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Receiver Recommendations? - Page 3

post #31 of 63
11/19/09 at 1:30am
Thats why they make more than one choice.
Different strokes for different folks.
No worries.
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post #32 of 63
11/19/09 at 1:36am
Thread Starter 
I certainly appreciate the input as you seem to have put quite a bit into this thread, and I do actually remember seeing the Outlaw receiver in some of my research prior to this thread, but I think an analog source, the NAD amp and the PSB speakers would do admirably for now.

If anyone has more input, please do keep it coming, but I think I've settled on these for now, if you think I can do better while staying within my budget ($1100 let's say given that's what I'm paying for these three components) please let me know.

Also, any recommendations on a good cheap CD player? It seems to me a CD player is a CD player, no? I mean it's just reading bits of data, how drastically different can a decent $100 and a brilliant $10,000 CD player be?
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post #33 of 63
11/19/09 at 3:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngower View Post
It seems to me a CD player is a CD player, no? I mean it's just reading bits of data, how drastically different can a decent $100 and a brilliant $10,000 CD player be?
oh dear...
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post #34 of 63
11/19/09 at 3:21am
look into the peachtree nova, it's an all in one unit with headphone out

ess sabre dac, tube pre, 80wpc ss amp --- amazing.


actually, for hd555's and paradigm atoms, the nova is probably overkill - look into it's little brother Decco
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post #35 of 63
11/19/09 at 1:51pm
Thread Starter 
Keep in mind my budget when recommending these items. I have to pay for college too. Both of those amps break the budget.
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post #36 of 63
11/19/09 at 4:09pm
you can get a used nova off audiogon for 900-1000
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post #37 of 63
11/19/09 at 4:50pm
If a cd player was just a cd player......why would people bother to put an external dac on one? So it could sound the same? Theyre WAY different.
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post #38 of 63
11/19/09 at 9:15pm
Thread Starter 
Demoed a system with the following:

Cambridge Audio 550a
PSB Alpha B-1
Rega Apollo

It was pretty impressive. The CA amp gave me a general idea of what amps in this price range sound and given that most prefer the NAD over it, I think the fact that I was pleased with this one should translate to the NAD. The speakers did sound as new ones do, with a bit higher sound than they should, but I know about break-in times.

Unfortunately the demo Rega P1 was out on loan while a shipped P1 came in, so I didn't get to demo it, but I was sold on the speakers, especially given he's asking $200 for a new in box (well, we opened it) pair.

I'll be heading to order the amp tomorrow and will grab the source (and hopefully speakers, COME ON BIG MONEY!) next week.
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post #39 of 63
11/19/09 at 9:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngower View Post
I certainly appreciate the input as you seem to have put quite a bit into this thread, and I do actually remember seeing the Outlaw receiver in some of my research prior to this thread, but I think an analog source, the NAD amp and the PSB speakers would do admirably for now.

If anyone has more input, please do keep it coming, but I think I've settled on these for now, if you think I can do better while staying within my budget ($1100 let's say given that's what I'm paying for these three components) please let me know.

Also, any recommendations on a good cheap CD player? It seems to me a CD player is a CD player, no? I mean it's just reading bits of data, how drastically different can a decent $100 and a brilliant $10,000 CD player be?
If you go the dac route then the cd player quality or whatever source won't matter as much as long as you have an optical/spdif/usb output. The dac is a critical component. A cheap cd player,receiver, etc will have cheap dac chips to cut costs. As you go up the chain you're paying for better chips, components and design. So Aside from the phono stage, it sounds like you would benefit from a decent external DAC for your sources. You could get much more for you money going this route I believe.

Still, do not end up skimping on the speakers. They're the top of the chain (I would have started with those first).
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post #40 of 63
11/19/09 at 9:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wushuliu View Post
If you go the dac route then the cd player quality or whatever source won't matter as much as long as you have an optical/spdif/usb output. The dac is a critical component. A cheap cd player,receiver, etc will have cheap dac chips to cut costs. As you go up the chain you're paying for better chips, components and design. So Aside from the phono stage, it sounds like you would benefit from a decent external DAC for your sources. You could get much more for you money going this route I believe.

Still, do not end up skimping on the speakers. They're the top of the chain (I would have started with those first).
By cheap I mean along the lines of the turntable I'd be purchasing. Given my $1000 budget, and estimates on the amp ($450) and speakers ($200), we'd be looking at something in the $350 range. I think there's got to be something out there capable in that price range, no?

Would opting for the Musical Fidelity V DAC over a Rega P1 be a better option?

Regarding speakers, I don't think the Alpha B1's are poor, and given that I have a budget, I don't think there's much better I could have done with this price range.

The source is the only area that's still up in the air, so with the C326BEE and Sennheiser HD555's/PSB Alpha B1's (headphones for a couple of weeks), would I do best with:

*insert CD player*
Musical Fidelity V DAC and MacBook/PS3/Xbox 360
Rega P1
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post #41 of 63
11/19/09 at 10:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngower View Post
By cheap I mean along the lines of the turntable I'd be purchasing. Given my $1000 budget, and estimates on the amp ($450) and speakers ($200), we'd be looking at something in the $350 range. I think there's got to be something out there capable in that price range, no?

