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

[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

[hifitommy]

here are a couple of starters that should work quite well. the receiver is 80wpc and the infinity speakers are 90db sensitive which should take care of man cave loudness requirements quite easily. a sub could be added later.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Infinity-Primus-...item51900124bd

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Receiver.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Subwoofer.html

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...20%20%20%20SIL

this player will play all audio formats. also, some sony dvd players will do dvd, cd, and sacd but not dvda. to be hnest with you, there arent many DVDAs out there anymore but SACDs continue to be issued in jazz and classical titles.

for a tt, try watching audiogon for something like a pioneer, technics, sansui, or the like. then get a new grado black or at95e from LPgear.com and you will do well.

[Mr Peabody]

Tommy, you're not fashionably late, you missed the party

[IRG]

Tommy, you're not fashionably late, you missed the party

It's true, the system is already here. But I appreciate the effort Tommy. That would be a pretty good rig too.

What I ended up with, and a price on each:

Reciever: Onkyo TX-8555 (100wpc) $199 (new)
Speakers: Mordaunt Short Avant 902i $225 (new)
CD: Yamaha DVD S1800 $79 (new)
Table: Technics SL-Q200 $25 (used)
Cartidge: Audio-Technica AT311EP $49 (new)
Cables: Blue Jeans Cable IC and speaker cables $90

The amp and speakers I funded with a sale of a couple guitar pedals, the turntable and cartridge were paid for with the sale of a homemade pedal board. The cd player was a X mas gift I picked out. So really only the cables and speaker stands were purchased out of pocket, not bad! Sounds great too. I'll post some pics soon, the camera battery is recharging at the moment.

[Mr Peabody]

Just giving him some grief.

[poppachubby]

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

Are you talking about me? I didn't say that...

This is in part why I wanted you to get the OMP-10, so you could upgrade easily and affordably.

I didn't realise the AT cart can upgrade, so great! I was just reiterating the value of the OMP series. I'll have to check out the AT.

[hifitommy]

the system picked is fine, all respectable equipage. i didnt read through all of the posts because the sheer number of them seemed daunting.

i have some primus 150s and they are quite a value especially at the close out price i paid. they are a bargain at list price. the m-s spks have always been good, had i heard those, i may have recommended them. the great thing is a good sounding system has been acquired.

[blackraven]

IRG, how do you like the Yammy DVD S-1800. I got mine yesterday and hooked it up to my reference system and SACD was superb sounding with no faults that I could detect, and Cd was good but not great. It was a little grainy. Its sounding a bit better with some break in time. I'll give it 2 weeks before I pass final judgment on Cd play. I have not hooked it up for DVD use and probably never will. I may buy a second one to replace my daughters cheap sony DVDP that she is using for her stereo. For $79 its a steal.

[02audionoob]

Are you talking about me? I didn't say that...

My mistake. I thought that was what you implied.

[poppachubby]

My mistake. I thought that was what you implied.

Yep, no prob.

[IRG]

IRG, how do you like the Yammy DVD S-1800. I got mine yesterday and hooked it up to my reference system and SACD was superb sounding with no faults that I could detect, and Cd was good but not great. It was a little grainy. Its sounding a bit better with some break in time. I'll give it 2 weeks before I pass final judgment on Cd play. I have not hooked it up for DVD use and probably never will. I may buy a second one to replace my daughters cheap sony DVDP that she is using for her stereo. For $79 its a steal.

I think it's quite good. I don't have any sacd's yet, hope to change that soon. But as a standalone cd player, no real complaints yet. I haven't had a chance to listen to that many cds yet, spent part of today on vinyl, hopefully will demo more tomorrow. But yeah, for $79 a steal for sure. I think the only way I'll upgrade is if the whole system is stepped up some, otherwise, I doubt I might be able to tell much of a difference.

Here's a couple pics of my humble setup. It's also my guitar room and various other projects. I'm considering moving it to our bedroom. Lower the bed on a platform, and have the stereo in there, with nothing else. The wife didn't oppose the idea too much.

[IRG]

the system picked is fine, all respectable equipage. i didnt read through all of the posts because the sheer number of them seemed daunting.

i have some primus 150s and they are quite a value especially at the close out price i paid. they are a bargain at list price. the m-s spks have always been good, had i heard those, i may have recommended them. the great thing is a good sounding system has been acquired.

