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re: Audiophile/Vinyl Thread - Post Pics, Advice, Questions, Setups, etc.
Posted on 4/2/21 at 1:08 pm to BigOrangeBri
Posted on 4/2/21 at 1:08 pm to BigOrangeBri
Kevin Morby - Oh Mon Dieu Live in Paris (RSD 2020)
1
Posted on 4/2/21 at 4:46 pm to 45acp
London Records- 1966
This post was edited on 4/2/21 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 4/2/21 at 5:18 pm to BigOrangeBri
quote:
What piece of equipment should I upgrade first to see the most improvement? Or maybe add something? Around $1k would be my max spend right now. If I need to wait and save more to get something worthwhile then I would.
Not entirely sure what your system is, just from your prior post I see an old Kenwood receiver and what looks like a modest turntable. No idea on your speakers. So what is your current rig?
In general, transducers will give you the most bang for buck in upgrades - speakers or your TT.
Posted on 4/2/21 at 5:44 pm to pheroy
quote:
Not entirely sure what your system is, just from your prior post I see an old Kenwood receiver and what looks like a modest turntable. No idea on your speakers. So what is your current rig?
I’m running a Technics SL- D202 with Pickering TL3 cartridge and 3 DTL stylus. From what I’ve read these are very highly thought of and no longer in production
A Kenwood KA- 405 Integrated Amp Specs
A pair of Boston VR1 floorstanding speakers Specs
Posted on 4/3/21 at 4:09 pm to BigOrangeBri
A couple questions. The Kenwood is 40+ years old now, has it been serviced/recapped? The reviews of that unit all seem positive, but electronics do age, and there have been improvements made in electronic design over the last 40 years. Second question, what do you feel you're missing in this system? Have you compared it to new equipment? Even going to an audio store in your area (even if Best Buy is your only choice) with a couple of your favorite records and listening to other equipment can help decide what you might like to improve.
I'm not familiar with any of the equipment you have, other than the manufacturer's names. So I can't offer any recommendations based on past knowledge. As the previous poster mentioned, the typical advice is to start with speakers and work from there. Age of the cartridge might also be a concern.
I'm not familiar with any of the equipment you have, other than the manufacturer's names. So I can't offer any recommendations based on past knowledge. As the previous poster mentioned, the typical advice is to start with speakers and work from there. Age of the cartridge might also be a concern.
Posted on 4/3/21 at 5:44 pm to r3lay3r
quote:
r3lay3r
Thanks. I’m not sure what/if I’m missing anything. My speakers each have a pair of 6.5s, so I’m assuming my low end could be better. I really like my speakers though because I prefer a smile frequency response. I’d be open to upgrading though, if the sound could be improved while keeping a similar frequency response.
Not sure if the amp has been serviced, but I doubt it. I’ve owned it 7 years. Thing is I was looking at some amps in the $600-$900 range and most delivered less power than my Kenwood.
My fear is dropping a bunch of money and not really getting much improvement
Posted on 4/3/21 at 7:49 pm to BigOrangeBri
quote:
My fear is dropping a bunch of money and not really getting much improvement
Yes, that's the biggest problem for those of us that live in an audio deserts (Baton Rouge is one). You look at reviews or used equipment adds on Audiogon or USAudioMart and see something that might be interesting, but you have no way of hearing what they actually sounds like, and everyone says not to buy something unless you audition it first, preferably in your room. Like that's going to happen in most places. Reviews are skewed towards high-end equipment too, and that makes it harder. Some of the European sites (What Hi-Fi, Darko, etc..) do better with lower end gear, but the equipment they review is more often from Europe, which isn't a problem since often you can see those pieces for sale in the US.
Regarding the speakers, yes I saw the freq. range specs was 48 -20K for your speakers. So yes the amount of bass will be lacking, not really the word I'm looking for, but maybe not full. But the facts are that bass takes large drives(more expensive speakers or add a sub-woofer) to move air. Porting can help augment some of the lower frequency energy, but nothing is like larger drivers.
In many ways I'm in the same situation as you are. I'm using McIntosh amp that I bought 44 years ago and a Micro Seiki turntable which is nearly as old. I've moved on to digital (oppo 205 and Node 2i) and my speakers are only 15(?) years old. So I have I've been looking to upgrade to a newer integrated amp.
Posted on 4/4/21 at 10:02 am to BigOrangeBri
Speakers are almost always the biggest upgrade with the most impact to sound. They are also highly subjective. For instance, I cannot stand metal tweeters. To my ears they are harsh and fatiguing. Others love them.
I would not worry about amps that deliver less power (in theory). At 40 years old your amp is not going deliver the sonic performance of something like this Musical Fidelity integrated amp.
ETA: The Musical Fidelity integrated I linked outputs more power than the Kenwood although that's only one part of the equation.
I would not worry about amps that deliver less power (in theory). At 40 years old your amp is not going deliver the sonic performance of something like this Musical Fidelity integrated amp.
ETA: The Musical Fidelity integrated I linked outputs more power than the Kenwood although that's only one part of the equation.
This post was edited on 4/4/21 at 10:05 am
Posted on 4/4/21 at 2:58 pm to VABuckeye
A few thoughts.
