Home Audio systems

[sucka]

Any audiophiles want to share their home audio setup (not home theatre)?  I haven't had an audio centre since I left my parents.  I remember the gigantic speakers, technics tape player and onkyo amp and turn table.

 

[caver]

Old JBL speakers. That's where it's at. Coupled with good vintage electronics. Nothing new compares.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Yeah, it kind of depends on what sound you want, whether or not your playing vinyl or CD. There are so many set ups. If you want vintage, Marantz is probably the way to go. That is the new stuff, as not too many people get rid of the old. I can't speak for the new components, but the old stuff is king IMO.

If you're playing vinyl and want a good entry level, I'd suggest Rega, but if your looking for something high end, think Oracle or Clearaudio.

If you want my opinion on what I use, it's DENON, Rega and Paradigm speakers. I used to be a big Yamaha fan for components, but DENON is making far superior stuff these days I think. I don't think you'll get a better sound, at least from my point of view, than Paradigm speakers, they're available in all price ranges and sound wonderful, I wouldn't use anything else.

There are good speakers out there, I think that is based on what kind of sound you like, that determines taste. I find every audiophile likes his own brands, as his ear is used to that. Tannoy, B & W and Bose made some great stuff, but I thought Paradigm held their own, even years ago. You can still find vintage old speakers and component pieces in Canada, from other audiphile's at Canuck Audio Mart. It's a good community also, most sellers and dealer's are very knowledgeable about what they have also.

 

[sucka]

Yeah, it kind of depends on what sound you want, whether or not your playing vinyl or CD. There are so many set ups. If you want vintage, Marantz is probably the way to go. That is the new stuff, as not too many people get rid of the old. I can't speak for the new components, but the old stuff is king IMO.

If you're playing vinyl and want a good entry level, I'd suggest Rega, but if your looking for something high end, think Oracle or Clearaudio.

If you want my opinion on what I use, it's DENON, Rega and Paradigm speakers. I used to be a big Yamaha fan for components, but DENON is making far superior stuff these days I think. I don't think you'll get a better sound, at least from my point of view, than Paradigm speakers, they're available in all price ranges and sound wonderful, I wouldn't use anything else.

There are good speakers out there, I think that is based on what kind of sound you like, that determines taste. I find every audiophile likes his own brands, as his ear is used to that. Tannoy, B & W and Bose made some great stuff, but I thought Paradigm held their own, even years ago. You can still find vintage old speakers and component pieces in Canada, from other audiphile's at Canuck Audio Mart. It's a good community also, most sellers and dealer's are very knowledgeable about what they have also.

Cool, thanks man, yeah, i was thinking about getting some kind of vintage gear, but not sure about what i'll really be getting due to age.  Future shop doesn't seem to have what i'm looking for...maybe i'm looking at the wrong places.  Bay Bloor radio site seems to be down. 

 

[Bender]

Yeah, it kind of depends on what sound you want, whether or not your playing vinyl or CD. There are so many set ups. If you want vintage, Marantz is probably the way to go. That is the new stuff, as not too many people get rid of the old. I can't speak for the new components, but the old stuff is king IMO.

If you're playing vinyl and want a good entry level, I'd suggest Rega, but if your looking for something high end, think Oracle or Clearaudio.

If you want my opinion on what I use, it's DENON, Rega and Paradigm speakers. I used to be a big Yamaha fan for components, but DENON is making far superior stuff these days I think. I don't think you'll get a better sound, at least from my point of view, than Paradigm speakers, they're available in all price ranges and sound wonderful, I wouldn't use anything else.

There are good speakers out there, I think that is based on what kind of sound you like, that determines taste. I find every audiophile likes his own brands, as his ear is used to that. Tannoy, B & W and Bose made some great stuff, but I thought Paradigm held their own, even years ago. You can still find vintage old speakers and component pieces in Canada, from other audiphile's at Canuck Audio Mart. It's a good community also, most sellers and dealer's are very knowledgeable about what they have also.

Maybe their home audio stuff is different, but I was massively disappointed with their headphones lineup.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Maybe their home audio stuff is different, but I was massively disappointed with their headphones lineup.

You mean DENON? I have a home theater application, so probably different than what sucka is looking for. I do have DENON headphones, but I don't use them for anything but my computer/ Laptop.

If I wanted good headphones for something, I would probably look toward the radio industry, or the DJ business. Senheiser or Beats by Dre.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Cool, thanks man, yeah, i was thinking about getting some kind of vintage gear, but not sure about what i'll really be getting due to age.  Future shop doesn't seem to have what i'm looking for...maybe i'm looking at the wrong places.  Bay Bloor radio site seems to be down. 

Well, McIntosh is probably the best vintage stuff, but it's ridiculously expensive. The site I listed above is pretty good for used stuff. Audiophiles keep their gear in really good shape on average, so the quality is easy to figure out, by simply having dialogue with the seller. The dealers are always selling their floor models also and you can sometimes score a deal there as well.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I have a set up back home for my vinyls that is all vintage, but I'm assuming it's not very 'audiophile' as I literally just found whatever I could in town (and wasn't too expensive).  For someone who doesn't know much about what is better and what is worse, anyone know where I can go to learn a bit more about this stuff?  Preferably online because I don't live in Toronto or anything.

I'd like to eventually have a really good vinyl set up, as I've pretty much gone to only listening to vinyl at home so an optimum experience would be great.

 

[Bender]

Maybe their home audio stuff is different, but I was massively disappointed with their headphones lineup.

You mean DENON? I have a home theater application, so probably different than what sucka is looking for. I do have DENON headphones, but I don't use them for anything but my computer/ Laptop.

If I wanted good headphones for something, I would probably look toward the radio industry, or the DJ business. Senheiser or Beats by Dre.

