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Started By
Message
re: educate me on record players
Posted on 8/5/14 at 12:23 pm to bluemoons
Posted on 8/5/14 at 12:23 pm to bluemoons
bluemoons,
Check out Jolida for vacuum tube audio gear. You can get something like a low powered integrated amplifier with a phono stage/phono amp built in for not a lot of money. If you pair it with a very efficient loudspeaker (like the Zu Audio mentioned above), you will get pretty impressive sound levels. The speaker amp combo can be done for around $1600 or so new.
...add $350 for the Pro-Ject Debut 3 Carbon turntable and you have a complete analog audio rig for under $2k..NEW!
Check out Jolida for vacuum tube audio gear. You can get something like a low powered integrated amplifier with a phono stage/phono amp built in for not a lot of money. If you pair it with a very efficient loudspeaker (like the Zu Audio mentioned above), you will get pretty impressive sound levels. The speaker amp combo can be done for around $1600 or so new.
...add $350 for the Pro-Ject Debut 3 Carbon turntable and you have a complete analog audio rig for under $2k..NEW!
1
Posted on 8/5/14 at 12:32 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
This rig is for 2 channel listening only
Thats the only way to go IMO
Posted on 8/5/14 at 3:49 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
Pro-Ject Debut 3
That's what I'm leaning towards. Friday I'll find out how that Marantz is looking. Ideally, it'll be good to go and I could snag the Omen DW or something similar and the Debut 3 Carbon for under $1500.
I've read that the wait time for the DW's is really long though, so that could affect my decision as well as I need to have this stuff within the next three weeks.
Posted on 8/5/14 at 4:39 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
The 10" driver is a full range--some like, some don't.
I love that about them. I'm autistic and most crossovers fatigue me fast. Full range drivers are so much more fluid to me.
Posted on 8/5/14 at 6:26 pm to bluemoons
quote:
I've read that the wait time for the DW's is really long though, so that could affect my decision as well as I need to have this stuff within the next three weeks.
Why?
Don't pass on a speaker that you will live with the next 5-10 years because you may not have it for an upcoming function or event.
Call the guys in Ogden, UT and ask them if it may be possible to move up the delivery line. Tell them you are throwing a ferocious party and hundreds of people will see their cool product if they can deliver on time...
Posted on 8/5/14 at 7:17 pm to Marco Esquandolas
I'll try. And by ferocious party I mean my girlfriend's birthday haha.
Posted on 8/5/14 at 7:23 pm to bluemoons
bluemoons,
The Pro-Ject and AT-LP120 are not in the same league--and it's not close.
The Pro-Ject has weight to it--EXTREMELY important in vinyl playback. You don't want the vibrations from the floor or even the loudspeaker vibrating the plinth and platter during playback or you will get a good bit of rumble.
Whatever table you get, you may want to consider getting a piece of granite cut to sit the table on and put some isolation cups under the slab. This will greatly control any resonances and vibrations. Check Music Direct or MapleShade audio for vibration control tweaks.
The turntable in the picture of my rig is over 100 lbs. The reason is purely to have a "dead" platter for record to sit on.
Also, pro-Ject makes a center weight for that turntable for around $60 or so. It weighs about a pound and sits on the spindle and pushes the record down flat onto the platter (a good thing).
The Pro-Ject and AT-LP120 are not in the same league--and it's not close.
The Pro-Ject has weight to it--EXTREMELY important in vinyl playback. You don't want the vibrations from the floor or even the loudspeaker vibrating the plinth and platter during playback or you will get a good bit of rumble.
Whatever table you get, you may want to consider getting a piece of granite cut to sit the table on and put some isolation cups under the slab. This will greatly control any resonances and vibrations. Check Music Direct or MapleShade audio for vibration control tweaks.
The turntable in the picture of my rig is over 100 lbs. The reason is purely to have a "dead" platter for record to sit on.
Also, pro-Ject makes a center weight for that turntable for around $60 or so. It weighs about a pound and sits on the spindle and pushes the record down flat onto the platter (a good thing).
Posted on 8/5/14 at 7:26 pm to Marco Esquandolas
You can get the granite from the granite cutting yards at countertop dealers--they can usually cut a small piece like that off of a scrap piece for around $50.
Posted on 8/5/14 at 7:32 pm to Vdrine
FWIW...the guys at Zu Audio are a bunch of 30 and 40 year old snowboarding freaks that happened to love audio gear. That is why they located the company in Utah--close to the snow capped mountains.
