Need advice on small amp drive bookshelf speakers

[BoredSysAdmin]

Would you consider used? Have a look at this Yamaha RX-V457. It's amazeballs compared to everything else on your list thusfar, and well under your budget.

yea, used AVR, preferably from local seller will probably be your best choice. You'll need to test it before buying - this is crucial.

 

[kennyssp]

what do you think about this deal? Sherwood - Sherwood RX5502 Dual Zone Dual Source Stereo Receiver, Black - Buy Factory 2nd and New Appliances and White Goods Online at 2nds World 170 AUD

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

what do you think about this deal? Sherwood - Sherwood RX5502 Dual Zone Dual Source Stereo Receiver, Black - Buy Factory 2nd and New Appliances and White Goods Online at 2nds World 170 AUD

I would prefer used Yamaha/Denon/Marantz AVR

 

[rojo]

...Do you think that I would get cheap amp first because the speakers only cost me 120 bucks, and also I rent room. Our room including bed room and study room are small and there is little free space left so that tiny amp would be ideally fit for that purpose.

I like and prefer AVR than amp but I don't have TV or Home Theater (maybe I buy if we move out to bigger house later) so that I think would save money now and buy amp for speakers and sometime use it for headphone. But you have more experience, so what do you think?

Well, size is a relevant consideration. If you prefer something small and if small has a higher wife acceptance factor (you'll see that abbreviated WAF very often around here), then go for the SMSL.

But if you do intend to get a television later, or if you'd like the ability to hook up more than one source to your speakers -- for instance, a CD player, an MP3 player, and FM radio, then an AVR or a stereo receiver would be the way to go. Having an AVR will provide much more upgradeability than a stereo receiver though. An AVR will more easily allow you to add a subwoofer later, for example.

If I were you, I'd jump on that Yamaha AVR. It'll sound great now, and later on when you are able to expand your system, it'll be one fewer thing to buy.

I think you can safely reduce your list of possibilities to three items:

1. the SMSL, for its size
2. the Sherwood or Yamaha stereo receiver, for something with more features and with a warranty
3. the used Yamaha AVR, for its extreme value:erformance ratio and expandability.

Sherwood as a brand is a bit of an unknown for me. I don't have any experience with their products, and couldn't predict their longevity. I know Yamaha makes solid stuff though.

 

[rojo]

what do you think about this deal? Sherwood - Sherwood RX5502 Dual Zone Dual Source Stereo Receiver, Black - Buy Factory 2nd and New Appliances and White Goods Online at 2nds World 170 AUD

This Sherwood RX4209 looks like a better deal, since you aren't running a dual-zone setup. This AVR might also be worth considering.

 

[afterlife2]

oh wow, it's cheap $80, but I'm so afraid of used stuff without warranty and also don't know who is the seller (ebay and paypal is safer I think to guard myself). again...wow

Well you can always go to the guys house and try it out. Tell him you'd like to try it at home and if something goes wrong in 2 weeks you can get your money back. That's a great deal go for it. Think about you won't lose much.

 

[kennyssp]

Well you can always go to the guys house and try it out. Tell him you'd like to try it at home and if something goes wrong in 2 weeks you can get your money back. That's a great deal go for it. Think about you won't lose much.

I want to, but I have to drive 1200 km (746 miles) to the seller house. negotiation about the condition is good idea though

 

[afterlife2]

I want to, but I have to drive 1200 km (746 miles) to the seller house. negotiation about the condition is good idea though

I would take the chance for that price. You'll get more for the money than any little amp. My little amp is used for MP3/Flac playback and that 25 watt is loud and I could push it louder with no distortion.

 

[kennyssp]

out of scope: it seems this is the cheapest (when they run promotion) store in here, do you think Yamaha RX-V675 is good, sometimes it's 600 AUD (550 USD)

 

[rojo]

That's a very popular model. Yeah, it's a great receiver. What happened to your $150 budget? Did your wife let you have more money?

Actually, for that kind of money, I'd still get the used one, but I'd add a subwoofer. General rule of thumb: for better sound, invest in speakers before electronics. Getting an AVR + a subwoofer would have a profound improvement to your sound, and might even get you laid. If you have room for a subwoofer, that is. (You could always set a lamp on it and call it an end table.)

