sonosphere
Well-Known Member
Norge-1000 amp with Wharfedale 9.1 & 9.2
Hi! Specially to guys looking for budget-system,
After going thru lot of posts on this forum and search on web, I am done with the theory part and today ventured into auditioning things for myself. I hope my experience below will help other budget-system hunters.
What I want:
An Audio system that is good at reproducing music faithfully at living room volume (would that be 80dB at my sofa, located 2.5m from speakers?) and Cinema audio with sufficient drama to support visuals of action-flicks 100dB peak is good enough for me. All this within 40-50k.
My solution* (Shared Music and HT system I already have a DVD player)
Setup-1: Stereo amp + Bookshelf speakers + Active Subwoofer for music (Ive read some posts to hookup Active Subs with amps not having pre-outs)
Setup-2: AVR + 5.1 speakers (bookshelf and Sub shared from above via switch) for Cinema
*Many posts in this forum have recommended maintaining two setups one for music and other for HT to get the best performance.
Todays audition (For music only)
Considering my budget limits I considered Norge-1000 stereo amp and Wharfedale 9.1 bookshelves (Active sub combination not possible today) I had taken my favorite CDs from Dire Straits, Bee Gees and the recent Gajini to audition. Here is what I observed:
Disclaimer: I am a newbie as far exposure to leading edge audio experience is concerned. To some, my accolades may appear exaggerated, but I am sure that a regular guy would agree with me. My reference for comparison, is the sound I get thru my Sony headphones except punchy bass, they deliver all details (hopefully).
Settings: Volume control at 12 o clock position (clarification for newbies like me > 8 o clock is lowest, 4 o clock is max voume). Bass & Treble kept at neutral initially.
Norge 1000 + 9.1 combo came to life with Water of Love (Dire Straits). For a couple of seconds, I thought the nearby floorstanders were playing, but showroom executive assured me they were the 9.1s. The dynamics and clarity of music was big, compared to the diminutive size of Wharfedale 9.1s. I moved the bass knob to 2 o clock position (12 o clock is neutral) to increase bass to my taste. There was no distortion/boominess in bass and the whole music sounded fuller. The fuller experience continued with remaining tracks varying from soft rock to pop to A.R Rahman class. Tried moving up treble just to observe, but realized things sounded perfect at neutral, so left it at that.
Pros: The whole music appeared complete Bass, vocals, background instruments everything was audible clearly at their respective levels. I was particularly impressed to hear the texture in vocals that I never knew existed during the umpteen times Ive heard these tracks on my headphone. Needless to say speakers sounded good because the Norge amp was giving them good signal.
Cons: None for speakers and amp of this size. I am told 9.1s are babies for this Norge-1000 amp (100w Rms per channel approx), it would have delivered far better with Wharfedale floorstanders.
Price-Note: Norge-1000 (10.5k approx), 9.1s (12.7k a pair) at this Pune showroom. I believe a lesser sibling of Norge (60 w Rms/ch) will drive 9.1s equally well at total package cost of 16k. The power at showroom went out before I could verify this combination.
Wish list:
- I need punchier bass unbelievable but the 4 sub of my earlier Videocon 2.1 system delivered better punch (at 5k price!). To be fair the sub-enclosure was much larger than 9.1s.
- I need more bite/power in drums/tom-toms
Next plan
- Will audition 9.2s with same amp, hope it attends to my wish list. Cant go for Floorstanders due to budget and space constraints
- The showroom executive opined that at moderate volume levels (aforementioned 80dB level), newer AVRs deliver equally good results comparable to budget stereo amps. (Hey! this is contrary to what I have been reading on this forum!) Will test his opinion by hooking 9.2s at AVRs front channels in stereo direct mode. Maybe I can save on Amp cost.
Update: No the newer "entry-level" AVR's (tried Deonon and Onkyo) are no where as good as Norge-1000.
- Will proceed to aforementioned Setup-2 audition once the Setup-1 is finalised.
Update: I have got both setups now.
Will keep you guys posted on developments.
Regards,
Sonopshere
Hi I am back here...
