I shall speak of audio here

lightman1
lightman1 Posts: 10,788
edited January 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Yep! It's true. I've got somewhere in the range of four pre-amps,7000 watts of amplification, God knows how many AVR's, processors and the like.
A sh!tload of speakers(hoarder:o). Some really nice Radio Shack IC's. And some CDP's laying around.
After sitting here this morning on the couch spinnin' some tunes, I opened my eyes and said "Does it take this much to have a nice rig?" NOPE!
Therefore and hitherto, I shall set off on a quest to have a minimalist approach to finding a Nice setup. Nothing fancy, no hand-built pre from a small and unknown village in the Swiss alps or $29,000 silver-soldered amps that can change weather patterns when you hit the power switch. Just simple 2ch goodness that I can maybe one day sit back and say "That's it."
Help and advise is appreciated and will be taken in and considered without bias. Unless you're talkin' tubes. Get it? Tube bias!
I still consider you all a bunch of Hacks, but you are my roving band of Hacks and I thank you.



Let the journey begin.
I am Lightman. Hear my stereo!
AKA Russ
Post edited by lightman1 on
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited April 2009
    not to sure what you're asking exactly.. but take the best of the best of the pre's, amps, CDP's. etc.. and put together one sweet sounding system. sell the rest and buy some beer and more tunes. and call it a day.

    I'm the type that keeps a minimal amount of unused gear in the house. maybe three or four pieces tops that are unused. everything else gets Ebay'd or Craiglisted. I hate to see good gear go unused and just taking up space.. when someone else could be enjoying it and I could have some extra spending $$ in my pocket. ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2009
    Pass Clone amp, Dodd ELP, DacMagic, cheap transport, some decent cables, and you're on your way for around $1K.

    Or pick up a Cambridge 540A/640A, a 540C/640C, and some decent cables. You won't have the magic of tubes or be 2 ohm stable, but you'll save some money and still have a very nice sounding budget rig.

    I didn't include speakers since you already have more than what you know what to do with. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited April 2009
    Just get a bose wave raido, it does the same job as all that fancy audio stuff and takes up less space and sounds way better!

























    NOT!;)
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    not to sure what you're asking exactly.. but take the best of the best of the pre's, amps, CDP's. etc.. and put together one sweet sounding system. sell the rest and buy some beer and more tunes. and call it a day.

    I'm the type that keeps a minimal amount of unused gear in the house. maybe three or four pieces tops that are unused. everything else gets Ebay'd or Craiglisted. I hate to see good gear go unused and just taking up space.. when someone else could be enjoying it and I could have some extra spending $$ in my pocket. ;)

    .....Not asking, just stating that this is a new "project". Thing is Al, I have the stuff to put together something here, but it would involve to many links in the chain. I don't want to part with some things because my youngest son has developed an interest in this God forsaken thing we call a HOBBY(moneypit). He, himself has set up decent 2ch in his room. And has asked for advise on how to make it sound better. I'm so tickled I could almost piss myself (picture in your head).
    I'm just wanting to try the same thing, but from a different angle.
    Love Ya' Al.
    Drop a note and say Hi
    Russ
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Pass Clone amp, Dodd ELP, DacMagic, cheap transport, some decent cables, and you're on your way for around $1K.

    Or pick up a Cambridge 540A/640A, a 540C/640C, and some decent cables. You won't have the magic of tubes or be 2 ohm stable, but you'll save some money and still have a very nice sounding budget rig.

    I didn't include speakers since you already have more than what you know what to do with. :D

    Added to the list.
    Thanks J
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    zarrdoss wrote: »
    Just get a bose wave raido, it does the same job as all that fancy audio stuff and takes up less space and sounds way better!

























    NOT!;)

    I shall WALK to Colorado and piss upon your foliage for such a statement!!!!
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited April 2009
    dont you just love those bose (blows) ads on TV?:D
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    WAF approved... But this is not a product bashing thread:cool:
    Only positive thoughts....hummina hummina hummina hummina....
    anybody?
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2009
    For a pre-amp,,I think that you should look at the EE minimax(Tutay modded) and the Wright Sound WLA12A,, and I'll be happy to let you evaluate them the next time you come south. The Wright uses a 6x5 for tube recticification and a pair of 6SN7's,,oh,, a 6EM7 for "regulation" (ps),,mine has got some chinese sn7's,, but by the time you get back here,I'll have some "bad boys" in her.Just my .02 worth,, eh,, no one listens to me anyway:rolleyes:probabally a good thing;)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited April 2009
    I agree, a simple tube set-up with a nice pair of musical bookshelf speakers:D
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited April 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    I agree, a simple tube set-up with a nice pair of musical bookshelf speakers:D

    x2 I concur
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited April 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    I agree, a simple tube set-up with a nice pair of musical bookshelf speakers:D

    I think this is going to be my next audio journey. But on the cheap.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    The journey has started. One step taken.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    Thanks Danny(asslaminated)?






    still gotta bust chops around here. buncha fruitcakes.
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  • seeclear
    seeclear Posts: 1,242
    edited April 2009
    lightman1 wrote: »
    I shall WALK to Colorado and piss upon your foliage for such a statement!!!!

