New System Help

Good stuff Susan - no better way to make decisions than listening.

With that budget and a desire for good looking kit, I would get myself to a load of dealers and audition like mad.

[quote=BenLaw

What components do you use S.Coates?

[/quote]

Not sure what the relevance is but Chord: Mezzo 140, Prima, Blu and QBD76 plus M&D Muse IIa

Nothing sinister, I just find it interesting to know where someone's coming from. You're a lucky man, great system  Had never heard of the speakers before so had a quick google, they sound impressive  How did you come across them and how do they sound?

[quote=BenLaw

Nothing sinister, I just find it interesting to know where someone's coming from. You're a lucky man, great system  Had never heard of the speakers before so had a quick google, they sound impressive  How did you come across them and how do they sound?

[/quote]

Hi, work often takes me to the US indeed, I was on secondment at St Marys in Georgia for a while, and got friendly with some guys who were very much into hi-fi, particularly US made hi-fi, which to me invariably seemed hugely powerful and detailed but very bright. They wanted to introduce me to stuff 1) I'd never heard of 2) Wasn't the stereotypical American sound, and that was my introduction to M&D. I was amazed by the Muses - I first heard them blind and assumed they would be massive but they're actually really small by the standards of some the monsters I'd seen there! Actually by most floorstanders sizes, although M&D do make even smaller ones! Incredibly transparent, wonderfully balanced yet at the same time capable of massive dynamics given their size. The trade off is they are very difficult to drive (requiring lots of power!)  but I knew my Chords would be fine, so untested together, I ordered them and had them shipped direct (there is a UK dealer - Kronos in Northern Ireland) and luckily the electronics and speakers sounded magical together! For their price, I think they’re an absolute bargain.

Interesting story, thanks  Kronos are used by forum member CnoEvil so I wonder whether he's heard them also. I see what you mean on power hungry, nominal impedance 4ohm and recommended amps of at least 120w! Do they go as low as claimed? Oh and please tell me you got them in the optional orange finish! 

Not the lowest speakers ever but amazing for their size. Nah, obviously whimped out as went for white!

Anyway, apologies to the OP for going OT, but S.Coates you should start a thread with pics of your system in the system setup forum - i never tire of seeing chord and would be interested to see your speakers in a real life setting 

In appreciation of everyone's help, just an update on what I decided to buy. Having looked at the Sonnetter Morphesus, Naim and B&O, I have ordered the Meridan DSP 5200 with G96 dvd player and G61 sound controller  - at some point I can build a more sophisitcated home cinimea system with these as the basis too, which was an added bonus. All looks and sounds wonderful and unlike the B&O in particlar, doesn't seem to mind what kind of music I want to play, which 99% will be blues and rock n roll. I took 'Elvis Is Back' (Follow That Dream verison with out takes, more songs etc), "King Creole' and BB King's Definitive Greatest Hits' with me, and all, but especially Elvis Is Back, sounds remarkable - the guy in the shop said he didn't quite appreciate how great a vocal range Elvis had until he heard this! As for a music server, still haven't found one  besides nothing will match (in looks) the Meridians, so may consider the Mac Mini idea or back to the Olive but for the time being, my cds and dvds will keep me very busy! Again, thank you so much for all the help.

Sorry, only spotting this now.

I haven't heard them, but I believe they have only been in stock for a relatively short time. Might try and get a listen sometime.....though I'm trying to stay away from the temptation in that shop!

great news ... enjoy

Agreed.

Glad you got sorted.