Choosing my first quality sound system

[Seth=L]

I'm not sure if he can order from A4L where he is.

I would still advise a modern multichannel AVR that features Audessey Multi EQ. And believe me, if you add a subwoofer you're going to benefit from bass management offered on the AVRs. So much more flexibility is available with an AVR and really not that much more complex to operate once setup.

 

[equal fred]

@ KEW

Thank you for your reply.
Yes, I want to stick to a basic stereo unit, but you made me realize that I need some digital inputs too. I want to connect my Cd player and my computer to the receiver.
As for the receiver my choice now is the Marantz PM 6005. It's a little bit over my budget, so I still have to think about it. I live in the Netherlands, and I think I'll skip your offer to buy at accessories4less but thanks for the advice.


@ Seth=L

Do you know if the Marantz 6005 has plastic knobs? It would make my decision easier if I know they are made of steel because it than has a more quality feel to it. What do you think of the Marantz PM6005?

Fred

 

[KEW]

Along the lines of the Marantz, you also might want to consider the Yamaha A-S501
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamas501bl/yamaha-a-s501-stereo-integrated-amplifier-with-built-in-dac-black/1.html
(I understand you would not buy from A4L, but the link does provide lots of info)

I feel Yamaha and Marantz are about equal quality, but think Yamaha represents a little better bargain with this line of amplifiers. But get Seth's opinion, because he knows this stuff pretty well.

Will you buy a tuner or simply stream anything from your computer?

 

[Seth=L]

@ Seth=L

Do you know if the Marantz 6005 has plastic knobs? It would make my decision easier if I know they are made of steel because it than has a more quality feel to it. What do you think of the Marantz PM6005?

I don't know if it has plastic or metal knobs, I've not handled one.

My Marantz NR1504 has plastic knobs, but that's typical for a mass market AVR.

EDIT: By looking at this picture I would lean towards metal knobs. It seems like a well built little amplifier. I like that the digital section is completely shielded from the rest of the electronics.

 

[KEW]

Do you know if the Marantz 6005 has plastic knobs?

They are plastic, but, honestly, the only way I knew for sure was to put the back of my hand against it to see how see how quickly it sucked the heat out.

 

[equal fred]

Hi,

Thanks for helping me out with your previous advise. I did a lot of research the last week. I find myself reading many forums, reading review after review. This week things took an interesting turn as I mentioned on my work that I was looking for a receiver. A man that I'm familiar with was cleaning out his garage and offered me his old Onkyo TX 9011 for free that was laying around. He said it had a beautiful sound. Now this is a older receiver, but now that I started listening to it, it sounds actually very nice!

This will make my decision a lot easier because the new receiver I want to buy is actually to expansive for me now. So for the next half year or so I will stick with this old beautiful sounding receiver and I am now searching for some speakers for it.

I know I said earlier that i wanted the Klipsch RP 250F's. I wanted to buy the cherry wood model, but I just found out that this isn't real wood but just some poly plastic sticker that is used as finish to look like wood. This made me turn away from my earlier decision and I am still open for suggestions for new real wooden speakers.
My budget for 2 speakers is 600 euro (660 dollar) for a pair.

They have to be floor standing speakers and I don't really care about how loud they can go. I mainly listen on low volume with loudness turned on. The sound and the built quality have to be great. Are there some less familiar speakers out there that are made of natural components? I think the more natural the components are, the more natural they could sound.

And is it a good idea to buy second hand speakers? Are there here any risks I should consider?

@ KEW

“ I knew for sure was to put the back of my hand against it to see how see how quickly it sucked the heat out. “


The Yamaha A-S501 that you have mentioned is a great candidate for me now as my new receiver. But it is still quite expensive (450 euros / 495 dollar) and I have to wait to buy it. My other option would be a Marantz receiver in the same price range.

Will you buy a tuner or simply stream anything from your computer?

I now have a tuner built in the Onkyo TX 9011. For my new receiver I think I want a receiver with tuner, optical and digital in and outputs, subwoofer out and Ethernet for Internet radio. Also I want physical steel knobs for bass, treble, balance and volume controls on the front panel + a loudness button.

@ Seth

Are you familiar with the Onkyo TX 9011?


Many thanks,

Fred

 

[Seth=L]

Nothing wrong with that receiver, it's just a little older. I think it would work fine for most speakers you might choose. Advertised as 80 watts per channel.

Too bad about the Klipsch. Maybe look at Monitor Audio, that should be fairly readily available there. I'm not familiar enough with their catalog to make a recommendation but I believe they offer real wood veneers.

 

[KEW]

No reason to replace the TX 9011 if it is in good condition. While their have been some advances in amplifier design, the sound of a good one has not really changed!

 

[equal fred]

I am very happy with the TX 9011. It gives me a real old school feel and a very nice sound. I have 2 Telefunken 2 way speakers (25 watt each and 4 ohm) attached to it. I am looking forward to have floor standing speakers.

Monitor Audio looks nice, specially the more expansive models like this GX300

Unfortunately this is at the moment far above my budget.

Still expansive but closer to my budget is the Cambridge Audio Aero 6

Would this speaker be a good choice for the TX 9011? Maybe I can keep my current (2x25 watt Telefunken) speakers also attached to the TX 9011, or would that not be a good idea?

All these dilemmas

 

[equal fred]

@KEW and @Seth=L

I think I am reaching my final desicion.

Now It all comes down to choose between two models of Cambridge Audio speakers.
The Cambridge Audio SX-80
And the Cambridge Audio Aero 6
I want to place them about 10 cm from the wall (4 inches).

The Aero 6 has the bass reflex port on the front and the SX-80 has it on the back.
On the audioholicsforum http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/front-or-rear-port-room-treatment-quandary.13799/ they talk about leaving enough space behind the wall, but don't mention how much space.

I have 4 inches behind the speakers, would this be enough? Also I would like to know what the main difference is between these two speakers. Is it worth investing the extra 100 euros for the Cambridge Audio Aero 6 ?

Fred

 

[KEW]

@KEW and @Seth=L

I think I am reaching my final desicion.

Now It all comes down to choose between two models of Cambridge Audio speakers.
The Cambridge Audio SX-80
And the Cambridge Audio Aero 6
I want to place them about 10 cm from the wall (4 inches).

The Aero 6 has the bass reflex port on the front and the SX-80 has it on the back.
On the audioholicsforum http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/front-or-rear-port-room-treatment-quandary.13799/ they talk about leaving enough space behind the wall, but don't mention how much space.

I have 4 inches behind the speakers, would this be enough? Also I would like to know what the main difference is between these two speakers. Is it worth investing the extra 100 euros for the Cambridge Audio Aero 6 ?

Fred

The rule of thumb I have seen is to allow a minimum of 1.5 times the diameter of the port. So if the port is 4", you need at least 6" clearance.