Subsequent to Next plan above, I have compiled links to subsequent updates from my side
Update-1
My impressions of Norge-1000 with Wharfedale 9.2 >> http://www.hifivision.com/reviews/4405-norge-1000-amp-wharfedale-9-1-a-2.html#post63510
Update-2
My short comparison of "N-1000 + WD 9.2" with "Denon 500+Quad 11L" >> http://www.hifivision.com/amplifiers/3620-want-info-local-vfm-amp-speaker-2.html#post115181
Update-3 (Dt. 03-Mar-10)
Difference in SQ when using different sources:
(I am considering my Sony headphones as reference for below comparison)
1. Source (LG 356 DVD player): This is my present source. SQ >> Moderate bass, subdued midrange, sparkling acoustic guitar tones /piano tones (little bit above the intended volume, comapred to Headphone sound). Coloured Mettalic-Treble??? YES!!! but sounds like dream when listening to solo acoustic guitar or solo piano tracks.
2. Source (Philips Go Gear MP3 Player): Tried this source out of curiosity. Hooked the headphone out to Norge-1000 Aux-in. SQ>> More warmth in bass, more warmth & detail in midrange, Not so sparkling guitar /Piano tones, but overall warm, cosy listenable sound for a lazy afternoon.
3. Source (above DVDP Digitally fed to Onkyo 5105 co-ax in >> Onkyo Headphone-out* to Norge Aux-in. *(Had to take Headphone-out since this AVR hasn't got Pre-out). SQ >> WOW!!! The Whole music sounds more natural & properly blended. (Natural Bass /mids, /treble). More details... I hear some unheard parts now, the "already heard" ones are not louder, but have more natural tone /pleasant body around them. Since many have opined that entry-level AVR's don't have good DAC's (like Onlyo 5105). I am wondering what would be the SQ if I hook up a good DAC!!!
:yahoo:
Update-3 Conclusion: The N-1000+WD 9.2 Combo is very true projector of your source. It can sound mettalic or Warm or Balanced depending on your source. (All this while the Norge didn't seem to add any noise /distortion from its side. Even at 12 o'clock volume position it was dead quite >> I had to crank vol up as philips headphone out level was very low)
Will post more updates as they happen...
Hi! Specially to guys looking for budget-system,
After going thru lot of posts on this forum and search on web, I am done with the theory part and today ventured into auditioning things for myself. I hope my experience below will help other budget-system hunters.
What I want:
An Audio system that is good at reproducing music faithfully at living room volume (would that be 80dB at my sofa, located 2.5m from speakers?) and Cinema audio with sufficient drama to support visuals of action-flicks 100dB peak is good enough for me. All this within 40-50k.
My solution* (Shared Music and HT system I already have a DVD player)
Setup-1: Stereo amp + Bookshelf speakers + Active Subwoofer for music (Ive read some posts to hookup Active Subs with amps not having pre-outs)
Setup-2: AVR + 5.1 speakers (bookshelf and Sub shared from above via switch) for Cinema
*Many posts in this forum have recommended maintaining two setups one for music and other for HT to get the best performance.
Todays audition (For music only)
Considering my budget limits I considered Norge-1000 stereo amp and Wharfedale 9.1 bookshelves (Active sub combination not possible today) I had taken my favorite CDs from Dire Straits, Bee Gees and the recent Gajini to audition. Here is what I observed:
Disclaimer: I am a newbie as far exposure to leading edge audio experience is concerned. To some, my accolades may appear exaggerated, but I am sure that a regular guy would agree with me. My reference for comparison, is the sound I get thru my Sony headphones except punchy bass, they deliver all details (hopefully).
Settings: Volume control at 12 o clock position (clarification for newbies like me > 8 o clock is lowest, 4 o clock is max voume). Bass & Treble kept at neutral initially.
Norge 1000 + 9.1 combo came to life with Water of Love (Dire Straits). For a couple of seconds, I thought the nearby floorstanders were playing, but showroom executive assured me they were the 9.1s. The dynamics and clarity of music was big, compared to the diminutive size of Wharfedale 9.1s. I moved the bass knob to 2 o clock position (12 o clock is neutral) to increase bass to my taste. There was no distortion/boominess in bass and the whole music sounded fuller. The fuller experience continued with remaining tracks varying from soft rock to pop to A.R Rahman class. Tried moving up treble just to observe, but realized things sounded perfect at neutral, so left it at that.
