I was able to put this system together despite a tight budget. I got some of the equipment second hand from my dad and uncle. (also audiophilers)
The PS audio amp, Audio Research Dac as well as the cables, were given to me. I use a computer for 90% of playback. When money allows it, I want to upgrade my speakers. But I won't be doing anything major for a long time and am content with my system now.
I also listen to headphones sometimes. I mostly listen to Radioshack brand headphones that are re-branded koss 'phones.
****Update****
I have made my first big purchase and bought Monitor Audio RX6. They really reveal a whole new level of performance. Extended, detailed and space.
****Update****
My Little Dot MkII which I was using as a preamp simply didn't cut it once I upgraded my speakers. The Little Dot is designed as a headphone amplifier and does a respectable job doubling as a preamp. However, I stumbled into a Threshold SL-10 preamp and have had all the caps upgraded. The Threshold is built like a tank and is very heavy. The external power supply oversized and is a great candidate to upgrade the caps.
****Update****
After updating the Threshold and installing better / bigger caps, I decided to do the same for the PS Audio amp. Both have opened up the system to be more revealing.
Vintage Preamp from 1979. Has been restored and upgraded with better caps.
PS Audio Two-C plus
70 watt power amp from the mid 80's. One of the first good sounding solid state amps. The key to this amp is the beefed up power supply that the plus model has. I have had the amp restored and caps upgraded.
Audio Research DAC-1.20
Vintage Dac. Does not have the most recent technology and is not capable of 24 bits. But the sound is very good.
System edited: I stumbled into a Threshold SL-10 preamp and have had it sent out for restoration/upgrades. I am having all of the capacitors replaced and upgraded with better/modern caps. I am excited to get it back and compare head to head with Audio Research SP9 & SP14 which are in other family member's systems.
I am in need of a Pre-amp on the cheap to get my system up and running again.
I am very happy with the sound of my speakers and they match the PS Audio amp well. Also very happy with the Audio Reseach Dac. It is a good vintage piece.
Ultimately, I plan on getting an Audio Research SP9 Mk I from my father as it is an extra piece of equipment for him.
I do not know how long it will be until that pre-amp will be available and would like to continue to use my system in the meantime.
Is there anything on the used market that you recommend at $200 or under that won't degrade my sound too much? I'm not inclined to spend a lot of money because it is not something that will be permanent in my system.
I have thought about a passive pre-amp but after some research do not think it would work given my impedance and cable lengths.
It's time to upgrade speakers, looking for suggestions.
I am looking for small speakers either bookshelf or floor standing.
I have small listening room and have a wide range of musical tastes. When I listen to jazz I would like to hear some more refined speakers with a bigger soundstage. But when I listen to rock I don't want the speakers to be too revealing of the source music. Bass performance is important to me.
I'm looking at the used market and absolute budget is 800. I'd prefer to spend about 600.
System edited: I have gotten rid of my cd player and now use a computer audio setup. Using my 14" Asus Core i7 > Musical Fidelidy V-link > Audio Research Dac 1. I'm using Media Monkey software playing on Windows 7. So far the results are great. I can especially hear the difference through headphones. Unfortunately my speakers don't show me all this system is doing. I eventually plan on "my last step" upgrading my speakers. Would be looking into a bookshelf speaker in the mold of a Totem Model 1, VSA VR-1 etc.
System edited: Finally got around to updating on here. I recently bought a Little Dot amp that serves as my preamp and headphone amp. I'm very happy with it and it performed admirably well in my dad's much more expensive system. (I had to compare it!) I picked up this cd changer for free as well and it serves its purpose but the sound is a bit bright. For christmas hopefully I'll get a playstation 1 to use as my transport as I've heard they sound very good. I've also asked for some Mullard tubes to replace the stock ones. I'm living at home for now after graduation so I can't set it up exactly the way I would like. I've had to hide the subwoofer in the corner so it's not so visible which makes it impossible to match in to the mains. Eventually I can set it up the way I want when I get my own place tho.
I just ordered the Little Dot Mk II. I decided on the mkII because I'll be using it for a preamp and Little Dot says the preamp section sounds the same in both the MkII and III. I'll post pics and update my system when it arrives.
That HRT streamer looks pretty cool. I'll have to keep it in mind when I switch over to a computer rig. My 5 year old laptop won't be able to handle all that music so I've decided to wait a few years until I get a new computer. I'm just out of college so I don't have the money to do the computer rig right so I'm gonna wait til I can. For now I'll try using the cd player on my xbox. I'll have to see how it sounds though. I might pick up a cheap DVD player instead.
