New Guy With Some Gear Questions

[JR1987]

First off let me introduce myself since this is my first post. My name is John, I am a guitarist, so audio isn't something totally new to me, but this particular market is.

The one lesson I learned in my 12 some years of playing is: I shouldn't have spent all that money when my goal was a genuine Gibson from the get go. Probably would have had it a lot sooner that 11 years later .

So I followed my own advice when buying my first setup. Buy what works, and take it from there and see where it leads.

My system is currently based around an Audio Technia AT LP120 (non USB version). It works well and I haven't had any real issues, though the cartridge could be better. But for under 200 bucks, I am fully satisfied.

I have a stereo receiver, a Sony STR HD100. Not anywhere close to where I'd like to be, but it had to due for the time.

Speakers are no name RCA's I pulled off an old book shelf unit to save some dough.

Satisfaction: it's better than MP3... 5-6 out of 10. It's better than normal, but it could be much better.

So my immediate action (when I got some more funds) was to buy better speakers. My current situation does not allow for a better speaker setup than I have, and my knowledge of speaker/amp placement from guitar told me "if you can't do it right, don't bother". So I instead bought a pair of Sennheiser HD 598's to solve the immediate problem of sub par speakers.

In the future I fully intend to upgrade my speakers as they are the lowest part of my system. Eventually (as in when I make more money) I will upgrade all of it. But speakers are my next plan.

Finally, my question: I am looking at a few different brands. One that caught my eye was the Klpisch Heresy speakers: (can't post links and refuse to spam to do so. Just Google Klipsch Heresy III).

My friends father has a similar setup in his home (he has all the old tech, reel to reel and such, which is pretty awesome) and it sounds amazing. Rich full sound, solid bass, good mid, clear highs, etc etc. The Klipsch is the closest I have found to that set up. I plan on putting up with this system for a while, saving the extra cash and getting the speakers.

Question 2: Receiver... or pre amp/power amp set up? Recommendations either way are welcome. Tip: not looking for a 30,000 dollar amp set up.

Final question: is my plan a solid plan? Should I be saving up for better speakers first, or for a better receiver/amp/etc etc system?

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

[agarwalro]

Stereo or home theater?
What is your budget?
How big is your listening area?

 

[JR1987]

Like I said, my system is based around a phonograph, and always will be, so stereo is my format of choice. I don't do a lot of movie watching and my games... well I don't need my PC games in surround sound. I don't care enough and I've found the over all sound quality lacking.

Stereo it is.

It will change as time goes on, but for the next set of speakers I am looking into the 1k dollars for the pair. Current fix was the Sennheiser HD 598's.

As far as space is concerned right now, there is a limit (as is my budget). I currently have a very "rigged" desk/bar table/dresser setup for my TV and cheap-o bookshelf speakers. My guitar amp is on one side of the desk, my PC tower on the other. Next to the amp is a treadmill (which isn't a close rack... yet) and next to the PC is my gear rack *which is actually a really nice oak piece*. Next to the tred is a wall with NO space. Next to the gear rack is my bookshelf, then a wall. So the listening space is limited, which is why I am holding off until more space is available (move out) and funds. If you can't do it right, don't do it.

This is why I searched around for good quality head phones.

For arguments sake, the next space will be considerably bigger, and organized around my sound system, rather than a TV. So space wont be as much of an issue, which is why I am looking at the Klipsh floor standing Heresy speakers. I plan on building the room around the audio and mounting the TV on the wall, or using an HD projector to open up floor space.

My current setup does well enough for "average" setup (not audiophile average by any means), but the speaker placement isn't ideal, again that is why I went for better phones right now over speakers.

All together my max budget (over the period of building this system) is looking around 2 grand give or take a few hundred. I was thinking 1700 for the speakers and maybe 800-900 for the receiver/amp/preamp itself. However as I am still unfamiliar with anything other than receivers I haven't made any real progress in looking at power and pre amps and learning about them.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

A) its a very smart move to save and get the right piece rather than wasting money on what you could afford at the time, but does not work.
B) I can't comment anything about record players, but quality audio source is important - this is why I use only flac file- bit to bit copy of original cd music
C) it sound like you are planning for future ht system or at the least a 2.1. Trust me on your budget you simply can't afford true full range speakers so getting a sub sooner or later is unescapable.
That said and the economy of scale you'd be much better of with mid level receiver that separates, just make sure one has phono input or get external phono preamp. Brands like denon and marantz shouldn't let you down
D) speaker - one of best speakers you could get on this budget are philarmonic audio I

 

[JR1987]

No, I am not planning on a Home Theater System. Like I said, it will be built primarily around a record player, so stereo is what I am looking it.

I have nothing against HT systems, but I have no use for it what so ever. Most of my stuff is stereo.

What is the difference between 2.1 and regular stereo?

As for receivers I have been looking at Yamaha and Deon as well. I have never heard of Marantz, but thank you for the recommendation I will look into them.

I looked into them, and the only thing I did not like was the look, but that isn't much of an issue. It's a shame there are no places I can go to listen to these speakers.

Thank you for the recommendations, I am looking at the receivers right now.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

No, I am not planning on a Home Theater System. Like I said, it will be built primarily around a record player, so stereo is what I am looking it.

I have nothing against HT systems, but I have no use for it what so ever. Most of my stuff is stereo.

What is the difference between 2.1 and regular stereo?

As for receivers I have been looking at Yamaha and Deon as well. I have never heard of Marantz, but thank you for the recommendation I will look into them.

I looked into them, and the only thing I did not like was the look, but that isn't much of an issue. It's a shame there are no places I can go to listen to these speakers.

Thank you for the recommendations, I am looking at the receivers right now.

The difference between stereo and 2.1 is .1 is sub.
If you plan to add projector later one and watch a movie or two - you will need a subwoofer, besides some music types (1812) would benefit from support of good sub.

To do proper integration of sub with mains you need a bass management, which is not found in vast majority of stereo equipment... which is why I recommend a surround receiver even if you'll never have 7.1

Denon and Marantz are the same company as in D&M Holdings , but they models differ slightly and you may find Marantz features more to your liking.

Another modern design which is highly rated, looks better and you could try at home are Aperion Verus Grand Towers
Verus Grand Tower Speaker - Aperion Audio

 

[JR1987]

Now forgive the ignorance, again this is all new to me.

I am shying away from surround sound simply because I think I can do better with stereo 2.1.

I've heard you can wire the sub to the system even without the sub input. I'd imagine this may take some more skill? But it seems all the uber high end amps pre amps and integrated amps have no sub connection.

What's the deal there?

Either way I was looking at the Yamaha A-S500 integrated amp, or the next step up (which I think is 700?).

A question, when matching speakers with my amp (integrated or not) what should I look at? I know lower ohm speakers put more demand on the amp device. But when speakers are rated at 8 ohm's at 100 watts, should I look for a receiver with 100+ watts at 8 ohm's or one with lower ohm and higher watts? That whole thing confuses me.

I want an amp that can drive a good size set of speakers and I can't seem to find "idiot" articles online.

Also, opinions on integrated amps?

EDIT: Also, in terms of power amps. Let us say my integrated amp can put out 85 watts at 8 ohms. Would it be recommend, or even possible to add a power amp for the speakers themselves to make certain they are driven?