Posted on 8/6/14 at 11:03 am to Marco Esquandolas
Awesome. Good stuff to know. I'm gonna look up the weight for the Pro-Ject and hopefully get that ordered by today.
These are what you're talking about right?
LINK
These are what you're talking about right?
LINK
Posted on 8/6/14 at 2:56 pm to bluemoons
The isolation feet are Vibrapod and ElusiveDisc has them in different weights. They are about $6 each. You will need 3-4 of them depending on the weight of the table and slab (if you use one) and whether you set them in a triangular or square pattern.
Posted on 8/6/14 at 6:09 pm to Marco Esquandolas
I talked to Zu today. They have a pair of DWs that can ship. So, right now I'm looking at the Debut III (comes with a good cartridge I guess?), the DWs, and the Marantz. If I can't get the Marantz working or for some reason I can't locate it, what do yall think about a Sansui 7070? There's one on craigslist for $450 in good condition.
Posted on 8/6/14 at 6:57 pm to bluemoons
The Zu speaker is CRAZY efficient--in short, they will rock with just a little bit of power--20-45 watts should do it.
Again, before jumping into a vintage piece (as you are relatively new to this), I will advise you to buy new or something that is used but only a few years old. You really have to know vintage gear to know if it is at peak performance.
A vintage piece may play, but the caps (capacitors) may be weak and the tubes may be weak as well, thus not performing to its best. You will not know this because you have no reference and aren't experienced enough with vintage gear to know (I speak from experience as I own 20+ pieces of vintage McIntosh, Marantz, Phillips, and Sansui).
I also own a pair of the Zu Audio Omens.
Check out Jolida integrated amps as well as some of the newer Chinese made vacuum tube integrated amps--they are pretty good considering their price point.
Go to AudioGon.com and search for threads where people are asking for help finding a great integrated amp for $500-$700--there are a crapload of newer amps on the market today that fill this niche. You just may not be familiar with all the names if you are new to the audiophile world.
Vintage gear has a cool factor, I agree, but technology in the last 40 years has come a long way and much of the stuff made today for under $1000 will outperform an average piece from 30+ years ago (there are always exceptions though)
Again, before jumping into a vintage piece (as you are relatively new to this), I will advise you to buy new or something that is used but only a few years old. You really have to know vintage gear to know if it is at peak performance.
A vintage piece may play, but the caps (capacitors) may be weak and the tubes may be weak as well, thus not performing to its best. You will not know this because you have no reference and aren't experienced enough with vintage gear to know (I speak from experience as I own 20+ pieces of vintage McIntosh, Marantz, Phillips, and Sansui).
I also own a pair of the Zu Audio Omens.
Check out Jolida integrated amps as well as some of the newer Chinese made vacuum tube integrated amps--they are pretty good considering their price point.
Go to AudioGon.com and search for threads where people are asking for help finding a great integrated amp for $500-$700--there are a crapload of newer amps on the market today that fill this niche. You just may not be familiar with all the names if you are new to the audiophile world.
Vintage gear has a cool factor, I agree, but technology in the last 40 years has come a long way and much of the stuff made today for under $1000 will outperform an average piece from 30+ years ago (there are always exceptions though)
This post was edited on 8/6/14 at 7:13 pm
Posted on 8/6/14 at 7:24 pm to bluemoons
quote:
There's one on craigslist for $450 in good condition.
How do you know it's in good condition?
Ther is no way to know unless you test the capacitors and have the tubes tested on a tube tester. It could have brittle wires on the inside and the wire casings/shieldings are dry rot.
If you really want to get it to peak performance, take it to National TV repair across the street from Ochsner hospital in Metairie/Jefferson. Don't let the shabby building fool you. The owner is Richard Gray and he is an audio wizard. He designed the Richard Gray's Power Company line of power conditioners that some of the most elaborate and expensive audio rigs in the world employ at the audio shows. (Google it).
Back in the day, he repaired the Grateful Dead's McIntosh amps when they blew through New Orleans. He can bring just about any vintage piece to its glory days.
My guess is anywhere from $75 to $150 to have that done.
Hope that helps.
Posted on 8/6/14 at 7:32 pm to bluemoons
quote:
Comes with a good cartridge, I guess?
