Putting together a budget (as in frugally cheap) 2 channel system, help!

[v rod]

ok harmon international sells referb recivers and intergrated amps cheap,also polk does the same.thay come with warranty.ive done it with polk and at less than half price,very satisfied

[IRG]

V rod,

I pretty much have my system put together now (until I begin planning any upgrades ) Speakers are the Mordaunt Short Avant 902i, Onkyo TX8555 receiver, Yamaha DVD S1800 for cd player, and a used Technics SL-Q20 for turntable, with Audio Technica 311EP cartridge (in process of getting a new one). Only thing I'm lacking are the speaker stands. Audioadvisor's shipping is slow.

[LeRoy]

Just checking to make sure that you have the speakers connected correctly. The outer speaker posts are the LF and the 2 inner speaker posts are the HF.

You should be getting more than just bass from the 902's. How are you liking them so far?

LeRoy

[IRG]

Just checking to make sure that you have the speakers connected correctly. The outer speaker posts are the LF and the 2 inner speaker posts are the HF.

You should be getting more than just bass from the 902's. How are you liking them so far?

LeRoy

I think this is right, according to their manual:


I really like them a lot. Bass is very strong. But I need the proper stands, right now, just on the floor, so I haven't done any critical listening yet. THe Onkyo receiver seems like a good match with them. I just read a review in Stereophile about the Onkyo 9555 or something like that. Integrated amp, but it seems like it has most of the same features as the 8555 receiver, minus the tuner. ANd it was really well reviewed, compared favorably to their other amps in the $2500 range. Might upgrade to a tube amp someday, for now, it is more than decent. I might try a pair of the BJC biwire cables to compare.

But yeah so far, these are very impressive speakers, period, not "just for the money". Glad I listened to ya

[blackraven]

Glad to hear you like the Speaks and receiver IRG. Are those Blue Jeans speaker cables I see there? I recognize the shrink wrap on the banana plugs. By the way, that Onkyo 9555 integrated amp is a digital amp, completely different than the 8555.

[IRG]

Glad to hear you like the Speaks and receiver IRG. Are those Blue Jeans speaker cables I see there? I recognize the shrink wrap on the banana plugs. By the way, that Onkyo 9555 integrated amp is a digital amp, completely different than the 8555.

Yep, Blue Jeans. First time I "put a cable together" myself. LOL. not much to it really. They came out pretty nice I thought, very affordable.

I was thinking the two Onkyo amps were more closely related, they both have the WRAT signature on it, wide range whatever. The 9555 is a class D then, is the 8555 an AB design then? Seems to have a lot of power, I've had the whole house shaking (in a good way) with just these little speakers.

Pic of the cable work:

[blackraven]

Yes the 9555 is Class D and the 8555 is AB. That 8555 is pretty nice and a high current design at that. Its pretty amazing at how inexpensive 2 ch receivers are. They are pretty good for midfi for 2ch. Better than going with an inexpensive AVR.

Those BJC speaker cables are a bargain if you terminate them your self. I have a pair and I don't know why anyone would spend more for 10-12g wire. They sound great.

[IRG]

Yes the 9555 is Class D and the 8555 is AB. That 8555 is pretty nice and a high current design at that. Its pretty amazing at how inexpensive 2 ch receivers are. They are pretty good for midfi for 2ch. Better than going with an inexpensive AVR.

Those BJC speaker cables are a bargain if you terminate them your self. I have a pair and I don't know why anyone would spend more for 10-12g wire. They sound great.

So what would be a "significant" upgrade for the amp? About the best I've owned in the past is a Roksan Kandy integrated amp, it was good, but I can't recall it being that much better than some of the other mifi stuff I've owned. But maybe I'm not a critical listener. Not back then, maybe now I will be. I've spend an inordinate amount of time and some $ tweaking my guitar tone. Now I guess I'll move that obsession over to 2 channel sound.

[blackraven]

If your on a budget and want to go separates, consider Emotiva, NAD, B&K reference series (the later 2 amps have a warmer presentation) Parasound Classic, Outlaw Audio, used Van Alstine amps, and check audiogon for good deals on some higher end used amps. If you want the tube sound consider a tube preamp or hybrid preamp. Vincent Audio makes a very affordable hybrid tube preamp for about $450.

For integrated amps, look at Cambridge Audio, NAD.

[Mr Peabody]

LeRoy, do the MS have straps if not biamping?

IRG, are you bi-wiring?

[IRG]

LeRoy, do the MS have straps if not biamping?

IRG, are you bi-wiring?

No, not now. The pic above is how I have it wired right now, according to the instructions. But I may try a BJCable (Canare) and do the biwire option, we'll see. I imagine if it would make any difference, it would probably come with a different amp and biwiring.

[Mr Peabody]

IRG, you should sit back and listen to your system once it's up and running like you want before thinking upgrade. If you notice a weakness any where then at least you'd know what direction to go. Right now your system is balanced as far as no one piece being far out of class with another. When you get the upgrade bug it will most likely be a ripple effect. I personally believe one needs the best source possible because if the detail don't come off the disc or LP then nothing we do after that will allow us to hear it because it's not there.

[blackraven]

What he said!

