What's in your Hi-Fi?

[zom-zom]

Yeah I have a smaller but similar vintage Sansui receiver and it sounds excellent.

[motorbike guy]

Motorbike... The Sansui 8080 is an absolute BEAST.
Most of them you might find will need to be recapped by now, but they are genuinely strong and very very good amps.

like I said, no offense.

but there is no way that a 70s mass market japanese reciever is gonna do what a modern high current amp can do. If you haven't heard those speakers with a top notch source and real high end amplification, you have a great deal of joy in front of you. I'm sure it sounds nice, but it gets better. It really does.

[cerebralheadtrip]

Well, Ive actually been really happy with the 8080. I snagged the whole setup at Saturday Audio and with my budget the bang for buck with vintage used gear was tough to ignore. Its been recapped, has an outstanding tuner, and a nice phono stage...which is all of my listening. I also live in a relatively small apartment so I dont need to necessarily crank it but Ive never felt like it couldnt deliver. I also just love the look and feel of receivers from that era.

But I do love those speakers.

[stewie]

The SACD/DVD is going. Thinking of getting an Oppo BD-93 to replace it.

I got the Oppo BD-83 last year and absolutely love it. Loads fast, really good audio quality.

[Tommy]

Well, Ive actually been really happy with the 8080. I snagged the whole setup at Saturday Audio and with my budget the bang for buck with vintage used gear was tough to ignore. Its been recapped, has an outstanding tuner, and a nice phono stage...which is all of my listening. I also live in a relatively small apartment so I dont need to necessarily crank it but Ive never felt like it couldnt deliver. I also just love the look and feel of receivers from that era.

I hear ya brother. I grew up with Sansui. My mom's AU-505 sounds pretty great. My dad was an audiophile and despite newer hi-end gear in the late 90s (when he died) he always hung onto a couple of early 70s Sansui pieces because he loved how they sounded with his turntables. I have a couple and like them, though admittedly I like the sound of similar-era Marantz stuff a little more. I will say that the tuner on my Sansui 5500 is pretty fucking amazing -- too bad I hate radio.

[madmanmunt]

Found a Sansui T-1000 on the street last rubbish day.



Yeah, a T-1000.

[deadfate]

I need to upgrade my system:

Technics Su z22
Rega Planar 2
Crappy Jamo Speakers

I think to do a pre-power system. I've seen this chinese Marantz 7 based pre amp

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Music-Angel-Marantz-7-Modified-Class-A-Valve-Pre-Amp-Amplifier-Tube-x-4-psc-41?item=180879212332&cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8435847623426015557

is it a good point to start? and i want to build a good phono preamp, any suggestions?

[motorbike guy]

I need to upgrade my system:

Technics Su z22
Rega Planar 2
Crappy Jamo Speakers

I think to do a pre-power system. I've seen this chinese Marantz 7 based pre amp

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Music-Angel-Marantz-7-Modified-Class-A-Valve-Pre-Amp-Amplifier-Tube-x-4-psc-41?item=180879212332&cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8435847623426015557

is it a good point to start? and i want to build a good phono preamp, any suggestions?

I think you are right to focus on the electronics in that system. The Rega 2 is a fine table and is capable of decent resolution. There are a billion and one DIY phono preamps out there. The circuit is not complicated, so it is probably a fairly easy build, but I would not trust myself to know all the little tricks and secrets to getting a nice noise-free build. I would say look for something with a decent sized power supply and good sheilding and grounding.

As far as that pre-power combo - who the hell knows? If you can't listen to it before you buy, I would be very nervous about it.

[enframed]

I had one of those 30 watt Rotels for about 15 years. Outstanding amplifiers and excellent price. Good looking, too. I like the new face.

[rappard]

Current setup: Heed Orbit > Rega P3-24 > Creek 5350SE > Sennheiser HD650.

Any suggestions for speakers? The Creek specifications from the two PDFs at http://www.creekaudio.com/products/old.php are somewhat contradictory (at least to a speaker n00b like me):

PDF #1:
Power Output One Channel = 95 Watts into 8 Ω
Power Output Both Channels = 85 Watts into 8 Ω
Power Output (one channel into 4 Ω) = 150 Watts into 4 Ω

PDF #2:
POWER OUTPUT (both channels) = 90 Watts into 8 Ω
POWER OUTPUT (one channel) = 110 Watts into 8 Ω
POWER OUTPUT (one channel) into 4 Ω = 180 Watts
Not recommended for use into more than two pairs of 8 Ω loudspeakers.

[motorbike guy]

Creek makes great amps. Those numbers show that, as resitance decreases, the maxixmum power output increases, as it should. A proper high current amp should do that.

As far as speakers, how big and how much does sir wish to spend? Do you like lite jazz and pop music, or heavy sludge rock? Go listen to some speakers in your price range. Bring a pair home for an evening and try them with your system.

That's really the best way.

[LBx]

Sansui AU-7700. "Restored" but not repaired. (Just received this yesterday.)

Original PSB Alpha speakers. (Kind of interested in hearing the Alpha towers or maybe a pair of Advents but not immediately.)

Marantz 5001 cd player.

1200 w/ a Grado Red.

