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I am an old-school hard rock and heavy jazz fan,I like loud clean bass and thump. Everything used to sound pretty goo, but nothing sounds so good anymore. I have a garage set-up (I work out there a lot and want inspiring music) with an older Karman receiver, a MK 1B Volkswoofer and old Pioneer CS-G403 speakers. In the house, I have an Onkyo AV TX-SR705 theatre system with another set of the same Pioneer speakers. That is working fine, and I run my TV and DVD and Blu-Ray plaers through it, but it is so complicated it would take a civil engineer to work it. I had to actually pay someone to install it, and I'm afraid to touch it. For the garage the music just sounds awaful. Tinny, distorted. I think it is time to replace some stuff. But, what receiver? I heard Yamaha R-S500. I also heard ELS-3 bookshelf speakers. Do I need an amp (not the old Volkswoofer?_ Any help would be greatly appreciated.I just want great sounding loud rock and jazz with lots of bass. I don't want technical stuff like the Klipsh Ohm Walsh 2 speakers that lasted about a week that cut out on any high bass. Help, please!
Dustman
Dustman
Follow Ups:
If memory serves, Ohm transmission line speakers were sensational over the bass spectrum. Klipsch speakers, also, are known for accurate and deep bass. Walsh speakers I've not heard, but I doubt they're bass shy, either.
I think you should be able to assemble a very good "rock 'n roll" system for under $1000, if you stick with vintage. I have a Sansui 9090DB receiver ($350 for mint reconditioned one) and KLH 5 speakers ($200). Pleased as punch with the sound; use it for music and my HT.
I had one of those back in the day - it was an excellent receiver. It was eventually replaced by a Marantz 4270. And I remember both of them fondly...
-RW-
Why recommend components and speakers until he answers why he wrote this from his post: "Everything used to sound pretty good, but nothing sounds so good anymore."
Was it due to getting an HT that had newer gear and sounds better? We don't know do we?
ET
as I read the post he is dissatisfied with his HT setup too. Did I read it wrong? Your type of post is exactly what I find so abrasive. I thought we were here to help each other..
yes we are here to help people and need to gather data to do so, especially when not enough is provided. This is the casee with this post. He said some things that need more clarification. People made some nice gear recommendations w/o knowing enough to recommend anything.He wrote this:" For the garage the music just sounds awaful. " So I do think you misread. He didn't say he didn't like the HT in the house. AND he also mentioned no budget for any gear so recommending anything is kind of silly.
That's WTF.........you could settle down too and perhaps learn about how to ask more questions to really get to the heart of the matter. There was nowhere near enough data to make any kind of recommendation even if he did mention a budget. Calling someone boy is worse than WTF in my book too.
ET
Edits: 11/17/14
If I had your taste in music, I would consider these as an option.
The GoldenEar Tritons. They have garnered virtually universal acclaim, are "realistically" priced (even less expensive than the Paradigms!), have excellent folded ribbon tweeters, and come with big old amps to drive the built-in subwoofers.
These are seriously good speakers for the money....
-RW-
I've heard the paradigms, but not the Tritons--they seem like a good option as well.
go to a couple stereo shops and see if you can hear big differences. If everything sounds a little off then it's off to the audiologist...
it is curious how all the systems you have sound worse. Mine amazes me every time I listen to it. 3 amps usually won't all get worse with time. Start by being sure you have good speakers. Listen to them in the showroom first. Bring them home, try different positions. If they all still sound worse than in the showrooms, your rooms may need to be changed. Try to keep wiring simple. It is easier now with digital signals. We will help you if you need it.
Hello OZ, ET, slaps hot and cloudwalker,
Thank you for your kind responses. I will try to answer the questions asked. In the garage: Harmon Kardon 3480, MK Volkswoofer 1B, Pioneer CS-G403 speakers. It used to sound great, but now is getting tinny and just doesn't get it. Nothing is rattling.
In the house is the Onyko I mentioned, same Pioneer CS-G403 speakers. Sounds great, but the receiver is so complicated, I am afraid to touch it. If I hait a button wrong I am done for.
My thoughts were that if I could find a great receiver and/or speakers, I could get the same for garage and in the house (buying 2 sets). I went to a Soundd Pro years ago, and they sold me everything they could, very expensive, and not for me. Knowiing I wanted loud bass, they sold me Ohm Walsh 2 speakers, that supposedly excelled in highs, but cut out on every song I ever tried to play. I hated them.
