Hoping to supply the best sound to the passionate novice!

[Ron Young]

Good Morning:

I'm a novice at audio. My passion is 58 years strong. My brother is an avid audiophile. He was instrumental at fueling my interest and acquired knowledge of electronics and sound reproduction. Since retirement and a insatiable interest by my 14 year old grandson I have decided to try to supply the best quality sound to the common audio enthusiasts. I hope to share the euphoria of audio excellence with all who are interested. I arived here searching for the top ten audio manufacturing companies. The conversations caught my attention. I may be in the wrong place. Let me know if I should look somewhere else.

Ron

 

[herbu]

I have decided to try to supply the best quality sound to the common audio enthusiasts.

What does that mean?

I hope to share the euphoria of audio excellence with all who are interested.

Do you mean, "I hope to learn the euphoria of audio excellence from all who are interested"?

I don't mean to be rude, and am admittedly not too bright, but I'm reading, "I'm a novice... and I want to teach ya'll something". I'm confused. But plowing through the muck that is my mind, welcome to the forum... and Merry Christmas!

 

[Ron Young]

herbu:

I do tend to be disjointed and misunderstood. I definitely don't presume I can teach. I'm hoping to be accepted by the experienced audiophiles and learn in depth what I know enough about to be dangerous
The euphoria thing is my normal over linguistic impulse that my wife laughs at me for. What I envision is making the true capability of sound quality and depth available and understood by the uninformed music lovers that think Wally World has the good stuff. Basically I wish I could make the high end equipment available to people not as fortunate as some of us who have had the blessing of experiencing true sound capability. I was fortunate to have my older brother. He was the intellectual of the family. He taught me to research and understand how things work and why. I was the mechanical, fabrication, customizing, horsepower maniac of the family. I'm sure this is a lot more info than you desire. Another fault of mine I hope to build a crude but high quality sound device and find a young music lover and say try this and watch their world bloom. That's where the euphoria part comes in No offense meant!

Ron
PS Merry Christmas to you as well!

 

[Swerd]

Welcome Ron. I think you'll fit in here… just fine .

 

[Ron Young]

Thanks Swerd:

The systems you listed are some of my multiple research devices. I like the separate components. Old school. I remember when my brother upgraded from all in one to components. I truly began too appreciate the devices and how each manipulated the signal. I believe you've answered my research. The HT system will get me closer to my private zone. I'll have to research the Salk equipment. Don't know the details.

Off the subject for a second. Isn't Gaithersburg a civil war battle sight?

Live Long and Prosper! Ron

 

[Swerd]

The systems you listed are some of my multiple research devices. I like the separate components. Old school. I remember when my brother upgraded from all in one to components. I truly began too appreciate the devices and how each manipulated the signal. I believe you've answered my research. The HT system will get me closer to my private zone. I'll have to research the Salk equipment. Don't know the details.

Do you have an existing sound system now that you want to improve? Or are you starting from scratch?

Salk Signature Sound http://www.salksound.com/home.htm

Off the subject for a second. Isn't Gaithersburg a civil war battle sight?

There are a number Civil War battlefields around here, but Gaithersburg is not one. You must be thinking of Gettysburg, about an hour's drive north in Pennsylvania.

The best one I've visited is Antietam in Sharpsburg, MD

 

[Ron Young]

Hi Swerd:

Putting together my sixth system. I've experimented with building my own speakers and such over the years. Not counting my brothers systems, my first was Marantz based about 40 years ago. Then Aiwa with Boston Acoustics. Then Yamaha with (AE) I think. Not enough brain cells left to remember those.
Then Yamaha + TEAC + Klipsch. I like the Klipsch. Mostly Sony TV's, CD players and DVD's. Unfortunately I have Tinnitus so bad now that the finer units are wasted on me. My kids took my old systems so I'm putting one last good one together. Right now all I have is an 18 year old Sony big screen and my Yamaha computer speakers. Pretty sad. I now have my wife's support to put the system of my choice together. I took the last two years off and watched over her 92 year old blind and deaf father so he could stay in his house. I don't tell him what to do, I just follow him around and watch out for him without him knowing it. I've been researching for about a year. There's so much stuff I've never heard of I thought I'd better recruit some advice from current knowledge. This is a small house so it won't have to be a large system. So I thought I can go with quality instead of quantity. I'll enjoy researching the list you posted. It looks like fun. Something else I want is wireless headphones. I can hear the TV that way without blowing out everyone else. I'm as much a movie fanatic as a music fanatic. Polk and Klipsch both have interesting models. Seinhowser, or how ever it's spelled, seems to be a preferred model. I still have about six months before acquisition time. Plenty of time to figure it out with the kind help of tolerant people like you!

 

[Swerd]

Good to know all that, Ron. Its funny how much we define people here by what audio gear they prefer.

You deserve some fun after those years of "elderly patrol" duty. There will be lots of people here who will enjoy helping others spend money… myself included .

 

[Ron Young]

MxMas Swerd

I always get totally surprised when I see a pen pal after getting to know them through writing. Researched your list. You have my brothers taste. That's a compliment ! I still remember when he saved all summer in 1964 and purchased a nice Teac reel to reel. The most fascinating technology I had ever seen. His preference in music was classical and early Pink Floyd. Have you ever heard THE UMMA GUMMA album? In grade school we would take field trips to see the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra, I was totally consumed by the depth of music. Love the strings even today. Of course I would go home and crank up the James Gang and Led Zeppelin.

The Salk collection is exquisite. Made too order even. Might have to win the lottery to experience those. Rekindled an old spark. About 35 years ago I dabbled in building my own speakers for a year or so. Taught me a lot about equipment and how it worked. An old friend still uses my best set. I've tried to get him to let me upgrade them with no luck. He loves LP's and says they're balanced perfect for that. Since I have such limitations with space I thought I might dabble with creating a balanced set for my main room. Try out some of the modern technology. A skinny set of towers beside the TV, small but wide range center, small wall mount satellites and two small subs. What do you think?

A good basic AV receiver, preamp, BR and about 400W. If I have a good BR do I need a CD as well? Of course good cross overs and designated mini amps built into my speakers. That's a given. I have too satisfy my make it mine compulsion ! Alright, enough rambling. We may have to email instead of post. I tend to write enovels to my friends.

The Salk WOW1's looked about right for my main area. The center would be to much. The system you listed was perfect, but my cracker box house is the size room I would need to use it. My wife said I can't knock out the walls and make it one room. She just doesn't understand !

Live Long and Prosper my friend! Ron

 

[herbu]

In grade school we would take field trips to see the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra, I was totally consumed by the depth of music. Love the strings even today.

The Salk collection is exquisite. Made too order even. Might have to win the lottery to experience those.

A skinny set of towers beside the TV, small but wide range center, small wall mount satellites and two small subs.

A large part of the genius behind the Salks is designer Dennis Murphy. Though he still collaborates w/ Jim Salk, and Salk still sells his designs, Dennis also makes his own line of speakers kinda like a hobby. You can see them here: http://philharmonicaudio.com/

Dennis' line is less expensive than the Salk because he uses less "artisan craftmanship" for his cabinets. Sound is the same. He is real easy to talk to, and will provide A LOT of good information and help for your decision. Strongly suggest you drop him a note via the contact info on his site. He also peruses this forum. If you want to ever want to wallow in accolades, google Dennis Murphy.

 

[Ron Young]

Thanks for the tip herbu. I'll definitely follow Dennis. A nice little dream would be to study under him, I love artistry and passion of his level. I hope I can experience his creations in the proper atmosphere someday. I clean up well and have good manors if you know anyone who might allow a poor Midwest audiophile to experience a once in a lifetime listening event ! My listening area is 1954 era 25 X 50 cracker box house. I took out the so called third bedroom. I called it a small walkin closet. This opened the main room to a whopping 30 X 12. The walls are for blocking the view only. Not only uninsulated but actually amplify sound. This is my wife's parents home. Moved in about ten years ago to take care of them. I haven't bothered too invest in a new system for that reason. I can't wait any longer so I started researching about a year ago just to dream. Before my daughter took my last system I would wait till everyone was gone, put cotton in my ears and turn it up till the decibel level would release the adrenalin. My only feed for my music addiction is a decent set of headphones and my computer. Thankfully I put the best sound card I could get in it ! Sorry for unloading on you. I Haven't ever shared my pain. I think the old guy is going to outlive me, so my only hope is a kind soul willing too fulfill my dream! Till then I research and build virtual systems in my inner utopia. There's that word again

 

[Ron Young]

A large part of the genius behind the Salks is designer Dennis Murphy. Though he still collaborates w/ Jim Salk, and Salk still sells his designs, Dennis also makes his own line of speakers kinda like a hobby. You can see them here: http://philharmonicaudio.com/

Dennis' line is less expensive than the Salk because he uses less "artisan craftmanship" for his cabinets. Sound is the same. He is real easy to talk to, and will provide A LOT of good information and help for your decision. Strongly suggest you drop him a note via the contact info on his site. He also peruses this forum. If you want to ever want to wallow in accolades, google Dennis Murphy.

herbu:

Went to Dennis's site. What a gifted artist! I emailed him and told my situation about acoustics and space. The Affordable Accuracy series looks promising. Shouldn't even need a sub. Anxious to get his input. Thanks again for the tip!

Ron

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I arrived here searching for the top ten audio manufacturing companies.

RBH, Revel, KEF, Linkwitz, Salk/Philharmonic, Ascend, PSB, Paradigm, NHT, Focal, Dynaudio, and more.

I've owned Revel Salon2, B&W 802D2, KEF Reference 201/2, Linkwitz Orion 3.2.1, Philharmonic 3, Focal 826V, Dynaudio X32, ATC SCM7, and heard most brands.

I have sold all those speakers, but still trying to sell the Linkwitz Orion.

Now I own RBH speakers.

If you want full range towers and don't want to use additional subwoofers, then I recommend getting towers with built-in subwoofers.

Otherwise, I think you would be happy with any of the top brands.

 

[Swerd]

Ron

I have to agree with everything herbu says about Dennis . I've known him for a number of years, and I consider him a friend. I sometimes try to be modest about shilling for him, so thanks to herbu for doing it for me. He recently bought a pair of Philharmonic 3 speakers, and he is still in the long honeymoon phase with them. But his experience with doing business with Dennis is real, and is similar to what nearly everyone else says about him.

Dennis is the most talented DIY speaker designer I ever met. He is entirely self-taught, he made a living as an economist in Washington. He also is an accomplished musician who plays violin and viola in a number of local orchestras in town. Now that he is retired, he operates a small speaker business. Starting more than 10 years ago, he also designs crossovers for nearly all of Jim Salk's speakers. I regard his opinions about how speakers should sound as pure gold. Not everyone agrees, but his designs sound great to me. I have two sets of speakers Dennis designed: the Salk SongTowers and SongCenter in my living room HT, and a pair of DIY Dennis Murphy-designed CAOW1 speakers that I built in a bedroom stereo system.

If I remember, there is a guy who lives in Kansas City who has owned Salk speakers in the past and may still now. He is an avid audiophile, and he often sells his older stuff just to get new stuff. As a result, I don't know what speakers he now has. He sometimes posts here at Audioholics under the name randyb. He also knows and respects Dennis's speaker designs, and it might be good if you met him. Paging randyb!

 

[KEW]

Dennis' line is less expensive than the Salk because he uses less "artisan craftmanship" for his cabinets.

You left out the part where Dennis is not trying to build a business to get rich (or even earn his living). If memory served, he was making less than minimum wage for building the crossovers in my Phil3's.
The Affordable Accuracy are a very good option; widely considered the best in that budget range!

 

[Ron Young]

Thanks Guys:

I Feel like I'm finally making positive progress. It's nice to get real answers to questions instead of opinions, attitudes and sales pitches. In the good old days I just went for high power and good sound. Since this will probably be my final system I'm trying to put together the best equipment balance for my listening atmosphere. I think Dennis's Affordable Accuracy series speaker system will be great for my 12 x 30 main room. I mailed Dennis and asked his opinion. Anxious to see what he thinks. I'm assuming there's a unit that will compliment that AA system so that I won't need any more bass. But I have plenty of time and good help to figure it all out. I can always add later if needed. Another item I'm researching is the best wireless headphones. I sleep less than everyone else and love movies. Plus with my Tinnitus I need it louder. I want to turn the TV down and use the headphone volume. I found some Aurvana Platinums that are rated high. Beats are as well. I think the Aurvana is closer to my preference. Anyone heard them before?

 

[Ron Young]

You left out the part where Dennis is not trying to build a business to get rich (or even earn his living). If memory served, he was making less than minimum wage for building the crossovers in my Phil3's.
The Affordable Accuracy are a very good option; widely considered the best in that budget range!

Hi KEW:
I'd like to think I feel the same. It's not about the money. I used to build and customize motorcycles. Usually sold them for less than I had invested. It was worth it just to build them.

