Building a $900 stereo

[Omniwing]

Forgive me for posting here, and let me explain a minute why I should not be flamed

Please note, put the ach tee tee pee colon slash slash dubya dubya dubya in front of the urls I have listed here because this website has some stupid requirement before I can post "links".

I've been trying to find a middle ground for breaking into becoming an audiophile however I can not find any. I can basically only find two kinds of resources: Someone who says "everything is subjective, just test it out, spend a couple grand, and if it sounds good, keep it"

or

Someone who has a degree in electrical engineering and spews out 20 paragraphs about numbers I don't understand.

I'm not unintelligent and don't have problems with learning and looking up stuff on my own, however I do need someone to hold my hand a little.

Basically I want to build a really nice stereo system for under $900. I have encountered two problems with my idea, that I require help with.

For the actual CD player itself, I was going to get the OppO DV-970HD DVD Player. I was told that it can play SACDs and audio DVDs, and generally provide a high quality sound that a cheap CD player could not reproduce. No problems there.

The speakers I want (again, on a recommendation) are Onix X series x-ls bookshelf loudspeakers. Apparently they are the best speakers I can get for around $200. My first problem is: I have searched for an hour and *can not* find a webpage for the company Onix. Doesn't every company have a webpage? Onix-x doesn't have a webpage and I can't order speakers from them. In fact, I can't find out where to buy these at all. How do I buy these speakers directly from Onix? If not, where do I buy them at all?

My third problem is my receiver. Now, I was recommended to buy this receiver:dub dub dub dot harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=HK%203390&status=

(you can find the specifications on that page by clicking 'specifications'

Seems okay. The thing is, I already own a NAD3155 receiver. (Here are the specifications: dub dub dub dot ihminen.org/file/NAD_3155.pdf)

Basically, can I please have a comparison of those two receivers. Do I need to spend $350 on a new receiver when I have the NAD3155? I'm going to be using it like I said for playing CDs and SACDs and I'll also be running my TV and xbox through it. I just want the better receiver, and I have no idea what all the numbers mean. I don't even know what numbers are supposed to be low and what numbers are supposed to be high. So, can someone please tell me a comparison of those two receivers and if I should buy the harman or just stick with the NAD3155?

Thanks for reading and thanks for responses, and sorry I am not very savvy with all of the numbers.

 

[Seth=L]

onix - www.av123.com

 

[Seth=L]

I don't think you'd be at much gain to upgrade to the Harman Kardon unless it's worth $350 minus what you can get out of the NAD on the used market (about $100-150 depending on condition) for the remote control and modern styling. The NAD has a good preamp section in it as well as a decent cool running amplifier section that can drive a wide array of speakers with ease.

By keeping the NAD you also open your options up for speakers and/or saving money as well. Saving your money is good because you'll have more money. It's also nice to know you can afford to get better speakers, or maybe the speakers you want plus a subwoofer, or maybe an Oppo BDP-83 if you feel froggy and have an HDTV.

Let us know if there any other questions.

 

[Seth=L]

I also wouldn't worry too much about the rated power differences between these two components, as the real world differences are minute and without relevance.

 

[Wafflesomd]

Surely the X-ls are not the best speaker under $200.

 

[Omniwing]

So, I'll be living in a very small space with lots of things for the next 1.5 years. Lets say I pick up a pair of ELT525M mini monitors: av123.com//index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=193&category_id=51&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37


What kind of wires should I buy? Right now my NAD3155 has wires going from pre-amp to main in, which I have a basic understanding of why. I will need multiple sets of what looks to be component wires?(see pic: img229.imageshack.us/img229/2757/nad3155.jpg ) These look like copper and I will want to make sure my wires aren't bottlenecking my quality when I listen to an audio dvd, with my OppO.

Also, 'Soft Clipping' is where my hardware cuts off the signal slightly when its too heavy for it to handle, correct? So I basically want to leave this on, correct? What reason would I turn it off?

I tried to learn what high and low impedance is as well, however I am still confused. In what cases should I put this on 8oms (high) instead of 4?

I also have a loudness comp button. I understand it makes it louder, heh. I generally won't need this turned on, correct?

I also have a "low level" button. When would I want to use this? Thanks again for all your help

 

[Zaluss]

Speaker cables?

Monoprice.com
Bluejeanscable.com for better quality.

 

[Seth=L]

YOu can leave soft clipping on.

I'd leave it set to 8 ohms, setting it to 4 ohms limites output.

Leave loudness compression off, unless you like how it sounds for some reason.

I assume the low level button is a low pass filter to keep your speakers from playing the lowest frequencies, often times the speaker can't audibly produce the frequency anyway so why should the amplifier work hard to play frequencies you can't hear. Toy with this setting and listen to see which sounds best.

 

[highfigh]

So, I'll be living in a very small space with lots of things for the next 1.5 years. Lets say I pick up a pair of ELT525M mini monitors: av123.com//index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=193&category_id=51&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37


What kind of wires should I buy? Right now my NAD3155 has wires going from pre-amp to main in, which I have a basic understanding of why. I will need multiple sets of what looks to be component wires?(see pic: img229.imageshack.us/img229/2757/nad3155.jpg ) These look like copper and I will want to make sure my wires aren't bottlenecking my quality when I listen to an audio dvd, with my OppO.

Also, 'Soft Clipping' is where my hardware cuts off the signal slightly when its too heavy for it to handle, correct? So I basically want to leave this on, correct? What reason would I turn it off?