 

[kennyssp]

If my boss know it, I'm in trouble. But I really really want that's receiver, it looks good. I rather spend 500 aud to buy the new one than 350 for used one, because the repair cost also shipping fee is not cheap. But hold on, what's happening, first my target is just tiny amp 130 aud or less, then receiver, and now receiver with subwoofer to put in my little tiny room....hmmm I must resist it. But actually your suggestion is really good. The question is do I really need it and do I use it regularly, or I just use for several times then forget it. My brain says no but my heart says yes.....tough


EDIT, QUICK QUICK: eBay is promoting 15% of everything over $50 so I think I will get this SMSL as Rojo suggested (yes, it's gold color as I think my boss love gold lol. Can you guys suggest me some speaker cable on eBay to hook it up too, thank you.

 

[kennyssp]

ok, I bought SMSL SA-98E as rojo suggested. Thank you Rojo!!

 

[rojo]

There's bound to be some place domestic, and probably local, that you can get some 1.3mm² stranded speaker wire or lamp cord. I can't think of any reason you should have to spend so much on shipping to import something so common.

Just for reference of what you're looking for, here it is on Amazon.

Also, what will you be connecting to your amp to supply the music? Do you already have the RCA stereo cables you need?

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

 

[kennyssp]

There's bound to be some place domestic, and probably local, that you can get some 1.3mm² stranded speaker wire or lamp cord. I can't think of any reason you should have to spend so much on shipping to import something so common.

Just for reference of what you're looking for, here it is on Amazon.

Also, what will you be connecting to your amp to supply the music? Do you already have the RCA stereo cables you need?

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

oh no, I forgot it, maybe I will steal from my brother . By the way, I bought this about 93.02 AUD (86 USD)

 

[Bryceo]

I d say a 2 channel Yamaha.


Sent from my iPhone 5

 

[kennyssp]

GOOD NEWS: I bought both used Yamaha Yamaha RX-V457 and SMSL SA-98E as rojo suggested and they've arrived.
BAD NEWS:

• SMSL is not good as I expect, the sound little warm and bored compare to the other and I can't return it as the shipping fee is too high (36 AUD), plus the adapter has some strange sound, I don't know, like hiss noise.
• Although I enjoyed my set up, my boss doesn't allow me to put too much big things in the room, so I need to pack them all back to carton boxes .

VERY BAD NEWS: when I went out to bought some cables, I hit a car now I have to pay someone or pay insurance fee

Thank you everyone for helping me.

 

[rojo]

Egad! Hope you're OK Kenny.

Well, regarding the SMSL, you could probably sell it pretty easily on eBay and make most of your money back, especially since you got it on sale. Too bad you don't live in the U.S. I know someone who could use it.

So your wife isn't letting you keep the Yamaha either? Maybe you could offer her something in trade for permission to keep it -- maybe offer to paint a room for her, whatever color she wants, or something. :\

Just out of curiosity, regarding the thin sound from the SMSL, did you have your Pioneers sitting very close to the wall? Since they're rear-ported, they really do best when they have a half meter of free space or more behind them to breathe.

 

[kennyssp]

she said I would keep it but can't use them now until we move to bigger house. I offered her free xxx but she denied, what a pity then!

Sorry no offense but I think you are right about the Yamaha. Although it is very old (but still in good shape), it's a good amplifier and great deal. The SMSL is another story, I don't see any point to keep it except its design. It gave me electric shock when I accidentally touched the plug when already plugged out.

Maybe because I didn't turn out loud the speakers but they are all not better to my bargain headphone Phillip SHL4500GY (just $20), or maybe I'm too noob to use those :|

US is the place everything insanely cheap!

 

[afterlife2]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. SMSL I'm surprised it is a good amp. The only downfall is that there is no Treble and Bass ajustment, but a Fiio E11 headphone amp can take care of that...enjoy your setup.

 

[rojo]

No offense taken. Yeah, I would believe that the Yamaha would give you better sound than the SMSL. So the SMSL's transformer has a hiss? I'd guess it's a loose winding on the coil. I don't think it's harmful, though. But it might be worth contacting the seller to see if you can get a replacement.

It's not entirely fair to compare the sound from loudspeakers to that of headphones. Headphones don't have room nodes and nulls to contend with, whereas your speakers must sound good over much greater distances, and must fill an infinitely larger space with sound.