Finally got the B&W cdm 1nt singing

[Dutch BW]

New on this forum...

So I started out with the B&W CDM1nt accompanied with a marantz cd67mkII, a rotel rb-980bx and a vintage marantz that was used as a preamp. I liked it for a while... I changed interconnect to taralabs and cdp to marantz Cd63mkII ki, nice but not that good... The preamp had to be replaced so there came the Rotel rc990bx, sound improved a lot... It wasn't enough (it never is), so I changed to a new source, Rotel RCD971 ...have been listing to my favorite cd's tonight and boy that rcd 971 made one a heck of a move in the right direction of hi- fi/end... I've heared the 802d 803d 803s 804s and 805s multiple times in combination of some very good sources and amps, so i've got a good reference...

So this story is no question, ...just a stimlation to keep myself and you guys experimenting with gear! I know this isn't the the highend topic with Classe and Mac all over the place, but I still wanted to share it. Buying hifi on a budget and used equipment can provide excellent sound!

Next move will be a speakers and poweramp upgrade, so i'll be lurking and posting here once in a while... Should I go to cdm 9nt or 804s straight away?

[audioqueso]

So you have an all Rotel setup now, right? Sweet. Good combo.

CD: RCD-971
Pre-amp: RC-990BX
Amp: RB-980BX

I've always liked the RC-990BX. Just one question, if you're happy with it now, why change it?

[Briz vegas]

So you have an all Rotel setup now, right? Sweet. Good combo.

I've always liked the RC-990BX. Just one question, if you're happy with it now, why change it?

1. because thats what we are always doing
2. because the journey is more fun than arriving
3. because the grass is always greener and the sound more gripping and lifelike
4. because he wants to be an audio nerd
5. because the 9nt and 804s are both excellent speakers and he would be happy with either. Buy the cheaper one, some good cables and 2 siamese kittens - guaranteed to provide more entertainment value.

Audioqueso that is a most distracting photo. Reminds me of that Futurama cartoon character with the one eye (don't ask me the characters name I don't watch the program)

[audioqueso]

4. because he wants to be an audio nerd

We are all guilty of that. ha ha

Audioqueso that is a most distracting photo.

Yesss... you love it, yes? (say it with a french accent) :B

[Dutch BW]

2. because the journey is more fun than arriving

5. because the 9nt and 804s are both excellent speakers and he would be happy with either. Buy the cheaper one, some good cables and 2 siamese kittens - guaranteed to provide more entertainment value.

That would describe it perfectly + I can't afford the 802 straight away...

And an old 804n belongs to the posibilities as well. Would biamping with two older amps (for instance the rb990) be a good option for the speakers mentioned?

[Briz vegas]

I would suggest biwiring with 1 better quality older amp. Naim for example recommend using their better amps over 2 lesser ones in active configuration (crossover the highs and lows before the power amps and removing the redundant crossovers in the speaker).

This does depend on which 2 lesser amps verses which one better one. I would go for an old classe over 2 rotels definitely. And don't buy the "all amps sound the same" line, it just depends on the amps involved. Some folks can't hear the difference, and good on 'em, but some folks think a Hyundai and a BMW provide a similar driving experience. Sure they both get you there, sure they can both be fun (in the right circumstances), but ultimately I know which I would rather have, funds permitting.