Everything in this set-up is extreemly budget minded with emphasis on electro-mechanical parts... the speakers. I started out with some 30 year old home-built monitors (my dad built them in college) and a mini-sterio amp/cd/tape/tuner combo. I later got the onkyo and the sony then added the SB-3's last year. The most startling addition is my equalizer, oddly enough it not only improved the linearity and clarity of my system but also markedly tightened the immaging. Basically it serves as a poor-man's room treatment and in some ways it is superior in that when you switch components you dont have to remodel your room. Just whip out a spl meter and readjust. The most recent addition to the system is the sub. It's a perfect match for the SB-3's when the crossover is set at around 60-70 Hz (can't really tell since the dial doesn't have many markings on it). I suppose you could call it "Fast" or "Musical" but i'd rather say that it jsut sounds like the SB-3's have some rediculously low bass coming out of them, in fact i have to turn it off every now and then to remind myself exactly what difference it makes (it's a big, deep, powerfull one... just checked). Oddly enough my component rack is the crown jewl, i spent about 3 weeks of spare time building and another week of finishing on it. I just love the mahogany's grain. All told (with alot of shopping around and waiting for sales) i've spent about $1300.00 on a system that covers all the basics... big, if not absolutely crystal clear soundstage, near perfect linearity, punchy tight bass, clean midrange, and only slightly edgy highs.
Great little monitors, the finish is truely beautiful. The soundstage is huge and loses little clarity as long as you're sitting between the speakers at any distance.
Onkyo TX-8211
Great little reciever for the price, puts out a strong 40 watts.
Sony CDP-CE275
Great cd player for your dollar, only drawback is it is not remote controllable.
Furman Q-2312
Excellent equalizer, its so cheap because its an industry standard in the pro audio world, many MANY studios, churches, concert halls have one... only drawback is you have to build a box to go around it or rack mount it (im building a box... the finish is giving me troubles, trying to match the SB-3's)
Blue Jeans Belden 10-White
Nothing special... just big (10ga.) tightened the bass a bit.
Radio Shack Gold
Gold plated, hefty gauge, cheap.
Monster Cable HTS-1000
I know I know, Monster Cable... yuck! all i wanted was a high-quality surge protector that wasn't about to limit current.
My Stand
The first furniture-grade piece I built. The mahogany grain is really something, but the shelves are plexiglass... the local glass shop wanted $1,200 for custom shelves. Yes, even the furniture is on a budget.
Wood Technology Speaker Stand
Keep the speakers where i want them.
N H T Classic 10
Very well matched sub to the SB-3's (i was concerned because it's designed to match the more recent Classic 3's). With its clarity and accuracy I can't really tell where the mains stop and the sub starts. It does get a little muddy at high volumes however, but by the time that happens in my smallish room you're deaf anyway(i say ish because even though the room is small, it has a bed, an old lounge chair, a padded desk chair, thick curtains immeadiatly opposite the woofer, and thick carpeting to absorb sound).
Like your system, very similar to what I got (onkyo tx-840 receiver, dx-c540 cd changer), of course I need to upgrade the speakers (boston acoutics a-60's) and definitely the NHT's SB-3 are on a short list of what I might be considering (B&W 602s3, Epos M5 or M12.2. or even Cambridge Soundworks M-80 or M-60's (be curious if anyone has listen to them and what their thoughts might be about the CSW's?)). Of course, I know after I upgrade the speakers, I'm going to want to upgrade from the Onkyo TX-840 receiver. Be curious, on what kind of suggestion I might get considering the speakers that I'm interested in. Basically I'm just a 53 year old "average joe" wanting a decent sounding system where I can enjoy my music. I'm certainly not an "audiophile", and whatever I get I would certainly want it to lean more towards the "musical" side of fence, than the "analytical" side of. Any suggestions? Remember I'm working class and have a limited budget.
The Onkyo does a pretty good job with the SB3's but i really dont know how much difference a bigger amp would make as ive never heard them in such a setup. I'm thinking about upgrading, but i'd feel silly putting in an amp that costs more than the speakers, and thats what it takes to get a good 100 watts (as opposed to a distorted 100 watts).
NHT's really sing with good strong amplification. I suggest a good integrated amp with at least 100 watts and you will immediately reap the benefits. Nice setup.
How's the Onkyo handling the NHT's? I used to have a TX-8511 powering SuperOnes and that was quite a combination. To be honest, I don't think subsequent "upgrades" really helped all that much.