Would opting for the Musical Fidelity V DAC over a Rega P1 be a better option?

Regarding speakers, I don't think the Alpha B1's are poor, and given that I have a budget, I don't think there's much better I could have done with this price range.

The source is the only area that's still up in the air, so with the C326BEE and Sennheiser HD555's/PSB Alpha B1's (headphones for a couple of weeks), would I do best with:

*insert CD player*
Musical Fidelity V DAC and MacBook/PS3/Xbox 360
Rega P1
The Rega is not the best investment for a turntable. Unless you buy it used. You're not getting much performance for that money. For the price of a Rega you can get any number of vintage (70's-early 80's) turntables on Audiogon or even Ebay that will stomp it into the ground. You've got to spend from $700 and up for any decent performance from new TTs (except maybe the Technics Sl-1200, but saying that starts wars). If you really want a TT hit Craigslist, Audiogon, and the Audiokarma TT forum. You can great tt's usually from $40-$150 that will outperform most tt's under $700 (or higher). Oh, but then you have to get a halfway decent cartridge and... It's like anything w/ tubes: Unless it's DIY or garage sale you're gonna have to cough up some dough.

Bottom line, maybe pass on the TT for now because new entry-level stuff will leave you disappointed and the accessories (cartridge, some kind of cleaner, etc.) add up. That's an area where you want to do it right the first time. Audiokarma TT forum is an outstanding resource.
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post #42 of 63
11/19/09 at 11:10pm
Thread Starter 
Any in particular? What about the DAC or any CD player recommendations?

[EDIT] What about this as my source?

Amazon.com: Marantz CD5003 Single Disc CD Player: Electronics

5003>>>C326BEE>>>Alpha B1's

$1000 total, would it be a nice start? Missing anything to start with? Remember, I'm not against adding components or upgrading down the road, I just want something that can get me through my college years if need be.
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post #43 of 63
11/19/09 at 11:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngower View Post
Any in particular? What about the DAC or any CD player recommendations?

[EDIT] What about this as my source?

Amazon.com: Marantz CD5003 Single Disc CD Player: Electronics

5003>>>C326BEE>>>Alpha B1's

$1000 total, would it be a nice start? Missing anything to start with? Remember, I'm not against adding components or upgrading down the road, I just want something that can get me through my college years if need be.

What city are you in? I can take a look at CL and see what's in your area (turntable shipping should be avoided whenever possible).

Just so I understand, your sources will potentially be your computer as well as a cd player?

And for $350 I would get an Oppo 983. Not only is the audio quality outstanding, but you get amazing dvd quality to boot, it can play PAL discs, SA-CDs, DVD-Audio, on and on.. there's a reason you never see them for sale used (and I mean I have *never* seen one for sale). Just one option.
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post #44 of 63
11/20/09 at 12:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wushuliu View Post
What city are you in? I can take a look at CL and see what's in your area (turntable shipping should be avoided whenever possible).

Just so I understand, your sources will potentially be your computer as well as a cd player?

And for $350 I would get an Oppo 983. Not only is the audio quality outstanding, but you get amazing dvd quality to boot, it can play PAL discs, SA-CDs, DVD-Audio, on and on.. there's a reason you never see them for sale used (and I mean I have *never* seen one for sale). Just one option.
Nashua, NH

I would like to take advantage of the music on my computer, but this was why I purchased the Sennheisers in the first place, so it's not a massive deal if I can't immediately.

I was going to use a turntable originally but CD players seem to be a good option as of late.

The Oppo sounds nice and is a decent price point, but where can I find one online? Oddly enough, I saw it in a video review at CNET when looking for a CD player in my research!

Also, if possible, I have a good chunk of credit with Amazon I would certainly like to use if possible, and the Marantz falls into that category. It's not a dealbreaker as I can use it for other things, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to save some cash.
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post #45 of 63
11/20/09 at 2:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngower View Post
Nashua, NH

I would like to take advantage of the music on my computer, but this was why I purchased the Sennheisers in the first place, so it's not a massive deal if I can't immediately.

I was going to use a turntable originally but CD players seem to be a good option as of late.

The Oppo sounds nice and is a decent price point, but where can I find one online? Oddly enough, I saw it in a video review at CNET when looking for a CD player in my research!

Also, if possible, I have a good chunk of credit with Amazon I would certainly like to use if possible, and the Marantz falls into that category. It's not a dealbreaker as I can use it for other things, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to save some cash.
Oh no. Sad day. Oppo no longer sells their dvd line, strictly Blu Ray now, and those are pricey : (

Guess that Amazon credit will come in handy

I don't know much about standalone players, can't help you there however if the plan is CD Player -->DAC--Amp, you really don't need to throw down that much cash on the cd player since you'll be using the digital out from it anyway. Any half-way decent model will do. Put the money into the dac. In other words, for the price of that cd player for instance (cheaper actually), you can get MisterX on this forum to build you the AMB Y2 dac which will give you the performance of a $1000+ cd player. Or any other commercial external DAC offering will give you greater performance than a cd player of equivalent cost.

As for actual retail dac's and cd player models, maybe someone else can pitch in as I primarily DIY my stuff.
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