Post your stereo system!

2-feign-reluctance

MedozK said:

2-feign-reluctance said:

Oknyo arrived a few weeks ago. Everything set up and sounding really really awesome - the Onkyo is amazing I have to be honest. I am holding off on a new cartridge for my AT-LP120. Not sure it will be worth the investment when the Marantz really jumped the overall sound up in a major way!

Yea, the Onkyo is a great player for the money.

Hell, even the tapes sound great through the Marantz. Haha! Seriously though, the CD player shines. I can't get over how clear everything is. It's eye opening to be honest.

mrussel1

2-feign-reluctance said:

MedozK said:

2-feign-reluctance said:

Oknyo arrived a few weeks ago. Everything set up and sounding really really awesome - the Onkyo is amazing I have to be honest. I am holding off on a new cartridge for my AT-LP120. Not sure it will be worth the investment when the Marantz really jumped the overall sound up in a major way!

Yea, the Onkyo is a great player for the money.

Hell, even the tapes sound great through the Marantz. Haha! Seriously though, the CD player shines. I can't get over how clear everything is. It's eye opening to be honest.

For me, it's not really the clarity that shines through when you have a good amp (although it certainly does). It's the lack of 'harshness', particularly during longer listening sessions. The best way I can describe it is that I feel the music in my body, rather than the head. I can easily flip amps while listening from a dedicated 2 channel to an AVR. Flipping to an AVR or lower quality amp, the harshness just permeates my temples... you can tell you would get listening fatigue. A good two channel, coupled with vinyl, is just melts in your body.

That may sound stupid, if you can ever A/B or do the Pepsi challenge, you'll know what I mean.

steinba

mrussel1 said:

Trying to see what you got there. Are those two monoblocks on the top shelves? What are they?

Sorry. Forgot about this thread for a while. They're Abrahamsen V4.0UP power amps, mono bridged as monoblocks, yes. I've listed all the components somewhere early in the thread, I believe.

I rearranged my listening room since the pics, so it doesn't look quite like that anymore, and changed the preamp for a used BAT VK-30. Pretty happy with everything.

steinba

chadwick said:

dudeman, agreed. the original poster's system looks absolutely ruthless. his turn table has me curious. i wanna see that thing spin on a youtube video or something

I never gave the details about that, I see...

The table is a Nottingham Analogue Studio Space 294 with Heavy Duty Kit and Wave Mechanic power supply. The tonearm is a Jelco SA-750LB and the cartridge is a DV-20x2L from Dynavector.

Still stoked and feels good every time I spin it up. (By hand!)

steinba

Double double post. Not too clever late at night, this guy.

steinba

Sorry. Double post

Weston1283

I have a Yamaha amp that I got on amazon for around 130 and Klipsch bookshelf speakers...

Upgrading which of these two will lead to better sound? And does anyone have recommendations as to specific speakers/amps? Thanks!


Link to speakers and amp:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/klipsch-reference-5-1-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/6228109.p?id=1219198818817&skuId=6228109&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=6228109&extensionType=pla_multichannel:g&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!83496466991!g!!86769287591&kpid=6228109&k_clickid=bce1ae6c-9346-4062-b3db-b313e4931e05&lsft=ref:212,loc:1&ksid=bce1ae6c-9346-4062-b3db-b313e4931e05&ksprof_id=16&ksaffcode=pg3283&ksdevice=c&gclid=CKSOrb6irskCFciVgQod8xwO3A

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-S201BL-2-Channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B00F0H88SY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464137039&sr=1-1&keywords=yamaha+r-s201

mrussel1

Weston1283 said:

I have a Yamaha amp that I got on amazon for around 130 and Klipsch bookshelf speakers...

Upgrading which of these two will lead to better sound? And does anyone have recommendations as to specific speakers/amps? Thanks!