Reasonable cabling from Axiom and here...

[squarewave]

Reasonable cabling from Axiom and here...

Go to any car stereo installation shop and you can buy 12 AWG speaker wire by the foot for less than half the price shown on the Axiom site.

Brands like StreetWires, Stinger, etc. are all just fine for what we need.

[LBx]

Jokes on me...

The binding posts on this thing won't accept that gauge of speaker wire.

Ha. Ha. Ha.

[rappard]

Creek makes great amps.

Thanks for confirming this. I needed an integrated amp with good headphone out -> not a lot of choices out there. Originally wanted an Audiolab but stumbled across this one second-hand in a store near work - went back after an hour of Googling, talked 10% off.

As far as speakers, how big and how much does sir wish to spend?

25 x 15 room (max). Budget around 800 euros. Thinking of B&W, Epos, PMC.

you like lite jazz and pop music, or heavy sludge rock?

Listening time is around 10% classical, 10% avantgarde, 40% aluminium beard rock and 40% weird metal.

Go listen to some speakers in your price range. Bring a pair home for an evening and try them with your system.

Thanks for all the pointers, will do.

[motorbike guy]

25 x 15 room (max). Budget around 800 euros. Thinking of B&W, Epos, PMC.

OK, this means that you will likely have the speakers against a wall or near it. That rules out the big dipoles - martin logans, mangepans, etc. I would look for a well made two-way in a decent sized sealed box. If you go with a ported box, make sure the port is on the front. If the port is in the back, you have to watch how closely you put the speakers to the rear wall. B&Ws are good generally, although I have heard some awful ones as well. Epos is fine. PMC I don't know. See if you can find some Dynaudios in your price range. They are often spectacular with a good signal going into them.

Others I would consider are Linn 5140s, Vandersteen 2Cs,Theil CS 3.5. As I mentioned in response to some previous posts, Snells are also great speakers, although I do not know if they are widely avaialble in Europe. I am also quite partial to a speakers from a canadian company called Totem.

You will likely encounter a large number of "tower" type speakers. Frankly, if you have the floor space, these are usually the best option, since they don't take up a ton a square footage, but the cabinets can be big enough to give reasonable bass response. Howefer, don't be afraind to auditon smaller bookshelf speakers. Or I should say, don't automatically rule out smaller sized speakers. Listen to them, and prepare to be amazed. Smaller breadbox sized speakers can sound amazing in a smaller room. Just be prepared to shell out a couple of hundred euros for good stands.

And as I implied, don't buy anythign without listening to it first, preferably with your amp, in your room. The speakers I listed above all have quite different presentations, so If you like, say Linns or Dynaudios, you will most likely not like Vandersteens or Theils, and vice versa.

Listening time is around 10% classical, 10% avantgarde, 40% aluminium beard rock and 40% weird metal.

Listen to whatever you are interested in wtih your music, at realistic volumes. Some of the bigger speakers may tax the creek too much.

good luck and have fun. I love speaker shopping. I love going to hifi stores and just hanging out listenting to music. Making them listen to my music.

[enframed]

25 x 15 room (max). Budget around 800 euros. Thinking of B&W, Epos, PMC.

Dynaudio's Excite and Focus series have some in that price range.

[Christopher]

These responses are great, motorbike guy. Really enjoying all this information.

Any first-hand experience with the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 bookshelf speakers? I've had my eyes on them for a while, as I'll soon be in the market for some new speakers. Heard nothing but good reviews, and they're supposed to be an incredible deal in the sub-$500 range at $350 for the pair.

[rappard]

25 x 15 room (max). Budget around 800 euros. Thinking of B&W, Epos, PMC.

OK, this means that you will likely have the speakers against a wall or near it. That rules out the big dipoles - martin logans, mangepans, etc.

A friend has MLs and they sound awesome - but I also think you need a higher-wattage amp to drive them properly?

B&Ws are good generally, although I have heard some awful ones as well. Epos is fine. PMC I don't know. See if you can find some Dynaudios in your price range. They are often spectacular with a good signal going into them.

Dynaudio's Excite and Focus series have some in that price range.

Thanks for the info, will def. look into those.

Others I would consider are Linn 5140s, Vandersteen 2Cs, Theil CS 3.5. As I mentioned in response to some previous posts, Snells are also great speakers, although I do not know if they are widely avaialble in Europe. I am also quite partial to a speakers from a canadian company called Totem.

I know the names (from browsing AudiogoN, among other sites), but in general these are not carried widely here in Holland - B&W etc. are.

[snipped more very useful gear talk]

Many many thanks - if you're ever in Holland I owe you a beer.

[motorbike guy]

These responses are great, motorbike guy. Really enjoying all this information.

Any first-hand experience with the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 bookshelf speakers? I've had my eyes on them for a while, as I'll soon be in the market for some new speakers. Heard nothing but good reviews, and they're supposed to be an incredible deal in the sub-$500 range at $350 for the pair.

i have not heard those wharfs. the ones that I am familar with were sort of mid-fi good, not real detailed. nice bass bump, high end a little thin. But its all subjective. If you listen to them and they sound good, go for it. I think you can do better, though. Paradigms are similar, but a little better, I think.