[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Oh and if someone could tell me if the Monitor30 Series II would be really inferior to the other two, just thinking in the event I wind up not having quite enough money for the higher end set.

Go for the cheaper set. at least you save a few dollars.
 
 

 

[KurtW]

The Polk website has the Monitor 30 listed on their website in their vintage products list but I don't see the series II anywhere.  The only change I see is the color of the front behind the grill cloth, but its impossible to say what else is different.  Its a smaller box but same sensitivity and similar if not the same drivers as the others.  The smaller box will roll off the bass a little compared to the others.    Sometimes with a smaller box they will try to extend the deep bass by boosting the mid-bass, which is not good.  Hard to tell if they did this without listening to them. In general, speakers are not the place to cut corners.

 

[NoahZ]

1 additional question. What kind of connectors would I want for the speakers (all my options have the same posts) and the Lepai (which has the spring). Would angled pins work for all? Would bent pins work for all? Or is there some other choice I should go with for connectors?

 

[sml1226]

1 additional question. I know I can use banana plugs on the ends of the wire going into the speakers (whichever I decide). For the end going into the Lepai (which has spring inputs), would I want to use flex pin connectors or angled pin connectors?

-http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Crimp-Toolless-Speaker-Connectors/dp/B00104HKJE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 (Angled)
-http://www.amazon.com/Monster-QL-GFP-H-QuickLock-Connectors/dp/B00005U21G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1321812816&sr=8-4

 (flex)

Keep in mind those are the cheapest examples I could find, I don't care about the brand or anything else. Just which of those two types would be a better option for going into the Lepai?

Bare wire is the best into springs from what I've heard. You can use bare wire everywhere honestly, but I use it on springs, and I prefer bananas or BFAs on binding posts but spades are close behind (and actually, you can use spades on springs if you get small enough spade blades and put half of the spade in there)

I just tin the wires so they don't fray and go. If you're using nice enough cable, a pin or something may be better for durability and potentially the connection as well, but seeing as pins are some of the less common terminations for high end stuff, it may be better to run even nice cable bare into there if it will fit.

 

[NoahZ]

Quote:

Bare wire is the best into springs from what I've heard. You can use bare wire everywhere honestly, but I use it on springs, and I prefer bananas or BFAs on binding posts but spades are close behind (and actually, you can use spades on springs if you get small enough spade blades and put half of the spade in there)
I just tin the wires so they don't fray and go. If you're using nice enough cable, a pin or something may be better for durability and potentially the connection as well, but seeing as pins are some of the less common terminations for high end stuff, it may be better to run even nice cable bare into there if it will fit.

Seriously? That's really good to know, and might save me a lot money. I can get bananas for the binding post ends (the speakers) for a total of like 5 dollars, and would save a lot if I just used bare wire into the amp. I'll do that, unless someone runs in and shouts nay. What gauge would I want to use in that case, would 16 be sufficient? And would it be ok if I used just average, cheap stuff like this http://www.amazon.com/RCA-AH1650SN-16-Gauge-Speaker-Wire/dp/B0029HO66G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321856733&sr=1-1 ?
 

 

[LostArk]

 
I can help you with this for sure!
 
First, lets look at your sources: your computer, your portable, and CDs. The best budget minded approach is to consolidate your sources so they all funnel into a single digital line out. There are different approaches to this depending on whether you use a Mac or PC, and whether your mp3 player/phone are both made by Apple.
 
The first step if you use a PC and either your mp3 player or phone is not made by Apple is to buy an Asus Xonar DG sound card ($28 shipped from newegg) and install it in your PC. Your PC will serve as your CD player. You will also be playing your mp3 player and phone through your computer (you have other options if they are Apple). The key thing is having a single SPDIF line out from your computer for reasons I will explain shortly.
 
If you use a Mac and an iPod and an iPhone, reply to this post saying so and I will explain how to do the same. 
 
Once you have all your sources running out of a single optical line out, you will just need a receiver with an optical line in (i.e. a receiver with a built-in DAC):
 
Yamaha RX-V367BL
 
or
 
Yamaha RX-V371BL
 
Either receiver can be had for around $200, which is less than you'd pay for a discrete amp & DAC of equal or better quality. 
 
As for speakers, if you want to get most out of the stereo experience on an extreme budget, the only speakers you should be considering are the Infinity Primus P253's ($100, newegg). I say this because they provide adequate bass without the expensive a subwoofer, unlike bookshelf speakers. 
 
