New Stereo Help

[Maximo]

I'm looking to spend around $400 for a new CD player and speakers. I share an apartment with my mom so I dont need anything amazing, but i'd like something much better than the two crap speakers that came with my computer.

I was looking at some of the Sony 5 CD changers and they all look good. I dont really know where to go from there though. I need speakers, obviously but is there anything else I need to purchase? Can anyone recommend good CD changers or speakers?

[the Pawnbroker]

Your price point makes it difficult.

Patrick will probably chime in soon with a good recommendation.

Until he does, a general rule of thumb is that the fewer bells and whistles the better, since the $$$ you pay should be going toward improving the sound/build quality. Therefore, single CD players are usually superior. I have hated cd changers since mine broke in law school while making a mix with five Pavement discs.

Also, if you are willing to take a chance and exert additional time/effort, bargains can be had in used audio equipment. Try:


http://www.audiogon.com
http://www.ebay.com
http://www.audioweb.com

and more expensive, but fun to pine for:

http://www.audioclassics.com

[Patrick]

Max,

See the other post on bookshelf speakers for some cheap but excellent speaker recommendations. You don't mention an amp/receiver - I presume you already have one?

If you want to go bargain-basement on the CD player, the Toshiba SD-3950 and SD-3960 DVD players (which also play CDs and DVD-As) are being touted as giant-killers by the audiophile press. They go for like $50-60 online. I bought one and it suits me just fine (though I mostly listen to LPs, so I haven't given the serious test I would have if CDs were my format of choice). But for $60 you're not taking much of a risk.

Single-CD players will always sound better than changers.

Patrick

[the Pawnbroker]

I think I've mentioned this, but it's finally going to happen within the next month. I will be getting (gratis) some used stereo equipment, consisting of the following:

Audio Research SP-9 Preamp (tube)
Krell KSA-80 power amp
Snell Type B Speakers (BIG floorstanders)

Along with older, but probably very good, interconnects and shotgun bi-wire speaker cable.

I checked the equipment out this weekend: I'm bursting.

Some questions:

1. When adjusting the volume (gain) on the preamp, it caused a burst of static, primarily in the left channel. The static was only present when physically moving the knob, and the sound seemed fine otherwise (I only tested it at low volume and for one-half hour). The equipment has not been disconnected and cleaned in 10 years. Is it possible the static could be caused by dirty connections and/or a dirty/fussy knob, or am I looking at a costly repair?

2. The spot where this equipment will be set up has limited wall length. I want to get a component rack/stand that will allow me to shelveas many components vertically as possible (understanding the Krell probably should probably be by itself.) What do you recommend for quality, price, and appearance (wife acceptance factor)?

Thanks for your time in advance. I know there are other websites for these questions, but I value your advice as accurate and sensible.

[Patrick]

Originally posted by the Pawnbroker
Audio Research SP-9 Preamp (tube)
Krell KSA-80 power amp
Snell Type B Speakers (BIG floorstanders)

All for free?! Nice!


1. When adjusting the volume (gain) on the preamp, it caused a burst of static, primarily in the left channel. The static was only present when physically moving the knob, and the sound seemed fine otherwise (I only tested it at low volume and for one-half hour). The equipment has not been disconnected and cleaned in 10 years. Is it possible the static could be caused by dirty connections and/or a dirty/fussy knob, or am I looking at a costly repair?

No, it's probably just dirt in the potentiometer. Spray in some contact cleaner (like De-Oxit, or whatever you can find at Radio Shack) and it will probably clean right up.


2. The spot where this equipment will be set up has limited wall length. I want to get a component rack/stand that will allow me to shelveas many components vertically as possible (understanding the Krell probably should probably be by itself.) What do you recommend for quality, price, and appearance (wife acceptance factor)?

Unfortunately one thing I know nothing about is equipment racks. I had stuff built in my apartment when I moved in, and have never had a real audio rack.

Thanks for your time in advance. I know there are other websites for these questions, but I value your advice as accurate and sensible.

Anytime, keep 'em coming.

Patrick

[the Pawnbroker]

Originally posted by Patrick

No, it's probably just dirt in the potentiometer. Spray in some contact cleaner (like De-Oxit, or whatever you can find at Radio Shack) and it will probably clean right up.

Good to know. I want to do a thorough cleaning when I first get the equipment. In this regard, what do you suggest/use for cleaning connectors/RCAs etc. on cables and compenents? I've heard some people recommend something called ProCraig Gold.

