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Stereo Talk

#22
Since Brad and I were typing at the same time, you may notice some common items in the gear, call it coincidence or not.

Also, since Magneplanars were brought up: If you have never experienced a dipole speaker such as the planar magnetic Magnepan, or the electrostatic Martin Logan, it is a different experience. One truly needs a dedicated listening room, so many feet apart, so many feet to the back wall, chair in the sweet spot, etc. When you get off - axis of a dipole, something (the magic) goes away. It has to be experienced to be fully understood.
 
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#23
48thStreetCustom said:
Could you get a used Mcintosh amp for that price?
Click to expand...

Used, yeah. But that would likely blow the entire budget.

I like them but have been very happy spending way less on amplification. I have an NAD 2600 that has real heft and clarity. I paired with an Adcom preamp. Have a pair of Nakamichi 620 amps that also sound nice. One of my favorites is my Soundcraftsmen PCR 800 but it does have a fan that's audible at lowest volumes. Headroom galore.

Looking back, I should probably get on Ebay and move some of this stuff :D They've all gone up in value since last I checked.
 
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#26
Michael Jewels said:
Hell, everybody.

I'm think of getting some new stereo components.

Right now, I have an old SAE power amp, 100 watts per channel, a Gemini pre amp (forgot which model,) and a pair of Bose 501V speakers.
View attachment 3719378
This set up sounds very good, but it's about 30 years old.

What do you have, and what do you recommend to replace this system?

Sound-wise, the Bose are a very balanced, not overly bright two-way speaker system.

I know you have to hear speakers live to judge them accurately, but over the years I've found that I tend to like two-way speakers over three-way, as the addition of the mid range driver tends to make them a little brash for my taste.

Volume-wise, this system goes as loud as I need it. I also don't want to get the neighbors ticked off.

I was thinking of going with a set of Klipsch speakers, either bookshelf or floor standing.

And, I was thinking of going with an integrated amplifier over a tuner, as I don't listen to the radio much through my main stereo.

My main goal is clean, smooth sound.

I listen mostly to Jazz.

So, what do you recommend?

Budget? Try to keep it at $1,500 or under.

Mike ;)
Click to expand...

Always liked Denon matched with Boston Acoustic (although I've heard Denon with Infinity and it was pretty cool). I don't know about anything recent, but Yamaha was always good to me, as have Energy speakers. Pretty indestructible and quite good.
 
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#27
I see you're looking for real small speakers! Briefly, a couple years ago I was looking into bookshelf speakers; some B&W and SVS models were in consideration, but I think they are a bit above your price-point.
 
#28
Chad Michael said:
Since Brad and I were typing at the same time, you may notice some common items in the gear, call it coincidence or not.

Also, since Magneplanars were brought up: If you have never experienced a dipole speaker such as the planar magnetic Magnepan, or the electrostatic Martin Logan, it is a different experience. One truly needs a dedicated listening room, so many feet apart, so many feet to the back wall, chair in the sweet spot, etc. When you get off - axis of a dipole, something (the magic) goes away. It has to be experienced to be fully understood.
Click to expand...

Chad, I never heard a dipole speaker live, but read a little bit on them years ago.
Reading up on everything stereo used to be a kind of hobby of mine in my late teens and into my 20s, but I never got to hear or see half the equipment I read about, but that's life.
I didn't buy the S.A.E. amplifier in the first post; a friend gave it to me. When I realized it was a power amp, I knew I had to buy a pre amp, so I was thrust into the above-average stereo system by chance.

Some of you guys are making me think twice about getting rid of my 30 year old stuff, but it's good, it's making me really consider what I'm doing.

Many thanks to you, Brad J for all your input.
We haven't crossed company in a thread in a long time. It's good to hear from you again. :thumbsup:
And by all means, keep the advice coming.

Mike
 
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#29
FunkHead said:
I have a ~50 year old pair of 3-way Sansui's. They have 12" drivers and I have no desire for Subs. They give me all the lows I could ever want.
If they got stolen, I would try to find an exact pair to replace them.
I run a newer Yamaha RX-V385 receiver through the Sansui's and couldn't be happier.
Click to expand...
50 years old?
And the foam surrounds are still good?
I once read somewhere that after about 20 years the surrounds on most speakers will start to fail.
I guess whoever wrote that was just trying to scare people into buying new speakers.

Glad yours are still kicking, FunkHead.
Mike
 
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#30
Jeff Scott said:
I see you're looking for real small speakers! Briefly, a couple years ago I was looking into bookshelf speakers; some B&W and SVS models were in consideration, but I think they are a bit above your price-point.
Click to expand...