This $450ish setup is the least you can possibly spend to get a stereo that's worth the money. I'm sorry to report that a budget of "not much over $200" simply can't buy anything that would justify spending the money, and certainly nothing that would sound good if you've been spoiled by "higher end headphones."
 
I personally have a pair of Monitor Audio RX6's powered by a Harman HK3490, so I have a pretty good frame of reference as to whether or not any particular stereo setup is worth the money. 
 
I'd be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
 

 

[JRG1990]

Quote:

Seriously? That's really good to know, and might save me a lot money. I can get bananas for the binding post ends (the speakers) for a total of like 5 dollars, and would save a lot if I just used bare wire into the amp. I'll do that, unless someone runs in and shouts nay. What gauge would I want to use in that case, would 16 be sufficient? And would it be ok if I used just average, cheap stuff like this http://www.amazon.com/RCA-AH1650SN-16-Gauge-Speaker-Wire/dp/B0029HO66G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321856733&sr=1-1 ?
 

If you have binding posts bannana plugs are the best option for springs use bare wire, some of that on the reel stuff is actually copper plated alummium not pure copper , http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-AV23002-25-25-Foot-18-Gauge-Speaker/dp/B0001XGQQS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321887415&sr=1-1 , this belkin stuff is better and cheaper 18 gauge is fine longs you aren't planning on having longer than 2metre runs.
 
 

 

[fatcat28037]

Many years ago when I was into speaker systems the rule of thumb was to spend half your budget on the speakers and the rest on the tuner/turntable. I suspect this is still a good guide line.

 

[KurtW]

JRG1990's suggestion is good, and cheap too.  Use only as much speaker wire as you comfortably need.   If you don't want to deal with the banana plugs you can use bare wires on the speakers too, but banana jacks are easier to use once you have them on the wires.  Just make sure that when you use bare wire that you twist the wires in one direction so the individual strands of wire are all together and you don't have any single strands that could short to something.  Also, make sure that you hook up the speakers in phase.  One of the wires in the pair should look slightly different, either due to lettering on the jacket or different texture, etc.  You need to make sure that each speaker is hooked up to the amp like the other one.  It doesn't matter how as long as they are both exactly the same.  You never said what kind of audio output jack your PC has, but it is probably a 3.5mm stereo mini jack so you should buy a long enough cable that has this type of jack on one end and RCA plugs on the other. Then you are done!  See, it was easy.

 

[NoahZ]

Quote:

 
I can help you with this for sure!
 
First, lets look at your sources: your computer, your portable, and CDs. The best budget minded approach is to consolidate your sources so they all funnel into a single digital line out. There are different approaches to this depending on whether you use a Mac or PC, and whether your mp3 player/phone are both made by Apple.
 
The first step if you use a PC and either your mp3 player or phone is not made by Apple is to buy an Asus Xonar DG sound card ($28 shipped from newegg) and install it in your PC. Your PC will serve as your CD player. You will also be playing your mp3 player and phone through your computer (you have other options if they are Apple). The key thing is having a single SPDIF line out from your computer for reasons I will explain shortly.
 
If you use a Mac and an iPod and an iPhone, reply to this post saying so and I will explain how to do the same. 
 
Once you have all your sources running out of a single optical line out, you will just need a receiver with an optical line in (i.e. a receiver with a built-in DAC):
 
Yamaha RX-V367BL
 
or
 
Yamaha RX-V371BL
 
Either receiver can be had for around $200, which is less than you'd pay for a discrete amp & DAC of equal or better quality. 
 
As for speakers, if you want to get most out of the stereo experience on an extreme budget, the only speakers you should be considering are the Infinity Primus P253's ($100, newegg). I say this because they provide adequate bass without the expensive a subwoofer, unlike bookshelf speakers. 
 
This $450ish setup is the least you can possibly spend to get a stereo that's worth the money. I'm sorry to report that a budget of "not much over $200" simply can't buy anything that would justify spending the money, and certainly nothing that would sound good if you've been spoiled by "higher end headphones."
 
I personally have a pair of Monitor Audio RX6's powered by a Harman HK3490, so I have a pretty good frame of reference as to whether or not any particular stereo setup is worth the money. 
 
I'd be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
 

I really appreciate this input. However, I literally, 100%, absolutely positively do not have a budget of $400. I get that $200 won't get me anything super fancy but
 
1. When I say higher headphones I mean nicer than the crap I used to use. I haven't spent more than $140 on a pair of headphones. 
2. I need a pair of speakers that sound better than my mediocre computer speakers or phone speaker that will work in my bedroom.
 