Looking at getting a Little Dot MK II or III to function as my preamp. Also hope to listen to more music on the headphones. If anyone can tell me how either sounded as a preamp that would help.
System edited: Well I no longer have a source to play cds on my stereo due to a recall on the DVD player I was using. Apparently it caused fires, luckily not for me. I had been using the volume control on the DVD player enabling me to go straight from it to my power amp. I need to find something to replace it and am considering setting up a computer rig. I am considering USB DACs that have volume control on them so I don't have to buy a pre-amp as well. My budget is about $100 or so for the DAC because I'm going to have to buy a new computer also. It also has to work with a Mac because that's the computer I'll be getting. Some I'm considering: Beresford TC 7520 (if I can find one used in my price range) Musiland SVDAC06 So far those are the only that I've found that fit my requirements. They both have a volume pot and a headphone section. (which is a bonus!) If you have other recommendations or thoughts on either of these, I would appreciate it!
Lou - Thanks for the compliment. The Oppo player would work real nice in this system I think. Stereophile had a nice review on it. Glad to hear you like it. A pre-amp is something that would upgrade my system. I haven't tried out a tube pre in my system but I have put my speakers in my Dad's system and he's got a hybrid tube pre(Audio Research SP9). The setup sounded pretty good but the Infinity speakers really didn't do it justice. It's something I'll look to improve in the future but I don't see myself making any changes in the short-term. The Dynaco certainly looks affordable though. Is yours refurbished or original? Thanks for the suggestion.
Ubersujith- Yea I like the no pre-amp set up because many of the cheap pre-amps degrade too much and I can't afford a good one. As for the volume, The DVD player I use I have plenty of gain. It seems the newer players start out at a higher volume. On mine the volume goes up to 15 and I've never played it at that. 6-8 is bumping at my house in the larger room and at my dorm 4-5 is as loud as I would listen. Glad to see some Birds fans on here. Go Eagles!
System edited: Added new headphones for on the go. The Shures sound nice when you get the right fit but they just didn't work well with my ears...maybe i have weird shaped ears. The problem with the Shures was more comfort and practical reasons they still sounded good. The Sennheisers are extremely comfy and can collapse into a hardshell case in about a minute. Most of my headphone listening is on the go so they work very well for me. They sound good and have good frequency response.
System edited: Finally updated the pics to my current setup at college...although I will be back to the same summer setup in a less than a month. The system sounds better in the college setup because I have a room all to myself to arrange it for ideal audio setup unlike at home where I have to fit it where I can. At school the speakers are pulled out from the wall far enough past all objects and the subwoofer is between the mains. It's funny when my friends come over and are surprised at all the bass these little speakers have without knowing about the subwoofer under the tv. lol I just cut plywood into a circle and put it on top of the sub then covered it with the table cloth. Hides that ugly looking sub. Ingenious if you ask me..but I'm biased.
I haven't been on here for a while but thanks for the input on the CD player from everyone. I think I decided that a CD player would be a marginal upgrade. I was also toying with getting an active crossover to better mesh my mains and sub but am undecided if I want to spend money on that first. I have started saving money for Green Mountain Europas. If I bought them for around $500 used that would improve the sound more than a cd player and or a crossover. It's gonna be a long wait tho. Tuition always seems to be going up......
System edited: thanks for the advice. i didn't know Adcom made such a cd player. i will keep my eye out for one next time i need a cd player, which might be soon with this cheap walmart one. lol here are some new pics from my setup at home for the summer.
I am toying with the idea of upgrading my cd player. I don't want to spend too much money because i think i will eventually end up with a computer based system. I am going to wait until i get a computer with Windows Vista and i don't need a computer now. In the meantime (next few years) the cheapo DVD player is working for me but i'm sure i could get better sound. I know there are reasonably priced Marantz cd or dvd players but does anyone know if they have a volume control on the remote? That is a must for me because i am running it directly into my power amp with no preamp involved. Also i heard oppo has dvd players with volume control too. The oppo 970 has a volume control and sells for only $150. It also had a lot of audio awards for good sound. Any input would be appreciated.
I will listen to vinyl ocassionally on my dad's system but i don't plan on adding it to my system. thanks for your comments and i will look into a used cd player on audiogon. i do need my cd player to have a volume control though because i don't have a preamp. preamps are just too expensive for me to get a good one now. i don't want to degrade my system with a cheap preamp.