I tried a whole bunch of headphones before purchasing at Bay Bloor Radio and I wasn't impressed by a lot of the renowned headphones like Grado and Denon. Even some of the Sennheisers left something to be desired. I went and bought a pair of Audio Technica M50s from Long and Mcquade a couple years back and they're just incredible. Beats by Dre have a crazy bass curve on them and colour the sound too much for my liking.

 

[Bender]

Old JBL speakers. That's where it's at. Coupled with good vintage electronics. Nothing new compares.

I hear nothing but good things from JBL.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Maybe their home audio stuff is different, but I was massively disappointed with their headphones lineup.

You mean DENON? I have a home theater application, so probably different than what sucka is looking for. I do have DENON headphones, but I don't use them for anything but my computer/ Laptop.

If I wanted good headphones for something, I would probably look toward the radio industry, or the DJ business. Senheiser or Beats by Dre.

I tried a whole bunch of headphones before purchasing at Bay Bloor Radio and I wasn't impressed by a lot of the renowned headphones like Grado and Denon. Even some of the Sennheisers left something to be desired. I went and bought a pair of Audio Technica M50s from Long and Mcquade a couple years back and they're just incredible. Beats by Dre have a crazy bass curve on them and colour the sound too much for my liking.

I purchased an Audio Technica stylus for my turntable a couple years ago and can concur, they make great audio equipment.

 

[sucka]

Keep it coming, i'm taking good notes here.  Should the components come from the same make...i dunno, is there like a bonus when that happens?  I don't want to go looking for a set, knowing what I do, which is basically zilch...its tends to be costly that way!

 

[caver]

McIntosh may be some of the most valuable vintage gear, but it's debatable as to whether it is the best sounding. And the old Marantz tube gear sounds good but the big solid state stuff doesn't sound that good. It is built like a tank and collectors love it, but i would choose old Luxman gear over Marantz any day. The best idea is to have a knowledgable friend look on the internet for you. Somebody suggested Canuck Audio and that's a great idea. You could put together a system through CAM for under $1,000 that will be very impressive sounding. 

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

McIntosh may be some of the most valuable vintage gear, but it's debatable as to whether it is the best sounding. And the old Marantz tube gear sounds good but the big solid state stuff doesn't sound that good. It is built like a tank and collectors love it, but i would choose old Luxman gear over Marantz any day. The best idea is to have a knowledgable friend look on the internet for you. Somebody suggested Canuck Audio and that's a great idea. You could put together a system through CAM for under $1,000 that will be very impressive sounding. 

Yeah, I have to agree with your Luxman comment. I had one that I just got rid of, when I jumped to home theater, it's made by Alpine I believe and has lots of power. I sold it to a family member and he's still going strong with it. I think the Luxman are hard to find though now, no?

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I have a set up back home for my vinyls that is all vintage, but I'm assuming it's not very 'audiophile' as I literally just found whatever I could in town (and wasn't too expensive).  For someone who doesn't know much about what is better and what is worse, anyone know where I can go to learn a bit more about this stuff?  Preferably online because I don't live in Toronto or anything.

I'd like to eventually have a really good vinyl set up, as I've pretty much gone to only listening to vinyl at home so an optimum experience would be great.

My advice would be to read some of the magazine's out there that deal with this, but really Potvin, it's your ear that is going to determine things. If you are still in California, you're probably surrounded by high quality stores and my advice is to go to them and sit down and have a listen. The more you do that, the more you'll start to hear the components that you like.

I'm starting to revert back to vinyl also, it has such a real sound. Maybe it's just that I came from that era, but I prefer it. A good turn table will serve you well, the ones I outlined above are pretty good. Here is the American version of Cam called Audiogon.

http://www.audioreview.com/
http://www.audiophilia.com/wp/
http://www.audioasylum.com/index.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I tried a whole bunch of headphones before purchasing at Bay Bloor Radio and I wasn't impressed by a lot of the renowned headphones like Grado and Denon. Even some of the Sennheisers left something to be desired. I went and bought a pair of Audio Technica M50s from Long and Mcquade a couple years back and they're just incredible. Beats by Dre have a crazy bass curve on them and colour the sound too much for my liking.

It sounds to me like you have a good grasp on the headphone thing already.

 

[Frank E]

Hi guys, I could use some advice.

Just moved to a house, and I need a sound system.

I don't have any old records or anything like that, and I'm looking for a system that will also be used as surround for my TV.  Oh, and I want something that will link remotely to my laptop to play itunes and stuff.

I listen to rock, and modern hip hop.

Say a budget of $1500? 

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Hi guys, I could use some advice.

Just moved to a house, and I need a sound system.

I don't have any old records or anything like that, and I'm looking for a system that will also be used as surround for my TV.  Oh, and I want something that will link remotely to my laptop to play itunes and stuff.

I listen to rock, and modern hip hop.

Say a budget of $1500? 

Unfortunately, I don't think you'll get much for that budget. I would suggest an all in one system, that comes with the receiver and surround speakers. I've never priced those, but some of the better names do make them. Here is an example..

You may be able to buy components used. I don't mean crap, as some cringe when you say used. But the CAM site I listed on the previous page has listings for home theater equipment and you may just find a deal or two there.

As far as the computer stuff, I use an HDMI cable to my laptop, however apparently Windows 7 and Cloud allow you to link up wireless to your system, I just don't know much about it.

 

[sucka]

So if i get a hifi set up, rather than a home theatre i only need two speakers right?  or am i still living in the 80's? 

Also, is it better to have gear from the same maker, i dunno, is there some sort of sonic magic that happens?  Like everything works together to it's highest capabilities? 

 

[Bullfrog]

You'll need a good subwoofer too.