    HA! It is COLORADO. You'd have to shovel out the foliage (snow) first. It is only April, you know. ;)
    "Don't forget to change your politician. They are like diapers they need to be changed regularly, and for the same reason."
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    i agree, a simple tube set-up with a nice pair of musical bookshelf speakers:d

    aaaannnd?
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    george daniel wrote: »
    For a pre-amp,,I think that you should look at the EE minimax(Tutay modded) and the Wright Sound WLA12A,, and I'll be happy to let you evaluate them the next time you come south. The Wright uses a 6x5 for tube recticification and a pair of 6SN7's,,oh,, a 6EM7 for "regulation" (ps),,mine has got some chinese sn7's,, but by the time you get back here,I'll have some "bad boys" in her.Just my .02 worth,, eh,, no one listens to me anyway:rolleyes:probabally a good thing;)

    Let me peek into the closet of nice things
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    seeclear wrote: »
    HA! It is COLORADO. You'd have to shovel out the foliage (snow) first. It is only April, you know. ;)

    For that, I will shovel a path to pee!
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    george daniel wrote: »
    For a pre-amp,,I think that you should look at the EE minimax(Tutay modded) and the Wright Sound WLA12A,, and I'll be happy to let you evaluate them the next time you come south. The Wright uses a 6x5 for tube recticification and a pair of 6SN7's,,oh,, a 6EM7 for "regulation" (ps),,mine has got some chinese sn7's,, but by the time you get back here,I'll have some "bad boys" in her.Just my .02 worth,, eh,, no one listens to me anyway:rolleyes:probabally a good thing;)

    I'm listening.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited April 2009
    Get some SDA-2B's locally. I think a guy had some for sale in Newton...







    JK





    His are not for sale anymore. I just checked with him and he likes his simple little rig too much to part with it.


    By the way...I think a spot in my weed infested yard is turning yellow...also noticed some pee on my tires this morning.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    punk
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited April 2009
    I would consider one of these...

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1244167076

    and a pair of these...

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1241403221&/Magnepan-1.6-QR-Black---Update
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    Simple AND inexpensive, John!:eek:
    Nice looking stuff though.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited April 2009
    I've built 2 sets of these. One in a small footprint floorstander and a bookshelf. Both sounded great. In a blind taste test these won out over others costing 4 times the money. Keep a set of Polks for the sake of keeping a set of Polks. We all need a set of Polks. Choose the upgrades that you think would make you happy when building the speakers. I built my own cabinets, but many are available from Parts Express or Madisound.com.
    http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=148

    For a preamp I might look for a used Conrad Johnson PV7 or PV10 with a phono board. For the investment I don't think you can go wrong. I used to think you were buying the name. Today I see where you are buying the quality and the piece will last for years. You'll also have the option of tube rolling to design the sound you're looking for on any given day. I've found the phono stage to be more than acceptable in the CJ and can use a variety of MM & high output MC cartridges.

    Amplification is not needed be to serious with a CJ pre in the mix and a pair of the NEO2's. The speakers are forgiving when it comes to power and you'll get that warm feeling from the CJ's tubes. Maybe something of decent quality from a better known builder that has been tried and tested by members of the forum. Something in the 100wpc - 150wpc market?

    A good DAC will make-up for the lower cost of a decent CDP as long as it has a digital output. MSB, Monarchy, Benchmark or Theta to name a few. I see where that Ben member is making some cables that many here have raved over from time to time.

    Most of all have fun with what you choose and doing the choosing. Sounds like a good excuse to sample a variety of gear from a variety of members of the forum.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited April 2009
    lightman1 wrote: »
    Simple AND inexpensive, John!:eek:
    Nice looking stuff though.



    sorry bud... thought you meant simple and elegant:o
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    Keiko wrote: »
    I have a Bose Acoustic Wave used in my bedroom system. Not that bad really, but not worth what I paid for it. I also have a vintage pair of 301's that I used for many years. Retired these for my RTi's.

    < Getting my flame suit on > :o

    I'ts cool. I have set of 901's. shhhhhh..don't tell anybody:cool:
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    187CAM wrote: »
    Takin' notes. Thanks
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2009
    lightman1 wrote: »
    I'm listening.

    When you come back here,,I'll have a little "mini" rig with tubes,, Monitor 7b's w/peerless,, Wright or EE modded pre's,, 40 watt/upgraded Quicksilver EL-34 tuber,,plus what other gear we can get our hands on,, that should give you start.The VTl's $$ may be out of the shop by then as well.I think I'll have enough to let you get your listen on.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited April 2009
    george daniel wrote: »
    When you come back here,,I'll have a little "mini" rig with tubes,, Monitor 7b's w/peerless,, Wright or EE modded pre's,, 40 watt/upgraded Quicksilver EL-34 tuber,,plus what other gear we can get our hands on,, that should give you start.The VTl's $$ may be out of the shop by then as well.I think I'll have enough to let you get your listen on.

    You're the best, George.;):D. First of next month looks good here.
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  • CRESCENDOPOWER
    CRESCENDOPOWER Posts: 153
    edited April 2009
    Place a chair in the middle of a pair of Klipschorns and fire those babies in line with your eardrums just like a pair of headphones. I recommend Parasound electronics for this application, and don’t be gentle with the volume knob.:p
    Buy Polk ****!:D

    http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/image/12222003154728.jpg
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