* Speaker upgrade. You mentioned liking a "smile" frequency response - boosted lows & highs. Keep in mind that this can also be accomplished via EQ. IMO a solid neutral speaker is a better starting point b/c you can apply that EQ if you like, but you might not like it with everything and if the speaker is doing it you get that added to everything. (Short of adding a much more expensive or time consuming room EQ solution.) For around $1000 you won't get quality and lowest octave (20-40 Hz) bass but you still have a lot of options. You could look at something like a GoldenEar Triton 3+ which has a powered bass section (making it easier to power with a mid-range amp) and a completely different tweeter design that you might like.
* IF you are interested in bass extension, you could look at adding a sub. Preferably a sealed sub, which is generally considered better for music. You'd need something with a built in XO since your Kenwood amp doesn't have bass management. Plenty of options here in the $1k or under range, from internet companies like Hsu, SVS, Rythmik.
* So about the Kenwood - do you have any interest at all in expanding the sources you can use with your system? If you want to do any streaming or wireless type stuff then you could upgrade that piece and add a significant amount of functionality. Something like a NAD C368 right at your budget has a phono input plus more modern digital/wireless options and is a great little piece. Actually higher power rating than your old Kenwood.
* There are a LOT of interesting options at your price point for turntable/cartridge upgrades. The new Schiit Sol has gotten rave reviews for what it does at the price. There are other very good options from Rega or Pro-ject.
Depending on your priority, what you would like to add or address, there is an argument for any of the 3 pieces of the chain.
* Speaker upgrade. You mentioned liking a "smile" frequency response - boosted lows & highs. Keep in mind that this can also be accomplished via EQ. IMO a solid neutral speaker is a better starting point b/c you can apply that EQ if you like, but you might not like it with everything and if the speaker is doing it you get that added to everything. (Short of adding a much more expensive or time consuming room EQ solution.) For around $1000 you won't get quality and lowest octave (20-40 Hz) bass but you still have a lot of options. You could look at something like a GoldenEar Triton 3+ which has a powered bass section (making it easier to power with a mid-range amp) and a completely different tweeter design that you might like.
* IF you are interested in bass extension, you could look at adding a sub. Preferably a sealed sub, which is generally considered better for music. You'd need something with a built in XO since your Kenwood amp doesn't have bass management. Plenty of options here in the $1k or under range, from internet companies like Hsu, SVS, Rythmik.
* So about the Kenwood - do you have any interest at all in expanding the sources you can use with your system? If you want to do any streaming or wireless type stuff then you could upgrade that piece and add a significant amount of functionality. Something like a NAD C368 right at your budget has a phono input plus more modern digital/wireless options and is a great little piece. Actually higher power rating than your old Kenwood.
* There are a LOT of interesting options at your price point for turntable/cartridge upgrades. The new Schiit Sol has gotten rave reviews for what it does at the price. There are other very good options from Rega or Pro-ject.
Depending on your priority, what you would like to add or address, there is an argument for any of the 3 pieces of the chain.
Posted on 4/5/21 at 10:22 am to pheroy
Posted on 4/5/21 at 7:30 pm to pheroy
quote:
A few thoughts.
* Speaker upgrade. You mentioned liking a "smile" frequency response - boosted lows & highs. Keep in mind that this can also be accomplished via EQ. IMO a solid neutral speaker is a better starting point b/c you can apply that EQ if you like, but you might not like it with everything and if the speaker is doing it you get that added to everything. (Short of adding a much more expensive or time consuming room EQ solution.) For around $1000 you won't get quality and lowest octave (20-40 Hz) bass but you still have a lot of options. You could look at something like a GoldenEar Triton 3+ which has a powered bass section (making it easier to power with a mid-range amp) and a completely different tweeter design that you might like.
* IF you are interested in bass extension, you could look at adding a sub. Preferably a sealed sub, which is generally considered better for music. You'd need something with a built in XO since your Kenwood amp doesn't have bass management. Plenty of options here in the $1k or under range, from internet companies like Hsu, SVS, Rythmik.
* So about the Kenwood - do you have any interest at all in expanding the sources you can use with your system? If you want to do any streaming or wireless type stuff then you could upgrade that piece and add a significant amount of functionality. Something like a NAD C368 right at your budget has a phono input plus more modern digital/wireless options and is a great little piece. Actually higher power rating than your old Kenwood.
* There are a LOT of interesting options at your price point for turntable/cartridge upgrades. The new Schiit Sol has gotten rave reviews for what it does at the price. There are other very good options from Rega or Pro-ject.
Depending on your priority, what you would like to add or address, there is an argument for any of the 3 pieces of the chain.
Thanks VA and pheroy
I don’t plan on doing any streaming on this system. Strictly vinyl
Sounds like everyone is of the opinion that speakers would be the best upgrade. If anyone has brands or models they like, I’d love your recommendations. Tia
Posted on 4/6/21 at 12:04 am to BigOrangeBri
What are your thoughts on getting a bookshelf (stand mounted) speaker, and filling in the bottom end later with a sub? You could get higher quality for your current budget and have room to grow & improve. There are some excellent choices in the $1-1.5k range there. Elac, KEF, Revel have some outstanding options.