Link to speakers and amp:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/klipsch-reference-5-1-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/6228109.p?id=1219198818817&skuId=6228109&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=6228109&extensionType=pla_multichannel:g&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!83496466991!g!!86769287591&kpid=6228109&k_clickid=bce1ae6c-9346-4062-b3db-b313e4931e05&lsft=ref:212,loc:1&ksid=bce1ae6c-9346-4062-b3db-b313e4931e05&ksprof_id=16&ksaffcode=pg3283&ksdevice=c&gclid=CKSOrb6irskCFciVgQod8xwO3A

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-S201BL-2-Channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B00F0H88SY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464137039&sr=1-1&keywords=yamaha+r-s201

That Yamaha is a stereo receiver that doubles as an amp. Is that what you are looking for? If not, if you don't plan on listening to the radio, I would definitely suggest going with the similar model that is just an integrated amp. It would be the A-S300 or 301. The big difference is the ability to run in 'pure mode' which turns off all of the non-essential circuits. I can tell you from experience that if you run Yamaha in pure mode and then switch to 'regular', it will make your ears bleed in pain, the difference in quality is that stark.

The difference in cost is material, but if you can swing it, the A-S series is a tremendous deal. There's a reason why the receiver 'appears' to be the same but priced so much less. It's in the circuits. The 300 and 301 are essentially the same, but the 300 is a few years older, so priced lower.

Weston1283

mrussel1 said:

Weston1283 said:

I have a Yamaha amp that I got on amazon for around 130 and Klipsch bookshelf speakers...

Upgrading which of these two will lead to better sound? And does anyone have recommendations as to specific speakers/amps? Thanks!


Link to speakers and amp:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/klipsch-reference-5-1-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/6228109.p?id=1219198818817&skuId=6228109&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=6228109&extensionType=pla_multichannel:g&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!83496466991!g!!86769287591&kpid=6228109&k_clickid=bce1ae6c-9346-4062-b3db-b313e4931e05&lsft=ref:212,loc:1&ksid=bce1ae6c-9346-4062-b3db-b313e4931e05&ksprof_id=16&ksaffcode=pg3283&ksdevice=c&gclid=CKSOrb6irskCFciVgQod8xwO3A

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-S201BL-2-Channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B00F0H88SY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464137039&sr=1-1&keywords=yamaha+r-s201

That Yamaha is a stereo receiver that doubles as an amp. Is that what you are looking for? If not, if you don't plan on listening to the radio, I would definitely suggest going with the similar model that is just an integrated amp. It would be the A-S300 or 301. The big difference is the ability to run in 'pure mode' which turns off all of the non-essential circuits. I can tell you from experience that if you run Yamaha in pure mode and then switch to 'regular', it will make your ears bleed in pain, the difference in quality is that stark.

The difference in cost is material, but if you can swing it, the A-S series is a tremendous deal. There's a reason why the receiver 'appears' to be the same but priced so much less. It's in the circuits. The 300 and 301 are essentially the same, but the 300 is a few years older, so priced lower.

I want something that is exclusively used for my turntable, nothing else plugged in. Are there any keywords I should look for that will tell me if it is a pure amp or not?

mrussel1

Weston1283 said:

mrussel1 said:

Weston1283 said:

I have a Yamaha amp that I got on amazon for around 130 and Klipsch bookshelf speakers...

Upgrading which of these two will lead to better sound? And does anyone have recommendations as to specific speakers/amps? Thanks!


Link to speakers and amp:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/klipsch-reference-5-1-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/6228109.p?id=1219198818817&skuId=6228109&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=6228109&extensionType=pla_multichannel:g&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!83496466991!g!!86769287591&kpid=6228109&k_clickid=bce1ae6c-9346-4062-b3db-b313e4931e05&lsft=ref:212,loc:1&ksid=bce1ae6c-9346-4062-b3db-b313e4931e05&ksprof_id=16&ksaffcode=pg3283&ksdevice=c&gclid=CKSOrb6irskCFciVgQod8xwO3A

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-S201BL-2-Channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B00F0H88SY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464137039&sr=1-1&keywords=yamaha+r-s201

That Yamaha is a stereo receiver that doubles as an amp. Is that what you are looking for? If not, if you don't plan on listening to the radio, I would definitely suggest going with the similar model that is just an integrated amp. It would be the A-S300 or 301. The big difference is the ability to run in 'pure mode' which turns off all of the non-essential circuits. I can tell you from experience that if you run Yamaha in pure mode and then switch to 'regular', it will make your ears bleed in pain, the difference in quality is that stark.

