Back into audio - This is where I am heading - and suggestions?

[timetohunt]

I started hoarding music 8 years ago. I have maybe 2 thousand music cds and maybe 200 concert DVDs. Love live music and finding free downloads or even buying soundboard FLAC files is what I like to do. Turnring them into CDs to play on my sound system (most everything so far I have are commercial cds and I have spent the full bucks on most everything but just getting into the download world). I had a junk system for so many years but lots of good music.

I was gaining on getting more knowlegeable in this hobby a year ago and then had to just focus on other things, but now I'm back. Such a varied and deep hobby audio equipment can be. So many topics, great controversy, and interesting technical aspects, you will never know it all. I think its one of the best hobbies imaginable. Only audio-heads can relate but when you plop your buddy down in the sweet spot of your listening room others start to respond as well.

Anyway, I have a long term plan and wonder what some of you might think about it. First off, I play music CDs about 75% of the time. The next 25% is dedicated to concert DVDs usually offered in DTS or some 5.1 config to play with. Then a small amount is movies to round it out.

Here is what I have that will be there to stay for a long time. Main speakers are Klipche RF-83s. As the nature of the hobby, there are many Klipsch naysayers. But I, who have not sampled that many great speakers, but have sample tons of live music in the field, have to say that I am in love with the RF-83s. While Klipsch might be known more for movie sound, these babies seem to reproduce most of the type of music that I like very very well. Plus they were a gift and that is where I started. Funds are limited, I drive them with a peavey 900 watt pro style amp, which beats my Pioneer VSX816 reciever for them. I let the receiver amp handle the rest of the 5.1 system. Cerwin vega centers and surrounds. Cerwin vegas upstairs in a second stereo zone. Very pedestrian, but sound OK to me.

I use a cheap panasonic DVD player to handle my CDs, HDCD CDs, and DVDs, also I think DVD-As (its been awhile since I tried DVD-A)

I am a bass guy, so I have added 2 Klipsch RW-12d subs. Seems pretty full and thick to me. Maybe I miss spent with these, but I am supporting the one and only good audio store near me. I live in the back woods of West Virginia, so not many audio boutiques around, and these guys back up their sales and I like the people.

Down to the questions if anyone cares to respond:
1. I am thinking that my next move is a shanling tc-100 cd player, since I play CDs most of the time.

2. Then I think I want a much better receiver, one that I can wire my internet up to. I have heard that recent internet recievers seem buggy, but I have a feeling a good one is just around the corner. willing to spend maybe $1200. A decent Denon maybe.

3. A better center channel speaker to match my mains. Might be the wrong move cuz mostly Cds are played. Not sure, it would look really cool though.

In general, do you think I am heading in the right direction with my overall plans for the system.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[solomr2]

If it sounds good to you, then you are headed in the right direction. I would also remind you that Klipsch has been around for a long time in the audio industry, and they know a thing or two about good sound quality. I remember drooling over a set of La Scala's my brother's friend used to have many years ago. They were huge, and the efficiency rating was obscene.

For a network capable receiver with multi-zone and the latest technical circuitry you may want to look into the Denon AVR-3808CI. Rated at 130W/channel, it makes decent sound quality, has lots of connections including 3 zones. It retails for $1600, but you can find on the net for $1200.

For CD player you may want to consider the Oppo 980, which plays just about everything out there from regular audio CDs, SACD, DVD-A, CDR, CDRW, DIVX, etc. Plus it's also a pretty darn good up-converting DVD player capable of 1080p. Very versatile component and it sounds pretty darn good. For $169 it won't break the bank.

 

[timetohunt]

thank you, that is exactly the type of info I was looking for, esp regarding the Receiver.

So what about the oppo for my DVDs, no wallet crunch there, but what about a really top line CD player. One that only plays CDs and is made for that, like the Shanling. Or is that a lot show-off stuff ? Tubes aint it? That is just wild. I don't know yet.

 

[Davemcc]

There's nothing wrong with getting a showpiece for your system like the Shanling, especially if it's something you will use and enjoy on a regular basis.

I'm not sure of the value of spending a ton of money on a receiver just to get internet radio. You already have the means to get internet radio via your computer, which also has all you downloaded files. Why not simply hook up the computer from the sound card to a receiver that better suits your other needs?