Yes, Jeff, I want to get a pair of small to mid-size bookshelf speakers.
Another thing I read a long time ago, is that smaller speakers tend to image better in a smaller room.
On the other hand, speakers that are too physically big for a room won't sound as good as smaller speakers.
I don't know if this is true.
Again, I think I'm going to buy a pair of small bookshelf speakers, and not buy a subwoofer unless they're really lacking in bass.
I am enjoying this thread! :hyper:
Mike
 
#31
One more thing for now: This small radio I bought a few weeks ago started me thinking about down-sizing my stereo.
It's a Tivoli Model One.
It was designed by an audio engineer who matched the amp, speaker and cabinet for quality sound over volume. He succeeded in my opion. If you're in the market for a very nice, smooth-sounding radio, check one of these out.
20200216_193353~2.jpg

Now, lullaby and good night. ;)
Mike
 
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#32
Michael Jewels said:
Another thing I read a long time ago, is that smaller speakers tend to image better in a smaller room.
Mike
Click to expand...
They can, but best to get there with floor stands and get the sleakers out away from the walls. I've had some nice, older compact speakers way back before I started going bigger. I had EPI 100, Epicure 10, and JBL L40 speakers from early in my hi fi life. I also had rather large floor standing RTR speakers from the late '70s tha I drove with a very nice (wish I still had it) Onkyo 100 watt/channel integrated amp followed by another very nice Harman Kardon twin-power supply integrated amp. Then I got a pair of DCM QED speakers to replace the JBLs that UPS so generously destroyed for me. :spit:
I eventually sold those to a photographer client of mine and bought my Maggies. Been using them now since 1988; love them. They even worked well in my very tiny L.A. apartment.
Michael Jewels said:
One more thing for now: This small radio I bought a few weeks ago started me thinking about down-sizing my stereo.
It's a Tivoli Model One.
It was designed by an audio engineer who matched the amp, speaker and cabinet for quality sound over volume. He succeeded in my opion. If you're in the market for a very nice, smooth-sounding radio, check one of these out.
View attachment 3721672
Now, lullaby and good night. ;)
Mike
Click to expand...
I have the forefather to your Tivoli. It belonged to my SO's father. He drove the Bozak 302 that he installed in the fireplace in 1956 with the KLH. We did so, too, a couple of summer ago to test the Bozak; sounded very good for what it is.

KLH Twenty One Radio.jpg


Fireplace-Grille Removed-1200_1572.jpg


Speakers in fireplace were moderately common among real audiophiles back in the days of glorious mono.
 
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#33
Michael Jewels said:
...Reading up on everything stereo used to be a kind of hobby of mine in my late teens and into my 20s, but I never got to hear or see half the equipment I read about, but that's life...
Click to expand...

Many many issues of High Fidelity, Stereo Review, and Audio.... same here MJ... but had the opportunity to hear lots of gear in hifi shops as well as friends' gear....

There is a forum called audiokarma that is the 'tb of stereo' if you are interested
 
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#36
Michael Jewels said:
Yes, Jeff, I want to get a pair of small to mid-size bookshelf speakers.
Another thing I read a long time ago, is that smaller speakers tend to image better in a smaller room.
On the other hand, speakers that are too physically big for a room won't sound as good as smaller speakers.
I don't know if this is true.
Again, I think I'm going to buy a pair of small bookshelf speakers, and not buy a subwoofer unless they're really lacking in bass.
I am enjoying this thread! :hyper:
Mike
Click to expand...

For small mains I always use a sub. Nothing overpowering, even a small 8" can really round out the sound. Placement is very flexible so the small size can make them practically disappear. For example my Celestion SL-6's sound very nice but even better with a small passive sub.

My kitchen setup is 6.5" two way in-walls with a passive sub above the cabinet over the refrigerator. Older Yamaha micro components. 24" flat screen. My kitchen cranks. The only visible piecec9are the in-wall and tv.
 
#37
Brad Johnson said:
For small mains I always use a sub. Nothing overpowering, even a small 8" can really round out the sound. Placement is very flexible so the small size can make them practically disappear. For example my Celestion SL-6's sound very nice but even better with a small passive sub.

My kitchen setup is 6.5" two way in-walls with a passive sub above the cabinet over the refrigerator. Older Yamaha micro components. 24" flat screen. My kitchen cranks. The only visible piecec9are the in-wall and tv.
Click to expand...

I'm listening, Brad. ;)

First, I'm going to buy the Klispsch RPM-600Ms, (not definite on these speakers) then see how they sound before getting a sub.

Chad, thank you very much for the link to Audiokarma.com. :thumbsup:

I registered there two days ago, and the place is huge! They actually have a fairly big section on music, and musical instruments. They seem to be a friendly, welcoming lot in general.

A few members are already telling me to stick with my S.A.E. power amp; they seem to like vintage gear there.

They're actually getting me confused, as a lot of people are giving me opposing opinions.

I'm going to take a little time to sort things out before I buy.

I will keep everyone here updated as to what's going on.

Thanks,

Mike
 
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#39
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