The difference in cost is material, but if you can swing it, the A-S series is a tremendous deal. There's a reason why the receiver 'appears' to be the same but priced so much less. It's in the circuits. The 300 and 301 are essentially the same, but the 300 is a few years older, so priced lower.

I want something that is exclusively used for my turntable, nothing else plugged in. Are there any keywords I should look for that will tell me if it is a pure amp or not?

Look at the front facing. It has a button that says 'pure mode'. If you move out if integrated amps into just straight amps, those are always 'pure'. But you will be paying some cash. The stereo receiver does not have a 'pure mode' button.. Three other big benefits of the true integrated amp:

1. Built in phono stage. You may have an external already so you can compare the two. I have a Cambridge Azur that I like just a touch better than the Yamaha one, but it's a nice option
2. Sub out - this is big especially if you are getting bookshelf speakers. Over time, you may decide that your books are not full enough, hitting the lower end of your shiny PJ bootlegs or your 180 gram Yield reissue. This gives you the option to add the sub. The stereo receiver does not (without daisy chaining)
3. Plug speaker bindings vs the clips on the receiver - better connection, easier to work with, cleaner look, etc. I'm a big fan of the plug bindings.

Even though you want it just for vinyl, the nice thing about the A-S series is that it is very flexible and unless you are throwing some super power hungry 4 ohm towers at it, they'll power just about anything you need. Ten years from now, it will still be one of the better amps you own.

That stereo is a helluva deal for $129, there is no doubt. But there is a world a of difference audibly between the two. If you can swing the extra, you'll hear the difference. If you're on a budget, the receiver is a good deal.

i_lov_it

steinba said:

This might be slightly/completely off topic, but anyway... It's sort of a gearhead topic too, even if it's not about guitars or drumheads.
With all the vinyl collectors and music lovers on the board, there has to be some cool stereo setups around. Let's see 'em! It'll be fun.

I'll start:

Very nice setup

Weston1283

Best amplifier under $500? Something for my turntable and only my tuentable, don't need anything more

Go!

mrussel1

Weston1283 said:

Best amplifier under $500? Something for my turntable and only my tuentable, don't need anything more

Go!

Look at the Yamaha 301. For real. Especially if you have bookshelves. It gives you the option to add the sub.

And I assume you mean integrated amplifier, not just a two channel with balanced and/or unbalanced inputs only.

Edit - or the 501 which slightly exceeds your budget.

Weston1283

mrussel1 said:

Weston1283 said:

Best amplifier under $500? Something for my turntable and only my tuentable, don't need anything more

Go!

Look at the Yamaha 301. For real. Especially if you have bookshelves. It gives you the option to add the sub.

And I assume you mean integrated amplifier, not just a two channel with balanced and/or unbalanced inputs only.

Edit - or the 501 which slightly exceeds your budget.

Is it worth going up a model or two to get more power out of it if I plan on getting larger, louder speakers someday?

The S-501 I can get refurbished with a warranty for $399, no tax and free shipping via amazon

mrussel1

If you are looking for a true amplifier (not integrated), check out this new one from Emotiva. I think I may be buying it myself. I really love their product. Emotiva and Outlaw have cornered the market on internet direct, high value audio.

http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/basx-300

2-feign-reluctance

The "source direct" button on my Marantz receiver? Whoa....

mrussel1

Weston1283 said:

mrussel1 said:

Weston1283 said:

Best amplifier under $500? Something for my turntable and only my tuentable, don't need anything more

Go!

Look at the Yamaha 301. For real. Especially if you have bookshelves. It gives you the option to add the sub.

And I assume you mean integrated amplifier, not just a two channel with balanced and/or unbalanced inputs only.

Edit - or the 501 which slightly exceeds your budget.

Is it worth going up a model or two to get more power out of it if I plan on getting larger, louder speakers someday?

The S-501 I can get refurbished with a warranty for $399, no tax and free shipping via amazon

That's 150 off retail. That's pretty good. Now if you can get the silver one...

Croos1226

2-feign-reluctance said:

The "source direct" button on my Marantz receiver? Whoa....

