Hello, I just purchased a Rotel 1520 integrated amp, I am setting it up to my iMac and have ALAC files for music (still searching for a DAC under $500). My system will be in the living room of an apartment (about 12x13). Which speakers do you recommend, B&W CM1 vs CM5, I have listened to both at a local shop but cannot decide if $500 extra is worth it. Thank you.
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I see that you have received one response over at CA from someone that has used the CM1 with a Bryston B60. The Bryston B60 is a 60W/ch @ 8 ohm amplifier as is the Rotel RA-1520. Bryston also specs the B60 as 100W/ch @ 4 ohms. Rotel does not give a 4 ohm power rating, although I would guess it would be similar.
Beyond the obvious difference of a 5" midbass driver in the CM1 vs the 6.5" driver in the CM5, the CM1 is quite a bit less efficient. The CM1 has a rated sensitivity of 84dB with a minimum impedance of 3 Ohms vs the CM5 with a sensitivity of 88dB with a minimum impedance of 3.7 Ohms.
The CM5 will be an easier to drive load and will most likely make the modest Rotel seem like a bigger amplifier in comparison, with a bit greater control and headroom.
On the subject of < $500 DACs: There is a company by the name of Schiit who build headphone amplifiers, and whose owner/engineers come from Sumo and Theta. Their product line of solid state, tube and hybrid headphone amplifiers is being expanded with several new DACs. http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?mai...&products_id=7
The first one is the entry level Bifrost DAC scheduled to be shipped on September 30. It is built in USA and features a discrete output stage. It sells for $349, or $449 with an optional asynchronous 24/192 USB input.
You may want to keep your ears open at Audiocircle.com and Head-Fi.org for information and comments/reviews after it ships.
Steve -
srb,
Where do you get that the CM1 has min impedance of 3 ohms? All specs I have seen have it at 5.1 ohms.
Aside from the obvious difference in effeciency which can be attributed to the smaller drivers, I think that the CM1 would present an easier load to drive then the CM5.
Cheers..
StuartMain System:
B&W 801D
Emotiva USP-1 Pre-Amp
Chord SPM-650 Stereo Amp
Oppo BDP-105
Squeezebox Touch
Second System:
B&W CM7
Emotiva UMC-1
Emotiva UPA-2
Oppo BDP-83SE
Grant Fidelity DAC-09
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You're right, the B&W CM1 spec sheet and manual both say 5.1 ohms. I got the apparent 3.0 ohm misinformation from the vendor ListenUp webpage Features and Specs (http://www.listenup.com/B%26W+CM1-p-CM1-p-.html).Originally posted by stuofsci02
SteveComment
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:^x Cool!Originally posted by srbMain System:
B&W 801D
Emotiva USP-1 Pre-Amp
Chord SPM-650 Stereo Amp
Oppo BDP-105
Squeezebox Touch
Second System:
B&W CM7
Emotiva UMC-1
Emotiva UPA-2
Oppo BDP-83SE
Grant Fidelity DAC-09
Comment
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Hello, I just purchased a Rotel 1520 integrated amp, I am setting it up to my iMac and have ALAC files for music (still searching for a DAC under $500). My system will be in the living room of an apartment (about 12x13). Which speakers do you recommend, B&W CM1 vs CM5, I have listened to both at... -
This looks like a really nice basis for a small system. Put this with a pair of CM1s or CM5s and you'd be rocking.
Sounds like a pretty nice piece of gear. It should be available in November.
Eric... -
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