930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: renton007 on April 20, 2006, 08:42:00 am
-
I've recently been looking to upgrade my current stereo componets because I was able to pick up a turntable at Plan 9 in Richmond (Sony PS-1700).
What do you audiophiles have in your configuration? I was thinking of getting some Bose 301's. I've read some mixed reviews but when I've listened to them they sounded excellent to me.
Does anyone strongly recommend/oppose any certain makes or models?
And since it'll be a factor in the decision making process, let say the budget for this is between $600-1000.
-
One thing I can say is stay away from Bose. Great marketing, poor value. Stay away, far away.
When you say $600 - $1000, what does that include...just speakers or a new receiver as well? If you're keeping some of your gear, what do you have now? Do you want bookshelf speakers or floorstanders?
Visit some of the higher end shops (not CC or BB) and listen to what they have and see what you like. Speaker selection, more than any other component, depends on user preference.....Brand A and brand B may both be considered excellent speakers but you may prefer one over another due to its sonic qualities.
I've got an HK receiver and an Epos speaker setup but I'm looking to upgrade my fronts in the next few months to something bigger. Brands I'm looking at are Epos (again) Paradigm, Axiom, Green Mountain Audio, Gallo (in my dreams). There's so many speaker makers out there it'll make your head explode.
-
600-1000 would be speakers, receiver and quality speaker wire. I think 1000 would be way more than I need to spend. I'd like bookshelf speakers since it's not like I have a huge room to fill with sound, just a living room.
I just want something that gives a full, robust, clear, strong (whatever other adjective you want to use) listening experience.
It's be audio only, so nothing hooked up to the TV/DVD.
The only componet I'd keep is my cd changer and turntable.
-
epos m5 (http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AEPOSM5&ref=froogle%20)
epos els3 (http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AEPOSELS-3&ref=froogle)
You could get a 5.1 reciever and just use the l/r channels for now. That way, if you ever wanted to you could add a sub which would really improve your listening experience considering you're looking at getting bookshelves which are going to be lacking at lower freqencies.
For 2-channel try this...should be a great match with the epos as well- NAD 320 BEE (http://stereos.about.com/od/amplifierreviews/gr/nad_320bee.htm)
As far as cable goes, in this price range just about any 12 or 14 guage speaker wire will do fine. Try home depot or even just buy it by the foot at myer emco or tweeter. Stay away from Monster Cable....it's fine but overpriced. More good marketing.
-
Man there are so many awesome speakers and they all have their own sound.
I would recommend a couple options.
1. Go to Deja Vu audio in Fairfax (http://www.dejavuaudio.com/) They specialize in tube technology therefore their speakers are all made to deal with the low wattage of tubes. Basically that means they are they are really efficiently built and will make better use of your wattage in making volume. They carry INSANELY expensive stuff but they also have stuff for the rest of us. Even if you don't buy anything there you need to see this place. It will change your fundamental concept of audio technology.
2. Buy Canadian. The Canadian government sponsors some audio research so many of these companies make better products cheaper. Ones I have experience with are:
Dahlquist (http://www.dahlquistcorporation.com/) (I own and love)
Mirage (http://www.miragespeakers.com/) (I own and like a whole lot)
Paradigm (http://www.paradigm.com/) (good speakers for rock, lots of bass)
Energy (http://www.energy-speakers.com/) (I remember these being good but haven't heard in a while)
Some of these are at Myer Emco http://www.myer-emco.com/ (http://www.myer-emco.com/)
3. Go on ebay and buy whatever KEF or B&W fits your price range. This is basically what I am going to do next time I buy. Of course there are obvious concerns when buying this way but great speakers like these just get broken in better over time if they are taken care of and you are getting a great deal buying used. I LOVE KEF but it is all personal taste really.
Just listen a lot. If you go to Deja Vu, when you leave those Bose will sound like a distorted guitar amp.
Of course once you get some good speakers then you are going to want to drive them better. Okay, I'll stop. I know I am an audio geek.
-
i think a powered sub is a must. do people agree? a must.
-
Chaz is right on. I would also recommend Denon or Adcom for low cost receivers. NAD is the bomb for quality on a budget. What we are telling you is going to push the 1k mark pretty hard though.
-
Originally posted by yinzer:
i think a powered sub is a must. do people agree? a must.
It really depends on the l/r channels.
-
Deja vu' audios website just gave me a massive erection, it's too bad i don't have a large room i can dedicate just for music.
I do like the tube technology and am going to pay a visit to the store.
-
Renton, Chaz,
I just read that article on the NAD because you've gotten me interested in it now. Especially for $400. Renton, If you are considering it aware that it doesn't have phono in since you have a turntable.
-
Originally posted by Monad:
Renton, Chaz,
I just read that article on the NAD because you've gotten me interested in it now. Especially for $400. Renton, If you are considering it aware that it doesn't have phono in since you have a turntable.
Yeah I know but you can get a phono pre-amp for it. I think Nad makes one for around $100.
I see you have the sickness too, Monad.
My wife hates this hobby of mine. Once you upgrade something you've got a new weak link in the chain. It never ends. When I get the new speakers it'll be time to upgrade the reciever...either an Arcam avr300 or seperates....