The Debut 3 comes with the Ortofon OM5 while the Debut 3 Carbon comes with a carbon fiber tone arm and the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge (much better IMO). I also believe the platter is a full 12" on the Carbon model (11" on the non Carbon--meaning the record will overhang a bit). It is $400 retail, but you can haggle Music Direct down to $360 delivered--I did.
Posted on 8/6/14 at 9:17 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
How do you know it's in good condition?
A good friend of mine knows the guy selling it and knows old school receivers really well. He vouches for the dude. If the Marantz is not in good shape then I'll bring it to him. I'd rather keep the Marantz than buy something new. Can't thank you enough for all your help.
Posted on 8/6/14 at 10:49 pm to Marco Esquandolas
Marco -
Last real question here. If the Marantz doesn't work out and I do have to buy a new amp, then it's possible the Zu's may be out of the budget. Where should I look around $500 if it comes to that? What do you think about the KEF Q300s or AudioEngine P4s?
Last real question here. If the Marantz doesn't work out and I do have to buy a new amp, then it's possible the Zu's may be out of the budget. Where should I look around $500 if it comes to that? What do you think about the KEF Q300s or AudioEngine P4s?
Posted on 8/6/14 at 10:53 pm to bluemoons
yep the problem w/ vintage is even if you replace tubes(if they have them) you still have can-caps(electrolytic capacitors) that will go bad from age.
If you do find an old vintage unit you like, one of the first things to do is take the cover off of it and dust it with a good air blaster. Dust will short out solid state circuitry in some cases and you could even have the proverbial "bug" in the machine.
I used to work on stereo's and can tell you it's entirely impossible to find some of the more esoteric solid state amp packs in some of the stuff from 30+ years ago, so don't assume they can always be fixed.
If you do find an old vintage unit you like, one of the first things to do is take the cover off of it and dust it with a good air blaster. Dust will short out solid state circuitry in some cases and you could even have the proverbial "bug" in the machine.
I used to work on stereo's and can tell you it's entirely impossible to find some of the more esoteric solid state amp packs in some of the stuff from 30+ years ago, so don't assume they can always be fixed.
This post was edited on 8/6/14 at 10:56 pm
Posted on 8/6/14 at 11:10 pm to bluemoons
Focal v705 and v706--Look on Music Direct clearance. also see what Audio Advisor has on clearance. They are 50-60 percent off retail. Those Focals should be in your range--they are bookshelves that can sit on a stand.
The speakers in the picture of my rig are Focal--albeit a bit larger and up the model line, but the entry line are pretty damn good and have a sound true to their larger siblings.
KEF makes a good speaker as well--they have been around for 40+ years too. I heard their new flagship "the Blade" and was impressed.
Read the "entry Level" sections of the Stereophile and Absolute Sound magazines I told you about earlier--they have full reviews and prices as well. You can always get 10-20% off retail too if you have a half a sense of sales acumen--just ask them for a percent off--you may get it.
As far as AudioEngine....meh.
Also--feel free to ask me any questions on any gear or brand you find. Chances are I have heard it or heard of it. I can also steer you to someplace that may give you a deal.
The speakers in the picture of my rig are Focal--albeit a bit larger and up the model line, but the entry line are pretty damn good and have a sound true to their larger siblings.
KEF makes a good speaker as well--they have been around for 40+ years too. I heard their new flagship "the Blade" and was impressed.
Read the "entry Level" sections of the Stereophile and Absolute Sound magazines I told you about earlier--they have full reviews and prices as well. You can always get 10-20% off retail too if you have a half a sense of sales acumen--just ask them for a percent off--you may get it.
As far as AudioEngine....meh.
Also--feel free to ask me any questions on any gear or brand you find. Chances are I have heard it or heard of it. I can also steer you to someplace that may give you a deal.
This post was edited on 8/6/14 at 11:30 pm
Posted on 8/6/14 at 11:18 pm to Jagd Tiger
Jags Tiger---you mean like the inside of any Sony ES power amps from '87-'92?? 
They are a bit more complicated than they look on the outside!!
I have a pair of McIntosh MC2105 amps (1969 vintage) that were just refurbed...caps on both and a new faceplate on one (yes, a new faceplate on a 44 year old amp!--gotta love that about McIntosh--can still get parts like that from the factory).
They are a bit more complicated than they look on the outside!!
I have a pair of McIntosh MC2105 amps (1969 vintage) that were just refurbed...caps on both and a new faceplate on one (yes, a new faceplate on a 44 year old amp!--gotta love that about McIntosh--can still get parts like that from the factory).
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