• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

What are your favorite small system combinations?

JonTee

JonTee

Well-Known Member
Been listening to my Eico AF-4 single ended pentode tube integrated (4 wpc) thru a pair of Boston Acoustics HD-5 bookshelf speakers (about 10X6X7) all afternoon...thinking this combo is the most natural, smooth, sounding small combo I have put together in a while. Using it in my bedroom right now and it jammin' as I type this. The AF-4 makes instruments sound so real and the little Bostons have that New England sound that BA's are famous for.

What is your favorite small (I'm talking real small, less than 15 wpc and tiny speakers) system with a big sound?

Jon:)
 
Register to hide this ad
(I'm talking real small, less than 15 wpc and tiny speakers)
Click to expand...

wow, tough one for the SS guys!:) Not sure I've got anything under 15wpc and if I did, not sure what it could drive.:p:

my "small" system is based around a Sansui AU317/TU417 (50wpc?) and a pair of Heybrook HB2's. The rest of the sansui rack stuff is thrown in for fun. It's what I listen to when on the web.

cheers
Jack
 
Yeah, whatta question ;)
My little guy is a Kenwood KA-9100 driving JBL L100 Century's.
Combo sounds pretty good ...
 
bully,
L100's are cute little speakers aren't they?;) I use a Scott 222
(13wpc) on a pair dinky JBL 2500's in my garage/workshop. I have them 6 ft off the ground at ear level and they sound amazing for a pair of silly little 2 ways.

Carl
 
I do not have anything under 15wpc. My small system is a Sansui AU217 @ 30 wpc & a TU 417 with a pair of old Omega 2Bs (I think they are 2Bs.) and a Panasconic Cd player. :banana: :banana:
 
Last edited:
Favourite small system....heh heh heh! Eico AF-4 again!

Hi Jon, You and I are probably the only two guys at Audiokarma that have the "Little Big Amps" the Eico AF-4's, arn't we lucky..I found it such a pleasant surprise when I first got it from a friend, its so very relaxing when warmed up a bit..then total liquid detail when on for a long while,I
will be listening to it this summer with my Voight Pipes,they have old Technics (National) full range drivers, unfortunately my wife doesnt like them in the living room,but a friend mentioned he has a pair of older Boston Acoustics, I may have to try and get off of him, for the livingroom, as I see they are a good match..funny thing I have always have liked Boston Acoustics when I heard them in the past but have never owned a pair..I have used that little amp with Tannoy M-1'S Made In England version and liked it with them as well....glad to hear you are playing it lots...Eico's in general slowly grow on ya, thats for sure, see if you can find yourself an HF-81,its great as well.......14 watts per side...Enjoy Your Music..Kenny
 
Yeah, Kenny, the AF-4 has tuned out to be "pleasant surprise". Here is another: a Magnavox 6v6 stereo amp with 10 wpc thru a pair of Mirage 460's or just about any decent speaker. Justs sounds good:dunno: . I may have made a mistake by selling that one.

For the solid state side S-7100 receiver (18 wpc) and small EPI's sound pretty decent.

Didn't Sansui have a mighty mite integrated? Seems like I read somewhere about one with 12 wpc.

Jon:)
 
My ex has a pair of Boston bookshelf...

...speakers doing computer duty. They are powered by an MCS 3830, a tiny amp which sounds really bad when you crank it, otherwise it is very sweet. I have no idea how many watts it puts out, but not many, I think. They sound good together. I mention this because a lot of the computer system belongs to me, as does the amp.

Laz:D
 
I've got you guys beat!:D ;)

Bedroom system:

Marantz 2015 receiver (15 wpc), and small Infinitys RS 2000 2 way with whooping 4" woofer.

IT ROCKS!
 
Consonance Cyber-10 driving a pair of Axiom M3Tis does a fair rendition of music.

Same amp on a pair of JBL S-38IIs is also quite listenable.

6 blazing watts in triode mode, a bit higher in ultralinear. Does a decent job also as a headphone amp.
 
My Garage system is a Harman Kardon HK330i with a set of Infinity Infinitessimal speakers. Those are some of my favorite micro speakers.
 
