Post your stereo system!

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.

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 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.

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

Go!

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

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

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 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.