Audiophile nerds, express an opinion of which nobody cares to hear (well until now)

In My Humble Opinion
1

Now, it isn’t vinyl vs. CD, or SACD vs. regular CD, or, are “audiophiles” really just a bunch of obsessive freaks that really can’t hear the difference between any of this and in fact the single sound sweater to the audiophile ear than any other sound in the universe is that of his own voice?

Now that I’m done insulting the people that I want to answer my question, I’ll just say that, yes I do believe in the difference between MP3’s and CD’s, and in the future, I hope to join your ranks of nit-picking obsessive freaks.

But first things first. I need my first “True Audio System.”

When I first came to college, my roomate showed up with a Denon “New Optical Class A” amp hooked up via a 1/8" monster cable plug to his laptop to play CD’s. My first thought: he’s bringing a Denon to college and is therefore loaded, but without a lick of sense of value in his head. My Sony CD/Tape Player/Radio/Alarm Clock will work just fine, thank you. But oh, wise audio-geeks, I have mended my errant ways!!! I have grown to love this amp, I even stuck around an extra-day before winter break to ride, avoid parents, and play the damn thing as loud as I damn well pleased with whatever music I wanted. The thing’s hooked up to what I recall to be a pair of PRB bookshelf speakers.

What I want is something that will either rival or exceed this system without breaking the bank. Let’s go ahead and set a limit at $200. So, of course we are looking at used equipment. Or theft. Hey, obsessives like us gotta do what we gotta do, no?

And if I have to choose between power and clarity, let’s go for clarity every time. All I need is a system that, turned all the way up, would make my parents say, “Damn kids these days…” without blowing out said parents ear-drums or my own. We’re not looking to break shit, just enjoy music. Mainly, I’m looking for “presence” or whatever I’m supposed to call it. Those, clear, powerful, blended, and effortless base-lines and incredible upper ends.

So audiophiles, help me to obtain, install, use, enjoy, and finally (but most critically) condescend upon all those stupid, alien-looking all in one CD/Tape/Radio’s with the blinky lights that can deliver bass that will knock anyone over yet still just sound like crap and “300 watts of (peak and bass) power!”

Let’s get Dickie a system!!! (Again, for under $200)

2

The Altec Lansing 641 speaker system puts out a peak 500 watts but is kinda hard to find, but retails used for less than $150. 4 speakers + sub

Another alternative is the 621; 250 (I think) watts peak, easier to find, 2 speakers + sub. Retails for under $100 used.

3

Well, I’m going to go over your budget and in a different direction, using new equipment rather than used, $359 total.

Tivoli Model Two radio ($159) with Tivoli Model CD CD player ($199). If you don’t mind breaking up the matched look, you can go with any old CD player and meet your budget. Matching subwoofer is also available for $79.

Tivoli Equipment

They supposedly have very good acoustics and definitely have a classy look. They WON’T shake your room, they’ll just sound very nice.

4

Head Unit/Preamp - I suggest the same setup your Bro has; a computer with CD and any type of audio software (I use Winamp). If you are looking to keep your computer seperate from your audio system you can go ultra ElCheapo on the computer for the audio.

Amp - Not used but “vintage” Kenwood KA-3500 amp. I’ve bought dozens over the years, never paid more than $35 for each and have loved every one. Thrift stores have them, Ebay has them - everyone has them and they’re indestructible and sweet.

Speakers - A “good” set of speakers will eat up all of your budget and you’ll only be left with one half of the pair - unless you go vintage here as well. I’ve bought plenty of Bose, Advent, JBL and Infinitis for less than $100 a pair at thrift stores and garage sales, you just have to shop around and see. On the other hand, for about $200 you should be able to get a pair of small bookshelf speakers from a “high end” manufacturer to match with a powered 8" sub for less than $250 with tax.

BTW - Pawnshops are a good resource for rack equipment from the mid-fi manufacturers like Sansui, Kenwood, Sony and the like. I’ve bought several component systems complete with speakers for less than $200, one was a Fisher with 700 total Watts and 18" drivers in the speaker cabs. But then again, I live in the woods and I can listen as offensively as I dare.

