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Upgrading My Home Audio System Please Help!

post #1 of 7
8/28/11 at 12:57pm
Thread Starter 

 

Hey everyone,

I'm moving into a new apartment in a few days and have finally decided to upgrade my home audio system. This has been a long time coming (both the moving and upgrading). I recently purchased a pair of Beyerdyanmic DTS 880s and would like to begin moving towards the audiophile end of the spectrum.
 
My girlfriend and I listen to a lot of indie rock, rock/pop, metal..I have a vinyl collection that has been collecting dust so we're also going to get a Technics MK2 on ebay. 
 
Can you recommend an amp and speakers for this setup that will knock our socks off; at least relative to the system that we used to have? Recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Am I missing anything here?
 
 
Current setup:
 
Source: iPod (320 kb/s mp3)
Amp: Sony STR-DE197 100 Watts per Channel x2, AM/FM Tuner, Home Theater (Stereo) Receiver
Speakers: JBL Venue Series Monitor 5-Inch 2-Way Speakers
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DTS 880 headphones
 
Upgraded System:
 
Source: iPod (320 kb/s mp3)
Source: Technics SL 1200 MK2
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DTS 880
Amp: ????
Speakers: ????
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post #2 of 7
8/28/11 at 1:05pm

Well actually a pair of decent floorstanders or bookshelf + sub would be ideal for music so maybe hit new or dip in the used market for something decent? Could try out that Sony amp 1st hehe

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post #3 of 7
8/28/11 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 

I actually have a large JBL Venue Series sub but I am actually trying to figure out how to get rid of it. I can't really use a big sub like that in my new apt. A solid pair of floor or bookshelf speakers would be perfect.

 

Should I focus on the speakers first THEN and amp? Do I even really need a new amp?

 

 

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post #4 of 7
8/28/11 at 1:56pm

If u have no plans for say 5.1, etc then i would think nope Though synergy in final SQ output plays it's part testing out new speakers with that Sony amp would be a good idea ^^ From your description i am thinking at most small/medium apartment so your current amp is plenty beefy  beerchug.gif


Edited by trog - 8/28/11 at 1:57pm
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post #5 of 7
8/28/11 at 2:06pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks, yeah, I'm gonna keep things 5.1....

 

Any speaker recommendations? What are some good under $500 options?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by trog View Post

If u have no plans for say 5.1, etc then i would think nope Though synergy in final SQ output plays it's part testing out new speakers with that Sony amp would be a good idea ^^ From your description i am thinking at most small/medium apartment so your current amp is plenty beefy  beerchug.gif



 

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post #6 of 7
8/28/11 at 2:15pm

With the genre of music you listen to I would say just get some 3 way floorstanders with 6 inch woofers. Or go with any klipsch speakers those things will not disappoint and they can be driven by a mouse on a wheel powered amp.

 

Your neighbors better hope for thick walls.

 
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post #7 of 7
8/28/11 at 5:18pm
$500 for 5.1 would just get you some lousy injection-molded plastic boxes with cheapo drivers. I'd recommend going two channel with good speakers.

I ran 5.1 for awhile, but abandoned it for simply a pair of good speakers. You get left and right, but good speakers cover the center just fine. Placed correctly, it'll sound like the the dialog comes out of the middle of the screen. I don't miss sound coming from behind. It doesn't add much. Subwoofers are a pain. They seem like a good idea, but are difficult to blend correctly with speakers and placement is another can of worms. Finally, running just two pairs of cables is a lot easier to deal with.

I'd recommend going with a classic, like the Magnepan MMG. $600 new, or $400-$500 used at Audiogon. Always a good seller and popular for many years now. You'll probably love the big dipole soundfield they have, too. And they're slim and sexy - people will want to know if they're really speakers and then wonder where the sound is coming from. If not those, look at PSB. They make excellent speakers at fair prices. You might also want to look at the kits at Parts Express and Madisound. Some come with everything and are about as difficult to assemble as a desk from Ikea.
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