Stereo Advice

[dicecca112]

Alright I have the stereo shown in the pictures below





As you can see the mother is huge and old. Where talking 14X9X12 (HXWXL). While the sound is not bad, its not functional. I don't need or use the tape deck, and the 5 disk CD changer takes I kid you not almost 30 seconds to change between CDs. Speakers are huge as well 14x6x6 (HXWXL). I mainly use it as the main sound output from the TV. It sounds great with DVDs and Consoles.

Well I want a new one. I want something small and with a good amount of inputs. It only has two RCA inputs. I'm lucky that the TV can output all the sound in any mode to the CD player. So I don't have to plug the sound from the DVD to the CD. I can just turn all three on and watch.

I don't need the ability to play CDs or tapes on it. If I wanted to I'd output the sound from my Computers sound card to the CD player. I would like something that has a couple of inputs, I understand there is better than RCA now. Any suggestions, and can we keep this cheap? So what do I want? Do I need a reciever and speakers? I'm a total sound system newb.

[camarokid]

Best bet is to check back-issues of Consumer Reports magazine. Your local Public Library should have a few back-issues on hand with the pertinent (to you) info. I've bought lots of electronics on their advice and have never been steered wrong, especially in the entry-level or budget market. They're really objective with mainstream consumer goods.
Visit this link for some basic, sound advice (pardon the pun):
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/elec ... /index.htm
Common sense, for the most part, but worth reviewing once you're ready to shop.

[dicecca112]

I've been talking to my good friends boyfriend who was a DJ. What he told me was basically, go for a reciever and some good speakers. I would in the future get surround on this at some point. Like I would buy 2 speakers and a reciever. I don't need the CD deck or Tape Deck. Hell I don't even need AM/FM. Just something for all the inputs to plug into and outputs to go to the speakers.

[camarokid]

He's totally right, although going this route will be inevitably more expensive, your smaller privately run audio stores are good places to find these. As far as amplifiers go, wattage means less than you might think. If you listen to a 30 watt NAD amplifier next to a 60 watt Sony, you would be surprised as to how little difference there is. This is partly attriibutable to a specification known as "Dynamic Headroom". The differences are in the peak power the amp produces. Visit this link for more info.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/dynamicheadroom.html
There are some great north american speaker manufacturers to look into. Paradigm and Mirage are great examples, but again, this is a really subjective thing. Start shopping and listening with a CD of music that's well recorded and that you're really familiar with. Take your time and don't rush into a purchase.
I bought a potent Yamaha amp, and an awesome pair of Paradigm speakers years ago that I researched before buying, I got great deals and it still sounds better than many new home theater systems you see today. Read reviews, Consumer Reports, ask friends and shop shop shop. You won't be sorry

[N7SC1]

Geez, I hate to do this, but I've been into good stereo since in Jr. High School in the late 1960's, and do know my stuff.

First, avoid Consumer Reports like it is the plague, because it IS! At least when it comes to audio equipment. In their quest for that which is merely adequate and (in their view) cost-effective, they tend to consider the best equipment out there to be unnecessary. I also think that their editors are deaf. Do you want a recommendation for the audio equivalent of a beige, modestly equipped, Honda mini-van? Ugh! I don't, I want a superbly performing, beautifully built piece of equipment that is the Ferrari of audio.

Second, don't leap into anything. Do your research thoroughly first. Include listening to good systems and speakers too, not just book or internet research.

Third, as you expose yourself to better and better sounding equipment, you will have to begin to get comfortable with the idea that really good sound equipment is NOT going to be inexpensive, small or light-weight. Especially the power amplifier and speakers.

Check out some audio forums, like http://www.audiokarma.org Pay particular attention to the McIntosh forum at audiokarma. This foreshadows my next advice.

Start looking at McIntosh Labs equipment on Audiogon, Craig's List and eBay. Particularly the MAC 1900 receiver. It has RCA inputs, but the other type, balanced inputs (and outputs), are typically found in the highest of the high-end stuff. Very, very expensive. You can get some idea of the specs of most of McIntosh's line at http://www.roger-russell.com

If you know electronics (not computers) well, and are handy and neat with a soldering iron, you can find some very nice units in need of a bit of love and rescuing for very good prices. Even after the repairs you can have a bargain.