My little system is my Mancave listening rig, Superscope R-340s coupled to the Heresy's and the Denon DP-1250. 20 watts of pure can't be beat SS bliss. The Superscope replaced the 800-c and the Fisher console amp, so it definetly is a winner.
My second favorite small system is the one I am listening to now. It is a minty 80's Realistic Boombox I picked up yesterday for 10 bucks. 10 watts of better than it should sound portable bliss :D
 
Not sure what qualifies as small. Compared to my Bozaks, Advent Loudspeakers are small. Compared to my Philips power amp, my McIntosh MC250 is small.

Well, the smallest system that I like and I have would be the A/D/S L-310 speakers with the Grundig LTV250 receiver each which is the smallest physically of everything I own. Going up a bit, it would be the same speakers with the Sony STR6045 receiver. I've yet to try the Philips 785 with the speakers. I like it better with the Advnets than the Sony so I suspect it will mate well with the A/D/S and would be the favorite. Physically it is about the same size as the Sony.
 
Physically the bedroom system is my smallest, although it is over 15wpc. Sounds fantastic though :D

Cambridge Audio A500 integrated amp
Cambridge Audio D500SE CDP
Audio Concepts Inc. Emerald LE mini-monitors

-Dave
 
Okay, here it is. The world famous "TATSS" (Toasted Almond Traveling Sound System) in all its magnificence. Coke can added for size perspective. Equipped as you see, with handy carrying case, the "TATSS" is ready at a moments notice to be taken into the field and pressed into service.

Toasted Almond
 
'Small' System

Amp: Modified Grommes 24PG
12 watts RMS per channel advertised. New AuriCaps throughout. Mullard or Raytheon 6EU7 (depending how I 'feel' that day) & GE EL84 oval grey plates plus Japan Raytheon 6CA4. Tried higher-end audio xfmrs, stock were better.


Tuner: Modified Scott 350D
AuriCaps in audio, silver micas in RF & IF stages. Modified audio out tube from 12AT7 to Raytheon 12AU7 black plate. The Raytheon kicks the pants off of Tele ECC81, Sylvania Gold GB6201 & other 12AT7s. Mullard, RCA & Telefunken I.F. tubes, RCA 6BL8 replaced 6U8 Mixer plus 'hot' 6BS8 (low noise) 6FQ7 RF amp. This tuner rivals my CD player on the 'right' station. Even the bass is as strong as the CD player. I have a few 'right' FM stations.


CD Player: Lowly Pioneer DV-333
Sounds good for a 'cheapie'.


Speakers: Modified PRO AC 2.5 Response
New high-end crossovers using best quality parts. These perform strong to 30hz- no subs required. Sold my pair of high speed 10" Peerless XLS with passive radiator subs. (Not small speakers- oh well).

Audio:
System has a synergy to it. Just works well together. On the FM tuner I can get 'spooked' by it as when I am in another room not paying attention, it sounds like someone is in the house I do not know on voices. Ever had that happen? Voices are so real sounding, system is a 'jaw dropping' performer.

Size: Beyond the speakers, the system would fit in a 16 x 12 x 14 box. If I went mobile with it, perhaps a pair of Castle Iris speakers.
 
Last edited:
The "nerve-center" of the "TATSS" is the diminutive (shown here in the palm of my Chinese lady sized hand) Electro-Voice E-V 1144 Integrated Amp. 12 or 18 wpc, and fed by either a Sony Walkman cassette, cd player, or any other line souce, it drives a pair of Rat Shack Minimus 7's. I'm currently looking for a Sony Walk"Table" as the amp has a phono stage too.

On extended field trips that may require EXTENSIVE research, I also pack a Parasound passive sub, which has two, 5 1/4" drivers in a sealed box no larger than the entire "TATSS" basic packaged unit.

I've had this little amp since around 1977, and the "TATSS" has accompanied me around the world since I started flying for a living in 1978.

Toasted Almond
 
Last edited:
I'm talking small, ....and cheap too. :D

The little Marantz and Infinitys are about a $50 investment. (after refoamimg the Infinitys).

It really dosen't get used alot. It just all fits well on top of a chest, and is there for ocassional use.

Nothing fancy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom