I could use a little help.

[bluemando]

I am a professional piano tuner, who, back in the 80's was tested and and ranked in the top 5% in the country (among tuners and using the PTG standard test [Piano Tuner's Guild] for the ability to hear beat rates, related to temperament-setting, and so forth). I suspect that it's a skill that can be taught to most anyone, many of whom would do as well or better than I did. Anyway, based on my Internet research, I have come to doubt that I could hear all the nuances that gold-ear audiophiles say that they hear, so please keep that in mind should you consider to give me some component advice. While I can certainly appreciate fine engineer equipment, I'm certain that expensive equipment is a waste to my ears and, hense to my wallet.
Basically, I'm a budget-type-guy, who is plenty satisfied with digital sound (no hiss, crisp detailed sound without being metallic-sounding and good imagining.) I'm a lover of classical music, but also appreciate and listen to jazz, vintage rock'n roll, and (I must confess) bubble-gum music of the late 60's-70's). I have an old 7140 NAD receiver (cica 1980's), Infinity Primus 150 speakers, and a Sony DVD player for playing cds. I use that equipment in my "exercise room." So that you know where I'm "coming from" I'll state "up-front" that I am plenty satisfied with that setup. You can safely assume that I'm easy to please when it come to equipment. I would very much appreciate some ideas / recommendations from this forum, for a budget-receiver (or perhaps components) for my 12x15 bedroom. One thing I must have is a remote control. I will be listening to music at the late hours and into the wee hours of morning, and I'll be in bed. I want to be able to make adjustments (on/off, volume, treble/bass) without having to get up. Ideally I *imagine* that an Audio Source AMP100 ($75); a comparable priced pre-amp (perhaps a bit more) and an Oppo DVd player would fit the bill. Problem is Audio Source doen't have a remote control, otherwise I would have already pulled the trigger on the matter. Btw, I already have a pair of KEF Q15 book-shelf speakers to go with the setup - that may be something to take into consideraton. I could swap-out the Inifity Primus' from the exercise room, if that would be beneficial. I hope I'm not asking for too much here, being a newbie and all

Thanks
Johern

 

[John Bailey]

Johern,

Sounds like your tastes and mine are similar. I just went through the same decision making process for my bedroom. I ended up ordering a refurbished Onkyo stereo receiver 8522 for $99.99 on E-bay. Ecost has them for $96. 100 wpc, remote, and a sleep timer. If I needed one, I could have gotten the DVD player for $44. I always fall asleep with music on, so the sleep timer and remote are important.

I have found over the years that my ears don't hear much difference until I listen to systems in the 10's of 1,000's of dollars. So, I'm quite happy with my set-ups using Onkyo, Yamaha, and NAD, usually with PSB speakers.

I'm sure there are many other good choices, just thought I let you know mine.

John

 

[MDS]

For the stated requirements, I wouldn't bother with a separate amp and pre-amp. A stereo receiver like the Onkyo mentioned above or even one of the lower end Onkyo surround receivers will fit the bill perfectly.

 

[gus6464]

A nice refurbed HK3485 would fit the bill nicely with tons of power on tap.

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=HK 3485-Z

 

[John Bailey]

By the way, my undergraduate degree was in music, with an emphasis on theory and composition. So, I think my ears are fairly discerning. The one difference my ears pick up in budget type set-ups is the difference between playing music with DVD players and CD players. I had a tech explain to me why I was hearing the difference, but the explanation was way over my head. My point is, if you are only listening to music, you may be happier with a CD player.

John

 

[mkinder]

Notice he says he would like to adjust bass/treble via the remote... can't do that on the H/K. I don't know about Onkyo..

 

[John Bailey]

Notice he says he would like to adjust bass/treble via the remote... can't do that on the H/K. I don't know about Onkyo..

Yea, that could be a tough one. I can't remember any of my remotes doing that.

John

 

[bluemando]

Notice he says he would like to adjust bass/treble via the remote... can't do that on the H/K. I don't know about Onkyo..

I suspect finding a remote with sound adjustment on it could be a problem. I can manage without it. That aside, I'm thinking that I'll want to use a Universal Remote as having to deal with 3+ remotes (tv, receiver dvd, and [perhaps] cd is awkward. I've heard that it's darn hard to find a Universal that will work with a HK. Thanks for you input regarding cd vs dvd, John. I have an Sony cd player (incredibly, there's no on/off button on the remote!) and I'll make comparisons when I get my Oppo. That Onkyo at ecost is now $94 and it's tempting. The Denon DRA-297 ($142 at ebay) is another one that's got my attention. Btw, as a music major myself, at one time (I switched majors in my third year to Education/Counseling), theory and composition, was difficult for me (beyond the basics) You got some respect here!

 

[bluemando]

For the stated requirements, I wouldn't bother with a separate amp and pre-amp. A stereo receiver like the Onkyo mentioned above or even one of the lower end Onkyo surround receivers will fit the bill perfectly.

Point taken. Still I wouldn't mind spending a bit more for a nice integrated amp. I pretty ambivialent about having a tuner... and I could always add one, down-the-road, if I change my mind. Of course it would have to have a remote with it.

 

[John Bailey]

Point taken. Still I wouldn't mind spending a bit more for a nice integrated amp. I pretty ambivialent about having a tuner... and I could always add one, down-the-road, if I change my mind. Of course it would have to have a remote with it.

The reason I've gone from an integrated to a receiver is I often listen to all classical music stations to broaden my horizons of the music I buy. I often hear something I've not heard before and end up buying it. A receiver is easier to deal with when in bed and falling asleep, or just being lazy, which I'm tending to become more of.

If you want an integrated, NAD and Rotel make nice units for a relatively low price. I've had a number of NAD units and liked all of them. My favourite was the NAD 3020, but no remote with that vintage amp. I settled on the NAD 320BEE with separate tuner, DVD, and CD players. I've sold all that to start over again, just to see if I find something I like better. Although I liked the NAD 320BEE, I don't really hear much difference between that and my present Yamaha Stereo RX 596 receiver. We'll see how the Onkyo works out.

John