-
Yeah I don't go in audio stores anymore at all. I can't. I have directed all my energies to my guitar set up which is an equally sick drain of cash. I can't wait till renton visits Deja Vu. He will be ruined after that. Hahahahaha!!
-
I'm looking forward to visiting deja vu, especially since you can bring your own tunes to test drive the equipment. I only hope I don't get sticker shock, which would be disheartening. I hope to go there next weekend.
-
Actually the owner told me that I could bring my own beer too. :o Pretty laid back guys.
You will get sticker shock. It is not uncommon to see price tags well into the 5 digit range. BUT you will hear how good audio can sound and see things like you have never seen before. Like I said they do offer cheaper things for regular people but I haven't been in a while to know how much.
-
These (http://www.dejavuaudio.com/SPEAKERS-QUAD-21-L.HTM) are on my short list now. I can get a perfect pair over on audiogon for around $800!
-
Nice! Man those things sound good. Those and the Spendors are both awesome. Especially tempting since I just blew a driver out of one of my Dalquists.
Where is Audiogon?
-
listen to Chaz - he knows his shit - he hooked with up with an awesome plasma, receiver and surround sound a few months back
-
Originally posted by Monad:
Nice! Man those things sound good. Those and the Spendors are both awesome. Especially tempting since I just blew a driver out of one of my Dalquists.
Where is Audiogon?
Audiogon (http://www.audiogon.com/index.html)
I wish it was a B&M....you can pretty much find anything for sale over there.
-
Originally posted by brennser:
listen to Chaz - he knows his shit - he hooked with up with an awesome plasma, receiver and surround sound a few months back
Really I don't know much....but thanks! A friend of mine is really into this stuff and has turned me on to it a bit, on the audio side at least. There's a lot of info out there ot absorb, and for every product you can find at least one great review for it.
There are some serious A/V nuts out there. People will do or buy almost anything if they think it will make their stereo sound better.
Case in point:
ripoff #1 (http://www.machinadynamica.com/machina41.htm) $199
The Clever Little Clock is a small, battery-powered alarm clock that has been extensively modified using a number of highly-specialized techniques. The Clever Little Clock does not plug into the wall and has no direct or indirect influence on the audio signal -- not on house wiring, audio components, cables, interconnects, power cords or acoustic waves. Yet the Clock has a pronounced affect on the sound produced by all digital and analog playback systems.
Remove the Clock from its clear bubble pack and place it anywhere in the listening room. The sound will be considerably more musical and live sounding. There will be less distortion, more information and a deep, coherent soundstage. Low frequencies will be articulate, extended and dynamic, high frequencies exceptionally smooth with phenomenal inner detail. In other words, More of Everything!!
ripoff # 2 (and my personal fave) (http://www.machinadynamica.com/machina17.htm) $129
Brilliant Pebbles is an original concept for improving the sound in audio systems created by Machina Dynamica, makers of the Nimbus Sub-Hertz Platform, Promethean Base and Nirvana Base vibration isolation stands. Brilliant Pebbles capitalizes on special properties of mineral crystals to reduce noise & distortion in audio systems (and satellite video systems). The Original (Large) Brilliant Pebbles is a 3-inch tall, clear, closed glass bottle containing minerals & stones of various types, each possessing a unique crystal structure. Newer "Mini" and "Mikro" Brilliant Pebbles are considerably smaller in size, contain a wider variety of stones and have different applications than the Original. A number of highly-specialized preparation & assembly procedures contributes significantly to Brilliant Pebbles' effectiveness.
-
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
I don't care what you say I am buying some of those pebbles. I mean they are clearly scientific.
Just like these (not audio related items):
Scientific Gadgets (http://www.telepathictv.com/copper%20devices%20by%20Neville%20Johnston.htm)
-
Is a powered sub a must for an apartment setup too? I want good sound but I don't want my neighbors calling the cops.
-
Originally posted by Doomter Doc:
Is a powered sub a must for an apartment setup too? I want good sound but I don't want my neighbors calling the cops.
I mean...not really. Different people will tell you what is or isn't a "must". It depends on your left/right channel speakers and what their frequency response is. If you have small bookshelf speakers, then yes a sub can help round out the sound in the lower frequencies but it's not a "must". I'd say a sub is a must have when you're going the home theater route.....for music not as much.
That being said, when I listent to music at home i use a 2.1 setup....left, right and a sub. Sounds good to me!
-
While we are on the topic....can some recommend a good turntable? Nothing fancy.
[rant]I have a Sony which got stuck in the "start" cycle. The only way to stop it was by unplugging it. But as soon as I plugged it in again, it would just start spinning. I took it into Myer-Emco today and, of course, when the dude plugged it in, it worked fine. I was all excited and thought that maybe it just needed to get out for a nice ride in the fresh spring air. But when I got home and hooked it up, it got stuck in the cycle again, on the first try.[/rant]
Needless to say, don't recommend a Sony. I've generally had subpar experiences with Sony over the last five years or so.
-
A little trick with bass, if you feel like your speakers aren't bassy enough, is to move the speakers closer to the wall or better yet a corner. Corners help to project bass. I know it is a crude method and usually isn't convenient or great for the soundstage but it's free and if your room permits, worth trying at least. Of course if your speakers are so small that they don't put out any bass at all then this won't work.
I know nothing about record players.