5

A lot of Hi fi shops have more tweaks to get more Uumph out of a stereo system than Pamela Anderson has to get out of cleavage.

If you can live without massive bass, I recommend small speakers, with the crown jewel being Totem Model 1 Signatures.

$1800.

Seriously, dude. Used is your ONLY choice here, and I would recommend checking out you local Buy and Sell Newspaper/recycler.

Or, maybe, eBay.

-P

6

Sounds like this is more suited for IMHO.

I used to be an audiophile. I then “woke up” from my stupor and realized two things:

  1. There’s a tremendous amount of BS in the audiophile magazines.

  2. No matter how much money you spend, you will never even get close to duplicating a live performance.

I have now been “sober” for 5 years. And can proudly say I have spent no more money upgrading my system. I have also canceled my subscription to Audio and Stereo Review. Ahh, the freedom… :wink:

7

Funny, there was a story on NPR this morning by a sociologist who studies shopping habits, and he noticed two types of shoppers: The sufficer, who sets internal standards and is satisfied when those are met, and the maximizer, who has to get the “best” thing available.

Now, my first reaction was that there are probably very few people who are strictly one or the other, but bear with me here.

Problem is, in the past 20 years or so, manufacturers and retailers have made such a staggering array of models and choices available that life becomes exceedingly difficult for the maximizer. Add on top of that the thickness of the BS layer that comes from all the hype and advertising and the willingness of society lately to let advertisers camp right on that grey line between exaggeration and falsehood, and satisfaction becomes unattainable for the maximizer.

Now, that said, I purchased a Bose Acoustic Wave system a couple years ago. I know, I know… overpriced. (I was drunk and up late and fell victim to an infomercial, and all it took was a phone call… and $80 a month for a year.) But if you can find one on eBay or something, don’t pass it up. The thing sounds awesome. It goes to eleven, and you can NOT make it distort. And it’s perfect for a dorm room or an apartment, yet it fills our house with sound.

The only criticism is that you can’t adjust the equalization. There isn’t even a tone switch on the thing. It’s “tuned at the factory” they say. So if you like real heavy bass, you’ll be disappointed, but otherwise, it really does need no adjustment.

And they sold so many, I’m sure you can find one used… I recommend it.

8

Moved to IMHO.

-xash
General Questions Moderator

9

Audiophiles, I need a set of small speakers that sound good and clear when the volume is LOW. I listen to music at low volumes way more than loud volumes. My Infinity bookshelf speakers sound all right when cranked, but get muddy very quickly at low-ish volumes. Please suggest used high-end or mid-level new. Thanks.

10

I’d suggest headphones.

11

Speaking of headphones, I just got a pair of Sennheiser HD590s on the cheap ($110 with shipping, 100 hours used) and compared to my earlier Grado SR-80s, they ROCK!!!

If you want the best “surround” sound, I suggest canalphones. And in canalphones, I recommend the Etymotic ER-4 series (P for driving out of a portable player, and S for via an amp).

Oh, and I’m considering getting a HD-based MP3 player to replace my 2-year old iRiver Slimx 350. Any suggestions? Budget is $350 total. So far, the iRiver iHP-120 is the frontrunner.

12

I’ll second Sennheiser’s. I have a pair of HD 580’s and HD-600’s and other than an annoyingly short lifespan for the original cords, they’re great 'phones. About the best detail at low volumes you’ll get ( but you MUST have some sort of amp, even if just a receiver, to drive them - they need a little juice and a walkman or boombox won’t cut it ). Very comfortable , too ( the Grado’s just don’t work for me, comfort-wise ).

The best cheap bookshelf speakers I’ve run across are the little Paradigm Atoms ( a tad under $200 bucks new, last I checked ). However while they shouldn’t sound muddy at low volumes, they might be a little on the whispery side. A better choice might be some of the Magnepan’s, which I’ve heard recommended for low-volume listening. Some other options might be Epos and Spendor.

  • Tamerlane