My HT

[MDS]

You young(er) guys kill me. Every day people come here and ask about buying a receiver with a budget of $1K or more.

When I was in school I had NOTHING. I didn't have anything that could even remotely be considered 'hi-fi' until after I was long out of school. To the grad students that are spending thousands of dollars on stereo equipment, I ask How? Getting through school was all I could do.

Now of course, fast forward fifteen years...I've been somewhat successful and can afford practically anything and yet you won't catch me spending $1500 on a receiver, especially when I understand all the techno-gobblydegook behind them all (it's all related to what I do for a living, which is why I often answer the technical questions).

I don't know if I should be envious or just sit in amazement as to how the times have changed.

 

[avaserfi]

I bought the receiver for far far less than 1k I think I purchased it for about the 1/3 the retail price because of an open box special which had a few blemishes so I just took it to a different store and exchanged it for a new one. The speakers were a very similar story price wise atleast. To add on to the how. I found a dirt cheap place to live and spend almost nothing on eating out since I cook virtually every meal. Along side being extremely frugal I work my *** off in school and keep my job to be able to afford toys and my only toys happen to be the A/V stuff. At the same time you are right times have changed greatly.

I know how lucky I am to have a system like I do and I don't take it for granted. Its another reason why after I got my help I wanted to stay around here to help others.

 

[Adam]

You young(er) guys kill me. Every day people come here and ask about buying a receiver with a budget of $1K or more.

When I was in school I had NOTHING. I didn't have anything that could even remotely be considered 'hi-fi' until after I was long out of school.

Yeah, and when I finally scrounged up enough money to buy a system, I had to walk five miles to get it. Uphill. In the snow.

 

[avaserfi]

Yeah, and when I finally scrounged up enough money to buy a system, I had to walk five miles to get it. Uphill. In the snow.

My parents actually immigrated from the USSR a long time ago and when my dad wanted his first stereo he actually had to go to Siberia to work in a work camp. So he actually gets to say that with authority !

I guess one other thing I should mention is I have a few scholarships that allow me to actually save money rather than having to spend it all on my room/board and class fees which helped tremendously when I worked during the summers since the majority of it I was able to save for my system.

 

[MDS]

Yeah, and when I finally scrounged up enough money to buy a system, I had to walk five miles to get it. Uphill. In the snow.

You forgot 'in shoes made of cardboard.'

 

[Adam]

You forgot 'in shoes made of cardboard.'

Hah. I wish that I had shoes. If I would have used cardboard to make shoes, I would have had to add another window to my house.

 

[avaserfi]

Just incase anyone else was curious about the Belkin here is my PM to mike c:

So I called Belkin today. The rep said that the same unit cannot be plugged into both a types of outlets but there are 220v units she said you would have to purchase it somewhere where the standard is 220v and they will not be sold anywhere else. She also said you should be able to purchase them through their uk site or any other site based in a country that uses 220v as standard.

 

[johndoe]

I love spicy food and since I love to cook but most people don't like food as spicy as I do I keep a bottle of the hot sauce next to my spot at the table .

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, you should try their red hot sauce, it's fantastic. Better than the Cholula on your table IMO . Sorry, I don't have any audio advice.

 

[avaserfi]

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, you should try their red hot sauce, it's fantastic. Better than the Cholula on your table IMO . Sorry, I don't have any audio advice.

Nope, there are no Trader Joes around here but I have been to their stores many times before. I haven't had their hot sauce maybe next time I visit my sister in Portland.

 

[mazersteven]

I can only imagine the audio nirvana that you're going to be in once you start making the big bucks!

Yes they should have some nice gear out 20 years from now. I wonder if the format war will be over?

 

[mazersteven]

I bought the receiver for far far less than 1k I think I purchased it for about the 1/3 the retail price because of an open box special which had a few blemishes so I just took it to a different store and exchanged it for a new one.

No wonder the mark up on electronics is so high. Because of DB's like you. LOL




j/k I think.

 

[avaserfi]

No wonder the mark up on electronics is so high. Because of DB's like you. LOL




j/k I think.

Hah, well I probably wouldn't have exchanged the receiver but the guy at compusa who sold it to me suggested it and I was passing one on the way home. Everything else I did buy and keep legitimately I just happened to know someone who sells Jamos and he got them for me wholesale. To bad he switched jobs not to long ago.

 

[j_garcia]

Nice man. Those wires would drive me up the wall though...

 

[avaserfi]

Nice man. Those wires would drive me up the wall though...

That seems to be what everyone says. They bug me but not enough to do something about it while I am in this apartment. Its an apathy I get from living here. Its an older building and I have put some work into it but since its not mine I don't want to invest too much time but if I keep getting nagged I might just do something .

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

My next step is to make some acoustical treatments so if you have any suggestions on locations please do inform .

You have some very nice stuff.... Especially for a college kid!!

If you decide not to go the DIY route.... I highly recommend GIK.

When it's all said and done, you may end up spending as much or more on DIY treatments. (unless everything turns out perfectly on the first attempt)

http://www.gikacoustics.com/index.html

 

[avaserfi]

I was actually looking at GIK treatments as I have read quiet a bit about them. I was planning on drawing up room schematics, if anyone knows a good program that is free/shareware Ill listen , and sending them over for suggestions. It really depends I might do a mix of DYI and premade or might go all premade depending on costs. Right now my main concern is fixing my bass wow does it suck.

 

[avaserfi]

I picked up some Studio Tech SP-36's today for a good deal. I figure I should fix all those wires running around and get a more centered approach for my surrounds. Next step acoustics.

Ill post pictures of the stands when I get them in and everything is set up. How do I love working overtime :-D.

 

[avaserfi]

Finally got everything set up, unfortunately when I went to take pictures my girls camera broke, so I will get them up ASAP. For everyone out there: Barely a single visible wire !

 

[Tomorrow]

Finally got everything set up, unfortunately when I went to take pictures my girls camera broke, so I will get them up ASAP. For everyone out there: Barely a single visible wire !

Fool everyone and hide ALL the wires before you take the pictures!

(Please.)

 

[avaserfi]

Fool everyone and hide ALL the wires before you take the pictures!

(Please.)

Its a huge improvement, the only wires visible are on the stands running up to the speakers no more wires on the walls everywhere! I feel all growed up now!