I hear ya, i never move mine from that setting....there's just no need to.

mrussel1

Try turning it off after listening for an hour. Your ears will feel like they are bleeding.

2-feign-reluctance

mrussel1 said:

Try turning it off after listening for an hour. Your ears will feel like they are bleeding.

Since I'm a newb to this stuff I already did that. It wasn't bad but once I hit that button it changed up nicely.

mrussel1

2-feign-reluctance said:

mrussel1 said:

Try turning it off after listening for an hour. Your ears will feel like they are bleeding.

Since I'm a newb to this stuff I already did that. It wasn't bad but once I hit that button it changed up nicely.

I'm saying that after listening in a pure mode for a while and then switching off of it, it sounds shrill. Like the music is penetrating your brain. Whereas with pure, it feels 'body'. Kind of like a nice indica! Are we saying the same thing?

2-feign-reluctance

Yep

steinba

Been a while since anybody posted their stereo system now. ...

lolobugg

mrussel1 said:

If you are looking for a true amplifier (not integrated), check out this new one from Emotiva. I think I may be buying it myself. I really love their product. Emotiva and Outlaw have cornered the market on internet direct, high value audio.

http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/basx-300

that looks really nice. if I have an analog pre-amp, do you think it would work with it?
I realize all volume control would be handled thru the preamp, but just wondered if you thought it would be a good match. thanks.

mrussel1

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

If you are looking for a true amplifier (not integrated), check out this new one from Emotiva. I think I may be buying it myself. I really love their product. Emotiva and Outlaw have cornered the market on internet direct, high value audio.

http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/basx-300

that looks really nice. if I have an analog pre-amp, do you think it would work with it?
I realize all volume control would be handled thru the preamp, but just wondered if you thought it would be a good match. thanks.

I think this amp would go beautifully with a pre/pro, analog or not. I'm assuming that your out on the pre amp is unbalanced (RCA jacks). This unit doesn't have any switch or volume controls, so it's designed for precisely what you have.

lolobugg

mrussel1 said:

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

If you are looking for a true amplifier (not integrated), check out this new one from Emotiva. I think I may be buying it myself. I really love their product. Emotiva and Outlaw have cornered the market on internet direct, high value audio.

http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/basx-300

that looks really nice. if I have an analog pre-amp, do you think it would work with it?
I realize all volume control would be handled thru the preamp, but just wondered if you thought it would be a good match. thanks.

I think this amp would go beautifully with a pre/pro, analog or not. I'm assuming that your out on the pre amp is unbalanced (RCA jacks). This unit doesn't have any switch or volume controls, so it's designed for precisely what you have.

looks really good. I have been wanting a pure stereo amp for sometime. I bypass the built in pre-amp right now in my receiver and run it on pure analog mode. I have Klipsch reference series towers. this looks like it could push them nicely.

the only problem is I have a 400 disc CD changer that I occasionally use that requires a preamp.
I wonder if they make something to switch my speakers A/B between my Pioneer Elite Receiver and the Emotiva. any suggestions as I don't want to run 2 sets of speakers.

mrussel1

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

If you are looking for a true amplifier (not integrated), check out this new one from Emotiva. I think I may be buying it myself. I really love their product. Emotiva and Outlaw have cornered the market on internet direct, high value audio.

http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/basx-300

that looks really nice. if I have an analog pre-amp, do you think it would work with it?
I realize all volume control would be handled thru the preamp, but just wondered if you thought it would be a good match. thanks.

I think this amp would go beautifully with a pre/pro, analog or not. I'm assuming that your out on the pre amp is unbalanced (RCA jacks). This unit doesn't have any switch or volume controls, so it's designed for precisely what you have.

looks really good. I have been wanting a pure stereo amp for sometime. I bypass the built in pre-amp right now in my receiver and run it on pure analog mode. I have Klipsch reference series towers. this looks like it could push them nicely.

the only problem is I have a 400 disc CD changer that I occasionally use that requires a preamp.
I wonder if they make something to switch my speakers A/B between my Pioneer Elite Receiver and the Emotiva. any suggestions as I don't want to run 2 sets of speakers.

