|   New to this whole thing... | Guardian
Aug 19, 2002 11:44 AM | | Newbie question here :)
I'm just starting to set up a music-only system for myself. I want to kinda work into it and upgrade later when I'm more sure of what I want.
All I'm going to be playing through this system will be CDs (probably a 5 disc SACD changer but not necessarily)...
Do I need a pre-amp for that, or can I run the CD player directly into an amp?
And what would be a few good entry-level amps I could look at?
Thanks |
| re: New to this whole thing... | mcesarey
Aug 19, 2002 4:45 PM | | You'll need some sort of pre-amp, but if you're looking at something entry level, you might as well get an integrated receiver. If you want a good starting point I would suggest a Yamaha receiver that has preamp outputs, so that later on you could just use the receiver as a preamp and have a separate power amplifier to run the speakers. If you don't want preamp outs you could check out the Denon DRA-395. Also look in to Marantz, something like the SR4200 would be a great receiver to start with. |
| re: New to this whole thing... | thefloyd
Aug 19, 2002 4:46 PM | | What kind of speakers do you have or do you plan on getting? What budget have you set for yourself? These factors will help determine the amp you will need. You can look at integrated amps which have the amp and preamp combined, or you can go with a separate amp and preamp. You can hook a CD player directly to an amp if the CDP has a variable connection on the back and a volume control on the front--but this is not always best depending on the equipment you have.
You have come to the right place. : ) Ask lots of questions, read all you can and audition as much equipment as possible--but most of all--have patience so you make the best decisions the first time around.
Regards,
KG |
| re: New to this whole thing... | Guardian
Aug 19, 2002 11:53 PM | | I'm not sure exactly what speakers I'll get, there are great deals locally on Paradigm and Polk...
My budget in the medium term is $1500.. including subwoofer which I can do without to start, and probably just cheap cables to start too.
I have no equipment as of yet so I'm totally open to any and all suggestions within the budget.
I may skimp out on some cheap speakers to start as well and get some VERY nice speakers around christmas time - but I really need SOME kind of system set up now. |
| re: New to this whole thing... | thefloyd
Aug 20, 2002 8:01 AM | | I have read good reviews on Paradigm and have personally owned a couple of pairs of Polks over the years. Although Polk were decent speakers, they never satisfied me--and now that I own B&W, I really feel the Polks simply didnt have the capabilities in performance I was after. But remember that the relationship between ALL of the components is what makes up what you hear-with the speakers probably being the most important factor. As many have told me on this forum time and time again--buy the best speakers you can possibly afford. This advice has served me well, and I took it a step further and applied it to everthing I purchased. I am now quite satisfied, and am enjoying my music like never before! I am glad I took my time and did the research. In the end it really depends upon what you are after. For years I had a basic mid-fi system and so I got basic mid-fi sound. This never satisfied me so I researched higher end gear and now the music reproduction I am getting is far superior to what I had. Like many things in life: You get what you pay for. Many will debate this, but as Dennis Miller says: Its only my opinion, I could be wrong.
Good Luck,
KG |
| Here's a sample system... | Ray from RI
Aug 20, 2002 9:24 AM | | I have had first hand experience with some of these components, and they are all very fine. There are many other brands/models to choose from, especially for the stereo receiver, but I think you'll be more than satisfied with this:
Sony SCD-CE775 Multi-channel SACD changer ($200)
Yamaha RX-596 100w x 2 stereo receiver ($350)
B&W DM601 S3 bookshelf speakers ($450)
Hsu Research VTF-2 subwoofer ($500)
Ha, exactly $1500!!!
-Ray |
| These are some good entry level choices for you | Soundman
Aug 19, 2002 6:58 PM | | You can get a nice entry level receiver, but for a CD only based system for music only, the Audiosource line of power amps are a great way to start. They each have volume controls on the front that will allow them to be used as a preamp. Just connect your CD player to the input, connect your speakers and use the front volume controls.
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=audamp1a Basically the same amp with power meters. http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=audamp2 http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=audamp3 There are many loudspeakers that will work well with such a system. |
| What I would do. | A
Aug 20, 2002 9:03 AM | | I would add a $500 subwoofer to:
<a href="/crforum?14@@.ef8f0c2/2">A "2 channel system vs amplifier" 8/19/02 10:25am</a>
There are several subwoofers at that price point that have been well reviewed, including one by Hsu Research and one by Mission. I am sure there are other brands to consider at that price point. |
| re: New to this whole thing... | igor
Aug 22, 2002 12:12 PM | | Hey Guardinan,
You have gotten some good advice here so far, all worthy to learn from. I too, am putting together a basic 2 channel system for audio only, and I think you can do quite a bit for $1500.
Two sites to check out are http://www.audioadvisor.com they sell some good gear, some of ir reasonably priced. Yawaonline.com also sells some good NAD gear, and PSB speakers, two of my favorite combos.
FOr $1500, I would buy a decent integrated amp, like a NAD c350 or the c370 ($350 & $500 or so) or the Cambridge Audio integrated amp d500se at about $385.
CD, could also be NAD 541i or the Cambridge 500se at about $400. The Sony 775 sacd player is a good deal, as is their dvd/cd/sacd players, also good for video if you need it.
Speakers, the choice are very numerous. I would look at (and I am) the PSB Image line, Athena Technologies F1 and F2, Paradigm Monitor series, the list goes on.
A good system with these components could be easily had for around $1500. I gotta run, more later. |
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