A couple of towers I would look at, because they have high sensitivity (will make your mid powered Kenwood amp work more easily) are the Polk Signature S60 and PSB Imagine X1T.
Here are some other brands I would put on the list in general, for consideration in addition to the above 3:
GoldenEar
Monitor Audio
SVS
Some internet direct companies have earned a rep for high bang for buck:
Ascend
Aperion
Axiom
Emotiva
Fluance
HTD
Tekton
Edit: Just a note on looking at specs. Some are standardized and meaningful, like sensitivity (how loud a speaker plays at a standard 1 watt input). Some aren't, like bass response. I would pay NO attention to manufacturer bass response specs, only objective measurements in a review.
A couple of towers I would look at, because they have high sensitivity (will make your mid powered Kenwood amp work more easily) are the Polk Signature S60 and PSB Imagine X1T.
Here are some other brands I would put on the list in general, for consideration in addition to the above 3:
GoldenEar
Monitor Audio
SVS
Some internet direct companies have earned a rep for high bang for buck:
Ascend
Aperion
Axiom
Emotiva
Fluance
HTD
Tekton
Edit: Just a note on looking at specs. Some are standardized and meaningful, like sensitivity (how loud a speaker plays at a standard 1 watt input). Some aren't, like bass response. I would pay NO attention to manufacturer bass response specs, only objective measurements in a review.
This post was edited on 4/6/21 at 12:15 am
Posted on 4/6/21 at 1:22 am to BigOrangeBri
$500 on an SVS sub
$450 on a Lehman Black Cube phono preamp. It can be had for $400 from Music Direct.
OR...
Save some dough and get a Lyra Delos cartridge...it’s a whole ‘nutha ballgame when you move to a cart like this. It can be had for $1800–just ask them for 10% off—they will do it.
Then get the Black Cube phono preamp as the Lyra is a Moving Coil cart and will not work with the phono stage in the Kenwood.
...about $2200 total for the second option.
...and spend $150 to have the Kenwood recapped and cleaned. I read up on it—it’s actually a pretty good piece of gear!
$450 on a Lehman Black Cube phono preamp. It can be had for $400 from Music Direct.
OR...
Save some dough and get a Lyra Delos cartridge...it’s a whole ‘nutha ballgame when you move to a cart like this. It can be had for $1800–just ask them for 10% off—they will do it.
Then get the Black Cube phono preamp as the Lyra is a Moving Coil cart and will not work with the phono stage in the Kenwood.
...about $2200 total for the second option.
...and spend $150 to have the Kenwood recapped and cleaned. I read up on it—it’s actually a pretty good piece of gear!
Posted on 4/6/21 at 1:24 am to pheroy
Of the speakers you listed, I put Tekton in a higher bracket—they are great speakers for the money, and offer numerous models.
Posted on 4/6/21 at 7:22 am to Marco Esquandolas
I'm hearing a lot of good things on Emotiva. What are your thoughts?
Posted on 4/6/21 at 12:16 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
Of the speakers you listed, I put Tekton in a higher bracket—they are great speakers for the money, and offer numerous models.
I have read some of the gushing reviews, but not heard them - have you?. They're a really interesting design, seem like one of the more innovative speakers in the last decade or so, and they get compared to far more expensive speakers. They seem to cause problems with standard measurement techniques though.
The 2 lowest models in their lineup are just at or above the OP's budget.
Posted on 4/6/21 at 12:44 pm to JumpingTheShark
anyone ever heard the uncompressed lossless version of californication, incredible, it's like listening to a different album that's way better
Posted on 4/6/21 at 4:46 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
Marco Esquandolas
You guys have given me plenty to think about. Can’t thank y’all enough!
Posted on 4/6/21 at 6:43 pm to DVinBR
quote:
anyone ever heard the uncompressed lossless version of californication, incredible, it's like listening to a different album that's way better
I have the vinyl reissue that was cut by either Chris Bellman or Bernie Grundman, I can’t remember which at the moment. What a revelation! You can really hear the genius of Frusciante’s guitar work. Like hearing it for the first time. Whoever ok’d this & “By the Way” to be released the way they were originally, should never work in the industry again...
Posted on 4/6/21 at 8:33 pm to pheroy
quote:
What are your thoughts on getting a bookshelf (stand mounted) speaker, and filling in the bottom end later with a sub? You could get higher quality for your current budget and have room to grow & improve. There are some excellent choices in the $1-1.5k range there. Elac, KEF, Revel have some outstanding options.
A couple of towers I would look at, because they have high sensitivity (will make your mid powered Kenwood amp work more easily) are the Polk Signature S60 and PSB Imagine X1T.
Here are some other brands I would put on the list in general, for consideration in addition to the above 3:
GoldenEar
Monitor Audio
SVS
Some internet direct companies have earned a rep for high bang for buck:
Ascend
Aperion
Axiom
Emotiva
Fluance
HTD
Tekton
Thank you. I’d prefer to just stick with floorstanding speakers for simplicity’s sake. It’s a fairly small room, so I’d think a nice pair of towers would be enough
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