Should I start completely over?

[1goodear]

I have a dinosaur Onkyo rack system. Are any of these components worthy of keeping?
All Onyko

1. Preamplifier Model P-315OV Infrared Wireless Remote
2. Amplifier Model M-5150
3. AV Surround Processor Model ES-600PRO
4. Quartz Synthesized FM/AM Stereo Tuner Model T-4140
5. Stereo Graphic Equilizer Model EQ-18
6. Stereo Cassette Tape Deck TA-W40
7. 6 Disc Player Model DX-C311
8. Speakers Bose tiny double cubes (gave away the monster Onkyo speakers) Bose aren't any better

I am a dummy from get-go when it comes to this topic! I want to be able to listen to easy music played without cranking up the volume knob. I want to hear crisp pitches, clear voices and clear base tones. I currently have "radio" quality. Please pass on your advise!

 

[tyhjaarpa]

What is your budget? How big is your room you are working with?

 

[1goodear]

I have a dinosaur Onkyo rack system. Are any of these components worthy of keeping?
All Onyko

1. Preamplifier Model P-315OV Infrared Wireless Remote
2. Amplifier Model M-5150
3. AV Surround Processor Model ES-600PRO
4. Quartz Synthesized FM/AM Stereo Tuner Model T-4140
5. Stereo Graphic Equilizer Model EQ-18
6. Stereo Cassette Tape Deck TA-W40
7. 6 Disc Player Model DX-C311
8. Speakers Bose tiny double cubes (gave away the monster Onkyo speakers) Bose aren't any better

I am a dummy from get-go when it comes to this topic! I want to be able to listen to easy music played without cranking up the volume knob. I want to hear crisp pitches, clear voices and clear base tones. I currently have "radio" quality. Please pass on your advise!

The room is small approx. 12X12 with 7' ceilings. I can go up to $5000.00 but that's flexible.

 

[Auditor55]

I have a dinosaur Onkyo rack system. Are any of these components worthy of keeping?
All Onyko

1. Preamplifier Model P-315OV Infrared Wireless Remote
2. Amplifier Model M-5150
3. AV Surround Processor Model ES-600PRO
4. Quartz Synthesized FM/AM Stereo Tuner Model T-4140
5. Stereo Graphic Equilizer Model EQ-18
6. Stereo Cassette Tape Deck TA-W40
7. 6 Disc Player Model DX-C311
8. Speakers Bose tiny double cubes (gave away the monster Onkyo speakers) Bose aren't any better

I am a dummy from get-go when it comes to this topic! I want to be able to listen to easy music played without cranking up the volume knob. I want to hear crisp pitches, clear voices and clear base tones. I currently have "radio" quality. Please pass on your advise!

I would say it's time to do an overhaul. Having said that, since its seems obvious you like to keep your equipment for a while, you should take your time on researching and experimenting on whatever it is you're contemplating on purchasing.

Having said that, I recommend as a start http://www.svsound.com/products/prime-satellite-5-1 (the five speakers cost $1,000 and an extra $500 for the recommended SB-1000. That's total of $1,500 for 5.1 system. SVS will let you try it out for 45 days.

Here is a review: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1937161-svs-prime-satellite-5-1-system-official-avs-forum-review.html

AVR I recommend http://usa.denon.com/us/product/hometheater/avreceiversht/avrs910W
$500

 

[1goodear]

I would say it's time to do an overhaul. Having said that, since its seems obvious you like to keep your equipment for a while, you should take your time on researching and experimenting on whatever it is you're contemplating on purchasing.

What component do I start with? The rack system came complete. I don't even know if I need all the components. Do I start with an amp??????

 

[Auditor55]

What component do I start with? The rack system came complete. I don't even know if I need all the components. Do I start with an amp??????

Since I recommended an overhaul, start with the AVR and the Speaker system. See my above post for my initial recommendations.

 

[markw]

I would say it's time to do an overhaul. Having said that, since its seems obvious you like to keep your equipment for a while, you should take your time on researching and experimenting on whatever it is you're contemplating on purchasing.

Having said that, I recommend as a start http://www.svsound.com/products/prime-satellite-5-1 (the five speakers cost $1,000 and an extra $500 for the recommended SB-1000. That's total of $1,500 for 5.1 system. SVS will let you try it out for 45 days.

Here is a review: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1937161-svs-prime-satellite-5-1-system-official-avs-forum-review.html

AVR I recommend http://usa.denon.com/us/product/hometheater/avreceiversht/avrs910W
$500

Actually, that $999 SVS system includes the SB-1000 in that price.

http://www.svsound.com/products/prime-satellite-5-1

 

[Auditor55]

Actually, that $999 SVS system includes the SB-1000 in that price.

http://www.svsound.com/products/prime-satellite-5-1

That's even better. With a $5,000 budget for his small room, he can put together a quality system.