Pros: The whole music appeared complete Bass, vocals, background instruments everything was audible clearly at their respective levels. I was particularly impressed to hear the texture in vocals that I never knew existed during the umpteen times Ive heard these tracks on my headphone. Needless to say speakers sounded good because the Norge amp was giving them good signal.
Cons: None for speakers and amp of this size. I am told 9.1s are babies for this Norge-1000 amp (100w Rms per channel approx), it would have delivered far better with Wharfedale floorstanders.
Price-Note: Norge-1000 (10.5k approx), 9.1s (12.7k a pair) at this Pune showroom. I believe a lesser sibling of Norge (60 w Rms/ch) will drive 9.1s equally well at total package cost of 16k. The power at showroom went out before I could verify this combination.
Wish list:
- I need punchier bass unbelievable but the 4 sub of my earlier Videocon 2.1 system delivered better punch (at 5k price!). To be fair the sub-enclosure was much larger than 9.1s.
- I need more bite/power in drums/tom-toms
Next plan
- Will audition 9.2s with same amp, hope it attends to my wish list. Cant go for Floorstanders due to budget and space constraints
- The showroom executive opined that at moderate volume levels (aforementioned 80dB level), newer AVRs deliver equally good results comparable to budget stereo amps. (Hey! this is contrary to what I have been reading on this forum!) Will test his opinion by hooking 9.2s at AVRs front channels in stereo direct mode. Maybe I can save on Amp cost.
Update: No the newer "entry-level" AVR's (tried Deonon and Onkyo) are no where as good as Norge-1000.
- Will proceed to aforementioned Setup-2 audition once the Setup-1 is finalised.
Update: I have got both setups now.
Will keep you guys posted on developments.
Regards,
Sonopshere
Hi I am back here...
Subsequent to Next plan above, I have compiled links to subsequent updates from my side
Update-1
My impressions of Norge-1000 with Wharfedale 9.2 >> http://www.hifivision.com/reviews/4405-norge-1000-amp-wharfedale-9-1-a-2.html#post63510
Update-2
My short comparison of "N-1000 + WD 9.2" with "Denon 500+Quad 11L" >> http://www.hifivision.com/amplifiers/3620-want-info-local-vfm-amp-speaker-2.html#post115181
Update-3 (Dt. 03-Mar-10)
Difference in SQ when using different sources:
(I am considering my Sony headphones as reference for below comparison)
1. Source (LG 356 DVD player): This is my present source. SQ >> Moderate bass, subdued midrange, sparkling acoustic guitar tones /piano tones (little bit above the intended volume, comapred to Headphone sound). Coloured Mettalic-Treble??? YES!!! but sounds like dream when listening to solo acoustic guitar or solo piano tracks.
2. Source (Philips Go Gear MP3 Player): Tried this source out of curiosity. Hooked the headphone out to Norge-1000 Aux-in. SQ>> More warmth in bass, more warmth & detail in midrange, Not so sparkling guitar /Piano tones, but overall warm, cosy listenable sound for a lazy afternoon.
3. Source (above DVDP Digitally fed to Onkyo 5105 co-ax in >> Onkyo Headphone-out* to Norge Aux-in. *(Had to take Headphone-out since this AVR hasn't got Pre-out). SQ >> WOW!!! The Whole music sounds more natural & properly blended. (Natural Bass /mids, /treble). More details... I hear some unheard parts now, the "already heard" ones are not louder, but have more natural tone /pleasant body around them. Since many have opined that entry-level AVR's don't have good DAC's (like Onlyo 5105). I am wondering what would be the SQ if I hook up a good DAC!!!
:yahoo:Update-3 Conclusion: The N-1000+WD 9.2 Combo is very true projector of your source. It can sound mettalic or Warm or Balanced depending on your source. (All this while the Norge didn't seem to add any noise /distortion from its side. Even at 12 o'clock volume position it was dead quite >> I had to crank vol up as philips headphone out level was very low)
Will post more updates as they happen...
Last edited:
