Need advice & reco f/ inexpensive upgrade

[bluemando]

Hi all. I'm wanting to upgrade my vintage 30+ yr. old Sansui integrated amp & add a subwoofer; 8 year old Sony crt tv; and, 8 year old Sony dvd player. All this for a small 14x16 bedroom. For sure I *don't* want surround sound. The extra speakers would only create clutter and get in the way. I'm using a pair of KEF Q15 bookshelf speakers which sound great but they need a subwoofer to re-produce some of the deep bass notes of a symphony orchestra. The KEF stats follow:

Cabinet Design 2-way, 2-driver bass reflex
Crossover frequency 3.3kHz
Frequency Range +/3dB 50Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity - 2.83v @ 1m 91dB
Maximum output - typical in room 111dB
Amplifier requirements 10-100W
Impedance 6 ohms

Based on that, can you recommend me an inexpensive sub?

The reason I want another integrated amp is for need of a remote. I want one with volume controls and an on/of switch. No more getting out of bed to turn off the amplifier! I'm not interested in a receiver (I don't listen to radio programs). Under $400 is the ticket for the amp... I'm far from being a gold-ear-type, so anything more would be a waste on me. Amps pretty much sound the same to my ears. In fact, my old 50 watt Sansui sounds great as far as I'm concerned... it just doesn't have a remote! Anyway, chances are that I could make do w/ substantially less than $400.

I'd like to hook up my speakers to an LCD TV, as soon as I buy one... I'm looking at a nice 26" Sony Bravia floor model that selling for $465 at my local Target. I haven't bought it yet. It's likely to be sold before I make it to the store this evening... so recommendations for something like that would be nice. I really don't expect that I'll find a price any time soon for a Bravia, but you get the idea... I appreciate a good bargain.

Thanks
Johern

 

[bluemando]

Hi again. I couldn't wait for u-all to reply, so I already ordered the integrated amp. I chose the Cambridge Audio Azur 540Av2 f/ $449 free ship. Now all I need is a subwoofer to go with my KEF Q15 book shelf speakers and a 26" - 32" LCD tv recommendation. Again there is a 26" floor model at my local Target store selling for $465 (w/o the original box and manual but w/ full warrantee. At least the saleperson tell me that.) I don't know... It's probably been running day-in, day-out for over a year. May be better to look for something else. Any reco's?

Thanks
Johern

Hi all. I'm wanting to upgrade my vintage 30+ yr. old Sansui integrated amp & add a subwoofer; 8 year old Sony crt tv; and, 8 year old Sony dvd player. All this for a small 14x16 bedroom. For sure I *don't* want surround sound. The extra speakers would only create clutter and get in the way. I'm using a pair of KEF Q15 bookshelf speakers which sound great but they need a subwoofer to re-produce some of the deep bass notes of a symphony orchestra. The KEF stats follow:

Cabinet Design 2-way, 2-driver bass reflex
Crossover frequency 3.3kHz
Frequency Range +/3dB 50Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity - 2.83v @ 1m 91dB
Maximum output - typical in room 111dB
Amplifier requirements 10-100W
Impedance 6 ohms

Based on that, can you recommend me an inexpensive sub?

The reason I want another integrated amp is for need of a remote. I want one with volume controls and an on/of switch. No more getting out of bed to turn off the amplifier! I'm not interested in a receiver (I don't listen to radio programs). Under $400 is the ticket for the amp... I'm far from being a gold-ear-type, so anything more would be a waste on me. Amps pretty much sound the same to my ears. In fact, my old 50 watt Sansui sounds great as far as I'm concerned... it just doesn't have a remote! Anyway, chances are that I could make do w/ substantially less than $400.

I'd like to hook up my speakers to an LCD TV, as soon as I buy one... I'm looking at a nice 26" Sony Bravia floor model that selling for $465 at my local Target. I haven't bought it yet. It's likely to be sold before I make it to the store this evening... so recommendations for something like that would be nice. I really don't expect that I'll find a price any time soon for a Bravia, but you get the idea... I appreciate a good bargain.

Thanks
Johern

 

[bluemando]

Hi people (for the 3rd time.) Well I feel a bit foolish sitting in the corner playing all by myself. I had asked for some recommendations for an integrated amp, LCD tv, and subwoofer as I am upgrading to a more updated system. Thirty years ago, I had purchased my Sansui integrated amp while overseas (serving Uncle Sam) It's a integrated good amp, for sure, but I'm getting lazy these days and wanted something with a remote. So, I purchased the Cambridge Audio Azur 540A-S a couple days ago and it seems to be a pretty good product. Also, yesterday I bought a Sony Brivia 26" LCD tv... I like it. My last item I'd like some advice for is a subwoofer. I saw a 100 watt Sony, offered at Amazon.com, for $100 120+. Now I know from reading the archives of this forum that most of you think it's near impossible for such an inexpensive sub to be any good. And yet 61 people thought that these were good enough to write out a recommendation at Amazon for them... I can't help but wonder whether this diminutive Sony is the ticket for my modest Cambridge Audio Azur / KEF Q15 book shelf speaker combo. Wish I could get some feedback here... I'm a newbie but what the heck?