Unfortunately one thing I know nothing about is equipment racks. I had stuff built in my apartment when I moved in, and have never had a real audio rack.
Patrick

Thanks anyways. Given that I'm getting the equipment for free (relatives can be wonderful), I probably have some leeway price-wise for a decent audio rack. Thank goodness my wife has been very indulgent with the audio-fetish (so far).

When you have some free time, I would love to read what you have in your system.

[Patrick]

Caig ProGold is supposed to excellent - I've never tried it though.

Current system:

Acoustic Solid One TT with three arms mounted:

1. Graham 2.2 Deluxe / Denon 103R

2. Ortofon RS-212 (vintage) / Ortofon SPU GM Mono

3. Rega/Origin Live RB250 / no cartridge at present

Arm #1 goes through an Aesthetix Io Signature phono stage

Arm #2 goes through a Bottlehead Seduction phono stage built by me

Both go into my Gilmore V2-SE headphone amp / line stage, which is also fed by a Toshiba SD-3950 CD/DVD player.

Then a Pass Aleph 3 amp and VMPS 626R speakers on custom Sound Anchor stands.

Cabling is Cardas - Golden Cross on the Graham phono and on the speakers, 300B Microtwin on all inter connects; vintage patch cords on the Ortofon.

Power conditioning is Audio Magic, plus I have a couple of those Combak Enacom AC filters plugged in.

I've replaced the original motor on the Acoustic Solid with a DC regulated one from Redpoint Audio. This is powered by an automotive battery jumper, a 12V source - not from the wall.

Couple things on the way: I'm refurbishing two Garrard 301s for which I need to build plinths, and am just finishing a 100W solid state amp kit from Aspen Amplifiers.

http://www.acoustic-solid.de/laufwerke.html
http://www.redpoint-audio-design.com/
http://www.aksaonline.com

Patrick

[the Pawnbroker]

Cool stuff, thanks.

The Pass Aleph is an older model, correct? I recently saw a thread somewhere (possibly audio asylum) on DIY amps based on the Pass Aleph. A little beyond me, but good reading.

Do you cycle new/used equipment into and out of your system on a regular basis?

The Redpoint TTs are crazy! Is the "outboard" style setup to reduce vibration?

[Patrick]

How gorgeous are those Redpoints? I wish I could afford a full upgrade but I can't.

Yes, high mass plus separation of motor pod and each arm pod for full isolation. My Acoustic Solid is designed on the same principles.

The Aleph is series of Pass amps prior to the current X and XA series. They are all-MOSFET, true pure-Class A amps. That means that even at 30 watts per channel this thing runs hot. It looks like a little oven or something. The whole thing is a heatsink. Amazing industrial design.

They went up like 200 watts or something - those things must be like enormous room heaters.

I do a lot of cycling in and out - never satisfied. My room sucks.

Patrick

[the Pawnbroker]

The Aleph is just plain evil looking: all pointy heatsink, like something out of Hellraiser.

The Redpoints: the finish just makes one go, "wow".

The best and worst part of this hobby may be seeing/reading (and maybe hearing) things you can't have.

[Che]

Here it is in all it's glory.

[the Pawnbroker]

Somehow, I don't think so.

What, is that from CES?

[Patrick]

Man, I've seen that before, somewhere. Check out that subwoofer horn (the thing in the center) - totally outta control.

Of course this is the kind of digital-based, megawatt solid-state system that would probably have me running from the room.

PB, someone referred to the Aleph as "the Borg." I forget who.

This time I'm attaching a picture of the Redpoint Testa Rossa. So gorgeous.

Patrick

[the Pawnbroker]

Originally posted by Patrick
Man, I've seen that before, somewhere. Check out that subwoofer horn (the thing in the center) - totally outta control.

Ha, I was trying to figure out if that was part of the system or the decoration for the installation.

Yep, the Testa Rossa was the one that caught my eye as well. I shudder to think what they go for, but I'm going to guess: $8-10k?

I'm frightened that its much, much more.

[Patrick]

I think that's in the ballpark for a Testa Rossa.

Patrick

[3dsound]

Originally posted by Che
Here it is in all it's glory.


....... holy crap... that's a mean machine!

[Patrick]

for clarification's sake that is NOT my stereo!

Patrick

[3dsound]

kind of figured that out when you mentionned that your room "sucked" LOL