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  1. #1
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    Hi. New here and need some help.

    I recently purchased some cerwin vega dx-9's and they sound great but i am running them off of a A/V home theatre receiver. Its to my understanding that i can get better sound(mostly bass) from them if i run them through different equipment like an amp and preamp. Im not sure where to start or what to get or look for.

  2. #2
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Landy, yes, you will get better sound and improved bass depending upon the amp, preamp, RCA interconnects, speaker wire, CD player or audio source you use. What AVR and audio source do you use?

    If you want to upgrade, what is your budget?
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  3. #3
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    Yep, budget is the big question, and if willing to buy used. Adcom components are an excellent value on the used market, get you a gfa-555 or 5500 putting
    200x2 under the DX9's and you will be rockin. A matching preamp would be something like gtp-450.

  4. #4
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    Right now im using a yamaha htr-5850 and playing through a cd player or alot of the times my computer. I also have an external 15' sub too.

  5. #5
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    Oh and i have a few hundred bucks to spend if not a little more if i have to. I know the vegas will last a long time so i want something to push them.

  6. #6
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    With a 15" sub I wouldn't think you were hurting for bass. Have you ran the auto speaker set up? You'll have to check the manual but there's also a setting you need to click to make the sub work for stereo as well as for movies.

  7. #7
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    I agree with Mr. P, with that sub you should not be hurting for bass. I would consider upgrading if you want better overall sound. Used adcom gear is a great place to start. Take a look at AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community for used amps and preamps. Other options would be to get a Class D audio digital amp from classdaudio.com (By the way, my daughter has an HTR AVR and it has weak bass but it improved when we hooked up a cheap Fiio DAC.)
    You can get a 250wpc CDA-254 amp built for $500
    Build Your Own Class D Audio CDA Series Amplifier - Complete Kits

    And consider this nice little hybrid tube Preamp/DAC with multiple inputs and outputs form here-

    Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 D/A Converter

    I own both the class d amp and the Grant Fidelity and they match well with great sound and nice deep punchy bass. You can run your computer audio through it.

    A cheaper option for a hybrid tube preamp is this Maverick Audio Preamp/DAC with the Tube and Burr Brown op amp upgrade.

    Maverick Audio - TubeMagic D1 Plus DAC

    By the way, what CD player do you use. Cd players do make a difference as do RCA interconnects. A nice place to start with RCA interconnect cables is here-


    Stereo Cables at Blue Jeans Cable

    These cables have a nice detailed sound with good bass and treble.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  8. #8
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    You might also compare your CD player's analog output red/white to the sound of a digital connection to the Yamaha to see which is best sound. A digital connection to the Yamaha will decode the signal inside the receiver. For music playback I find the "direct" mode for Yamaha works best.

  9. #9
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    Thanks guys you've been a lot of help!! I'll do some research and see what i can find

  10. #10
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    And tell me what you think about this minus the speakers and sub

    Audiophile system on a budget
    Last edited by Landy360; 02-14-2013 at 01:38 PM.

  11. #11
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  12. #12
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    I like the Adcom set up, the 545 is a strong 125x2 and will have more bass impact than Yamaha.

  13. #13
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    Yeah he offered the adcom setup for 350. Is that decent or should i offer lower.

  14. #14
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    $350.00 isn't bad for both pieces but they are pretty old models, I'd offer $300.00 to see if he takes it. If he takes a hard line then it would depend on how bad you want them and if they are in great shape. The 545 is known for big bass response if that helps.

  15. #15
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    Thanks Mr. P. And one more question. My 15' sub that i was talking about, well my friend is taking it back so i need to find a new sub too. I want something that puts out alot of bass. Any recommendations? Possibly another 15'

  16. #16
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    CV's being pushed by Adcom you may be surprised at how much bass you end up with.

    I've heard people say the Rhythmic 15" is good for reasonable cost. I am partial to SVS subs but they are very accurate and play deep, this might not be the sub for big Hip Hop boom. A lot depends on your budget, big drivers with big power usually cost big bucks. In more of a mass market brand the Infinity subs are good.

  17. #17
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    If those adcom units are in good shape, $350 is a good deal. Those amps sell for about $200 used. See if he will take $300 or $325 for the pair.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  18. #18
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    All the advice is highly appreciated thanks gentleman. I just took the subs in on the CV's to get refoamed so i'm hoping to have a rockin system here soon!!

  19. #19
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    Were you able to get the Adcom?

  20. #20
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    Not yet but the guy still has it. I was waiting to try out the CV's on them first.

  21. #21
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    So i ended up picking up the adcom pair. So far so good although i haven't ran my CV's through them yet because there still in the shop. I ended up talking him down to $300 for both so i'm happy.

  22. #22
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    You got a very good deal. I hope you enjoy them!
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  23. #23
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    Good deal, let us know how they do with the CV's. The Adcom is good enough that if you don't already have quality cables it may be something to think of in the future.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Landy360 View Post
    And tell me what you think about this minus the speakers and sub

    Audiophile system on a budget
    Link deleted by owner. Got another?
    Samsung LN52A630 LCD
    Denon AVR-790
    Samsung BD-P1500
    Mirage FRx-7 center and fronts
    Roku

    PC - X-Fi Extreme Gamer & Logitech Z5300E 5.1

  25. #25
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    JStudrawa. I bought what he had anyways haha which was an adcom amp and pre amp. And Peabody, do you have a website or store or brand that you recommend for cables. And another question. To get my sub working with only 2 outputs on the amp, i connected the left and right ports through the sub in, then on the sub outs i hooked them up to my speakers. Is this the proper way to do this or will i lose power to the speakers this way? Thanks guys

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