I tried to learn what high and low impedance is as well, however I am still confused. In what cases should I put this on 8oms (high) instead of 4?

I also have a loudness comp button. I understand it makes it louder, heh. I generally won't need this turned on, correct?

I also have a "low level" button. When would I want to use this? Thanks again for all your help

The speaker's impedance should be stable and not too low because current is what causes things to get hot. Running a lot of current through a thin wire makes it get hot and if you look at the amplifier's transistors as simple conductors, like wires are, it may make sense. Power is a function of several factors and voltage, current & resistance all have their own effects on how power is transferred. If you have seen someone arc weld a wrench to a car body because it came in contact while the wrench was on the battery positive terminal, that's a good example- a low resistance path means high current, if enough current is available and with a car battery, it is. Heat kills electronic components and that's the reason speaker impedance needs to make the amplifier happy. Amplifiers that are connected to speakers that have really low impedance can make the amp do all kinds of odd things, like shut down, blow fuses, burn transistors & other components and sometimes, the sound will cut out intermittently. Rapid on/off is often called 'motorboating'.

Your NAD should be fine for your system. Either save the money or buy better speakers- that will make a bigger difference and more improvement than the receiver. Soft clipping is for people who crank the volume a lot. If you don't, either position will be fine.

 

[JerryLove]

I think you can do better than the Onyx X, especially if you aren't getting the HK receiver. Go audition if you can.

What kind of wires should I buy? Right now my NAD3155 has wires going from pre-amp to main in, which I have a basic understanding of why.

Because it's actually two peices of equipment. A pre-amp, and an amp. Those two peices are connected by those wires.

I will need multiple sets of what looks to be component wires?(see pic: img229.imageshack.us/img229/2757/nad3155.jpg ) These look like copper and I will want to make sure my wires aren't bottlenecking my quality when I listen to an audio dvd, with my OppO.

You should only need one set. Monoprice or BJC would be safe choices.

Also, 'Soft Clipping' is where my hardware cuts off the signal slightly when its too heavy for it to handle, correct? So I basically want to leave this on, correct? What reason would I turn it off?

Leave it on.

I tried to learn what high and low impedance is as well, however I am still confused. In what cases should I put this on 8oms (high) instead of 4?

If you had very low impedance speakers, you might want to set the amp low to avoid problems with too much current. You should be fine at 8.

I also have a loudness comp button. I understand it makes it louder, heh. I generally won't need this turned on, correct?

It is a pre-programmed equializer. It is not identical to turning up the volume. Try it on sometimes and see if you like the sound more or less.

I also have a "low level" button. When would I want to use this? Thanks again for all your help

I believe that's for listening at low volumes. It's also a pre-programmed EQ.

 

[highfigh]

Loudness comp is compensation, not compression. It's to compensate for the human ear's lack of sensitivity to the extremes of the frequency range. Some have only a boost in the low end but most have a bit of boost at the top, too.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm really surprised by two things: given recent developments with buying issues from av123.com (there is a very long and recent post about it)
and second how come Jerry didn't mentioned Behringers 2030P on post asking for suggestions for cheap bookshelf

 

[Omniwing]

Thank you very much for all your responses, you helped me find a stereo solution that works for me

 

[JerryLove]

I'm really surprised by two things: given recent developments with buying issues from av123.com (there is a very long and recent post about it)

Ohhh. Good point. Dodge them like the swine flu.

and second how come Jerry didn't mentioned Behringers 2030P on post asking for suggestions for cheap bookshelf

I didn't notice that the question had been asked. If Behringer offers a commission, I'll start pushing their wears; until then I just answer what's in front of me. If that's for a low-cost bookshelf: well, you know my opinion there .

Besides: I also am not sure that he's in a position to setup the dual-sub system I suggest. If he is not, depending on the space involved, it's possible that a larger speaker could be found in his price range that would be more appealing (due to greater LF extension). I hadn't really considered which speakers he should get.

 

[Omniwing]

Wow, I almost ordered from av123. They are having problems? Should I look elsewhere for speakers?

As I mentioned I'll be living in a small small place with lots of things crammed into them, so I'll likely be sitting close to these speakers as well. If I don't order speakers from AV123(that was my plan) then I guess I'll look elsewhere for 2 good quality speakers in the 300-400 range.

 

[jostenmeat]

Wow, I almost ordered from av123. They are having problems? Should I look elsewhere for speakers?

As I mentioned I'll be living in a small small place with lots of things crammed into them, so I'll likely be sitting close to these speakers as well. If I don't order speakers from AV123(that was my plan) then I guess I'll look elsewhere for 2 good quality speakers in the 300-400 range.

The thread has been a sticky for a while.

DO NOT BUY anything from AV123
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53755

I've never used the soft clipping feature on my NAD amp. I figure use common sense, turn it down if it sounds bad (which seems to never happen, but wth do I know), and there won't be any curtailing of power when a "double down" with impedance drop might be needed. However, I don't know too much about the details of how it works. Either way, I wouldn't sweat it.

300-400 range, off the top of my head, would include Ascend 170SE, Ascend 340SE, Usher S520 as some common recommendations. Or Infinity Primus. Mmm. Sometimes PSB, Aperion, Axiom.

I really like the Ascend 170SE. I own PSBs. Aperion offers free TWO way shipping. Primus line, if you get the right models at least, are hailed because of the NRC/Toole research behind them. Then again, PSB, Paradigm, and others benefit from NRC research. Hmmmm. The ID (internet direct) brands all seem to offer 30 day trials, and that includes Ascend, Aperion, Axiom, SVS, etc.