New to 2 Channel.

boomerfss

Hi.

I just set up a 2 channel system for my office. I went with a Music Hall MMF 2.2 LE , an old Pioneer VSX-D601 and a couple of old Harman Kardon small speakers.

I would like to upgrade the speakers first. Looking for some bookshelf speakers in the $300 range. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jim.

coolsax

Vanns has the Energy RC 10 for 219, originally was a $600/pr speaker and get good reviews,

shadowlight

Usher S520 - Have heard good things about them but have not personally heard them

zingo

Your local Craigslist should have plenty of good bookshelf speakers in that price range.

brgman

Since this is a POLK forum i would consider looking at what Polk has to offer in new or used speakers.

boomerfss

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look at Polk as well of course. I just thought with going the vinyl route, some speakers may be better suited than others. Has to be bookshelf sized though. Space is limited.

Tks.

tonyb

Along with upgrading the speakers, and seeing that nice TT sitting there, I have to suggest a nice pre amp with a good phono stage as your next step. That AVR isn't doing you any favors. Just my .02 is all, I know we all have a budget to live with.

boomerfss

tonyb wrote: »

Along with upgrading the speakers, and seeing that nice TT sitting there, I have to suggest a nice pre amp with a good phono stage as your next step. That AVR isn't doing you any favors. Just my .02 is all, I know we all have a budget to live with.

Thanks Tony. That was going to be my next question. Do you have a suggestion for the pre amp? I am flexible on the money for a good deal.

Also, what are the benefits to the pre-amp? I do see it referenced quite a bit for turntables.

Tks.

shadowlight

brgman wrote: »

Since this is a POLK forum i would consider looking at what Polk has to offer in new or used speakers.

Can you recommend some good Polk Monitor's. I am not in the market and do not know much about Polk sound so just trying to learn. Still learning about Polk Audio outside of the LSi series.

Just trying to learn and not create any issues or derail the OP's thread.

Thx.

tonyb

boomerfss wrote: »

Thanks Tony. That was going to be my next question. Do you have a suggestion for the pre amp? I am flexible on the money for a good deal.

Also, what are the benefits to the pre-amp? I do see it referenced quite a bit for turntables.

Tks.

The pre amp world is your oyster my friend. You can do a pre amp with a built in phono stage or a pre amp with an outboard phone stage. I like the latter, as it gives you many options in the quality of a phono stage. Not that it matters that much, you can add a seperate phono stage to any preamp really. Throw out a round about number for a budget and I'm sure we can suggest many that would fit a nice office system.

Many of todays dacs offer a pre amp stage too, or a nice integrated with a built in dac and phono stage, many avenues to go down for sure. Just giving you something to think about, maybe narrow it down, or suggestions can run all over the place. I know there are lots of avenues to go down, but all of them will be a step or 2 .....or 3 or 4, above an AVR with a TT.

Under 3 bills for speaks....Epos....can't go wrong with them. Polk lsi7's might be a contender too if you can find some used. Many, many good bookies out there.

Here's a nice integrated, with phono .
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-music-hall-a15-2-black-2012-09-14-integrateds-11710-north-bellmore-ny

tonyb

If it was me though, with a TT, I'd be lookin' for a tube integrated, maybe Dared, Cayin.

boomerfss

tonyb wrote: »

If it was me though, with a TT, I'd be lookin' for a tube integrated, maybe Dared, Cayin.

Hmmm...starting to sound a wee bit expensive. I wasn't sure if I needed one (new to this hobby). The amp has a phono input. I may start with a less expensive one just to get going and then look at more options.

This may sound funny, but I want to take a stab at building a tube amp. My son-in-law is into this stuff and I thought it might be fun to do together.

I'm pretty sure my wife didn't know what she was agreeing to when I bought the turn table!

brgman

shadowlight wrote: »

Can you recommend some good Polk Monitor's. I am not in the market and do not know much about Polk sound so just trying to learn. Still learning about Polk Audio outside of the LSi series.

Just trying to learn and not create any issues or derail the OP's thread.

Thx.

