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re: Audiophile/Vinyl Thread - Post Pics, Advice, Questions, Setups, etc.

Posted on 3/12/16 at 9:14 pm to
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/12/16 at 9:14 pm to
quote:

HebertFest08


Look at these Vandersteen speakers...

and this Peachtree Integrated amp...

and this Pro-Ject turntable...

and this Bellari phono stage...


These 4 pieces, all new, total $2475. I can usually get about 20% off retail at Music Direct because I buy so much stuff from them (20% off MSRP, but not off something that is already discounted--but there still may be some wiggle room there as well if multiple pieces are purchased). I can get them to pass my 20% off agreement to you if you decide to use them--if you want (you can contact me off line to discuss...I'll get you my contact info).

That makes the total for a great integrated amp with a built in DAC (plenty of power), a killer pair of Vandersteen speakers, a great phono stage, and a great turntable ring in at just around $2317.00


Vandersteen speakers also hold their value pretty well, and these can be sold easily on AudioGon if you want to go up the line.



Thoughts??




This post was edited on 3/12/16 at 11:07 pm
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/12/16 at 10:13 pm to
quote:

HebertFest08



You could also do This Rega integrated amp which has multiple analog inputs and a built in phono stage, but has no DAC. So you would not need to get a phono pre amp, but would then need to buy an outboard DAC if you wanted to run a PC through the system--so an even trade off (you can get a DAC for $150-200).

This post was edited on 3/12/16 at 10:45 pm
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/12/16 at 10:43 pm to
quote:

HebertFest08



Here is a Quad Integrated Amp...

If you have not heard of Quad, they are a British company that has been around for 60 years. They are known for their planar loudspeakers which are exceptional. Go to their website and read about Quad.

I have actually heard this amp at Alterman Audio in Metairie. It is a well built, heavy amp.
It has a DAC, but no phono pre built in.

It DOES have a pre-out...which means that if you decide down the road that you want to get a high power amp or even a tube amp, you can use the pre out to the new amp, thus making the Quad integrated amp a pre amp (it will bypass it's own power and send a voltage to the "line out" RCA jacks)--pretty cool and useful.


If you get the Quad integrated with the Bellari phono pre, Vandersteen speakers, and Pro-Ject table, your total with my discounts comes to $2238.

I probably would lean toward the Quad integrated amp over the Peachtree...and I own a Peachtree pre amp and power amp combo (and I like them). The Quad is a great piece of gear.

This post was edited on 3/12/16 at 11:12 pm
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/12/16 at 10:56 pm to
quote:

HebertFest08



Funny--I just saw the brand new copy of The Absolute Sound for this month on my desk just after I made the post about the speakers...

Look what's on the cover--Vandersteen!!

The speakers on the magazine cover are a few notches up from the ones I linked, but they have the same DNA...it is a big deal for a company to make the cover of a major audio magazine. Vandersteen's reference speakers, the Vandersteen 7's, run about $60k.




Posted by LSURoss
Dragon Believer
Member since Dec 2007
16758 posts
Posted on 3/13/16 at 5:18 pm to
So I finally got my Turnpike troubadour album after 2 months of back order on amazon. I open it up and the inside label is blank. Anyone happen to own this vinyl and have the same thing?

This post was edited on 3/13/16 at 5:19 pm
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/13/16 at 6:36 pm to
It could be intentional--after all, it is named Goodbye Normal Street...

Posted by HebertFest08
The Coast
Member since Aug 2008
6532 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 7:24 am to
Marco.... Thanks man. In banff for the week. I'll look at this when I get back. Appreciate the research and help!
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 3:23 pm to
quote:

HebertFest08


If you want to drop the price of the complete system by a couple hundred bucks, you can look into ELAC loudspeakers. This company's chief designer and part owner is Andrew Jones--who became known for making very inexpensive but decent speakers for Pioneer just a few years ago. I believe the largest ELAC is the F6--3-way with a tweeter and (3) 6.5" woofers. I believe they run about $750 or so a pair.

Only drawback is they are 6 ohm nominal impedance--meaning they may need a little more amplifier power if you plan on turning up the volume--so you would probably be better off with the Peachtree amp to mate with these as opposed to the Quad amp.