 

[shadyJ]

If this is just for music, and you don't need something for critical listening, I would be looking at Hsu Hybrid 1 2.1 package. Very good speakers and sub for the price. It would also be a lot simpler if you just bought a modern AVR, and tossed the amp, pre-amp, processor, tuner, and equalizer. I would probably toss the CD player as well, it is so old. Keep the cassette deck if you still have tapes you listen to. I would be looking at a Marantz, Denon, Pioneer, or Yamaha AVR. One modern AVR from any of those companies will do all of the functions which that rack of equipment did, except for the source players, obviously. You won't need an expensive one either. You can get a decent one for $600 or so. The Hsu/modern AVR system will be very good for the price, much better than what you have now.

If you want to get the highest fidelity system for the limit of your budget, I might be looking at Ascend Sierra 2s or the new Philharmonitors. I would also be looking at the KEF LS50s or Wharefedale Jade 3s. Any of those speakers are extremely accurate and have very high fidelity. The KEFs and Jade 3s have been measured by third parties to have superb performance. Having heard them myself, I can attest to the utter realism of their playback. For a receiver to pair them with, I would go with the Denon AVR-X4200, for the highest implementation of Audyssey offered on that model. I might also look at the Emotiva XMC-1 pre-amp plus a XPA-200 amp, for Emotiva's implementation of Dirac, although I have no experience with that myself. For a subwoofer for this system, I would be looking at a Hsu VTF3 mk5 or ULS-15. The Hsu subs are very powerful but have a lot of flexibility in shaping the sound, so their sound can be tailored to your taste. They are also extremely low distortion subs, very clean sound, with very low compression. If you want the flattest frequency response for the most accurate sound, think about getting two subs if you have a lot of freedom of placement in your room.

By the way, if you pitch all that Onkyo stuff, remember to take all of that old Onkyo junk to an electronics recycling facility, so do not just throw it in the garbage.

 

[Auditor55]

If this is just for music, and you don't need something for critical listening, I would be looking at Hsu Hybrid 1 2.1 package. Very good speakers and sub for the price. It would also be a lot simpler if you just bought a modern AVR, and tossed the amp, pre-amp, processor, tuner, and equalizer. I would probably toss the CD player as well, it is so old. Keep the cassette deck if you still have tapes you listen to. I would be looking at a Marantz, Denon, Pioneer, or Yamaha AVR. One modern AVR from any of those companies will do all of the functions which that rack of equipment did, except for the source players, obviously. You won't need an expensive one either. You can get a decent one for $600 or so. The Hsu/modern AVR system will be very good for the price, much better than what you have now.

If you want to get the highest fidelity system for the limit of your budget, I might be looking at Ascend Sierra 2s or the new Philharmonitors. I would also be looking at the KEF LS50s or Wharefedale Jade 3s. Any of those speakers are extremely accurate and have very high fidelity. The KEFs and Jade 3s have been measured by third parties to have superb performance. Having heard them myself, I can attest to the utter realism of their playback. For a receiver to pair them with, I would go with the Denon AVR-X4200, for the highest implementation of Audyssey offered on that model. I might also look at the Emotiva XMC-1 pre-amp plus a XPA-200 amp, for Emotiva's implementation of Dirac, although I have no experience with that myself. For a subwoofer for this system, I would be looking at a Hsu VTF3 mk5 or ULS-15. The Hsu subs are very powerful but have a lot of flexibility in shaping the sound, so their sound can be tailored to your taste. They are also extremely low distortion subs, very clean sound, with very low compression. If you want the flattest frequency response for the most accurate sound, think about getting two subs if you have a lot of freedom of placement in your room.

By the way, if you pitch all that Onkyo stuff, remember to take all of that old Onkyo junk to an electronics recycling facility, so do not just throw it in the garbage.

Remember, his room is about 1,000 cubic feet (very small).

 

[shadyJ]

Remember, his room is about 1,000 cubic feet (very small).

I know, but he has the budget, and the speakers and subs I recommended would be mountains better than satellite speakers which is what I have seen suggested in this thread so far. Personally, I would not even want satellite speakers as desktop PC speakers. A tiny sealed 12" with moderate excursion and and power is only good for modest output as well.

 

[TheWarrior]

Is a display or movies a part of this, or strictly music?

 

[1goodear]

Currently the Onyko rack system is in a neighboring room. I'm in the beginning planning stages of combining all stereo equipment in the same room as the flat screen TV. Meanwhile, I've been checking out the Onyko SKF 4800 speakers. Will they be compatible with my above listed Onyko rack system?

 

[TheWarrior]

Will they be compatible, yes.

Please trust me, go and order: http://www.philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

These monitors will play LOWER than those towers! And cost less. And will almost certainly sound better with any content!

With $200 in a pair of these bookshelf speakers, you will be able to hear what you've been missing. And it will give you a better compass as you decide what else you would like to upgrade. You are creating your own experience, and accuracy should be a big part of that. Onkyo speakers will not provide that!

 

[1goodear]

Thank you so much for sharing your opinion! I'm going to check these speakers out. I also appreciate you posting the link. Be safe and have fun with that bike!