Polk 5's and 7's are always around and with maybe a swap of the tweeter to the newer RDO series they are great bookshelf speakers for about 100 bucks.
If someone wants bookshelf speakers for the home hifi the new bookshelf speakers would do nicely.
Not saying there aren't tons of great bookshelf speakers but i think it tends to get lost that the fine folks running this operation are Polk Audio loudspeaker manufacturers and we should always support them first.
My rant for the day.
Carry On...

shadowlight

@brgman agreed on looking at the polk stuff first.

steveinaz

There's some VERY nice EPOs monitors in the FM---

boomerfss

steveinaz wrote: »

There's some VERY nice EPOs monitors in the FM---

Just 8 more posts and I will be there! :cheesygrin:

Conradicles

Just a heads up that I have a pair of EPOS ELS8 monitors if you are interested. They would fit your bill perfectly. PM me if interested.

angelsfann02

I like some polk rt55's at that price range. It is an all around well rounded speaker. Great bass without sounding "boomy". The highs
are very clear. Probably the last pair of speakers in my collection that I would ever sell.

boomerfss

Conradicles wrote: »

Just a heads up that I have a pair of EPOS ELS8 monitors if you are interested. They would fit your bill perfectly. PM me if interested.

Thanks for the heads up. I went a different direction for now and picked up a cambridge pre amp. I got it locally for $110 bucks. And yes, it is making a big difference. Speaker may have to wait for a bit now.

Thanks for the advice!

Jim.

tonyb

boomerfss wrote: »

Hmmm...starting to sound a wee bit expensive.

Nah, look at the other thread on the tubed pre...Yaqin.....for under 200 bones used. Better to start slow, that way you appreciate the bumps in sound quality along the way. Congrats on the Cambridge, glad to hear you like it.

hochpt21

boomerfss wrote: »

Thanks for the heads up. I went a different direction for now and picked up a cambridge pre amp. I got it locally for $110 bucks. And yes, it is making a big difference. Speaker may have to wait for a bit now.

Thanks for the advice!

Jim.

What model Cambridge did you pick up?

boomerfss

I got the 551p. Seemed like a good place to start.

gwg_97

I am constantly amazed by my vintage monitor 5s. You can easily get them for under $100. I just love that vintage Polk sound.

tonyb

Another very good option for an office rig........

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-peachtree-audio-idecco-high-current-hybrid-tube-integrated-amp-2012-09-18-integrateds-89120

boomerfss

Thanks for suggesting the phono pre amp idea Tony. The Cambridge 551P is doing a fine job for now. I'll look at upgrading it down the road. I'm not sure my wife will let me upgrade the speakers as well. I've only had this system about a week!

tonyb

No sweat my friend.....when you and your wallet.....and the wife are ready, we will be here to spend your money accordingly.:biggrin:

Enjoy your new pre, it's going to open a window of SQ for you that begs more investigation and further your enjoyment.

TNHNDYMAN

If you still want to consider some Polks, I have some Monitor 5's with Peerless tweeter that I'd let go for $100 plus prob $30 shipping depending on your location. Could do alot worse. It pains me to see those little gray speakers in the corner with such a nice turntable and the cambridge pre...

tonyb

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

It pains me to see those little gray speakers in the corner with such a nice turntable and the cambridge pre...

True...true...but that Horsey's and Teddy Bear wallpaper might ruin the mood more.:biggrin:

Just playin' with ya.:biggrin:

boomerfss

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

If you still want to consider some Polks, I have some Monitor 5's with Peerless tweeter that I'd let go for $100 plus prob $30 shipping depending on your location. Could do alot worse. It pains me to see those little gray speakers in the corner with such a nice turntable and the cambridge pre...

Damnit! I looked these speakers up and they sound like just what I need. Not sure how I will sneak them in, but sold! I will PM you for shipping information. I am in Canada, so I will pay more for shipping if required.

Thanks!

Jim.

P.S. No more! That's 2 upgrades in less than a week (unless someone has a good deal on an amp for this sort of set up).

boomerfss

tonyb wrote: »

True...true...but that Horsey's and Teddy Bear wallpaper might ruin the mood more.:biggrin:

Just playin' with ya.:biggrin:

Hey, I love that wallpaper! My wife begs me to let her change it, but it is my office and I likes it! No Women allowed!! :evil:

Upstatemax

boomerfss wrote: »

Damnit! I looked these speakers up and they sound like just what I need. Not sure how I will sneak them in, but sold! I will PM you for shipping information. I am in Canada, so I will pay more for shipping if required.

Thanks!

Jim.

P.S. No more! That's 2 upgrades in less than a week (unless someone has a good deal on an amp for this sort of set up).

Lol.

The good news is that interconnects are VERY easy to sneak into the house!