I may check out that sub you linked before. Not sure I need one really, but it might be nice to really fill in the lower end. Is that Infinity pretty good then for music?

[poppachubby]

Lookin good man!! Love the rack. Overall, everything looks complimentary considering it's been pieced together. You did great man, congrats. I am a bit envious, it's so much fun being in the stage you're in right now. The honeymoon...

edit: BTW, is that peg board made of that special NASA damping material I read about in Popular Mechanics?

[Mr Peabody]

Yeah, the thread is a good one and good for IRG coming back and keeping us posted along the way. To read it all would have been quite the endeavor.

[IRG]

Lookin good man!! Love the rack. Overall, everything looks complimentary considering it's been pieced together. You did great man, congrats. I am a bit envious, it's so much fun being in the stage you're in right now. The honeymoon...

edit: BTW, is that peg board made of that special NASA damping material I read about in Popular Mechanics?

No, the pegboard is just regular stuff. Came with the house I believe. I put some pieces of dense foam behind the speakers, just to see if that would do anything. Can't hurt I guess. I'll do more with the room over time. Although the idea of moving this into the bedroom and making that more of a dedicated listening room (with better acoustics) is a little bit appealing, we'll see.

[IRG]

Yeah, the thread is a good one and good for IRG coming back and keeping us posted along the way. To read it all would have been quite the endeavor.

Thanks, it's been fun, and a lot of credit is due to others here - all I did was follow it!

[poppachubby]

No, the pegboard is just regular stuff. Came with the house I believe.

Hahaha, just pullin your leg.

Although the idea of moving this into the bedroom and making that more of a dedicated listening room (with better acoustics) is a little bit appealing, we'll see.

I would do your best to keep it where it is. Currently, it's yours. Why change that? The bedroom belongs to your wife too. Bad idea.

Don't get discouraged about the room. If you're willing to put in a bit of work, it's an easy fix. The DIY bass traps I have work wonders. You wouldn't believe the damping power when they were all close together. Spread around the room, they can help quite a bit. The cost would be minimal.

Anyhow, sorry if I sound like a nag. Speaking of wives huh?!? I'm your audio wife...

"IRG honey? Did you dampen the heat duct yet???"

[IRG]

Hahaha, just pullin your leg.





I would do your best to keep it where it is. Currently, it's yours. Why change that? The bedroom belongs to your wife too. Bad idea.

Don't get discouraged about the room. If you're willing to put in a bit of work, it's an easy fix. The DIY bass traps I have work wonders. You wouldn't believe the damping power when they were all close together. Spread around the room, they can help quite a bit. The cost would be minimal.

Anyhow, sorry if I sound like a nag. Speaking of wives huh?!? I'm your audio wife...

"IRG honey? Did you dampen the heat duct yet???"

Yeah, could be a problem, but not totally. Our bedroom isn't really a room we use much, other than sleeping. It's not what we want in a bedroom - someday we'll move to something better. She has another bedroom that's her office, so she has "her space" already.

The problem with my work room is the furnace is in there, and now with it being so cold, it's on a lot, which is a real in the ass when your trying to listen to music (however, helpful for keeping the house warm.) So that alone, I can't don't anything about. Hence the idea to move to another room. Haven't decided yet, probably won't for a while.

[frenchmon]

nice looking system you got there bud....how do you like the speakers???

frenchmon

[IRG]

nice looking system you got there bud....how do you like the speakers???

frenchmon

Hey Frenchmon,
I really dig them a lot. Still breaking in I presume, but overall they kill for the price. They sound very full for small 2 way monitors. I sometimes almost think I have a sub on, which has surprised me. But the room is not that large, so that probably helps. I've been playing the classical soundtrack from the movie The Village (wonderful violin) and at a few times where the orchestra kicks in really loudly, the whole house just shakes, very nice.

These speakers seem to have a very nice soundstage to them, they pull you in. Very musical, nice balance. They sound good with vinyl too, a bit more warmth here, a bit less top end, probably the medium.

Overall, no complaints, only praises. Very nice looking too, and well made. And at $225, they seem like a steal to me. I like them more than my Paradigm Monitor 3s. I should bring them down, and do a head to head comparison. Hmmm....