Since you listen to DVD-A, you will probably benefit from having a center and surrounds matched closer to your mains.

 

[goodman]

The Shanling would certainly be a conversation piece, but would it really sound better? Why would tubes improve the sound of a digital source? The Oppo is fine, but for $300.00 MSRP you can buy a Sony 400-disc capacity changer that will play DVDs and all audio sources, including SACD, but not DVD-A. I believe that two or more of these players can be linked together to hold a big chunk of your collection.

 

[TLS Guy]

Optimal PC and CD sound

If you do a lot of listening from the computer an CDs I strongly recommend this unit.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Fireface800/

It may seem a little spendy but it is worth every penny. This replaces your computer sound card. It will give you the best CD play back. This unit is acknowledged to have one of the most accurate clocks around. I let it it do all my CD conversions. Yes you really can tell the difference, although the DAC in my Rotel does an excellent job. Also put a good power supply in your computer from stop PC noise, and a very quiet fan for the microprocessor cooling and you will be set.

Here are pictures of mine installed.

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424008#127077469

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424008#127077194

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424008#127077239

 

[timetohunt]

cool, thanks..

 

[mtrycrafts]

First off, I play music CDs about 75% of the time. The next 25% is dedicated to concert DVDs usually offered in DTS or some 5.1 config to play with. Then a small amount is movies to round it out.

Here is what I have that will be there to stay for a long time. Main speakers are Klipche RF-83s. ...But I, who have not sampled that many great speakers, but have sample tons of live music in the field, have to say that I am in love with the RF-83s. While Klipsch might be known more for movie sound, these babies seem to reproduce most of the type of music that I like very very well. Plus they were a gift and that is where I started. Funds are limited, I drive them with a peavey 900 watt pro style amp, which beats my Pioneer VSX816 reciever for them. I let the receiver amp handle the rest of the 5.1 system. Cerwin vega centers and surrounds. Cerwin vegas upstairs in a second stereo zone. Very pedestrian, but sound OK to me.

I use a cheap panasonic DVD player to handle my CDs, HDCD CDs, and DVDs, also I think DVD-As (its been awhile since I tried DVD-A)

I am a bass guy, so I have added 2 Klipsch RW-12d subs. Seems pretty full and thick to me. Maybe I miss spent with these, but I am supporting the one and only good audio store near me. I live in the back woods of West Virginia, so not many audio boutiques around, and these guys back up their sales and I like the people.

Down to the questions if anyone cares to respond:
1. I am thinking that my next move is a shanling tc-100 cd player, since I play CDs most of the time.

2. Then I think I want a much better receiver, one that I can wire my internet up to. I have heard that recent internet recievers seem buggy, but I have a feeling a good one is just around the corner. willing to spend maybe $1200. A decent Denon maybe.

3. A better center channel speaker to match my mains. Might be the wrong move cuz mostly Cds are played. Not sure, it would look really cool though.

In general, do you think I am heading in the right direction with my overall plans for the system.

Thanks,
Tim

You certainly want to match the front speakers with a center from the same company as the front two and the one that is suggested by that company to match what you now have. Eventually you may want to upgrade the surrounds to that make as well.

What is wrong with your CD player now? Does it play all your music sources or a format is missing? If no format that you have and want to play is missing on that Panny why bother to upgrade especially when you can send the digital signal to the receiver? Waste of good money.
You may also want to consider room acoustic improvements?

 

[Geno]

If I were starting in these days, I'd think seriously about a music server. Putting all your CDs and DVDs in a lossless format on a big hard drive is very appealing to me. Quick access to your whole collection, no more dealing with discs and packaging. Just my 2 cents...

 

[furrycute]

Do you have an old laptop lying around? It doesn't have to be fancy, just enough power to decode losslessly compressed music files. Any Pentium II's will do. The only downside is, most of the old laptops are pretty loud, but once the music starts playing, you don't really notice. Or you can run some long wires, and put the laptop far away from your speakers.

Almost all laptops come with subpar soundcards. Get an external sound card. A firewire card would be ideal, but a USB card would be good enough. Then hook up the external sound card to your receiver/amp, and there you have your new music server.