[IRG]

I won't be upgrading, not for quite a while. Gotta enjoy it for a while, before I muck it up again. I'll work on room acoustics though, that needs the most help.

[poppachubby]

Shame about the cart. Please post when your deck is up and running...

[IRG]

So I just got an email from Audio Advisor that my speaker stands have shipped out. Today. 7 days after I ordered them. $50 stands, $12 in shipping, and it took them a f*&king week to ship them out. Wow, what wonderful crappy customer services. First, and last time I order anything from them. AC4Less was awesome btw, as was Needledoctor.com and the Garage A Records where I got the damaged cartridge from, they were awesome in their service too. But AA bites the big one in my book.

[blackraven]

I ordered my Parasound from AA and it shipped out the next day. I find that buying on the internet is so variable except for BJC which ships out the next day.

[IRG]

I ordered my Parasound from AA and it shipped out the next day. I find that buying on the internet is so variable except for BJC which ships out the next day.

They may not have had this item in stock. Which kinda sucks, because had I known this, I wouldn't have ordered from them. It turns out another website had these same stands in stock, but when I placed my order, they let me know that it was actually out of stock. Nice of them, even though they did lose the sale. But I would shop that place again. AA was deceptive, because they sent the initial email, saying thanks for the order, yada yada.

BJC was great. AC4less was really good too, I was impressed (and initially a little worried). Very professional outfit I found.

[LeRoy]

IRG, you've got the speakers hooked up correctly. If you want a better jumper than the silver hand cuff looking jumper's that come shipped with the speakers I have a very affordable solution for you.

Simply go get some solid core copper wire that is OFC....the 99.99999% type..you know what I mean there....and use the silver jumpers as a measure for cutting a strand of the solid core copper, then strip the insulation off the SCC, mark the ends of the SCC as you want to take a pair of pliers and bend the SCC ends into a hook shape, not circular, hook the posts, and then you have essentially a bi-wire configuration without spending any more big bucks.

Mr. Peabody, I am not sure what you mean by straps. The photo that IRG has of the rear of the 902's...you can see the silver jumpers that come with the speakers. I call them jumpers and maybe you call them straps?

As far as be able to bi-amp them, they can be bi-amped but there is no special bi-amp connection on back of the speaker cabinets...they just get bi-amped in the usual way.

Hope this info helps. Enjoy the music.

LeRoy

[IRG]

So I finally got the speaker stands tonight, and the replacement cartridge. For those reading this saga, I got pissed a bit with audioadvisor because of their shipping so late (a week after I ordered) of the stands. I emailed them, told them I was unhappy, and they should refund my shipping charges. Well they did. And they apologized, and said an email had been sent to the fact that the item was backordered but expected in soon. Maybe, but no email was ever received by me, this I'm sure. Whatever, at least they're here. Only problem is they are really cheap piece of crap, Sanus stands, mdf. The screws they include are all too large really, and even with hand screwing, they all split a bit. Not that noticeable, won't show up in pics, (one might) unless I really focus on it. Only $50 I know, but still, they shouldn't split like this. I might send them back, but again, should I pay for it? I think not.

Second, the replacement cartridge came today, very cool service from Garage A Records. They sent it to me without even getting the replcement back (I did send it back, at my expense). Hopefully this new one will be good. I'll install it tomorrow.

Just got back from a short business trip. 34 hours gone, 16 of it spent driving. I'm exhausted.

But the new system sounds pretty damn good. I'll do some real listening tomorrow when the kids aren't asleep. Ciao.

[02audionoob]

The AT cartridge will likely need a bit of break-in time. I ran mine all day when I first got it.

[Mr Peabody]

Love it when a plan comes together, even if it's not mine

[IRG]

So I got the turntable up and running today finally, new cartridge installed, and it sounds really good, surprisingly good. Much better than I ever remember. I think a good cartridge certainly makes a big difference. I've had some Hendrix and Jeff Beck playing, sound alive. The wife came in for a listen, thought it was a cd going - which is actually a compliment in this case. I need to buy some new quality vinyl now. Next on my list...

[poppachubby]

I think a good cartridge certainly makes a big difference.

Just wait until it breaks in. Imagine, you're in the low end of budget carts, step up to the $150 - $250 range and you'd be floored. This is in part why I wanted you to get the OMP-10, so you could upgrade easily and affordably. Anyhow, glad you're enjoying it and getting instant gratification by the sounds of it.

I need to buy some new quality vinyl now. Next on my list...

I'll suggest www.acousticsounds.com. Excellent selection, great shipping prices and extremely knowledgable staff. I mean they know about analog overall, you can ask them anything. Unfortunately, I've had to stop buying from them because border tarriffs are just ridiculous right now.

Keep an eye out for used stuff as well. I would suggest to you that regardless of how tempting a title may be, try to set a high standard for what you will and won't buy. This way, once you have 2 or 300 albums under your belt, they will be worthy of your pride.

I'm excited for you man. Any questions feel free to PM me, the noob too.

How's the room evaluation coming along? I'm recovering my bass traps today...

[02audionoob]

I really don't think it's fair to say the AT cartridge doesn't have the upgrade capability that the Ortofon has. Here's an example:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...Code=ATN3472HE

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...Code=ATN3472LC