Oz, I admit my ignorance. I have no idea what an integrated tube with monitors is. I guess I could go to another audio store, but that is where I got fleeced before, and got no satisfaction.
I finally went with the Consumer Reports best speakers, which at the time were the Pioneer CS-G403s.
All I know is I love my music like a teenager: loud and rockin'. I am not getting it with my current set-up. Years ago I bought a top of the line Ford Bronco, and it supposedly had a terrific Alpine stereo, and great speakers. It sounded thin, tinny, etc. I took it to Best Buys and they listened to it, said they knew exactly what was wrong. They installed a powerful amp under the drivers seat, and the results just blew me away! It was all I could ever have hoped for. It broke my heart when I finally sol the Bronco. Nothing ever sounded as good since except for my current garage set up years ago. Now it sounds like the Bronco did before I had the amp iinstalled. Tinny, not fun, no oomph.
I just don't know which direction to go now.
thanks again,
Dustman
Dustman
Welcome! Dustman-
Do you have any hi-fi dealers,retailers near you? I would start there and listen, listen, listen to various gear. Once you find something you like, there is a plethora of electronics used/demo via Audiogon, Asylum Trader & eBay. This is a great time to get back into your system!
I think maybe I just solved my problem. I need a kick-butt amp, and maybe new speakers. What do you think? And which amp? Do I still incorporate the Volkswoofer?
Let me know what you think,
Dustman
Dustman
Dustman,
there are many excellent 'Rock' speakers in the marketplace.
If you like the Pioneer brand, there are the new Andrew Jones bookshelf w/ matching subwoofer.
Otherwise- Paradigm, PSB, Monitor Audio, Thiel (my reference)...the list goes on. This is the main reason, I will suggest to you, get put there and listen to them. Yes, an excellent power amp will only make the speakers better!
Thanks, all! I'm really getting some good ideas. I don't prefer Pioneer speakers, it is just what Consumer Reports like back in the day when I bought them. I would go with the best product, no matter what the name.
Any recommendatiions on an amp?
Thanks, I really appreciate all the help.
dustman
Dustman
My pleasure Dustman.
You can choose 1 of 2 paths;
1. decide the power amp and build your system around it.
2. decide the speakers and build your system around it.
After you have had some time to demo gear, keep me posted on your likes/dislikes.
Have Fun!
Be sure to get one that has generous current delivery capabilities. High current amps seem to have much better control over the bass drivers and as a result sound "fuller" and "ballsier". NAD, Harman/Kardon, and several others are noted for building high current amps.
-RW-
Again, with a lack of information, hard to say, but here's a suggestion for integrated amps
Is the Harman/Kardon 990. It is a powerhouse integrated amp with high current capabilities. No longer produced, but well cared for used examples are out there. Look on Audiogon and FleaBay...
-RW-
remember, he now uses his audio system for his HT too. I use the Harmon Kardon AVR 7000. Does the amp you mentioned do 5.1 too? I am happy with this receiver in every way. It is a delicate workhorse.
The HK 990 is 2 channel only. And it is an exceptionally good 2 channel integrated. If he needs multichannel capability, perhaps the Emotiva XPA-5 I saw on Agon for ~ $450 would be a smart buy...
-RW-
It's odd it used to sound good but no longer does to you. Why do you think that is so? Is it because you like the home theater sound better and it is now inferior? Is it because there is something wrong with some of the things in that system like worn speakers that rattle at higher volume?
Also you just mention the Harman Kardon and some speakers. Tell us the HK model number. Do you only listen to the radio in the garage? Do you have a turntable or CD player in the garage connected to the HK? By the way those speakers could and would never do it for me in terms of sound quality.
ET
...some old school speakers. And I have to think that the speaker surrounds and crossover components are getting near the end of their lives. You could easily put together a very nice garage system for less than $500 using a mid-grade 2-channel receiver and some of the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer speakers.
You need about 50-80 watts per channel to do the trick. If you like a lot of thump, add a 10" - 12" PartsExpress sub with a 150 - 200 watt amp for about $300 and you're good to go...
-RW-
old school and poop drivers and I'd bet my 401K it has a shit crossover.
ET
You'll get more realistic suggestions if you provided a budget. Do you need the tuner that comes in a receiver, or would an integrated amp be fine?
Why a receiver? Most of what is turned out today is pure crap. Go for a tube integrated and some nice monitors. You should be able to do both for under 2K.
And Klipsch and Ohms are two completely different speakers, just so you know.
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
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