 

[jcPanny]

Music transport

Hunt,
It sounds like you are interested in FLAC, have tons of CDs, and are looking into a receiver with a network interface. The newest models might be getting better, but I have read lots of reports on the problems and limitations of the built in network interface.

The Squeeze box 3 ($300) device, however, seems to have perfected the wireless audio streaming interface and it includes a high quality D/A converter. For the ultimate ease of use, grafical interface, a 160 GB hard drive, and picture and video streaming, check out the Apple TV. It does have some limitations like using iTunes to manage your music library and apple supported formats like Apple Lossless (vs. FLAC).

I think that one of these devices would go a long way to managing your misic collection without a major CD or receiver investment.

 

[timetohunt]

Wow, a treasure trove of options here. I was on this forum as a newbie last year, and was impressed then. Still seems like this is the top of the food chain for information of this sort. Thanks.

To answer the one question about the CD player. I have so many CDs, and given the expense of that collection over the years, I will prabubly die a CD-man. Despite whatever formats that emerge. I just would never want to have to fund something like replacing that collection, what $20K or more in CDs already, some even rare and increased in value (not too common for CDs but I have a couple like that). So I thought, why not try to treat yourself to a high end player using analog connections. I've read alot about how its not worth the extra expense, even recognize that it might be all hooey. Yet I have also read that some very special improvements in sound have been noticed as well. I guess I will have to find out for myself on that one. But I think given my format of choice, it might be worth a chance. And God, would that Shanling look cool just sitting there.

 

[cfrizz]

I have always had a separate CD player & added a universal dvd player when they finally came out.

I am a big fan of Rotel products & I have their RCD-1072 cd player for my cd's.

Denon makes very good universal DVD/SACD players, that is probably where I would look if I needed to get another player.

 

[timetohunt]

I have always had a separate CD player & added a universal dvd player when they finally came out.

I am a big fan of Rotel products & I have their RCD-1072 cd player for my cd's.

Denon makes very good universal DVD/SACD players, that is probably where I would look if I needed to get another player.

Its odd you mentioned the 1072. I think that I what I am going to buy since I found a Denon 3910 used on the cheap. Can you give me any extra info on your 1072, experiences, connections ect.
thanks.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Its odd you mentioned the 1072. I think that I what I am going to buy since I found a Denon 3910 used on the cheap. Can you give me any extra info on your 1072, experiences, connections ect.
thanks.

I have the Denon 3910. I had a seperate transport and dac......a Pioneer Elite Stable Platter with a Link Dac III.........something like that(forget the model numbers). It was a pretty good CD playback mechanism. There was no, repeat no difference in the sound quality of cd playback between the transport and dac and the Denon 3910. Of course this is my humble opinion, and I am limited on funds for audio. Cost no object? I would deffo have a seperate CD player. As far as the sound goes...........meh, I am with the Objectivist's on this one.

 

[cfrizz]

Well I purchased it 2 years ago to replace my then 15 yr old Rotel RCD 855. It is a wonderful machine & has kept with high standards that Rotel has for its products.

I use regular IC's to connect it to my prepro. But there is a digital option for it if that is what you want to do. I also use the 12volt trigger so that it is turned on when I turn on my prepro.

There was probably just a slight improvement in the clarity from the 855. When I compared the specs for both players, they were practically identical!

I fully expect to have this player as long as I had the 855, which I gave to my brother. It finally died after so many years of heavy use this year. RIP!

I think if you get it, you will be very happy with it for years to come. If I can answer anything else for you please let me know.

Its odd you mentioned the 1072. I think that I what I am going to buy since I found a Denon 3910 used on the cheap. Can you give me any extra info on your 1072, experiences, connections ect.
thanks.

 

[timetohunt]

I have the Denon 3910. I had a seperate transport and dac......a Pioneer Elite Stable Platter with a Link Dac III.........something like that(forget the model numbers). It was a pretty good CD playback mechanism. There was no, repeat no difference in the sound quality of cd playback between the transport and dac and the Denon 3910. Of course this is my humble opinion, and I am limited on funds for audio. Cost no object? I would deffo have a seperate CD player. As far as the sound goes...........meh, I am with the Objectivist's on this one.

Hi twotrees,
I think I lost you just slightly here. Are you saying that the transport and DAC were connected to the 3910 or some other player. I think you were saying the 3910 played just as well without the external upgrades. Is that correct?