I still like the Vandersteen/Quad combo better though. I just wanted to give you a cheaper alternative.

Posted by Jail Cell Odell
Athens
Member since Dec 2013
257 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 3:31 pm to
Other than local shops, flea markets, and thrifts...where do ya'll buy your vinyl? I've looked at the website "discogs" a lot but i'm a little unsure.
Posted by RaginCajunz
Member since Mar 2009
7183 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 4:53 pm to
quote:

Other than local shops, flea markets, and thrifts...where do ya'll buy your vinyl? I've looked at the website "discogs" a lot but i'm a little unsure.

I've enjoyed browsing the selection at 2nd & Charles in Covington. I try to take a peak at shops when travelling. It's a routine thing when on a vacation to look up local record shops and spend 30 minutes browsing.
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 5:40 pm to
Exactly what are you unsure of?...it's a record.
Posted by BlackHelicopterPilot
Top secret lab
Member since Feb 2004
52841 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 5:50 pm to
I am BRAND NEW to enjoying music for more than background sound and dancing / party entertainment. I've always enjoyed live music, etc.


My BRAND NEW (to me) setup:

Audiophile friend gave me a turntable. Said to be a very good one. But, I have no idea what it is (model, etc)

Peachtree Audio nova220SE Amp with integrated pre-amp and DAC

Mac Mini music server

Sony CD player (unsure of the model)

Kef 107 loudspeakers
This post was edited on 3/14/16 at 5:52 pm
Posted by NewIberiaHaircut
Lafayette
Member since May 2013
12445 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 6:03 pm to
Damn, you got some nice friends.
Posted by BlackHelicopterPilot
Top secret lab
Member since Feb 2004
52841 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 6:13 pm to
Ha.

True. And he helped me pick out the system.

But, the only gift was the turntable. I appreciate that. But, just wanted to be clear he didn't give me the rest.
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 6:44 pm to
quote:

BlackHelicopterPilot



The Peachtree does have one analog line input, but in order to run a turntable (really a cartridge) through the Peachtree integrated, you need a phono pre amp. They can be had from about $130 and up.


Welcome Aboard!!



Posted by BlackHelicopterPilot
Top secret lab
Member since Feb 2004
52841 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 6:47 pm to
quote:

The Peachtree does have one analog line input, but in order to run a turntable (really a cartridge) through the Peachtree integrated, you need a phono pre amp. They can be had from about $130 and up.



Thank you for this.

quote:

Welcome Aboard!!



I'm excited. I've never "listened" to music before. I am very excited to learn more
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 6:50 pm to
...also, does the CD player have a "digital out" SPDIF connection on back?

This will allow you to use the CD player as a transport only (just spin and read the disc) and send the digital signal to one of the digital inputs on the Peachtree, thus using the newer and modern DACs in the integrated amp to decode the bitstream.

This also keeps you from using the only analog input for the CD player, thus freeing it up to run the phono pre amp into the analog input.

Posted by BlackHelicopterPilot
Top secret lab
Member since Feb 2004
52841 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 6:52 pm to
quote:

also, does the CD player have a "digital out" SPDIF connection on back?


I do not believe it does. It is currently not run into that input.

I will look into that, however
Posted by BlackHelicopterPilot
Top secret lab
Member since Feb 2004
52841 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 7:02 pm to
BTW, I have my Kef's on a hardwood floor (elevated subfloor - not concrete slab) and have been told to "de-couple" my speakers from the floor.

1) Do you agree with this suggestion?

2) Is there an alternative to spikes? I see that as a suggestion on-line. But, not happy about explaining THAT to Mrs. BHP
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11809 posts
Posted on 3/14/16 at 7:13 pm to
There are a few alternatives to spikes. If you go to any of the big online stores (elusive disc, music direct, audio advisor, acoustic sounds) they will all have a subcategory called "isolation products"--or something similar. Check it out.

There is also another site which is Mapleshade Audio (or something like that--Google Mapleshade audio and recording)--they have a crapload of isolation platforms and blocks for speakers. You can also use a big maple butchers block with rubber feet under the speaker. This, if done properly, can look gorgeous (wife acceptance factor=high).

Let me know the model of your CD player and I will let you know if it can be run directly into the DAC on the integrated amp.

Also--what is the turntable and cartridge?
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