[N7SC1]

A follow-up to Camarokid's post, above:

His advice about the smaller, local stereo stores is right on the mark. The big chains never hire anyone who knows what they are doing, and they don't usually carry good equipment.

Also, as he says, you will want an amplifier, or the amp section of a receiver, that can produce lots of good clean power. What the whole discussion on dynamic headroom means is that most amps run out of steam at their rated power, and can't even produce very short, nearly instantaneous, peaks much above it. Most of the better, "audiophile" lines like NAD and, certainly, McIntosh can crank out peaks of over two or three times their rated power. And, in McIntosh's case, the power amps can do it from a starting point of already putting out a continuous signal at their rated power. Don't know about NAD, so can't say about them.

Somewhere, on the backups I made before I put this new Seagate Momentus in this laptop, I have a copy of an article by Julian Hersch (Technical Editor at Stereo Review magazine) from back in the 1970s, discussing amplifier power. He noted that when they were listening to music at volumes that allowed for very easy and natural conversation, with average power of only a watt or two, they were still recording very short peaks into several hundred watts. It actually makes a difference in how it sounds too. If you would like a copy of the article, let me know, and I'll find it.

There is a good article somewhere on Roger Russell's site about how under-powered amplifiers will roast your speakers. Yeah, underpowered amps. They go into clipping and fry the tweeters.

[Skippman]

I agree with the last poster. Consumer Reports is the same magazine that said a Zenith Plasma was just as good as a Samsung. They need to leave the reviewing to the pro's, or at least get pro's to do thier reviews.

[N7SC1]

Dicecca112,

Since you don't need any source units (sources of music, like CD, tuner, turntable, etc.) you don't really need a receiver. A receiver is a tuner, preamplifier and power amplifier all in one box. You need what is called an "integrated amplifier." Just the preamp and power amp in one box.

There is a link to an example on eBay, below. Partially just to get you used to the look and price of better stereo equipment. But, believe me, it is worth it. I've been around for a long time, through many changes in the electronics and audio industry, and I know what sounds best. BTW, equipment like this lasts for the rest of your life, and is an investment, not a purchase.

Try to think of what is linked below as the audio equivalent of a phase change-cooled, QX6700 running at 5GHz, with 8 Gigs of RAM, a hardware SCSI-320 RAID controller with 256 MB of cache, a 5 drive RAID 5 array, etc. and that will help you appreciate it.

Do try to avoid looking at the current bid price or the retail price (mentioned in the listing) There is plenty of equipment that is of similar quality and performance, but has a much more affordable price.

MA6900 Integrated Amp on eBay

[dicecca112]

yeah there is no way in hell I am paying even close to that. That was a bad analogy for me, seeing I'm a cheapass

[frosty22]

I just got a new Onkyo receiver, beacause I needed the HDMI inputs, and I have this: http://www.epinions.com/pr-JVC_RX-6030V ... o_Receiver
sitting in my garage collecting dust. You pay shipping, and you can have it. You will have to wait until I get back from Vacation though.

Frosty

[N7SC1]

That is a great deal Frosty is offering you. Really nice of him. That should be perfect for you.

You are going to need different (more power handling capability) speakers, though. That JVC will blow your little speakers to pieces the first time you even think of cranking it up a little. But, worse yet, those little speakers will not let you hear the full quality of the JVC's sound. Not even close.

I've got a pair of Kenwood JL-965 speakers sitting in my laundry room doing the same thing Frosty's receiver is doing in his garage. They are 4-way speakers with 12" passive radiators too. Yours for shipping. But, they are about 14" to 15" square and 44" tall, weight is about 45 lb each. So shipping would be pretty high from Florida to Mass. If you are coming down here on any time soon, then you can haul them back up your self and save the shipping. Else, you might do much better locally.

Shop around and see. They aren't going anywhere else anytime soon.

[skier]

i dont know much about the subject, i use a 30 year old pioneer stereo with four huge speakers, it works, but is staticky when turned up, but that could be the tech. change between my 4 month old RCA mp3 player and it, who knows, it works tho

- i also use a record player sometimes - LED ZEPPELIN rocks - and im only 17, not all kids listen to new stuff