I'm not sure I understand. If you have a Pioneer Elite, that would act as your pre-out. Your Elite (depending on the model, but I think most of them) will have a 'line out' for each channel. So in this case, two channels. You let your elite function as the pre/pro and use that to switch the source. So whether your using your TT or your cd changer, you should be good. If you send me the models of your components, I could tell you for sure.

lolobugg

mrussel1 said:

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

If you are looking for a true amplifier (not integrated), check out this new one from Emotiva. I think I may be buying it myself. I really love their product. Emotiva and Outlaw have cornered the market on internet direct, high value audio.

http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/basx-300

that looks really nice. if I have an analog pre-amp, do you think it would work with it?
I realize all volume control would be handled thru the preamp, but just wondered if you thought it would be a good match. thanks.

I think this amp would go beautifully with a pre/pro, analog or not. I'm assuming that your out on the pre amp is unbalanced (RCA jacks). This unit doesn't have any switch or volume controls, so it's designed for precisely what you have.

looks really good. I have been wanting a pure stereo amp for sometime. I bypass the built in pre-amp right now in my receiver and run it on pure analog mode. I have Klipsch reference series towers. this looks like it could push them nicely.

the only problem is I have a 400 disc CD changer that I occasionally use that requires a preamp.
I wonder if they make something to switch my speakers A/B between my Pioneer Elite Receiver and the Emotiva. any suggestions as I don't want to run 2 sets of speakers.

I'm not sure I understand. If you have a Pioneer Elite, that would act as your pre-out. Your Elite (depending on the model, but I think most of them) will have a 'line out' for each channel. So in this case, two channels. You let your elite function as the pre/pro and use that to switch the source. So whether your using your TT or your cd changer, you should be good. If you send me the models of your components, I could tell you for sure.

ok , I got you. just use the Elite as a pre-amp and bypass the amp. that would be an expensive preamp...
use the Emotiva as the workhorse. I just wonder if it would affect the signal path in anyway.
I would love to go right from my tube pre-amp into the Emotiva if possible. but it would in fact make it difficult to use any of my digital equipment.

mrussel1

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

lolobugg said:

mrussel1 said:

If you are looking for a true amplifier (not integrated), check out this new one from Emotiva. I think I may be buying it myself. I really love their product. Emotiva and Outlaw have cornered the market on internet direct, high value audio.

http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/basx-300

that looks really nice. if I have an analog pre-amp, do you think it would work with it?
I realize all volume control would be handled thru the preamp, but just wondered if you thought it would be a good match. thanks.

I think this amp would go beautifully with a pre/pro, analog or not. I'm assuming that your out on the pre amp is unbalanced (RCA jacks). This unit doesn't have any switch or volume controls, so it's designed for precisely what you have.

looks really good. I have been wanting a pure stereo amp for sometime. I bypass the built in pre-amp right now in my receiver and run it on pure analog mode. I have Klipsch reference series towers. this looks like it could push them nicely.

the only problem is I have a 400 disc CD changer that I occasionally use that requires a preamp.
I wonder if they make something to switch my speakers A/B between my Pioneer Elite Receiver and the Emotiva. any suggestions as I don't want to run 2 sets of speakers.

I'm not sure I understand. If you have a Pioneer Elite, that would act as your pre-out. Your Elite (depending on the model, but I think most of them) will have a 'line out' for each channel. So in this case, two channels. You let your elite function as the pre/pro and use that to switch the source. So whether your using your TT or your cd changer, you should be good. If you send me the models of your components, I could tell you for sure.

ok , I got you. just use the Elite as a pre-amp and bypass the amp. that would be an expensive preamp...
use the Emotiva as the workhorse. I just wonder if it would affect the signal path in anyway.
I would love to go right from my tube pre-amp into the Emotiva if possible. but it would in fact make it difficult to use any of my digital equipment.

Oh, I see. You want two sources to feed this. Yeah, that's a tough one without using a multi-channel type switcher that will degrade the audio source. I will think on that.

steinba

Whatever preamp you use with your poweramp, you could always hook up a D/A converter to one of it's inputs for all your digital pleasures.