://www.everestaudio.com/

and for speakesr try http://www.audioshop.on.ca/ they even have a demo pair of 50's that may save you even more money.

Thanks anonymous! I'll let you know what happens. marc

Yes, those are quality pieces as well. I have auditioned the M40's and M50's against Klipsch, Energy and NHT (the models the local dealer carries). They were better than the Klipsch in all areas, sounded better than the Energy (Energy was much more attractive) and the NHT outperformed them ( but NHT were $2600), so this may not be fair (but was expected...by me anyways).

The towers were very stable, and speaking as a family man, I can sense your urgency in this area!

Regards,

BBIBH

BBIBH, Okay, I'm leaning towards the factory outlet M40's in maple. (This would look better than black in our living room.) I would consider the M50's If they would perform significantly better in this system. What do you think? Off to work. marc

I think the Cambridge pieces would be better suited with the M50's. I was also drawn to the Maple samples shown on the website.

In auditioning the 40s and 50s, I found the 50s better in most areas. The maple was.....ok looking. I liked the extra range(bass) of the 50's and sensed they were more efficient(confirmed by specs) so they played slightly louder. They had harsh edges on certain songs, but I suspect that it was because the dealer was driving them with less than quality equipment...and had no interest in a demo for me with some of the midfi gear they had.(They seemed to be pushing the deeply discounted NHT speakers and Rotel amp on me, because as the sales weasel said,"we're clearing out the top stuff, as we can't sell it located next to Zellers" - I guess this means you can't be interested in quality audio if you shop at Zellers!).

I say I think it was the equipment, but it could have been the store tunes. I am trying to get a copy of the CD to listen in my systems. Either that or Axiom has a serious flaw in the entire line, because the 1,3,40 and 50 all sounded harsh on these couple of tunes! My money is one the source or media, because for the most part they sounded fine.

You should have no such problems with the pieces you are lined up to buy.

Regards,

BBIBH

BBIBH and everyone, I decided to stay low budget and purchased the Cambridge Audio D300 cd player and the cambridge audio a300 integrated amp (50 watts) on clearance from audio adviser (floor models). Do you think the M50's are too much speaker for these entry level components? I may upgrade the cd player in a year or so. Do you have any tips on cables and audio racks? Thanks, marc

The Cambridge pieces are good quality. You have made a good choice. I also believe that the M50's would be a good match for the pieces you have chosen.

Audio racks? I would suggest the one that matches your decor. There are many possibilities, including a company that offers what they term "a stand for the ultimate in audio" at $4k US. The main features of these stands are the elimination of vibrations, and there affect of sound...a topic for another day. Look for a solid stand that fits your decor, and budget.

Cables are another well discussed item in audio circles. I would suggest a quality interconnect between the amp and cd, and fairly heavy gauge speaker wire, say 12-14g. There are numerous vendors of these products, but some common varieties are Monster, Gabriell, Wireworld, etc. Some are very expensive, and it is subjective to the difference they make. My opinion is that cables/interconnects do have an impact on a system. There is a point of diminishing returns as to what price they cost, and the tangible difference they will have. A good system deserves to have good quality connections, as to complete the system. I don't scrimp in this area, but I don't go overboard either.

Regards,

BBIBH

BBIBH, I ordered the M50's factory outlet. I have a choice between two walls for the speaker placement. One wall is directly behind the hall closet. I could put the components on shelves in the closet. Is this a good idea? Could you give me a specific recommendation of a good value and quality in cable and connections? Thanks, marc

Sounds like you are getting the system together! Let us know how it sounds!

In terms of where you place the equipment, that is really up to you and your decor. If you place it in the closet, ensure there is good ventilation. Overheated equipment can cause many problems, including poor sound and shortening the life of the piece. If you have a remote control, that also may be a factor. Ventilation is key. Also ensure proper electrical supply.

As for cables, I am sure you have read the threads on this board. The main idea is to provide a connection between pieces that does not impede the devices from working to their full capability. Cables are actually complex loads of inductance, capacitance and resistance across the frequency spectrum. Electrically there can be differences between cables of different prices, qualitites and materials. Acoustically, the difference is very much subjective to the individual. The different sides of the issue take stands such as the affects as being psychoacoustical phenomena" - meaning you are imagining, or convincing yourself there is a difference. This camp states that technically there is nothing different about cables when measured with meters and oscilloscopes. The other side states emphatically that cables do have an impact on sound, and claim the opposite camp also believes that a inexpensive component that measures technically well is the best. If that were true, we should all buy pieces entirely based on specifications they claim.

Were do I stand you ask? (Implied qustion LOL) I believe that there is a vast difference between the typical "throw in" interconnects that come with the piece, standard 22/24 gauge speaker wire (as displayed beautifully in most big box electronic stores, and cables of decent price and decent quality. My Axiom midfi setup is wired with Monster Cable interconnects (approx $60) and generic 12gauge speaker cable with pin connectors (Axiom included a very cheap guillotine speaker connector on the AX3) added for convenience. In my vastly more expensive system I have better pieces, and better cables. For those who will ask the question, yes, I have played with switching, and the cheaper cables do limit the expensive system, and the expensive cables do not improve the cheaper system - and I can not explain in great detail the differences....or sadly why.

Cables should be viewed as a completion of an already decent quality system. Adding $4k interconnects/cables (yes, they do exist) to a $1500 system will not cause a vast improvement. BUT adding $4 interconnects/cables to a $4k system will impact the sound. But for electrically measurable and explainable theoretical principles.

So to make a long story short, or a bad story over ;) Go to Home Depot, buy the 12g speaker cable in the lengths you need, find Monster (to name but 1 brand) interconnects for less than $100 and take the wife out for dinner with the rest of your money!



Regards,

BBIBH

BBIBH, I set up the system yesterday and it sounds fabulous to me. My wife and kids say it sounds like live musicians. I have 10 gauge wire since the store didn't have 12 gauge. I still need to upgrade the interconnects which I will do. The total cost will end up at exactly $1000 and I am very satisfied. I had some trouble threading one of the spikes so I gave up for now on that. But overall I am very happy. Thank you for your expertise, patience, and willingness to help! marc (Roseville, California)

Great news! You took your budget, researched the products that fit into it, and you are satified.

Welcome to the hobby we call audio!

You probably can finish your system for between $50-$100 for decent interconnects. Your system will then be complete....until you get that urge to listen to other pieces.....

and trust me, that urge DOES set in!

Regards,

BBIBH

So do I understand this correctly that for longer runs (ie. those over 10')a 10/12 gauge wire should be used, and cheapo Home Depot wire will do the trick. I'm just about to start wiring-up my family room, and am considering QS4's for the rear surrounds and have some runs that are longer then just your normal run of the mill runs.
Additionally, can someone please suggest on how I should bring the wires out of the walls. ie. should I tuck all the cables into an electrical box attached to a stud, or just allow them to lay on the floor. Any suggestions would be most helpful.

Allan,

Are you installing in-wall wires in your living room? If so, I think you should use the double-sheathed cables specifically designated for in-wall wiring. I see a 100’ roll of 12-gauge for about $20 at PartsExpress. Alternatively, you can lay the wires under the wall-to-wall carpet along the edges, or even in the middle of the room using flat wires like those from Monster. I also use Cordmate II raceways from Home Depot for an easy on-wall wire installation.

Cheers!