Thanks
Johern

Hi again. I couldn't wait for u-all to reply, so I already ordered the integrated amp. I chose the Cambridge Audio Azur 540Av2 f/ $449 free ship. Now all I need is a subwoofer to go with my KEF Q15 book shelf speakers and a 26" - 32" LCD tv recommendation. Again there is a 26" floor model at my local Target store selling for $465 (w/o the original box and manual but w/ full warrantee. At least the saleperson tell me that.) I don't know... It's probably been running day-in, day-out for over a year. May be better to look for something else. Any reco's?

Thanks
Johern

 

[corey]

Here's two subs to take a look at:

Dayton SUB-100 - $132

x-sub - $200

 

[Haoleb]

Its a little late in the game to say dont spend money on a new amp just yet but just out of curiosity what Model Sansui did you have? I have worked quite extensively with the AU-517 and it, Like its bigger brothers is a very good quality amplifier. I never did care for the sound myself but with a tuneup I think you cant really go wrong either.

 

[bluemando]

Its a little late in the game to say dont spend money on a new amp just yet but just out of curiosity what Model Sansui did you have? I have worked quite extensively with the AU-517 and it, Like its bigger brothers is a very good quality amplifier. I never did care for the sound myself but with a tuneup I think you cant really go wrong either.

It's an AU 555 and it seems to have a warmer sound to it than the Azur. On the other hand the new Azur can play certain parts of (classical) music without "protesting"... (for instance, when using the Sansui a slight "rattling sound" occurs in left channel speaker, when low frequencies are played by some of the brass instruments and also, by the double-bass. I had thought that the (KEF) speakers were the problem. NOT. The new Azur plays through the same parts without a hitch. Btw, the reason I wanted to get a new amp was for the remote. No more having to get out of bed to shut down the system

Thanks
Johern

 

[bluemando]

Here's two subs to take a look at:

Dayton SUB-100 - $132

x-sub - $200

Gosh it's good to get some response.... I thank you! (I'm going to add your recommendation to my list.) Btw, for anyone else who cares to make a recommendation... I'm looking for a subwoof for music NOT for movies. $400 is as far up the price-scale as I am willing to go, but I sure would like to find something less than that. I'm not an audiophile, I don't play music real loud (moderate levels is where I at) Then again, I'm am aware when "bad sounds" eminate from my speakers. I don't like a boomy bass. I have that in my 6 yr old Cambridge Audio computer speakers and I find it annoying.

Thanks
Johern

 

[m_vanmeter]

two more well respected subs to look at HSU STF-1 and BIC H100

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

http://acousticsounddesign.com/core/view_BigProduct.cfm?PID=1062

 

[bluemando]

Here's two subs to take a look at:

Dayton SUB-100 - $132

x-sub - $200

Thanks Corey. I'll add that to my list and give it due consideration. So far I have:

HSU STF-1
Velodyne VX-10
Paradigm PDR-10
Bic Acoustech

(and now) the Cadence Xsub 12 and Dayton SUB-100

I'm finding that deciding which sub to buy is the hardest one for me to make. Anyone who cares to give a vote of confidence for any one of the above, please do...

Many Thanks
Johern

 

[Midcow2]

If you can spen the 400$ then you can get a reasoanble sub ....

Gosh it's good to get some response.... I thank you! (I'm going to add your recommendation to my list.) Btw, for anyone else who cares to make a recommendation... I'm looking for a subwoof for music NOT for movies. $400 is as far up the price-scale as I am willing to go, but I sure would like to find something less than that. I'm not an audiophile, I don't play music real loud (moderate levels is where I at) Then again, I'm am aware when "bad sounds" eminate from my speakers. I don't like a boomy bass. I have that in my 6 yr old Cambridge Audio computer speakers and I find it annoying.

Thanks
Johern

If you stay with the lower cost subs $100+ you won't be happy, they will sound bad. Spend as much as you can afford. If possible go an audition the subwoofer with similar speakers you will be using.

Here are some good subs in your price range:

Velodyne VRP-1000 Subwoofer ($200-$250)
Velodyne VRP-1200 Subwoofer ($300-$350)
SVS PB10-NSD (MSRP $429)

Good Luck,

 

[Midcow2]

If you can spend the 400$ then you can get a reasonable sub ....

Gosh it's good to get some response.... I thank you! (I'm going to add your recommendation to my list.) Btw, for anyone else who cares to make a recommendation... I'm looking for a subwoof for music NOT for movies. $400 is as far up the price-scale as I am willing to go, but I sure would like to find something less than that. I'm not an audiophile, I don't play music real loud (moderate levels is where I at) Then again, I'm am aware when "bad sounds" eminate from my speakers. I don't like a boomy bass. I have that in my 6 yr old Cambridge Audio computer speakers and I find it annoying.

Thanks
Johern

If you stay with the lower cost subs $100+ you won't be happy, they will sound bad. Spend as much as you can afford. If possible go an audition the subwoofer with similar speakers you will be using.

Here are some good subs in your price range:

Velodyne VRP-1000 Subwoofer ($200-$250)
Velodyne VRP-1200 Subwoofer ($300-$350)
SVS PB10-NSD (MSRP $429)

Good Luck,