Clock radio or silly highend?

VonOben · 27 Jan 2006, 12:20

Hiya,

just wondered what kind of hifi-equipment you people use when listening to the Sisters? Simple compact systems or insane highend system?

Myself, I'm on the lower end of highend. Better stuff than most people but still quite affordable. A couple of separate power amplifiers, and stuff like that. Especially when listening to bootlegs I want loudspeakers that can go very low in the bass region since audience recordings usually contains alot of information down there. (My own equipment has it's -3dB point at 34Hz) I've also figured that alot of recording that's not really enjoyable on simple speakers can be fantastic if it's played on a system that's really fullrange.

Whattdayasay?

Almost forgot... "Vision thing" is a perfect example of a song that seems to lack bass on many ordinary systems since most of the bass is very low frequenzy wise.

Err... would it be wrong to abbreviate "bass is" to "bass's"? Looks silly.

(Speakers usually get better up to a certain point when it comes to price... then they just get worse and worse in order to be different.

)

27 Jan 2006, 13:48

Low end high end.

Hi-fi separates, decent (Cambridge Audio) interconnects, beefy speaker cables (bi-wired) with the speakers on proper wall-mounted brackets.

If I'm listening to CDs I generally tap the digital output into my MD recorder; the digital-to-analogue converter in that seems to have a slight edge over the one in my CD multi-changer. Although the DVD player seems better than either, so if it's a CD that's not in the changer, it goes in the DVD player.

(Most people that start out with separates seem to make the error of running it all through the weedy interconnects that come with the components., and speaker cable made from mains cable or something. Bad idea...)

Obviousman · 27 Jan 2006, 14:09

I think it differs a bit for me. I listen to a lot of stuff through my Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 computer loudspeakers, my iPod (for which I have to turn the files into MP3s, shame on me

), err, the bathroom radio which is an old Pioneer mini-Hifi.

But then my pride is the Onkyo radio/amp with four 150W Solid loudspeakers up on the walls I have on my room. Use that for vinyl mainly (either on a Kenwood automatic turntable or a more basic JBSystems one). For CDs I only have an ancient Sony Walkman hooked up to it (even no shock protection

). A rather old set-up as well, but it gives a very nice sound

Don't know how that compares to other's material though

streamline · 27 Jan 2006, 14:20

Old but good.....

Rega Turntable (with K9 cart)
Rega Amp
Acoustic Energy Speakers
Arcam CD
Nakamichi tape
QED speaker cables
Expensive interconnects.

I agree 100% with mark about speaker cables and interconnects.

I am also one of the old fashioned people who believe that a hi-fi should be seperate from a PC/video/tv etc.

27 Jan 2006, 14:47

streamline wrote:I am also one of the old fashioned people who believe that a hi-fi should be seperate from a PC/video/tv etc.

I run my VCR and DVD player through my hi-fi amp, and never have the sound on on the TV set at all.

streamline · 27 Jan 2006, 16:14

markfiend wrote: I run my VCR and DVD player through my hi-fi amp, and never have the sound on on the TV set at all.

The antichrist is among us!!!!

Decent sound from a VCR and DVD....... Yuk!

See, just because I am old fashioned does not mean I am right!!!!

Gary · 27 Jan 2006, 16:54

i just listen through my computer or my aiwa mini system... *whistles* but i am a recent graduate and have bugger all money.. *weeps* go buy stuff of me on ebay

love Xx

James Blast · 27 Jan 2006, 18:49

music/Mac:
G4 Quicksilver
17" TFT LCD no brand monitor
some ntl: cable modem thingey
Lite On DVD recorder
Technics Tuner (bought c.1974)
Marantz CD 63 (a gift from Yoon

)
Technics RS-BX404 Dolby B+C budget tape deck
Sony TC-K661X 3 head Dolby S tape deck
Yamaha Natural Sound AV Amplifier DSP-A5 Turbo Nutter Bastard
pair of ancient and much loved Goodman's Mezzo SL speakers (also bought c.1974)
pair of Goodman's car speakers bought in the 80s when I was a boy racer

(for extra brightness)

video/telly/DVD:
Toshiba 21" flat screen CRT
Panasonic NV-FJ610 budget Nicam VCR
Sony DVP-S325 CD/DVD player
Kenwood KA-3020 50watt valve amp
pair of JVC speakers
some ntl: cable box thingey

I'm afraid all my cables are cheap 'n' nasty

steamhammerdave · 27 Jan 2006, 18:59

Showoff!

eastmidswhizzkid · 27 Jan 2006, 19:00

starting with the least first, my seperates are:

rotel cd player -perfectly functional freebie (given not stolen) from a club we played
yamaha natural sound ax450 amplifier -another present
numark direct-drive (but can't remember model no.without turning it upside-down )- another pressie

oh, and my missus' jvc speakers -too good for the midi they came with but not as large an enchilada as she would have you think.

currently without a seperate T/D but said jvc midi of mrswhizz's has a phono-lead aux out ....which is nice.

and the poot's a bogstandard thang...however the phillips dvd rewriter is spanking and was also a pressie.

VonOben · 27 Jan 2006, 19:31

Turntable Mitsubishi DP200
Pickup Ortofon VMS20E MkII
Cd-player Sony CDP-991
Tape deck Pioneer CT-S670D
Sound card M-audio Transit
Pre amplifier Kenwood Basic C1
Power amplifiers 2*Kenwood Basic M1
Loudspeakers Ino Audio piP (Too bad these little suckers are almost impossible to buy, they're plain fantastic.)

http://www.faktiskt.se/modules.php?name ... pic&t=7758

Oh... yeh... I have a spare pair of the Ino Audio piP, and a couple of Lowther Acousta horns that I currently don't use.

Dark · 27 Jan 2006, 19:51

AC97 soundcard and bad speakers.

Record player is an Alba MS186 with fairly good speakers.

James Blast · 27 Jan 2006, 21:11

steamhammerdave wrote:Showoff!

Bloody Hell! Bloody Hell!
you're still among us Dave

The other place is dying without you, even a gobshite like me can only do so much, keep in touch!

Andrew S · 27 Jan 2006, 21:17

My main system (how wanky does that sound

):
Amplifier: Audiolab 8000A
CD Player: Kenwood DP7090
Turntable: Rega Planar II (with Rega RB200 & Superbias cartridge)
Cassette Deck: Yamaha KX590SE
Tuner: Denon TU260L
Speakers: Gale 5 floorstanders with Gale bi-wire cable
Various Cambridge Audio interconnects

In the bedroom:
Denon DM30 with m*****n speakcers on stands.
Dell computer (connected to Denon system) with Soundblaster Audigy II, either Real Player or MS Media Player

Portable:
iriver ihp140 (that I sometimes hook up to either system)
An old Sony Walkman cassette player

The amp replaced a less powerful Cambridge Audio one, and it made a huge difference to the sound. Every time I use the turntable, I'm reminded that vinyl is so much nicer sounding than digital. While this system really plumbs the depths, I'm sometimes more in the mood for the cosy sound of the Denon system. It sounds stunning for the price - like my old midi system only much better.

Pat · 27 Jan 2006, 21:52

Michell Gryo se/rega rb300/ortofon mc
Audiolab8000a amp (as pre amp)
Tag Mclaren 125m x2 (mono blocks)
Ruark swordman speakers
Arcam alpha5+ cd player
Sony Tc-ka6es tape deck
Audioquest and Chord interconnects
Chord Rumour speaker cable bi-wired

Unfortunately the turntable is packed away out of reach of the kiddies but it does the nice 3D thing when it's out.
The pc is connected to it via an active usb cord(5m) and external usb sound card so I can keep the pc a good distance from the Hi Fi.

scotty · 27 Jan 2006, 21:59

A wee Kenwood RXD-355 = PISH

Wee Kenwood Speakers = PISH

My old Kenwood was great, loud as fcuk it was

, I could have played the Barra's with it, and it was BLACK

, I really miss it

, this one's wee and that silvery grey colour that all electrical goods seem to be these days

, and it's PISH

eastmidswhizzkid · 28 Jan 2006, 06:03

scotty wrote:A wee Kenwood RXD-355 = PISH

Wee Kenwood Speakers = PISH

My old Kenwood was great, loud as fcuk it was , I could have played the Barra's with it, and it was BLACK , I really miss it , this one's wee and that silvery grey colour that all electrical goods seem to be these days , and it's PISH

but you can do great homemade soup with one of them blender's keith.

Ocean Moves · 28 Jan 2006, 08:11

Andrew S wrote: In the bedroom:
Denon DM30 with m*****n speakcers on stands.
Dell computer (connected to Denon system) with Soundblaster Audigy II, either Real Player or MS Media Player
.

Out of curiosity, do you think the type of sound card you have makes
a difference to the quality of the output to your hifi?
I have never seen a pc sound card with anything other than crappy
headphone jack output....surely you're not going to get even low end
high end sound from that kind of source. Or am I wrong ?

I once had:
m*****n 780SEs (awesome little speakers)
marantz cd63+ cambridge audio dac magic 2i off-board DAC
(the DAC gave it a much heavier, more expansive sound)
aura VA80 amp (british made, british sound, beautiful looks...)
yamaha KA 380 tape desk
denon 260L tuner

...sold the whole lot when I moved to Aus....

damn well wish I'd shipped the amp and speakers out here now though.

Any suggestions for a replacement???

Obviousman · 28 Jan 2006, 10:07

Ocean Moves wrote:
Andrew S wrote: In the bedroom:
Denon DM30 with m*****n speakcers on stands.
Dell computer (connected to Denon system) with Soundblaster Audigy II, either Real Player or MS Media Player
.
Out of curiosity, do you think the type of sound card you have makes
a difference to the quality of the output to your hifi?
I have never seen a pc sound card with anything other than crappy
headphone jack output....surely you're not going to get even low end
high end sound from that kind of source. Or am I wrong

I think the audigy series featured some rather fancy stuff... Though it seems they made another type by now the X-Fi series, I'd really like one of those externals

I just have a very basic Soundblaster myself...

Owh, and as everyone is throwing model-numers around: Onkyo TX904, Kenwood P63, JBSystems Disco1000 (couldn't be bothered to look which model number the speakers have

). Guess the cabling is okay too, though I wouldn't have a clue actually...

And I agree with Scotty, hifis must be black

hallucienate · 28 Jan 2006, 10:26

Logitech Z680, I still find can't bad review for it. Amazing sound for the price.
PC connected via digital coax
DVD connected via opital
Kenwood automatic, direct drive turntable via the analogue but in dire need of a good pre-amp.

Ocean Moves · 28 Jan 2006, 10:26

Soundblaster X-Fi extreme music....

FlexiJack (Performing a 3-in-1 function, Digital I/O1 / Line In / Microphone) via 3.50mm mini jack
Line level out (Front / Rear / Side / Center / Subwoofer) via 3.50mm mini jacks

3.50mm mini jacks. AKA headphone sockets.
so, you get gold plated headphone sockets !
how naff ! how about some phono plugs like the
rest of the hifi world !!

Andrew S · 29 Jan 2006, 03:54

Ocean Moves wrote: Out of curiosity, do you think the type of sound card you have makes
a difference to the quality of the output to your hifi?
I have never seen a pc sound card with anything other than crappy
headphone jack output....surely you're not going to get even low end
high end sound from that kind of source. Or am I wrong ?

I daresay you're right, but I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of sound I got from my soundcard/mini system. True hi-fi it ain't but it still sounds good, and as most of the stuff I listen to on my PC is downloads, and I'm usually working in my 'office' i.e. bedroom cupboard at the time, I'm not expecting or needing pure hifi on those occasions.

I once had:
m*****n 780SEs (awesome little speakers)
marantz cd63+ cambridge audio dac magic 2i off-board DAC
(the DAC gave it a much heavier, more expansive sound)
aura VA80 amp (british made, british sound, beautiful looks...)
yamaha KA 380 tape desk
denon 260L tuner

...sold the whole lot when I moved to Aus....
damn well wish I'd shipped the amp and speakers out here now though.

That's what my brother did. He still swears by an old NAD amp he bought in 1982 that he took to Canada, then back to the UK and is now back in Canada.

Any suggestions for a replacement???

Fraid not, as I'm not really gemmed up. When I got my system, I just read the reviews in hifi mags and bought accordingly (after giving it a listen of course). I occasionally have a look here but there seems to be much fewer postings these days for some reason.

TheBoyNextDoor · 29 Jan 2006, 11:29

PC:
E-MU 1820M soundcard
Studiophile SP-5B monitors
Sennheiser HD580 Jubilee headphones

Stereo:
Crappy DVD-player
Denon DAC
ClassÃ© CAP-101 amplifier
Canton Karat S8 DC speakers

Audioquest interconncts and speaker cables.

CellThree · 29 Jan 2006, 11:47

Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro (basically the one with the external box that lets you hook pretty much any type of audio connection into it)

2.1 Cambridge Soundworks speakers (slowly dying)

Ancient (early 80's) Technics turntable and amp hooked up to the Audigy 2. Â£30 from a car boot sale 3 years ago. All it's cost me so far is Â£15 for a new needle and Â£3 for a new drive belt.

15 year old Sony all-in-one 5 CD/2 Tape/Phono stereo with my Playstation and video hooked into it.

zaltys7 · 29 Jan 2006, 23:26

NAD 5120 Stereo turntable

Denon pcm audio technology cd player dcd - 655

Rotel AM/FM stereo tuner rt 935 ax

Yamaha natural sound stereo cassete deck kx - 380

Arcam Alpha 5 plus amplifier

m*****n speakers model 732 - with very hefty copper tipped(?) cables.

This lot came to me from my nan who left it to me in her will, along with at least 500 records, CD's and tapes and a fantastic unit for it all to go in

When she died at 90 she regularly had complaints from her neighburs, who didn't like Schubert at that volume at that time of night.

I apear to be a chip off the old block, as they say.

If anyone here could tell me if this stuff is any good I would be most grateful, it sounds great, but I am a bit of a ludite.

Paul