 

[KEW]

Hi KEW:
I'd like to think I feel the same. It's not about the money. I used to build and customize motorcycles. Usually sold them for less than I had invested. It was worth it just to build them.

There is great joy in sharing your passion with fellow aficionados!

A lot of guys here will say you'll want a subwoofer, but it really depends on your bass preferences and whether you'll use them for home theater and want to feel the dinosaur stomp.
Dennis is a music only kind of guy, so if that is you, listen to his opinion. Subs can be nice for music, but can get expensive if you don't want them to detract from your music sound quality.

 

[herbu]

Ron, you are right to talk to Dennis and see what he thinks. I would assign more weight to his suggestions on speakers than, well, just about anybody... especially me! Like Swerd said, I have the Phil3s and could not like them more. With them for music, I use stereo direct. No other speakers and no subwoofers, (although I have 2 very good subs). But the Phil3s are considerably larger and more expensive than the AAs. The AA speakers are listed with a range down to 60Hz. You can bet your buttons they will sound great down to that.

The bottom of your hearing is 20Hz, and there is a fair amount of low freq music between 20 - 60Hz. And like KEW said, I'm one of the guys that would probably recommend a small subwoofer to go with the AAs. The best advice I can give you is to listen to the recommendations from Dennis.

Regarding wireless headphones, I also use them. My use is when the wife and I are watching TV/movie, and I want to go in another room for something without pausing the TV/movie... like tending something cooking in the kitchen, going outside for firewood, etc. I use Sennheiser HDR 120s, and connected them to my Zone 2. They are On Ear, (not Over the Ear that completely cover up your ears), so I can still hear if the wife calls, phone rings, etc. They sound great, but are not real snug, so I have to be kind of careful bending over and moving around so they don't slip. (I'm old and try to minimize bending over and moving around too much, so it's not a problem for me. ) I would buy them again. Also, while On Ear headphones let some outside sound come in, they also let some of the headphone sound leak out. If you're sitting next to your wife with the TV muted and only playing through the headphones, she will likely hear the sound leakage. So think about what kind you want, but it may be hard to beat Sennheiser either way. Just my .02.

 

[Ron Young]

Ron, you are right to talk to Dennis and see what he thinks. I would assign more weight to his suggestions on speakers than, well, just about anybody... especially me! Like Swerd said, I have the Phil3s and could not like them more. With them for music, I use stereo direct. No other speakers and no subwoofers, (although I have 2 very good subs). But the Phil3s are considerably larger and more expensive than the AAs. The AA speakers are listed with a range down to 60Hz. You can bet your buttons they will sound great down to that.

The bottom of your hearing is 20Hz, and there is a fair amount of low freq music between 20 - 60Hz. And like KEW said, I'm one of the guys that would probably recommend a small subwoofer to go with the AAs. The best advice I can give you is to listen to the recommendations from Dennis.

Regarding wireless headphones, I also use them. My use is when the wife and I are watching TV/movie, and I want to go in another room for something without pausing the TV/movie... like tending something cooking in the kitchen, going outside for firewood, etc. I use Sennheiser HDR 120s, and connected them to my Zone 2. They are On Ear, (not Over the Ear that completely cover up your ears), so I can still hear if the wife calls, phone rings, etc. They sound great, but are not real snug, so I have to be kind of careful bending over and moving around so they don't slip. (I'm old and try to minimize bending over and moving around too much, so it's not a problem for me. ) I would buy them again. Also, while On Ear headphones let some outside sound come in, they also let some of the headphone sound leak out. If you're sitting next to your wife with the TV muted and only playing through the headphones, she will likely hear the sound leakage. So think about what kind you want, but it may be hard to beat Sennheiser either way. Just my .02.

Hi herbu:

Between you guys and Dennis I'm really comfortable with how this will end up. Sennheiser has actually been on the top of my grandson and my list from the start. He researches deeper and understands better than I do. At his age my passion was motorcycles and horsepower ! I got to experience the Adiophile world thanks to my brother. I call him for the best sound and electronic advice, he calls me for mechanical and construction advice. My grandson is going to get the Sennheiser HD280PROS. I think I'll try the Aurvana's just out of curiosity. I like trying new stuff. I'll go for the over ear. With my Tinnitus I can't hear the wife anyway ! I'm the chief cook and bottle washer as well. I definitely spoil her to much. Guess that's why we're workin on 40 years. Should be able to start acquiring equipment in February. Hope to have it all by my Bday in August.

Have a good day! Ron