So I know that the Polks and the Lepai amp are not going to be a luxury system. But this is the first thing I'll ever be buying, and anyway I'll only be able to use it until I go to college (which will be in two years) so I don't want to buy something huge and super expensive for the short term. 
So I really appreciate the help, but it's just not reasonable with what I can do right now.
 

 
Quote:

JRG1990's suggestion is good, and cheap too.  Use only as much speaker wire as you comfortably need.   If you don't want to deal with the banana plugs you can use bare wires on the speakers too, but banana jacks are easier to use once you have them on the wires.  Just make sure that when you use bare wire that you twist the wires in one direction so the individual strands of wire are all together and you don't have any single strands that could short to something.  Also, make sure that you hook up the speakers in phase.  One of the wires in the pair should look slightly different, either due to lettering on the jacket or different texture, etc.  You need to make sure that each speaker is hooked up to the amp like the other one.  It doesn't matter how as long as they are both exactly the same.  You never said what kind of audio output jack your PC has, but it is probably a 3.5mm stereo mini jack so you should buy a long enough cable that has this type of jack on one end and RCA plugs on the other. Then you are done!  See, it was easy.

Awesome. 6 dollars total for wire? Hell yeah. 
Ok so I need to make sure each speaker is wired in exactly the same as the other. Got it. 
 
My PC has a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack, same as my phone. It looks like the Lepai amp has a 3.5 mm input, though, so if I have a long aux. cable can't I just used that? Or is there something I'm missing, that would mean I would need an RCA cable? 
 
Thanks so much!
 

 

[JRG1990]

If the Lepai amp has a 3.5 mm input then you need a 3.5mm to 3.5mm stereo cable if you already have 1 then you can use that otherwise monoprice do a good range http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021812 .

 

[NoahZ]

Ok a quick question about amps, in light of that "half budget on speaker, half budget on amps" comment above. 
 
Which of these amps would be the most appropriate for my needs?
-http://www.amazon.com/Lepai-Tripath-TA2020-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321812463&sr=8-1
-http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
-http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PAMP1000-Channel-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B002UL0XH2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
-http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PCA4-2x120-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B0036VO6G4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
-http://www.amazon.com/PCA2-40-Watt-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B001P2VV50/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
-http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-2x75W-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B001P2R1RW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
 
I suppose my point is, is there one of the above (other than the Lepai) that might work better for two bookshelf speakers? And if I went with a higher end amp, would it maybe be ok to go down to the Polk Monitor 30 instead of one of the higher end pairs of speakers I'm looking at? Or does that make no sense, should I just stick with the Lepai and the nicer of the speakers I'm looking at?

 

[JRG1990]

The pyle stuff has either bad reviews or is no better than the Lepai , only reaching about 8watts before +1%thd. The audiosource looks ok but reviews say it catches fire lol , or breaks.
For a few more $ you could do much better, Here http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001AMSPQI/sr=1-10/qid=1321915119/ref=olp_tab_used?ie=UTF8&coliid=&me=&qid=1321915119&sr=1-10&seller=&colid=&condition=used , a used Onkyo TX-8255 for $145, Dayton Audio APA150 http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-APA150-Power-Amplifier/dp/B000VKXLBO/ref=sr_1_62?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321915297&sr=1-62 $141
used Sony STR-DH100 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001TP3CH8/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1321915119&sr=1-19&condition=used , $108 is probley your best bet you get to have the better speakers aswell.

 

[NoahZ]

.

 

[NoahZ]

Quote:

The pyle stuff has either bad reviews or is no better than the Lepai , only reaching about 8watts before +1%thd. The audiosource looks ok but reviews say it catches fire lol , or breaks.
For a few more $ you could do much better, Here http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001AMSPQI/sr=1-10/qid=1321915119/ref=olp_tab_used?ie=UTF8&coliid=&me=&qid=1321915119&sr=1-10&seller=&colid=&condition=used , a used Onkyo TX-8255 for $145, Dayton Audio APA150 http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-APA150-Power-Amplifier/dp/B000VKXLBO/ref=sr_1_62?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321915297&sr=1-62 $141
used Sony STR-DH100 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001TP3CH8/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1321915119&sr=1-19&condition=used , $108 is probley your best bet you get to have the better speakers aswell.

Haha ok looks like I'll be going with the Lepai, those other amps are more than a few bucks over my limit. Ok I guess that just about wraps stuff up until I buy and have to set stuff up. I'll probably go with the RTi4, and then the Lepai T-Amp and the super cheap recommended speaker and some banana plugs for the wire ends going into the speakers.
 
Thanks so much to everyone who helped out with this, you're all awesome!