newbie looking for CD player and Speaker suggestions

[Jason Anderson]

Hello,
I recently upgraded my receiver from a Harmon Kardon AVR335 to a Yamaha Avantage RX-A2030 and LOVE it! I first bought the Onkyo NR636 and HATED it. So I took it back and spent more money and am very satisfied. I am a musician and listen to alot of music so I now would like to update my aging Teac CD burner/player and was interested in the Emotiva unit. It is the right price range and alot of people love it. Any other suggestions?
Now I was looking at a few speakers on craigslist and flea-bay - A larger set of Ohm Walsh 4xO ($800), B&W 600i ($450) and a set of PSB Bronze ($300). I listen to Pink Floyd, The Cure, Rush, U2, Muse, Radiohead, Van Halen, 80's metal I would like to be right in the $300-$500 range used if possible but think it may be worth it for the Walsh. Suggestions? any other brands I should be looking for?
Alot of questions!
Thanks!

 

[Jason Anderson]

Hello,
I recently upgraded my receiver from a Harmon Kardon AVR335 to a Yamaha Avantage RX-A2030 and LOVE it! I first bought the Onkyo NR636 and HATED it. So I took it back and spent more money and am very satisfied. I am a musician and listen to alot of music so I now would like to update my aging Teac CD burner/player and was interested in the Emotiva unit. It is the right price range and alot of people love it. Any other suggestions?
Now I was looking at a few speakers on craigslist and flea-bay - A larger set of Ohm Walsh 4xO ($800), B&W 600i ($450) and a set of PSB Bronze ($300). I listen to Pink Floyd, The Cure, Rush, U2, Muse, Radiohead, Van Halen, 80's metal I would like to be right in the $300-$500 range used if possible but think it may be worth it for the Walsh. Suggestions? any other brands I should be looking for?
Alot of questions!
Thanks!

Ok.... bought the oppo bd103 tonight. Awesomeness...
Looking at some Mcintosh xr14 speakers tomorrow...

 

[JohnnieB]

Was doing some reading on the McIntosh.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-2966.html
The oppo is a popular choice.

 

[Jason Anderson]

Thanks for the link. He is asking $300 for the pair. A nicer set just went for $300 on e-bay so hopefully he has some room on the price.
The oppo is really nice. Well worth the money.

 

[JohnnieB]

Welcome to the forum. I'm really hoping a few more people will add their insight to this. In the mean time, have you ever heard of Ascend
Acoustics?

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/

 

[Jason Anderson]

I have not until now... do they have distribution?

 

[herbu]

I recently upgraded my receiver...to a Yamaha Avantage RX-A2030

bought the oppo bd103 tonight

Now I was looking at a few speakers... I would like to be right in the $300-$500 range used if possible

Jason, you have a VERY nice receiver, and a VERY nice BDP. But you're looking at low-end speakers. Too late now, but a much less expensive AVR & BDP coupled with better speakers would sound better than what you're gonna get. To realize anywhere near the potential of your AVR & BDP, you should prepare yourself to spend a lot more for speakers at some point.

 

[Jason Anderson]

That is why I am here... right now my ohm walsh and infinity 3000 are bidding-amped with 2 subs for my 2 channel setup and it sounds better than anything that I have owned. Ohm, Mcintosh, B&W and PSB are all top end and should be upgrades from what I have. What other suggestions do you have? Thanks.

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[Jason Anderson]

Bi-amped... auto correct!

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[BoredSysAdmin]

Bi-amping is near useless in most cases. Like herbu said you need to correctly allocate the budget for audio and speakers should get about 75% of it for best results. I have not heard ohm Walsh, but heard great things about it. Good bookshelves and sub combination will be cheaper than good full range towers

 

[markw]

You seem to be hearing what you want to hear, not what you need to hear.

Listen to what Herb is saying. He's right.

Also, buying speakers without hearing them is a pretty good guarantee you'll wind up with buyers remorse fairly quickly once you listen to other speakers.

 

[JohnnieB]

Ascend is an I.D. company only. They have a return policy.

 

[JohnnieB]

Ascend is an I.D. company only. They have a return policy.

 

[Jason Anderson]

Ok.. I looked at several receivers before I bought the yamaha and it is perfect for my "needs/wants". I did not realize that I wanted speakers until I started upgrading. First got a 4k 3d 55" LG tv, then the receiver, then the oppo. I did pick up the McIntosh speakers for $225 and they sound wonderful. I am still interested in buying new speakers and a couple better subs as my subs are ok, but there are sure better ones out there. I have Receivers set up in four rooms so I will always find a use for them.
My room that I have my av set up in is my living room which is 24' x14'. I have never thought that bookshelf speakers would be any good for this size room. Again, I listen to music fairly loud most of the time and do not care about the surround as much.

Ascend is an I.D. company only. They have a return policy.

 

[JohnnieB]

I think the 70/30 "guideline" is really a pretty good one if your starting from scratch. You however are in upgrade mode. Like Mark stated, hearing before you buy is the best way to ensure you get what you like the first time, but this is not always an option for some.
If I am understanding this, the new speakers will be used in a HT system but the primary use is 2ch music, correct?

 

[Jason Anderson]

That is correct.

 

[JohnnieB]

I have been more than impressed with my Ascends which I purchased with a recommendation from this forum. I listen to much the same music as well as a little from every other genre. Not sure what you would be willing to extend your budget to, but I can run 95 db all day in a 12x22 room. They image well and sound awesome for movie night as well.

 

[Jason Anderson]

Do you have the sierra towers?

 

[JohnnieB]

Yes, and I blew my budget upgrading to the RAALS. They handle full range nicely up to about 80db but you can expect to pair them with a sub/subs. I'm currently crossing them at 60hz to a used Boston Acoustics sub I picked up for 50$. Imcloud. These fit my budget, and I don't regret the purchase.
I am not the most seasoned speaker critic on this forum by a long shot, but I think the price performance factor is spot on.
You in a local band?

 

[Jason Anderson]

Ha.. no band anymore, just go to the studio as often as possible to keep busy.
The McIntosh I bought sound really great and I may upgrade my subs first (I have them in stereo). Would be nice to get the same sub for each side.

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